@FierceMedDev: Covidien's Q4 dipped over last year; the company blames currency fluctuations and an extra selling week in 2011. More | Follow @FierceMedDev
@MarkHFierce: CardiAQ Valve Technologies, based in CA, raised $32.5 million, according to a regulatory filing. More | Follow @MarkHFierce
@DamianFierce: Covidien joins the club of devicemakers watching sales slide in the third quarter. Article | Follow @DamianFierce
> Siemens ($SI) proper experienced a huge drop in fiscal 2012 profits, but its Siemens Healthcare division boosted profits by more than 36%. Story
> Navidea Biopharmaceuticals ($NAVB) tanked in the last quarter, posting a $9.1 million net loss compared to $19.8 million of profit in the same period last year. Navidea has struggled since the FDA rejected its cancer diagnostic tool in September, but the company has since reapplied for approval. More
> The ear apparently has a natural battery--an ear chamber filled with ions--that can be used to power medical device implants, scientists from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, and the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology have found. Item
> Now that Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) is on his way out, will Senator-elect Joe Donnelly (D-IN) be the medical device industry's next congressional champion? Article
> Given Imaging ($GIVN) took in $6 million in profit last quarter, a 60% leap over the same period in 2011. Report
Biotech News
@FierceBiotech: More from FierceBiotechResearch.com: Harvard's microchip, lined with living cells, mimics disease in preclinical drug test. More | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: CVS blocking drugs on formulary based on price, part of the payer backlash. Also adding a few back in after discounts. News (sub. req.) | Follow @JohnCFierce
@RyanMFierce: Bristol-Myers struck a discovery deal with Chiromics , focused on small molecules in multiple diseases. Release | Follow @RyanMFierce
> Cardioxyl Pharma reports $28M equity round with lead drug against heart failure. News
> GSK reports letdown in PhIII malaria vaccine study. Article
> Gates Foundation backs $13M venture add for flu drug developer. News
> FDA advisers endorse Novo Nordisk's key diabetes drug. Story
Pharma News
@FiercePharma: Novartis flu vaccines cleared in Italy: Gov't lifts suspension on Agrippal and Fluad. Release (PDF) | Follow @FiercePharma
> CVS shucking more drugs from its coverage list. Story
> Novo Nordisk's Tresiba gets panel backing, but with caveats. Article
> Sanofi, Regeneron halve the price of controversial new cancer treatment Zaltrap. News
> Home blood pressure monitors are of little use, save for older adults who have suffered a stroke, a new U.K. study concludes. News