> Synthes Chairman Hansjoerg Wyss could become Switzerland's wealthiest man if the medical devicemaker is sold. Synthes, the biggest maker of devices to treat bone fractures and traumatic injuries, said this week that it's in talks with Johnson & Johnson over a possible takeover. Report
> Abbott Laboratories, which makes drugs and medical devices, saw earnings drop 14% during the first quarter as it posted an 11.5% decline in total operating income due to an after-tax charge related to the acquisition of Solvay Pharmaceuticals. Abbott release | Story
> Nanosphere has received CE Mark for its respiratory virus, Plavix metabolism, and Warfarin metabolism assays. The company has commenced distribution in Italy, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and Turkey. It expects to begin marketing in most other European markets by year end. Nanosphere release
> Dr. Raj Sinha at STAR Orthopaedics is participating in a 10-year follow-up trial of the ConforMIS iUni G2 knee resurfacing device, an FDA-cleared implant for patients with osteoarthritic damage in a single compartment of the knee. STAR release
> Orlando-based LensAR has raised $2 million of a targeted $7 million offering, according to a regulatory filing. The company is developing and commercializing laser and 3D imaging technology for refractive cataract surgery. News
> A New Zealand biotech company is using meatworks byproducts to produce materials for medical device manufacturers around the world. Story
> AOI Medical, a startup developing a medical device to treat vertical compression fractures, has raised $2.92 million of a $5.62 million offering, according to a regulatory filing. Item
> With their hopes of a bid seemingly in tatters, investors who had piled into Smith & Nephew anticipating a takeover have deserted the group, leaving the prosthetics manufacturer deep in the red. News
> Biomagnetics Diagnostics, a developer of diagnostic systems and technology for HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, cholera and malaria detection, and other innovative technologies, today announced it has begun receiving funds from a biotech-oriented investment group called BIOTECH Development Partners, LLC. Biomagnetics release
And Finally... Boston's NMT Medical has to liquidate its assets to repay creditors. Company execs are saying NMT has entered into an Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors--an alternative to formal bankruptcy that transfers all assets to a designated party, which can then liquidate assets and distribute the proceeds to creditors. Report