Since 2006, the FDA has not ensured that medical devices such as cardiac defibrillators, pacemakers, replacement heart valves and coronary artery stents are being tested according to good laboratory practices (GLPs), based on a report released Feb. 18 by the independent nonprofit group the Project on Government Oversight.

The board of directors of Eli Lilly has elected Ralph Alvarez as a new member, effective April 1.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has thrown out a case against Medtronic, ruling that federal law preempts state claims against FDA-approved medical devices.

Medtronic reported strong growth in profits for the medical device manufacturer's fiscal 2009 third quarter, which ended Jan. 23.

Portola Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company developing drugsto treatcardiovascular disease, have signed an exclusive global license agreement with Novartis to develop and commercialize elinogrel, Portola's proprietary IV and oral P2Y12 ADP receptor antagonist currently in phase 2 clinical development.

Multaq (dronedarone), in addition to standard therapy, significantly reduced the risk of first cardiovascular (CV) hospitalization or death by 24 percent in patients with atrial fibrillation or a recent history of these conditions, according to the ATHENA trial published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Pfizer is planning to make publicly available its compensation of U.S. healthcare professionals for consulting, speaking engagements and clinical trials.

Zoll Medical, a manufacturer of resuscitation devices and software products, has filed a lawsuit in the Central District Court of California against Alsius and its subsidiary Alsius Medical, citing patent infringement over two temperature-management patents.