Profound reverse-merges onto TSX; Startup wins €2M to develop novel dialysis tech;

@FierceMedDev: Medtronic to test renal denervation as treatment for atrial fibrillation. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev

@VarunSaxena2: ICYMI: Kaiser backs startup in $12.5M round to speed healthcare data integration. News | Follow @VarunSaxena2

@EmilyWFierce: Abbott grabs #FDA OK for early pregnancy blood test. FierceDiagnostics Story | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> MRI-guided ultrasound prostate cancer ablation player Profound Medical has reverse merged with shell company Mira IV onto the Toronto Stock Exchange. In conjunction, it is raising $24 million in a private placement and $4 million in debt. More

> Startup PlugMed has been awarded €2 million in the World Innovation Challenge organized by the French Ministry of Industry for its project to develop a device to treat kidney failure. The novel peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis connector technology could have a lower risk of infection than the catheters that are routinely used now. More

> Smith & Nephew ($SNN) presented data that show its Oasis Ultra Tri-Layer Matrix resulted in superior wound care for diabetic foot ulcers than standard-of-care, which includes silver dressings, hydrogel, wet-to-dry wound dressings and triple antibiotic dressings. More

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Gilead's 'open to suggestion' on its next big M&A splash. Articles | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: T-Vec panel demonstrates just how accepting the FDA and its panels are when it comes to "meh" cancer drugs. | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: Shouts to the 19 $OPHT workers who won $58M on the New York lottery. Article | Follow @DamianFierce

> Biotech's boom spells a spike in R&D down payments. Article

> Collegium swings for a $75M IPO for its abuse-proof painkiller. More

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: From the pharma C-suite: Notable, quotable remarks on Asia, emerging markets for Q1. Story | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: Drug shortages become way for #Mylan to parry against #Teva but will the FTC care? More | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: #ICYMI yesterday: Teva CEO 'takes the high road' to rebut Mylan chairman's attack. News | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> Small group of branded drugs like Nexium, Copaxone make up huge part of Medicare spend. Article

> Novartis faces more kickback scrutiny after $45M Express Scripts settlement. Story