@FierceMedDev: Hill-Rom has snatched up Aspen Surgical Products for $400 million. Release | Follow @FierceMedDev
@MarkHFierce: The fight goes on. Advamed, via Abiomed's Michael Minogue, are pushing Congress to repeal the 2.3% device tax. More | Follow @MarkHFierce
@DamianFierce: Boston Scientific posted a $3.4B second-quarter loss, citing sluggish markets abroad. News | Follow @DamianFierce
> NeuroMetrix ($NURO) lost $2.8 million in its 2012 second quarter, a slight increase compared to 2011. But the company says it is making progress in gearing up its Sensus pain management device for a commercial launch in the fourth quarter. Release
> Zimmer reported a second-quarter sales decline of 1.1% but still boosted its earnings per share by 10.7% over the same period last year. More
> Altura Medical, a developer of an abdominal aortic aneurysm stent-graft, has raised $6 million in new venture funding to help fuel the CE mark approval process in Europe. Story
> Navidea Biopharmaceuticals has opened up a $50 million line of credit with Platinum-Montaur Life Sciences, looking to finance its development of new diagnostics, including its Alzheimer's imaging agent. Article
> Plans for a new medical devices center at the University of Minnesota got a jumpstart after the state's economic development department pledged $1 million to fund its construction. News
> Clemson University researchers are exploring ways to improve the design of knee implants and the surgical techniques behind them. Blog
> pSivida ($PDSV) snagged German approval for Iluvien, its back-of-the-eye implantable device that treats chronic diabetic macular edema. Item
> Becton Dickinson ($BDX) has teamed up with the U.S. Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control to improve laboratory systems in the developing world, a deal worth $20 million. More
> The global dental CAD/CAM system market should surpass $540 million by 2016, driven by an expansion in Japan, according to a new report from Millennium Research Group. Release
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: GE, iBio unite on plant-based production of vaccines and biologics. Item | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: EIU on Astra: "So far the departure of boss David Brennan in June seems to have made little difference to the gloom surrounding the company." | Follow @JohnCFierce
@RyanMFierce: Science journos spend lots of time translating jargon into simple terms. Nature argues against some of this practice. Article | Follow @RyanMFierce
> As sales slide AstraZeneca stays fixed on rapid-fire deal strategy. Story
> Analysts bet on likely approval, pact for Amarin blockbuster AMR101. Report
> Hyperion takes standard biotech haircut on $50M IPO. News
Pharma News
@FiercePharma: The common cry from Big Pharma this quarter: Europe's dreadful. And Parallel trade makes it worse--Reuters. More | Follow @FiercePharma
> Generic Seroquel drags AZ sales down by $900M. Article
> Sanofi cost-cutting plans overshadow sales strength. Story
Pharma Manufacturing News
> FDA ravages Sanofi vaccine sterility process in warning letter. Article
> Sun Pharma standardizing manufacturing globally. Story
> California county orders drugmakers to pay for drug disposal. News
> FDA to Congress: Agency can't dodge plant problems to avoid shortages. More
Vaccines News
> FDA wags finger at Sanofi for no-nos at vaccine plants. News
> GE, iBio unite on plant-based production of vaccines and biologics. Item
> Sanofi vaccine combats most viral causes of dengue. Story
> Researchers hope to turn white blood cells into a vaccine. More
> Medicago completes rapid-fire flu vaccine production. Article
> Vaxil BioTherapeutics debuts on Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. Item
And Finally... Shares of Sunshine Heart closed up 14% Wednesday following news of the company's CE mark in Europe for its C-Pulse outside-the-bloodstream heart pump. Story