Medtronic eyeing M&A opportunities, exec says; Alere faces Class I recall of cardio Dx tests;

@MarkHFierce: We have extended the nomination deadline for the 15 fiercest medical device developers to July 13. Spread the word. Survey | Follow @MarkHFierce

> Medtronic ($MDT) is looking for acquisition targets in the diagnostic, patient monitoring and population health management sectors, an executive with the company told MedCity News. Story

> Lab21's CLIA laboratory in Greenville, SC has been named as one of 9 in the U.S. to offer the first FDA-approved companion diagnostic test to help guide the use of the chemotherapy drug Erbitux to treat patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Release

> BD Diagnostics, a division of Becton, Dickinson ($BDX), gained FDA clearance to market its BD Max MRSA molecular test in the United States. Story

> U.K. regulators are warning that counterfeit versions of surgical clips from Johnson & Johnson ($JNJ)'s Ethicon unit may have shipped to hospitals there. Report

> Covidien ($COV) is boosting the capabilities of its ForceTriad energy platform, rolling out new software that allows for transurethral resections of the prostate. News

> Alere ($ALR) faces an FDA Class I recall of several lots of its cardiovascular diagnostic tests, due to a potentially fatal error regarding test sensitivity. The snafu leads to a higher rate of false positive and false negative results, MedPage Today reports. Story

Biotech News

 @FierceBiotech:  Duke and Scripps grab $31M for HIV /AIDS vaccine research, $186M to be awarded over six years. Story | Follow @FierceBiotech

 @JohnCFierce:  Ascletis gets China development rights to Alnylam liver cancer drug - no terms announced. More | Follow @JohnCFierce

 @RyanMFierce: Here's Pfizer's 2011 ASCO poster on the FAK inhibitor. Item | Follow @RyanMFierce

> In deal flurry, Verastem vaults to PhII on Pfizer cancer drug pact. Story

> Merck's osteoporosis drug 'odana' clinches promising PhIII data. Item

> Actelion will slash 135 staffers, refocus on rare diseases in R&D shakeup. More

> New Kala CEO plans to raise funds for particle tech programs. Report

> GSK preps FDA app after albiglutide beats Januvia in Harmony 8. Article

Pharma News

 @FiercePharma: Failing with Forest CEO, Icahn is now pressing non-exec board members to settle proxy contest--Reuters  More | Follow @FiercePharma

>Foreign demand saves Ipsen's primary-care plant. Story

> Emerging markets to dominate as drug sales hit $1.2T. More

> J&J to tighten up on oversight in wake of recalls, lawsuits. News

CRO News

 @NesaNFierce: ERT is striking the ePRO iron while it's hot, purchasing Invivodata. How many CROs take advantage of electronic data? Story | Follow @NesaNFierce

> Study shows no difference in data quality from CROs in developing countries. News

> Pharma cuts mean more expertise for CROs. Article

> Toshiba's latest TV ad doesn't leave ACRO laughing. Story

> EU preps simplified clinical trial rules for drug developers. News

> Polish market for clinical trials grows. Item

Pharma Manufacturing News

 @EricPFierce: Flooding leads to mold, leads to recall, leads to cancer drug shortage for Sanofi. More | Follow @EricPFierce

> Bristol-Myers expanding again in Puerto Rico. Story

> Kaluga Russia sets itself up as drugmaking epicenter. News

> Hospira shortage can't be blamed for woman's blindness. Article

> Mold leads to Sanofi cancer drug shortage. More

Vaccines News

> Norway's Bionor snags $1.7 million for HIV vaccine research. Article

> Australia backs plan to give HPV vax Gardasil to boys. More

> Duke and Scripps grab $31M for HIV/AIDS vax research. News

And Finally... The global neurostimulation devices market is expected to surpass $5.3 billion by 2018, a 14% increase from 2011, according to a new report from GBI Research. Release