Mindray plans to fight Masimo suit; Thoratec eyes expanded HeartMate indication;

 @FierceMedDev: Johnson & Johnson's first vaginal mesh trial revs up this week. More | | Follow @FierceMedDev

@MarkHFierce: Illumina is grabbing Verinata Health for $350M-plus. The buy gets it into fetal Dx business. Story | Follow @MarkHFierce

 @DamianFierce: Unregulated clinical trials are wreaking "havoc" in India, the supreme court says. News | Follow @DamianFierce

> The J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco begins in full swing today. Item

> Masimo ($MASI) is suing Mindray Medical ($MR), claiming the Chinese devicemaker violated its patents with the Beneview pulse oximeters, and Mindray says it will vigorously defend itself. More

> Natus Medical ($BABY) has agreed to buy the Grass Technologies Product Group from Astro-Med for $18.6 million. Grass makes neurodiagnostic and monitoring products, including a portfolio of polysomnography and electroencephalography systems. Item

> Covidien ($COV) has reached a $1 billion sales milestone for its Tri-Staple endoscopic surgical stapling tool--a big win since the product launched in mid-2010. Release

> After securing the FDA's blessing in November, NeuroMetrix ($NURO) has begun shipping Sensus, a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator designed to treat chronic pain. News

> Thoratec ($THOR) won FDA approval to conduct a study evaluating its HeartMate II device in early-stage heart failure patients, seeking an expanded indication for the top-selling LVAD. Report

> Teleflex ($TFX) has launched the Babi.Plus Bubble PAP Valve, a continuous positive airway pressure device for critical care infants that expands the company's respiratory portfolio. Release

Biotech News

 @FierceBiotech: Indian supreme court: Unregulated trials causing 'havoc'. More | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: As Big Pharma falters, Big Biotech helps fill a $100B "gap." Editor's Corner | Follow @JohnCFierce

@RyanMFierce: Boehringer doesn't want $LLY's basal insulin analog anymore, amends big diabetes pact. News | Follow @RyanMFierce

> Biotech buyout buzz swells as industry's dealmakers flock to JPMorgan confab. Story

> Gilead and biotech strike antibody deal worth north of $1.1B--maybe. News

> Cubist jumps on to Heptares' growing GPCR bandwagon. Article

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Eli Lilly's 2013 profits forecast surpasses analyst predictions. What gives? More | Follow @FiercePharma

 @AlisonBFierce: What's the buzz? Big Pharma may be on the verge of a buying spree. News | Follow @AlisonBFierce

> Roche chairman pooh-poohs another Illumina bid. Report

> Valeant chief shoots for $10B in sales--and then $20B. Story

Biotech IT News

> Quants collaborate on forecasting value of genomics in medicine. Story

> Is FDA keeping social media from taking flight in pharma? Editor's Corner

> Abbott spinoff AbbVie starts social media effort from scratch. Article

> Agilent unit picks up lab software rights to fuel cancer diagnostics biz. News

CRO News

> WCCT partners with U.S.'s largest trial registry on patient adherence. Article

> Questcor snags CMO BioVectra for $50.7M. News

> Cellular Dynamics signs on with AstraZeneca for drug discovery. Story

> Indian supreme court: Unregulated trials causing 'havoc'. Report

> Clinical Network Services buys CRO Beltas. Item