Say hello to MassDevice +5, a bite-sized view of the top five medtech stories of the day. This feature of MassDevice.com’s coverage highlights our 5 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.
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5. How slugs are creating better medical adhesives
Slug mucus is the inspiration behind a new adhesive to close surgical wounds and reduce the use of surgical staples, according to new research out of Harvard.
Some of the current adhesives on the market can be toxic and stick together tissues weakly. Some can’t be used in wet environments altogether, which can pose a problem for closing tissues in the body. Harvard University engineering researcher Jianya Li and his team used the defensive mucus secreted by slugs to develop a surgical glue that addresses the challenges associated with previous adhesives. Read more
4. Abiomed gains on Medicare reimbursement rate for Impella
Abiomed shares are up 3.2% since the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services announced a lower-than-expected cut to the reimbursement rate for intensive care unit procedures using its Impella heart pump.
CMS had proposed a 35% reimbursement reduction in mid-April for procedures using the Impella pump in the ICU, but in its Final Inpatient Prospective Payment System ruling released last week the cut was revealed to be only 19%, according to a Leerink Partners note to investors. Read more
3. Boston Scientific backs Neuros Medical again in $20m round
Neuros Medical today said it raised $20 million in what it’s calling a Series AA round, pledging the proceeds to a pivotal study of its Altius neurostimulation technology.
Cleveland-based Neuros said the round was led by U.S. Venture Partners and included prior backers Boston Scientific and JumpStart plus contributions from Aperture Venture Partners and Osage University Partners. Read more
2. J&J Vision to acquire TearScience
Johnson & Johnson‘s Vision business said last week that it inked a deal to acquire ophthalmalogical medical device maker TearScience for an undisclosed amount.
Resarch Triangle Park, N.C.-based TearScience produces devices focused on treating meibomian gland dysfunction, a leading underlying cause of dry eye disease, Johnson & Johnson said. Read more
1. Fresenius to pay $2B for NxStage Medical
Fresenius Medical Care said today that it agreed to pay $2 billion to acquire NxStage Medical and the home hemodialysis technology it developed.
The $30-per-share deal, which is expected to close this year, represents a 29.6% premium on the August 4 closing price of $23.14 for NXTM shares. The stock was up 25.5% to $29.04 today in pre-market trading. FRE shares were down -1.2% to €69.14 apiece today in Frankfurt. Read more