Stryker chasing Wright in foot and ankle biz; Fresenius tanks on healthcare reform worry;

 @FierceMedDev: GI Dynamics, Gore call off legal dogs in patent fight. Story | Follow @FierceMedDev

@MarkHFierce: A "smart socket" to connect to limb stump could lead to better prosthetic fit. U.K. scientists are doing all the work. Item | Follow @MarkHFierce

 @DamianFierce: At yesterday's FierceBiotech JPM13 panel, R&D experts debunked some Big Data myths and looked to a bright future. Editor's Corner | Follow @DamianFierce

> Among Stryker's ($SYK) 2012 victories: The company is gaining on Wright Medical ($WMGI) in the foot and ankle sector. Article

> We've heard just about every angle of dissent regarding the medical device tax, but consider radiologists: The specialists worry that downstream cost increases could lead to cuts in reimbursement for procedures. More

> AxioMed, a company developing artificial spinal discs, has pulled in a $3.6 million funding round. Story

> Fresenius Medical Care, the largest maker of kidney dialysis machines, watched its shares take a dive over worries that healthcare cost-cutting in the U.S. will eat into its profits. News

> Diagnostics companies Oral Cancer Prevention and CDx Laboratories have merged to become CDx Diagnostics. Item

> The Fierce team has been trekking about downtown San Francisco all week at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. Check out reportage from FierceBiotech and FiercePharma.

Biotech News

 @FierceBiotech: PATH, Inovio zero in on DNA malaria vaccine. News | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: GlaxoSmithKline commits venture $$$ to new $250M biotech startup fund--Sanderling 7, coming 9 years after the last one. Story | Follow @JohnCFierce

> Ultragenyx snags another candidate for its rare disease drug pipeline. Article

> Teva tries to slow arrival of Biogen's competing MS blockbuster. News

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: That pregnancy-drug/breast cancer liability suit? All wrapped. $LLY, 4 women reach deal on 2nd day of trial. More | Follow @FiercePharma

 @AlisonBFierce: A fast and early flu season here in the U.S. The CDC's weekly flu map looks grim. More | Follow @AlisonBFierce

> Lilly settles suit linking old miscarriage drug to breast cancer. News

> Eyeing Biogen drug, Teva demands review for new MS meds. Story

> FDA backs tech to throw off painkiller addicts. Article

> Don't expect GSK to spin off ViiV anytime soon, R&D chief says. Report

Vaccines News

> Widespread, early flu season grips United States. Item

> HPV-related cancers up despite vaccines from Merck, GSK. Story

> Altravax pulls in $1.2M from NIH. Article

> Pfizer wins Prevenar 13 expansion in EU. News

> India's vaccine prices soar as private companies gain ground. Story

Pharma Manufacturing News

> Hikma acquisition lands 2 plants in Egypt. Report

> Canada taps Tamiflu stash to help Roche meet demand. Article

> FDA inspectors come down hard on Taiwan plant. News

> More plant closings for Valeant. Story