> Johnson & Johnson ($JNJ) hired former Bayer executive Sandra Peterson to oversee its troubled consumer health unit and manufacturing operations. Story
> Johnson & Johnson's Ethicon will invest $185 million to build a new plant in Athens, GA, to make sutures. Story
> Medical device maker Covidien ($COV) told its 595 employees at a plant in Seneca, SC, that the facility will be closed within three years and production moved to a plant in Costa Rica. Story
> Xcelience says it is opening a 24,000-square-foot facility in Tampa, FL, for secondary packaging, labeling, distribution and warehouse services. Item
> The FDA cited French in vitro diagnostics player bioMérieux for a number of quality violations in a North Carolina manufacturing facility. Story
And Finally... The joint venture of Pfizer ($PFE) and Zhejiang Hisun Pharmaceutical will hire 600 people in China by the end of the year for manufacturing as well as R&D and support functions. Story