Smith & Nephew walks back layoff talk; Ampio launches Dx subsidiary;

 @FierceMedDev: Israeli team advances genetic device to perform DNA diagnosis. Report | Follow @FierceMedDev

 @MarkHFierce: Indiana offers a way to work around the device tax, rather than focusing on repealing it. More | Follow @MarkHFierce

 @DamianFierce: Pfizer's ongoing R&D slash and burn could be good news for CROs. Story | Follow @DamianFierce

> A former Lazard banker will be starting a debt fund in Europe to invest in medical technology, diagnostics and life sciences companies. Story

> Smith & Nephew ($SNN) CEO Olivier Bohuon now denies an earlier company statement blaming planned layoffs on the U.S. medical device industry tax. Item

> Ampio Pharmaceuticals ($AMPE) has launched a subsidiary, Luoxis Diagnostics, an in-vitro Dx company that will market the Oxidation Reduction Potential platform. More

> Life Technologies ($LIFE) picked up FDA clearance for its 3500 Dx Genetic Analyzers and SeCore HLA typing kits, designed to determine compatibility between tissue donors. News

> Australia diagnostic company Cellmid will license its anti-midkine diagnostic antibodies to Japan's Fujikura Kasei Co., a major supplier of latex particles used in medical diagnostics. Release

> Planmed Oy won FDA clearance for Verity, a device designed to detect subtle extremity fractures. Item

> Vexim is launching a U.K. subsidiary to expand market reach for its minimally invasive treatment of vertebral fractures. Release

Biotech News

 @FierceBiotech: Sanofi move to acquire more shares of Regeneron triggers market buzz. Report | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Tresiba news underscores how high the FDA sets the bar on diabetes. Hard for biotechs to play in a field like this. News | Follow @JohnCFierce

@RyanMFierce: 'Mercenary' coders crowd-sourced for immunology research software. Report | Follow @RyanMFierce

> Bayer hands off FDA app as pulmonary hypertension drug race heats up. Story

> Spurning panel endorsement, FDA rejects Novo's long-acting insulin Tresiba. Article

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Corks pop at Sanofi as FDA nixes Novo's Lantus challenger. Article | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: New Celgene drug for multiple myeloma expected to help fuel expansion of market to $7.2 billion. News | Follow @EricPFierce

@AlisonBFierce: A genetically modified smallpox vaccine shrunk tumors in liver cancer patients and extended survival more than a year. More | Follow @AlisonBFierce

> FDA hearing on opioids reflects evolving view on painkiller use. Report

> Will NIH data win Avastin a new use in cervical cancer? Story

CRO News

> GSK ups the ante for trial transparency. Story

> Struggling Cardiome recruits Quintiles to handle heart drug. More

> Struggling Cardiome recruits Quintiles to handle heart drug. News

> QPS snags Florida trial site amid buying spree. Report

> Pfizer's Singapore slash and burn could be good news for CROs. Article

Biotech IT News

> Trials software outfit BioClinica reports annual results (for the last time?) Item

> Sanofi backs mobile service for cancer patients on chemo. News

> 'Mercenary' coders crowd-sourced for immunology research software. Report

> Biotech, pharma warming up to Facebook. Article

> Eli Lilly's virtual unit taps Oracle software for clinical trials. Story