Say hello to MassDevice +3, a bite-sized view of the top three medtech stories of the day. This feature of MassDevice.com’s coverage highlights our 3 biggest and most influential stories from the day’s news to make sure you’re up to date on the headlines that continue to shape the medical device industry.

 

3. Becton Dickinson, CareFusion settle lawsuits filed over merger

Becton Dickinson and CareFusion said yesterday that they agreed to settle a raft of lawsuits filed by shareholders seeking to block their pending, $12.2 billion merger.

CareFusion shareholders are slated for a Jan. 21 vote on the merger, which was announced in October 2014. Soon after that, 5 shareholders sued in a Delaware state court; 3 other lawsuits were filed in a California state court, according to a regulatory filing. Read more

2. Biomet’s Q2 profits surge on lower legal costs

Biomet reported surging 2nd-quarter profits today, saying a 61% reduction in legal costs drove the increase.

Warsaw, Ind.-based Biomet posted profits of $89.8 million on sales of $84.3.6 million for the 3 months ended Nov. 30, 2014, representing a 1,732.7% bottom-line gain compared with the fiscal 2014 2nd quarter. Sales growth came in at 2.2%, Biomet said. Read more

1. Covidien shareholders approve Medtronic merger

Covidien said this morning that shareholders voted to approve its pending, $43 billion merger with Medtronic at a meeting in Ireland.

It’s a penultimate step in consummating the union, announced last summer, as Medtronic shareholders are also slated to meet today for a vote on the deal. Read more