Medical technology maker Covidien Plc reported second-quarter earnings of $439 million, or 92 cents per diluted share, an 11.7 percent drop from the $497 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, it reported during the second quarter of 2012. more

Amgen Inc., which has a production facility in West Greenwich, reported first-quarter profit that beat analyst estimates because of a research tax credit. more

The U.S. Navy has awarded a $20 million contract modification to General Dynamics Electric Boat for nuclear-maintenance work for submarines. more

Sensata Technologies Holding N.V. reported a bottom line of $34.7 million, or 19 cents per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2013, a 10.9 percent decline from the $38.9 million, or 21 cents per diluted share, reported during the first quarter of 2012. more

Tunstall Americas, a division of U.K.-based Tunstall Healthcare Group, and a provider of health care communications services, is in the process of hiring 250 people to fully staff its new Pawtucket local and will hold a local recruitment drive on Friday, April 19, to find candidates. more

Hanna Instruments Inc., one of the world’s leading privately held manufacturers of electro-analytical instrumentation, has opened a new sales and distribution center in Sursee, Switzerland, the company announced Thursday. more

Thanks to the results of extensive faculty, staff and student survey results, and studies of student enrollment patterns and faculty collaboration ties, Brown University on Wednesday announced its intention to expand its engineering school on land it already owns, while also announcing gifts of $44 million for that effort. more

Local multimedia company Lin TV Corp., which does business as Lin Media, has acquired a majority ownership position in multi-channel ad buying and optimization company Dedicated Media, its second such acquisition in recent weeks. more

The Rhode Island Judiciary has signed a $6 million agreement with Dallas-based Tyler Technologies Inc. for its odyssey integrated courts and justice system, Tyler announced Tuesday. more

IlluminOss Medical Inc. has named Dirk M. Kuyper its new president and CEO effective Monday. Kuyper is taking over for Scott Rader, whose position with the company ended in late October, the company announced Tuesday. more