VCs warn against Medtronic-Covidien merger; EndoShape raises almost $6M; An ultrasound cane for the visually impaired;

@FierceMedDev: Covidien endovascular unit could be target for cuts after Medtronic merger. More | Follow @FierceMedDev

@StacyALawrence: How clinically useful is genome sequencing? Not very, yet. Story | Follow @StacyALawrence

@MichaelGFierce: UPenn team combats Parkinson's with immunotherapy that targets neuron killers. Story from FierceBiotechResearch | Follow @MichaelGFierce

@EmilyWFierce: "Smartcane" device uses bat-inspired sonar technology to improve independent mobility in the blind. Article | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> VCs wonder if medical device startups will be stymied by the Medtronic ($MDT) and Covidien ($COV) merger. More

> Privately-held med device maker EndoShape raised more than $5.8 million in equity funding. Article

> A team at the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi has developed the SmartCane, a device to help the visually impaired that uses ultrasound to navigate users. More

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Bristol-Myers toes the next hep C frontier: a four-week cure. Story | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Man, that Burrill lawsuit makes for interesting reading. More | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: BIO2014 prediction: After a hall-of-fame career, "robust" classily gives way to promising rookie "disruptive." | Follow @DamianFierce

> Kite Pharma rides the CAR-T current to a $128M IPO. Story

> AbbVie and Shire square off over a spurned $46B buyout offer. More

> After three strikes, Sanofi gives up on Merrimack's cancer drug. News

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Which pharma CEOs netted the biggest paychecks of 2013? Find out here. Story | Follow @FiercePharma

@TracyStaton: Trending now at FiercePharma: Novo Nordisk lays out plans to recruit 6,000 workers in R&D, production. Story | Follow @TracyStaton

@EricPFierce: How much are the big dogs of Big Pharma paid? A lot. See the top 15 highest paid CEOs here. Report | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: Top-read on FierceVaccines Thurs: Merck, Sanofi JV wins anal cancer indication for Gardasil in EU. Article | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> FDA moves for more warnings on testosterone products. Story

> Takeda taken to task for hiring so many 'foreigners.' More

> Why does Sovaldi cost $84,000? Gilead Sciences being pressed hard for an answer. Article