Roche pursues companion diagnostic for schizophrenia drug; U-Systems' automated breast ultrasound deemed 'approvable';

 @FierceMedDev: Medtronic's latest study attempts to convince you that CRT-Ds are a bargain. More | Follow @FierceMedDev

> Roche is developing a companion diagnostic for its schizophrenia drug, the company's head of neuroscience told Bloomberg. Story

> U-Systems has received a PMA approvable letter from the FDA regarding the company's new automated breast ultrasound system. Release

> Investors are eyeing companies such as OPKO Health, Forbes asserts, which is developing a blood-based diagnostic test for Alzheimer's disease and plans to launch a diagnostic screening system for prostate cancer in Europe later this year. Story

> iRhythm's Zio Patch, a small adhesive bandage that can continuously monitor a patient's heart rhythm for about two weeks, has shown promise in a clinical study conducted by Scripps Health physicians and others. Release

> Curetis AG, a molecular diagnostics company based in Germany, gained a CE mark for its Unyvero instruments and P50 pneumonia diagnostics cartridge. Both products are rolling out commercially. Release

> SQI Diagnostics in Toronto has closed a private placement funding round designed to support further development of its IVD autoimmune test panels. Release

> Angel Biotechnology Holdings has acquired the assets of a biomaterial and collagen manufacturing business. Release

Pharma News

 @FiercePharma: Merck Serono workers threaten to strike in opposition to Geneva HQ closure. Already, protestors have hit the streets. | Follow @FiercePharma

> Eisai broadens marketing deal for Arena's weight-loss drug. Story

> Sales-needy Takeda springs for emerging markets growth. Article

> Servier, founder face trial on Mediator charges. News

Biotech News

 @FierceBiotech: FDA panel gave Gilead's key HIV drug Quad the OK on Friday. More | Follow @FierceBiotech

 @RyanMFierce: Category: Things CROs are good at. Wrong answer: Patient recruitment for clinical trials. Article | Follow @RyanMFierce

 @JohnCFierce: Come back from vacation to find lorcaserin looking pretty good for an approval. But how much could Arena really make from it? | Follow @JohnCFierce

> OncoMed offers $115M IPO bet on cancer stem cell work. Article

> Cancer drug developers angling for center stage at ASCO. More

> Big Pharma's high-risk pursuit of CNS gold faces major market doubts. Story

Biotech IT News

> BioClinica chief touts Microsoft ties in Q1 report. News

> Boehringer, pharmas turn to social gaming for online outreach. Article

> Roche unit allies with genomics software group SoftGenetics. More

And Finally... Medical device inventors and entrepreneurs Dean Kamen and Thomas Fogarty will take part in a panel discussion focused on the future of the industry on May 23 at the Medical Design and Manufacturing East conference in Philadelphia, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Release