Senate could take on medical device tax in January; NIH backs robotics projects;

@FierceMedDev: ICYMI yesterday: Edwards gains option to acquire startup CardioKinetix in $50M financing. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev

@EmilyWFierce: Stryker's OtisMed to pay more than $80M to settle DOJ case over knee replacement surgical devices. Story | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> Incoming Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) plans to address repealing the Affordable Care Act and medical device tax as soon as January. Story

> The NIH continues to participate in the Interagency National Robotics Initiative to back projects that could help with stroke rehabilitation, guide wheelchairs and assist children with autism spectrum disorder. News

> Cyberonics' clinical trial of its AspireSR generator found decreased seizure duration in epileptic patients. Release

> Aesthetic device company Syneron Medical signed a multiyear agreement with American Medical Systems, a pelvic health medtech company, to supply holmium lasers for the treatment of kidney stones. Release

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Bluebird posts more promising results with its rare disease therapy. Story | Follow @FierceBiotech

@DamianFierce: So the billionaire Russian oligarch who bought Watson's Nobel medal for $4.1 million is giving it back because hey. More | Follow @DamianFierce

> Pfizer strikes another immunotherapy deal to widen its oncology pipeline. News

> Lilly and Incyte's oral arthritis drug aces its first Phase III test. Story

> Circassia looks to higher doses to salvage ragweed drug after PhIIb miss. Article

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Did Merck pay $3B too much for Cubist? Analysts weigh impact of Cubicin patent loss. Story | Follow @FiercePharma

@CarlyHFierce: AbbVie's Humira competition begins with Cadila's biosimilar launch in India. More | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> Long-term painkiller use on the rise, with more patients taking dangerous combos. Story

> J&J discount offer wins NICE over to new use for Stelara. Article

> Valeant temporarily swears off dealmaking to cut debt--and prove it's not desperate. News

Biotech Research News

> Epizyme showcases a successful preclinical lymphoma program for third target. More

> MicroRNA holds clues to predicting progression-free myeloma survival. Report

> New malaria drug unleashes an immune system assault on infected cells. Story

> Could alpha secretase offer a better approach to fighting Alzheimer's? More

> PKC-epsilon pathway offers a new line of attack against cancer cells. Article

Pharma Manufacturing News

> India's Zydus Cadila finds blood pressure med has embedded brown spots. Story

> Ferring preps for first U.S. plant opening as it moves to New Jersey campus. More

> FDA notches a win after Tennessee compounder pleads guilty. Report

> Meda drops Recipharm contract; plant may be forced to close. Story

> Daewoong inks deal to build $188M facility in South Korea. Article