@FierceMedDev: Only a few weeks left to submit your nominations for the 15 fiercest private device developers. Survey | Follow @FierceMedDev
> Medtronic ($MDT) is rolling out its Endurant II AAA stent graft system in the U.S., which recently gained FDA approval as an alternative to major surgery to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms through endovascular repair. Release
> CardioKinetix is now enrolling patients for a post-market safety surveillance trial in Germany of its Parachute ventricular partitioning device, which has CE marking to treat patients with ischemic heart failure. Release
> An analyst with Raymond James downgraded the shares of Quest Diagnostics ($DGX) and LabCorp ($LH) to "underperform" because he believes both will face sluggish profit growth in the face of government reimbursement rate cuts and weak employer drug testing business. Story
> Groups are pushing to reduce radiation exposure from CT scans in the face of reports that they can raise the risk of some cancers in children, The Wall Street Journal's "Health Blog" reports. Item
> Hansen Medical ($HNSN) has watched its share price drop even though the FDA cleared its Magellan robot-assisted surgical system for use in peripheral vascular surgeries. Story
> Becton Dickinson and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation have extended their collaboration focused on developing better glucose monitoring devices for patients with Type 1 diabetes. Release
> Singapore-based Vela Diagnostics, formed about a year ago, expects to begin launching a number of IVD test kits and other products by the 2012 third quarter. Release
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: Catalent continues restructuring efforts as it completes work on NC fill-finish plant. News | Follow @FierceBiotech
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@RyanMFierce: My post about how Lilly leads docs to cancer drug trials with iPad app. Article | Follow @RyanMFierce
> Sanofi's Zerhouni rewrites the company playbook on R&D. Report
> Fledgling Foundation Medicine scores a coup with Novartis R&D pact. News
> Otsuka cracks tough TB cases with experimental drug. More
> Lilly chief resolves to stick with high-risk pipeline strategy. Item
Pharma News
@FiercePharma: Pfizer plans IPO for minority stake in animal-health unit--dubbed "Zoetis"--on its way to total spinoff. Report | Follow @FiercePharma
> Pharma feeds multiply on Twitter. Story
> Lilly chief skeptical of buyouts--and not just megadeals. Article
> Will Horizant's new use soothe tempers at XenoPort, GSK? More
> Novartis yanks mispackaged birth-control pills. News
CRO News
@NesaNFierce: Catalent's renovated fill-finish plant in NC is more in-tune with the company's renewed business focus. Article | Follow @NesaNFierce
> Siegfried buys Allied Medical Products for $58M. News
> Medtox's toxicology offerings contribute to LabCorp acquisition, as contract manufacturing shrinks. More
> WuXi PharmaTech speaks out on compound theft by former employee. Article
> Kansas City CROs form alliance to attract outsourcing work to region. Item
Pharma Manufacturing News
> FDA commish suggests drugmakers get on board with track and trace. More
> Sandoz recalls Introvale contraceptives. News
> Indian API maker looks to Asia for cheap energy. Report
Vaccines News
> NewLink Genetics takes the stage at ASCO. Story
> Vax, hormone combo could up efficacy in prostate cancer. Article
> Mapping the way to a Candida vaccine. Item
> Affiris' Parkinson's therapeutic vax starts clinical trials. More
And Finally... PerkinElmer ($PKI) is launching a "Personalized Health Innovation Center of Excellence" in Hopkinton, MA that will focus on developing the next diagnostic and therapeutic products. Plans call for boosting employment to expand the center, which will be ready for business by late 2012. Release