Top Story

• Israeli regulators approve J&J's acquisition of Omrix
  Johnson & Johnson announced that Israel's antitrust regulators cleared its $438 million offer to purchase Omrix Biopharmaceuticals. The deal was approved by the boards of both firms and is expected to bolster Ethicon, J&J's surgical-products division. The Boston Globe/The Associated Press (tiered subscription model) (12/12)     

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Business & Market Trends

• Minneapolis foundation gets $1M to fund registry for heart devices
  The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation is set today to receive a $1 million grant from attorneys who got a $114 million settlement for a case that involved potentially defective defibrillators from Medtronic. The foundation will use the money to support work on its Multi-Center Registry, which will gather information on the safety of pacemakers and defibrillators from six U.S. hospitals. Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) (12/12)     

• LabCorp, institution to work on molecular diagnostics
  Laboratory Corporation of America and National Jewish Health have teamed up to devise and market molecular diagnostic tests. The deal will allow LabCorp to bolster its presence in personalized medicine and gain access to the Colorado-based institute's resources on disorders affecting the immune and respiratory systems. American City Business Journals/Greensboro/Winston-Salem, N.C. (12/12)     

• Calif. scientists get $1.6M funding for stem cell research
  The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine has awarded a total of $1.6 million to two researchers from the University of California, Irvine, who are developing tools to monitor and categorize stem cells. One scientist is working on a device capable of classifying stem cells based on a type of electrical signature. The other is devising an imaging system that combines high-field MRI and SPECT technologies to trace stem cells in the body. Daily Pilot (Costa Mesa, Calif.) (12/11)     

• FDA warns Fuji Systems over alleged manufacturing violations
  The FDA issued a warning letter to Fuji Systems alleging that it failed to verify procedures for vulcanization and silicone-tubing extrusion of its balloon catheters and intubation products. The agency's letter also alleged that there were problems with the Japanese firm's package-sealing system and with procedures for corrective and preventive action. FDAnews (12/12)     

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Science & Health

• Study: Technology that uses 3-D images works in spinal-fusion surgery
  A U.S. study found that a system that uses 3-D images proved more effective than standard technology in cutting the number of misplaced pedicle screws and the rate of nerve injuries during spinal-fusion operations. The method can also boost the procedure's chances of success by enabling surgeons to implant bigger screws into the spine, the lead researcher said. HealthImaging.com (12/12)     

• EPT better than X-ray for tumor imaging, researchers say
  A recent study showed that early photon tomography provided sharper and more accurate images of lung tumors in mice compared with conventional X-ray tomographic techniques. Unlike traditional X-ray imaging, EPT may also be capable of detecting biochemical shifts that indicate disease progression, researchers found. HealthImaging.com (12/12)     

Emerging Technologies

• Nanosensor tracks cancer toxins, drugs in living cells
  U.S. researchers designed a sensor comprising DNA-coated carbon nanotubes that can help pinpoint particular molecules by emitting a fluorescent light detectable under near-infrared light. The device can be used to identify cancer-inducing agents and track drugs within a single cell, one of the scientists said. Yahoo!/Reuters (12/14)     

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by AdvaMed SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• Mass. to unveil draft rules on items from drug, device makers (Boston Herald)

• Injectable polymer could help mend broken bones (BBC)

• GE Healthcare unit to tighten costs, reduce jobs (HealthImaging.com)

• GE Healthcare plans to reduce staff (American City Business Journals)

• Medical-technology think tank chooses Indiana as new home (The Indianapolis Star)

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

AdvaMed News

• 2009 International Medical Device Industry Compliance, Regulatory & IP Conference
  AdvaMed is leading a contingent of global medical device associations worldwide in organizing a 2009 International Medical Device Compliance, Regulatory and Intellectual Property Conference in Rome from May 25 to 27. The event will include top issues including compliance/ethics, regulatory and IP. Early-bird registration will be available through Jan. 14. Register now for the event and book your accommodations. Visit the event page.     

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Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." -- Thomas Edison, American inventor