Medical device companies pay $1.4B for excise tax; Pacemakers more common in dementia patients;

@FierceMedDev: ICYMI yesterday: Google wearables to add to planned bioinformatics database. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev

@StacyALawrence: Medtronic teaming up with China's LifeTech to develop cardiovascular products. More | Follow @StacyALawrence

@VarunSaxena2: FDA final guidance modifies 510(k) rules, discourages use of multiple predicate devices. Story | Follow @VarunSaxena2

@MichaelGFierce: Scientists test a Nanoparticle "Alarm Clock" to Awaken Immune Systems Put to Sleep by Cancer. More from Newswise | Follow @MichaelGFierce

@EmilyWFierce: FDA and physicians question the validity of popular mobile medical health apps. More from Wired | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> Medical device companies paid a combined $1.4 billion towards the 2.3% medical device excise tax established to fund the Affordable Care Act. Story

> Pacemakers are more common in people with dementia than in people without cognitive impairments, a recent study found, although the study did not identify a cause for the disparity. Story

> The FDA approved Medtronic's ($MDT) new cervical disc disease treatment device, the Prestige LP Cervical Disc System. More

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Nominations are open for our 2014 Women in Biotech report. More | Nomination form | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Resurgent Merck to accelerate R&D spending in H2, hunt new drug deals. Article | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: $GSK has launched Tanzeum (albiglutide) in the U.S., further crowding the GLP-1 market for T2 diabetes. Press release | Follow @DamianFierce

@EmilyMFierce: Really cool, albeit potentially terrifying: Teeth Sprout from Glia-Derived Stem Cells. GEN piece | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> Pfizer, Lilly and J&J chip in on $51M seed fund for New York biotechs. News

> Targacept's litany of trial failures continues with yet another flop. Article

> Sanofi dumps KaloBios' antibiotic in another stinging setback. More

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Why are Anoro & Breo slow starters? GSK's new quota-free model, critics say. More | Follow @FiercePharma

@TracyStaton: On Pfizer, the market's focus is on EPS beat. 58 cents vs. expected 57. Shares up 1.3% pre-market. Release | Follow @TracyStaton

@EricPFierce: Impax shares take a thrashing after FDA issues Taiwan plant new Form 483 with 10 observations. Article | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: Merck spokeswoman: Sales layoffs to hit PA-based field reps. Story | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> AstraZeneca rolls out preemie newspaper ads to fight Synagis limits. More

> Merck beats Q2 earnings estimates, but mostly on cost-cutting. Story

> Beyond the Q2 numbers, three big questions for Pfizer. Article

Biotech Research News

> NIH to spur innovation in new therapeutic areas. News

> Janssen rethinks drug discovery in a changing R&D environment. More

> Anti-inflammatory drug stops Parkinson's neuron loss in rats. Article

> CDC takes steps to improve lab safety after anthrax, flu scares. Story

> Vaccine protects animals against dust mite allergies. Item

Pharma Manufacturing News

> Impax now faces FDA issues at Taiwan plant that could affect Rytary. Report

> PCI buys contract manufacturer Penn Pharma in $215M deal. Story

> Merck KGaA to cut carbon dioxide emissions at Darmstadt site. More

> Hikma buys closed Boehringer plant and strips out equipment. News

> J&J done with Boehringer plant after building a supply of Doxil. Article