Say hello to MassDevice +7, a bite-sized view of the top seven med-tech stories of the week. This latest feature of MassDevice.com’s coverage highlights our seven biggest and most influential stories from the week’s news to make sure you’re up to date on the headlines that continue to shape the medical device industry.
If you read nothing else this weekend, make sure you’re still in the know with MassDevice +7.
7. Orthofix finally settles civil, criminal beefs for $43M
Orthofix agrees to pay $43 million to settle civil and criminal cases accusing it of an illegal kickbacks scheme, after a judge twice nixed the deal.
6. Venture Capital: VCs, CEOs temper optimism about 2013
Venture capitalists and CEOs are reserving their optimism for specific economic sectors next year, and the medical device industry isn’t 1 of them.
5. Feds level off-label charges against Stryker, other pain pump makers
A Missouri federal court unseals an off-label marketing lawsuit against Stryker and other pain pump makers, perhaps influenced by a ruling earlier this month protecting off-label marketing as free speech.
4. No time for second-guessing in device tax repeal efforts
Medtech industry lobbyists are focused on repealing the 2.3% medical device tax before it takes effect in 2 weeks, encouraging medtech executives, employees and other stakeholders to reach out to local lawmakers.
3. No pessimists on the front lines of tax repeal, says Zoll CEO Packer
Zoll CEO Rick Packer says that tax repeal advocates on the front lines of the discussions with Washington are optimistic that the levy on device makers will be addressed before it hits in January.
2. Survey shows pessimism that tax repeal efforts will work
A MassDevice.com survey of medical device industry stakeholders finds that a majority are pessimistic that the medical device tax will be repealed.
1. Layoffs: Medical device companies cut 7,000 jobs in 2012
Publicly traded medical device companies shed about 7,000 jobs in the 2012, representing 1.6% of the industry’s U.S. jobs base.