Sales of Boston Scientific, J&J coated stents fell 3%

THE REGION

Sales of drug-coated heart stents made by Boston Scientific Corp. and by Johnson & Johnson fell in March, declining for the sixth time in seven months as doctors used older, bare-metal models to prop open blood vessels. Drug-coated stents, linked to fatal blood clots in studies, accounted for 71 percent of US sales in March, down from 74 percent in February, said Goodroe Healthcare Solutions, a data firm that surveys US hospitals. Boston Scientific and J&J are the only makers of models approved in the United States. Sales were bruised in March when researchers reported that drugs are as good as coated stents at prolonging lives and averting heart attacks. A US advisory panel in December said drug-coated stents could cause heart attacks years after implant. (Bloomberg)

Kirk Arnold, who became chief executive at Keane Inc. in late January just nine days before the Boston information technology firm said it would be bought, stands to receive at least $8.76 million in compensation for less than four months' work once the deal closes, according to an analysis of a regulatory filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. She stands to receive $4.76 million in "change in control" and severance payments after Keane's $854 million purchase by Caritor Inc., which is expected to close in May. In addition, Arnold is due to receive $2.86 million for unvested shares of restricted stock. The former Fidelity Investments executive also is due to receive $1.14 million in compensation for stock options, according to the filing. (AP)

Gerber Scientific Inc., a South Windsor, Conn., maker of equipment to create signs and specialty graphics, said it plans to buy Data Technology Inc., which makes automated cutting hardware for the packaging and graphics industries. Gerber, which did not disclose financial terms, said it signed a nonbinding letter of intent to acquire the Wilmington, Mass.-based company. (AP)

Michael A. Bradley, president and chief executive of Teradyne Inc., a North Reading supplier of testing equipment for semiconductors and circuit boards, got compensation last year valued at $3.2 million, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Bradley received a salary of $625,000, a bonus of $95,300, a cash incentive of $787,500, and "other compensation" of $49,748, which included $38,651 in company contributions to deferred compensation plans, as well as $11,097 in life insurance premiums. More than half his compensation came from restricted stock and options that were worth nearly $1.7 million when they were granted. (AP)

Cambridge-based Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc. sued Amgen Inc. and Wyeth alleging the companies infringed its patents covering treatments regulating certain cell-signaling activity. Ariad filed the claim in response to a suit brought by Amgen that seeks to invalidate an Ariad patent. Ariad's claim relates to Amgen's Enbrel and Kineret drugs. (Dow Jones)

THE NATION

A former Marsh & McLennan Cos. insurance broker, testifying in the bid-rigging trial of former colleagues William Gilman and Edward McNenney in New York, said she was regularly given orders to steer clients to favored insurers. Kathryn Winter, who pleaded guilty to a related fraud charge in February 2005, said she was told at a staff meeting in September 2002 to direct customers to a list of seven insurers, including St. Paul Cos., because they made hidden payments to her company. She said she didn't recall who gave the orders. (Bloomberg)

THE WORLD

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC may offer to buy ABN Amro Holding NV with Santander Central Hispano SA and Fortis, triggering the largest-ever takeover battle in the financial-services industry. ABN Amro, which last month started exclusive talks with Barclays PLC, said it has received a letter from the three companies asking for "exploratory talks." Royal Bank, which owns Citizens Financial Group, Santander, and Fortis wrote that they want access to the same information given to Barclays. (Bloomberg)