MA life sciences jobs growth program soars; Abbott revs up for Q1 2013 earnings discussion;

 @FierceMedDev: Dx approach offers chance to spot pancreatic cancer earlier. Story | Follow @FierceMedDev

 @MarkHFierce: Sony and Olympus have delayed their joint medical device venture again. Talk about unrealized potential. More | Follow @MarkHFierce

 @DamianFierce: A Chinese court is asking the SFDA to crack down on local clinical trial regulations. Article | Follow @DamianFierce

> Massachusetts' 10-year, $1 billion life sciences investment plan created 2,500 jobs during its first four years, a new study from Northwestern University concludes. Story

> Eye diagnostics company MacuLogix, which just closed on a $3.6 million Series A round, is now actively raising $5 million in Series B financing. Story (sub. req.)

> Abbott ($ABT) plans to disclose its 2013 first quarter earnings on Wed. April 17, 2013--its first since spinning off its brand-name drug business into its own company called AbbVie ($ABBV). Abbott now focuses on medical devices, diagnostics, nutritional products and generic drugs. Item

> A team of European researchers from various institutions developed a half-inch implant designed to track sugar and enzyme levels in the blood. It transmits data wirelessly to a patient's smartphone. Story

> A U.K. review of the breast implant industry in the wake of a scandal over faulty French implants will be released later in April. Item

> BioElectronics secured a new U.S. patent for a device designed to reduce both pain and inflammation. Item

> Vascular Solutions ($VASC) CEO Howard Root made $3.13 million in 2012. That's 237% higher than the previous year, due to a big boost in stock and option awards. Item

Biotech News

 @FierceBiotech: Sanofi to build $75m plant in Vietnam. Market there growing fast, and so is payer coverage. Article | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: While India's SC strikes at pharma, the U.K. tees up a sweet tax deal for patented pharma products--the "patent box." More | Follow @JohnCFierce

@RyanMFierce: Amgen claimed Big Data software prize in $415M deCODE buyout. Report | Follow @RyanMFierce

> New math on biosimilars sends a chilling message to Lonza/Teva team. More

> Clashing stands of India, U.K. on drug patents, R&D will offer clear lessons. Article

> J&J wins first FDA approval for new class of diabetes drug. News

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Reports of serious reactions to Affymax's Omontys surfaced last August, WSJ says, 6 months b/f recall. More | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: Pfizer's Xeljanzi forecast to hit $1.86 billion by 2016 but Amarin's Vascepa disappoints. Story | Follow @EricPFierce

> J&J faces big spending, big rivals for new diabetes drug Invokana. Report

> Sanofi plots new production in China, Vietnam to fuel Asian growth. More

> Biogen prices Tecfidera below oral MS rival Gilenya. Article

CRO News

> Biotrial takes tech, talent from failing Forenap. Story

> ReSearch launches joint venture with Japanese CRO. News

> bioRASI buys Ukraine CRO for E. Europe heft. Article

> Frontage gets FDA chiding over Chinese lab. Item

> Chinese court wants tougher clinical trial regs. Report

Biotech IT News

> George Church-affiliated startup blueprints genetic data marketplace. News

> FoldIt creator wins Bill Gates nod for science crowdfunding site. Item

> Sequoia-backed genomics startup, others face who-pays hurdle. Story

> NSF touts role of supercomputer in autism, neuroscience discoveries. Article

> Big Data sheds light on pharma's 'Small Data' problems. Industry Voices

> 5 keys to going mobile in pharma. Editor's Corner