Thoratec Q1 revenue drops 7%; Capital Royalty fund targets healthcare/med tech;

 @FierceMedDev: Implant successfully predicts human epilepsy seizures. Item | Follow @FierceMedDev

 @MarkHFierce: A Dx to predict prostate cancer recurrence produced some hopeful early results. DxExtra | Follow @MarkHFierce

 @DamianFierce: Life Tech posts tepid quarterly results as Thermo waits with $13.6B. News | Follow @DamianFierce

> Thoratec ($THOR), a maker of heart pumps and other circulatory support devices, faced a 7% decline in revenue during its fiscal 2013 first quarter, something the company said it expected. Release

> Sen. Lamar Alexander, a Tennessee Republican, is reiterating his support for a repeal of the 2.3% medical device industry tax, though he admits Congress hasn't yet figured out how to replace the money it would generate. Story

> The U.K.'s Probe Scientific will license its blood sampling microdialysis tech to Italy's A. Menarini Diagnostics to help that company enhance an intravenous glucose-monitoring product. Release

> TearScience's LipiFlow devices to treat dry eye were featured on the syndicated talk show "The Doctors." Release

> Scientists have come up with a tiny digital camera with 200 lenses that mimic the multiple eyes of ants. The idea is that it could help build a better endoscope tool. Story

> Capital Royalty has launched a new $805 million fund focused on royalty financing, an increasing alternative for med tech companies that are close to a commercial launch and seeking funding. Story

> Volcano ($VOLC) experienced moderate revenue growth during its 2013 first quarter but lost $3.2 million, based in part on a number of one-time expenses for the maker of coronary and peripheral vascular disease surgical tools. Release

Biotech News

 @FierceBiotech: Industry Voices: Who will figure out how to make a business out of fecal transplants? Feature | Follow @FierceBiotech

 @JohnCFierce: Bristol-Myers' "smart bomb" deal pushes Ambrx 12-month deal tally to $715M. More | Follow @JohnCFierce

 @RyanMFierce: Sanofi lets go of rights to Regeneron's antibodies in ophthalmology in $65M agreement. Article | Follow @RyanMFierce

> AltheRx Pharma adds $15M, new CEO and ex-AstraZeneca exec. Article

> Biotech financier Blech gets jail time in 'No mercy' sentence. Report

> Arena shares sink after biotech withdraws marketing app for obesity drug in Europe. News

Pharma News

 @FiercePharma: Regeneron, Eylea now 7 for 7 in beating Wall Street forecasts. More | Follow @FiercePharma

 @EricPFierce: GSK secretly monitored chat boards for parent discussions on vaccinations. Report | Follow @EricPFierce

> Slow Medicare spending protects pharma from payment board intravention. News

> Gilead profits surge 63%, but not where Wall Street expected. Article

> Arena pulls app for weight-loss drug Belviq in EU. Story