Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) announced today that it posted positive 12-month results validating the superiority of its DTM spinal cord stimulation (SCS). Fridley, Minn.-based Medtronic’s multicenter, randomized controlled trial produced statistically significant 12-month data that validated the DTM SCS’ (using the Medtronic Intellis platform) superiority in providing relief for back pain when compared to conventional SCS therapy, according […]
Clinical Trials
NIH launches drug trial for deadly cytokine storm
The National Institutes of Health today launched a Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate three immune modulator drugs in hospitalized adults with COVID-19. Some COVID-19 patients experience an immune response in which the immune system unleashes proteins that trigger inflammation, otherwise known as a cytokine storm, which can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome, multiple […]
Pfizer expects to apply for COVID-19 vaccine EUA in late November, CEO says
Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) chairman & CEO Albert Bourla penned an open letter today setting an expected timeline for the company’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate. The vaccine candidate, being developed in collaboration with BioNTech (NSDQ:BNTX), is among the top COVID-19 vaccines currently undergoing Phase 3 clinical trials and nearing potential regulatory authorization, should they prove safe and effective. Once the company […]
The top 5 MassDevice stories of the week — October 16, 2020
For the second consecutive week, medtech giant Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) managed to dominate the news on MassDevice. The company’s “Investor Day” brought about several headlines, including new clinical trials ahead and a rallying cry from CEO Geoff Martha. Other news that garnered some attention came in the form of a new ultrasound system from another big player […]
Philips touts post-stent imaging study results
Royal Philips (NYSE:PHG) announced today that one-year results of its Define PCI study that reported improved outcomes and less recurrent angina. The Define PCI study assessed the level of residual ischemia found in patients following a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using a blinded instant wave-free ratio (iFR) pullback measurement, which is a guidance technology unique to […]
Abbott touts Xience DES study results
A pair of studies of Abbott’s Xience drug-eluting stent showed no difference between shorter courses of treatment with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) compared with 12 months of DAPT following implantation of the XIENCE drug-eluting stent (DES) in patients who are at a high risk of bleeding. Abbott presented the late-breaking data today at TCT Connect, […]
Abiomed touts latest Impella trial results
Abiomed (NSDQ:ABMD) today announced interim results of a study that found high-risk patients had better outcomes after implantation with its Impella CP heart pump. Data from the PROTECT III FDA post-approval study of Impella 2.5 and Impella CP in high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients showed reduced rates of MACCE — a composite of death, stroke, […]
FDA approves first Ebola virus treatment
The FDA granted approval to Inmazep, a mixture of three monoclonal antibodies, making it the first FDA-approved treatment for Ebola virus. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NSDQ:REGN) received the approval, having recently been in the news for providing its investigational COVID-19 therapeutic to President Donald Trump. Get the full story at our sister site, Drug Discovery & Development.
Sanofi to launch COVID-19 vaccine trial in Q4
Sanofi (NYSE:SNY) and Translate Bio (NSDQ:TBIO) announced today that a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate is set for the fourth quarter of 2020. Preclinical results for MRT5500, the COVID-19 vaccine candidate under development by the two companies, demonstrated a favorable immune response profile against SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing coronavirus, which supports the selection […]
Medtronic CEO Geoff Martha: ‘Time to be bold and add grit’
Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) CEO Geoff Martha has no intention of slowing the medtech giant down amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking during the Fridley, Minn.-based company’s “Investor Day” virtual presentation, Martha made one thing clear: “We are going on the offensive,” Martha said at the start and echoed throughout the program. About six months into his tenure as […]
Report: Eli Lilly halts COVID-19 treatment trial
Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) reportedly paused a clinical trial testing its COVID-19 antibody treatment candidate because of a “potential safety concern.” The New York Times reported that Eli Lilly’s testing site researchers were notified of the pause by emails sent by government officials (it is a government-sponsored trial) and the company later confirmed it. A spokesperson from the […]