St. Jude kicks off next-gen renal denervation study; Carmat wins approvals for artificial heart;

 @FierceMedDev: Study: FDA medical device inspections up 47% under Obama. More | Follow @FierceMedDev

 @MarkHFierce: C.R. Bard has settled a DOJ case alleging kickbacks in exchange for use of its prostate cancer treatment. Release | Follow @MarkHFierce

 @DamianFierce: Invacare has cleared the first hurdle to getting past an FDA consent decree. Article | Follow @DamianFierce

> St. Jude Medical ($STJ) has enrolled its first patient in the EnligHTN III study, designed to test the safety and effectiveness of the second-generation EnligHTN renal denervation device. More

> U.K. patients have far worse access to insulin pump treatments than in other European nations, a report concludes. Story

> France's Carmat won approval in four countries to start implanting its artificial heart. Article

> Scientists at Tel Aviv University have come up with a biodegradable implant, combined with "regeneration gel," that helped regenerate new nerves in animal tests. Story

> In two studies, ablation outside the pulmonary vein improved treatment of atrial fibrillation. Report

> Diagnostics company Vermillion ($VRML) has raised $13.2 million in a private placement. Item

> Third Rock Ventures, whose portfolio includes diagnostics and device companies, added a Genzyme veteran and former Eli Lilly executive to its team. Release

Biotech News

 @FierceBiotech:  In case you missed it last week: Henri Termeer rediscovers the 'Genzyme feel' in world of biotech startups. Story | Follow @FierceBiotech

 @JohnCFierce: Astellas chops OSI, Perseid ops in global R&D restructuring. Report | Follow @JohnCFierce

 @RyanMFierce: AbbVie is forking over $70 million upfront in collab with Alvine for PhII drug against Celiac disease. Release | Follow @RyanMFierce

> Third Rock Ventures expands roster with Alnylam's CEO and Genzyme/Sanofi vet. More

> Suspicious lawmakers query FDA's Hamburg on sudden departure of deputy commish. News

Pharma News

 @FiercePharma: Ranbaxy inks record-setting $500M manufacturing settlement with the feds: Report | Follow @FiercePharma

> France slaps Sanofi with $53M fine for 'disparaging' Plavix generics. More

> Merck execs' bogeymen: Animal-rights, disease activists, plus laid-off workers. Story

> AstraZeneca, Astellas among Optimer bidders, Bloomberg sources say. Report

Biotech Research News

 @EmilyMFierce: Compound developed by Salk Institute scientists protects against Alzheimer's-related disease behaviors. Report | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> New therapeutic target found for pancreatic cancer. News

> Gene silencing technique could pave way for new class of drugs. Story

> Hormone reverses heart failure symptoms in mice. Item

> Vaccine stops cocaine from reaching brain in monkeys. Article

Pharma Manufacturing News

> FDA says scale of compounding problem is unclear. Report

> Airborne transit mooted as source of remote drug contaminants. Article

> Ranbaxy pleads guilty in $500M case. Story

> USP opens training center in Ghana to raise standards. Item

> WHO clears way for Sanofi's antimalarial ingredient. More