Ohio State tests brain pacemaker on Alzheimer's; iRobot gets FDA nod for telemedicine device;

 @FierceMedDev: FDA slaps Class I tag on Bausch + Lomb's eye surgery recall. Report | Follow @FierceMedDev

 @DamianFierce: Some companies are passing the cost of the device tax down to customers, and hospitals are none too pleased. Story | Follow @DamianFierce

> Ohio State has successfully implanted a deep-brain stimulation device in a patient with early Alzheimer's, and the school is testing whether brain pacemakers can improve cognitive and behavioral functioning. News

> Massachusetts' iRobot snagged FDA clearance for its telemedicine robot, RP-VITA, to be used in hospitals. More

> Varian ($VAR) picked up 510(k) clearance for its Vitesse brachytherapy device. Item

> Thermo Fisher's ($TMO) One Lambda diagnostics unit got the FDA's OK for its HLA Fusion software, used for molecular typing and antibody screening assays. Release

> SPR Therapeutics won a CE mark for its Smartpatch peripheral nerve stimulation therapy for the minimally-invasive treatment of pain. Report

Biotech News

 @FierceBiotech: Biogen bolsters MS biz with PhIII win for longer-lasting Avonex. News | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Flu researchers are getting back to work on controversial genetically engineered viruses, whether US likes it or not. More | Follow @JohnCFierce

@RyanMFierce: Merck CEO pledges to persist with 'good' cholesterol drug program. Story | Follow @RyanMFierce

> Bristol-Myers finds silver (tax) lining after Hep C disaster. News

> Baxter snags hemophilia candidate in $185M deal with Ipsen and broke biotech. Article

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Results from Slovenia's Krka show why pharma's so interested in emerging markets. E. European growth push sales up 6%. More | Follow @FiercePharma

 @AlisonBFierce: After a year-long voluntary moratorium, researchers are set to resume lab-bred bird flu studies. News | Follow @AlisonBFierce

> FDA won't appeal free-speech ruling on off-label marketing. Story

> Lawmakers lash out at Amgen-friendly legislation. Report

Vaccines News

> U.N. excludes vaccine preservative from mercury treaty. More

> Researchers set to resume lab-bred bird flu studies. Report

> Heightened flu season turns focus on vaccine advancements. Story

> Evidence mounts for GSK flu vaccine link to narcolepsy. News

> Novartis lands EU approval of meningitis B vaccine Bexsero. Article

Pharma Manufacturing News

> AmerisourceBergen seeing shifts in drug distribution business. Item

> Drug plants popping up in Kazakhstan. Story

> Counterfeit drug seizures fell significantly in 2012. Report

> Ben Venue consent decree softened to account for drug shortages. News