Zyga Technology grabs $25M for spine device treatments; Medtronic's CoreVale system works equally in women;

 @FierceMedDev: Folks, the clock is still ticking. Get your nominations in for the 15 fiercest device developers. Survey | Follow @FierceMedDev

> Minneapolis-based Zyga Technology has raised $25 million in new Series C financing that will help fund the commercial strategy for its Simmetry sacroiliac joint fusion system and clinical trials for its Glyder facet resurfacing device. Release

> Medtronic ($MDT) found in its ADVANCE study that women undergoing transcatheter aortic-valve implantation (TAVI) using the company's CoreValve system have a similar survival benefit as men. Release

> Merit Medical Systems is creating another 200 jobs at its Galway, Ireland, facility which already employs 379 people, the Irish Examiner reports. The company makes medical devices used in interventional and diagnostics procedures. Story

> Covalon Technologies has gained FDA approval for its IV Clear film dressing, an antimicrobial silicone adhesive film to help secure vascular intravenous access devices. Story

> Israel's InspireMD says it has generated positive three-year follow up results regarding its MGuard coronary stent, which has an embolic protection element--an ultra-thin polymer micron net that wraps the stent. Release

> Tegra Medical, a company that handles precision machining and contract manufacturing for the medical device industry, has named industry veteran Robert Pietrafesa as its new president and CEO. Release

Pharma News

 @FiercePharma: More on J&J's Zytiga in men with early prostate cancer. Pre-surgery, drug blasted tumors in 1/3 of patients. Story | Follow @FiercePharma

> Another one bites the dust: Plavix falls off patent today. News

> Pfizer's targeted drug knocks out child cancers in small study. Article

> Study links Z-Pak with risk of sudden death. Item

> Top 10 Best-selling Cancer Drugs in 2011. Special report

Biotech News

 @FierceBiotech: BASi trims lab costs to recoup losses from first half of 2012. More | Follow @FierceBiotech

 @RyanMFierce: I'm doing some de-stealthing of my own today: Startup Knode takes off with pharma fuel. Report | Follow @RyanMFierce

 @JohnCFierce: Fighting the double chin, one injection at a time: Kythera files $86M IPO to support fat-busting drug. Article | Follow @JohnCFierce

> GSK lands one-two punch in melanoma trial. Item

> Kythera files $86M IPO to support fat-busting drug. News

> HGS faces skeptics as it boasts of a crowded bargaining table. Story

> ASCO abstracts reveal added appeal for key cancer drug prospects. Report

Pharma Manufacturing News

 @EricPFierce: U.K. comes down on regulators for letting defective PIP breast implants through. The FDA had cited the company in 2000. Report | Follow @EricPFierce

> End is near for Watson distribution center. Story

> Pfizer making deep cuts at estrogen extraction plant. Article

> Bristol-Myers starts Orencia manufacturing at new plant. More

> Hikma discloses FDA warning letter. Item

CRO News

 @NesaNFierce: Clinical and pharma controversy in India hasn't scared off Quanticate. Article | Follow @NesaNFierce

> Home drug delivery considered a 'key initiative' for Marken. News

> Covance's AZ lab closure to result in 130 lost jobs. Story

> BASi trims lab costs to recoup losses from first half of 2012. More

> Patient recruitment should be a greater priority, drugmakers say in survey. Item

Vaccines News

> Inovio makes steps towards a universal flu vax. Report

> Biovest makes a move on the EU market with BiovaxID. Article

> Nasal HIV vax safe, triggers immune response. News

> Researchers engineer edible malaria vaccine. Story

And Finally... Indian billionaire Ajay Piramal will buy Decision Resources Group for $635 million, a company that generates data and analytics for medical device and drug companies, Bloomberg reports. Story