Medtronic hit by whistleblower suit; Zimmer to raise $7.65B for Biomet buy;

@FierceMedDev: ICYMI yesterday: Brain-controlled, robotic prosthetic hand comes closer to simulating reality. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev

@VarunSaxena2: Irish research center wins EU funding to study and develop transdermal delivery methods. More from FierceDrugDelivery | Follow @VarunSaxena2

@EmilyWFierce: Some background info on liquid biopsies. More from MIT Technology Review | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> Oncology imaging analysis company HealthMyne has raised a $4.5 million Series A round led by Madison, WI-based venture firms Venture Investors and 4490 Ventures. More

> Medtronic ($MDT) has been hit by a whistleblower lawsuit from a former employee who says she was fired after reporting that the company was allowing untrained staff to perform medical procedures. Story

> Cardiac Dimensions has added $15.2 million to raise a total of $43 million in a previously disclosed financing. The round is backing a European and Australian trial of the company's percutaneous mitral repair device in patients with functional mitral regurgitation. More

> Zimmer ($ZMH) is raising $7.65 billion in debt to help finance its $13.4 billion acquisition of Biomet, which is slated to close this quarter. Release

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Acadia craters as takeover buzz is silenced by news of an unexpected NDA delay, CEO exit. Article | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: 4 of the last Fierce 15 have filed IPOs since last fall. More coming. Hot market, eh? Feature | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: Here's the $ENDP letter to $SLXP's board, pitching a deal that's 74% stock. PDF | Follow @DamianFierce

> Epizyme retrieves global rights to cancer drug in $110M deal. News

> Neuralstem tanks on cloudy results for its ALS treament. Story

> 23andMe dives into biotech with Genentech R&D star Richard Scheller on board. Report

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Gates Foundation puts $52 million behind CureVac, following Sanofi, Boehringer's lead. FierceVaccines story | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: Texas drug compounder corralled by federal injunction. More from FiercePharmaManufacturing | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: ICYMI yesterday: Should Teva buy Mylan? 'Close call,' analyst says. Report | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> Endo aims to lure Salix from Valeant with $175-per-share offer. Report

> J&J boosts CEO pay to $25M, doubles R&D chief's haul. Article

Vaccines News

> Analyst: Ebola vaccine developers 'need to weigh risks' as cases dwindle. More

> Combo-happy Diamyd launches new diabetes vaccine trial in children. Report

> Smallpox vaccine helps Bavarian Nordic net first full-year profit in 5 years. Story

> Takeda transfers HPV vaccine rights as it continues globalization push. More

> Bharat's $1 rotavirus vaccine rolls out in India to challenge GSK, Merck. Article

Pharma Manufacturing News

> Hikma profits soften as shortages of doxycycline are resolved. Article

> Mylan recalls drug after problem uncovered with Indian supplier. Item

> Texas compounder corralled by federal injunction. More

> Pfizer makes it official, it has reversed its decision to close Irish Lipitor plant. Story

> Manufacturing mess at J&J consumer plant results in guilty plea, $20M fine. Report

Pharma Asia News

> AstraZeneca and Singapore's A*STAR ink research pact on complex heart failure syndrome. More

> Biotech in China is built brick-by-brick, but more money would help, BeiGene's Oyler says. Article

> First off the blocks, Natco gets India's regulatory nod for hep C copy. Story

> Japan a lucrative market for endocrine sales, report says. Item

> Glaxo plants a flag in Singapore with CEO Witty on hand. Report