St. Jude CEO fires back over Durata rumors; OptiMedica grabs $35M in new funding;

 @FierceMedDev: Roche Dx scores top marks for glucose meter satisfaction. More | Follow @FierceMedDev

@MarkHFierce: In 2012, medical device and Dx investment in China kicked into overdrive. Find out how and why. Editor's Corner | Follow @MarkHFierce

 @DamianFierce: We've talked a lot about M&A targets in devices, but what about Sunshine Heart? C-Pulse could be worth $2.5B. News | Follow @DamianFierce

> All the concern over St. Jude Medical's ($STJ) Durata ICD leads hasn't sat well with CEO Dan Starks, who told the Piper Jaffray investor conference that there's no "special risk" the devices will be pulled from the market next year. News

> OptiMedica, developer of a laser cataract surgery system, has pulled in $35 million in new funding. Story

> Empire Genomics is planning to develop a new molecular diagnostic for multiple myeloma, licensing some novel genomic biomarkers from Emory University. More

> The FDA wants to implement its unique device ID program one year ahead of its previously announced schedule. Article

> Final 2012 third-quarter numbers from the PricewaterhouseCoopers/National Venture Capital Association MoneyTree report point to net life sciences investment gains but a big drop for medical device companies. Item

> Implantable devices such as defibrillators plus other new heart devices and apps are leading to clashes over health record privacy laws, The Wall Street Journal reports. Story

Biotech News

 @FierceBiotech: New feature: 23andMe sets stage for stronger ties with pharma. Editor's Corner | Follow @FierceBiotech

 @JohnCFierce:  So rida goes down in flames in europe as well. Merck pulls app. More | Follow @JohnCFierce

 @RyanMFierce: Monkeys lost 10% of their body weight on $AMGN's experimental antibody in 11-week study. News | Follow @RyanMFierce

> Lilly chief prods China's drug regulators on clinical development timelines. Report

> Johnson & Johnson unit wins FDA panel backing for new tuberculosis therapy. News

> Amarin scraps another Vascepa deadline as red-hot buyout rumors smolder. Story

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: J&J won't enforce its Prezista patent in Africa, provided generics makers sell quality copies. Article | Follow @FiercePharma

> AbbVie to ring in 2013 as an independent drugmaker. Story

> AZ wins Chinese nod for lagging bloodthinner Brilinta. News

> FDA's Sklamberg promoted to director of CDER's Office of Compliance. Item

> J&J opens HIV fighter Prezista to copycats in poor countries. Article

Pharma Manufacturing News

> Bracco Diagnostics recalls angiography drug over particulates. Story

> Eli Lilly CEO endorses anticounterfeiting campaign in China. Report

> Capsugel gets organic designation for European products. News

Vaccines News

> Virus found in dogs may fuel new vaccines. Report

> CureVac, German scientists take aim at faster flu vaccine. Article

> Danish-made TB vaccine sickens Romanian children. Item

> Selecta inks $900M immunotherapy deal with Sanofi. Story