Philips looks to slim down; Quantum Biosystems heralds 'ultra-low-cost' sequencer;

@FierceMedDev: Federal judge clears path for failure-to-warn claims against St. Jude. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev

@MichaelGFierce: Artificial pancreas news: U.K. researchers unveil device, J&J snags Can. approval of closed-loop system. News | Follow @MichaelGFierce

@EmilyWFierce: Covidien gets Japanese stamp of approval for Tri-Staple technology. More | Follow @EmilyWFierce

@GalenMoore: Judge green-lights 5 lawsuits claiming St. Jude Medical failed to warn about Riata problems. Report  | Follow @GalenMoore

> Phillips ($PHG) is planning to amp up its restructuring efforts in a drive to increase profitability as sales slow down in its sizable healthcare arm. News

> SAM Medical announces the first field use of its high-tech tourniquet in Afghanistan. Release

> The global endoscopy equipment market is projected to to hit $37.9B by 2018, according to this report. Release

> Quantum Biosystems is touting data from its "ultra-low-cost" sequencing tech. More

> Medela is showing off some positive results from a study of its Thopaz digital chest drainage system in thoracic surgeries. Announcement

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Neurotrope hires 3: a CMO and heads of commercial ops & regulatory affairs. Release | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: AstraZeneca adds a combo research pact to a flurry of new antibiotics deals. Coverage | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: Pfizer's R&D spend is $2.5B smaller than it was in 2011, but does smaller = more efficient? Story | Follow @DamianFierce

@EmilyMFierce: At least 103 million cases of childhood disease have been prevented by vaccines since 1924, new survey says. Blog post via Science News | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> Third Rock backs $14M round for Igenica's cancer-fighting antibodies. Article

> Indian clinical trials plummet 93% as local regs tighten up. Item

> NIH's Collins vows to tackle science's reproducibility problem. Story

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Endo Pharma is No. 10 on our list of 2013's largest pharma layoffs. Special Report | Follow @FiercePharma

@TracyStaton: Lilly announced 1,000 job cuts in 2013. 2014 is expected to be even bleaker. Report | Follow @TracyStaton

@EricPFierce: Pharma keeps whacking jobs, but not always because of the patent cliff. Report | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: NICE consults again on decision to recommend new prostate cancer drug Xtandi from Astellas. Release | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> AstraZeneca joins stepped-up antibiotic R&D action with FOB Synthesis deal. Item

> Report: FDA allowed 'high risk' animal antibiotics to remain in use on U.S. farms. Story

> GSK warns of a possible global shortage of chickenpox vaccines. More

Pharma Manufacturing News

> India has different attitudes about the standards at facilities targeted by the FDA. Story

> Actavis is selling a China plant as it unloads manufacturing capacity globally. Article

> Ranbaxy's repeat violation elicits swift FDA action. Piece

> GSK blames chickenpox vaccine shortage on plant problems. More

> Feds nab two men from Turkey in effort to counter counterfeits. News

> NextSource brings back Lomustine, the brain cancer drug that BMS stopped making. Item

Biotech Research News

> Genetic platform allows scientists to tap marine microbiota for drug discovery. Story

> Discovery links genes to excess belly fat. More

> Plant-based compound maintains memory against Alzheimer's in mice. Piece

> Researchers repair retinas in mice with virus-free stem cells. News

> Reengineered antibiotic gains ability to thwart drug-resistant TB strains. Article

> $3M initiative will focus on finding new drugs for Alzheimer's. Item