> According to the Lobbying Disclosure Act Database, medical device makers spent upwards of $20 million lobbying Congress and the FDA in the first quarter of 2010. General Electric led the pack, spending $7.1 million on lobbying. Johnson & Johnson and Abbott followed, forking out $2.4 million and $1.8 million respectively, with Medtronic and Baxter Healthcare rounding out the top five spenders. Report
> The FDA has issued a Class I recall of a counterfeit version of R. Bard Davol's Marlex surgical mesh. FDA and Bard investigators discovered fake versions of the product labeled with real Bard lot numbers. The agency is warning healthcare professionals not to use mesh from the counterfeit lots. Report
> Accuray and Siemens have inked a marketing deal covering Accuray's CyberKnife system, used to treat cancer tumors. The two companies also entered into an R&D pact to explore potential synergies between them. Report
> Philips Healthcare is planning to expand its Madison, WI-based radiation oncology business unit by July, 2011. Report
> Albany Molecular is buying Hyaluron, which makes pre-filled syringes, for $27 million. Albany release
> Med tech company Hemosphere announced that Patrick Wethington has joined the company as its new CEO, effective immediately. Wethington succeeds Doris Engibous. Hemosphere release
> CardioNet, which is focused on the diagnosis and monitoring of cardiac arrhythmias, has named Joe Capper as its next CEO. CardioNet release
And Finally... The big genome payday is still years away. Report