A team of researchers from the University of Melbourne have developed a method to turn particles into “building blocks” for complex nano-structures, according to a study published in Nature Nanotechnology. “Nano-objects are difficult to manipulate, as they’re too tiny to see directly by eye, far too small to hold, and often have incompatible surfaces for assembling […]
Researchers develop personalized 3D-printed vascular stents
Researchers from Northwestern University have developed a 3D-printed vascular stent that can be personalized to the patient, the school reported this week. The stents are made of a biodegradable, citric acid-based polymer that researchers could load with drugs to release slowly as the blood vessel wall heals. “Right now, the vast majority of stents are […]
Microchip imaging platform for roundworms could accelerate research
Researchers have developed a microchip imaging platform to image-analyze thousands of roundworms simultaneously, according to the Cockrell School of Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. This is the 1st large-scale, in vivo drug discovery platform using a whole animal model, the school reported. The study, published in Nature Communications, detailed a flexible, cellphone-sized chip […]
Synaptive Medical raises $3.7m
Synaptive Medical last week told the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission that it raised $3.7 million in an equity round. Toronto-based Synaptive, which makes brain imaging products, did not respond to requests for comment from Massdevice.com on the funding. Eighteen unnamed investors participated in the round, which began last month, according to the filing. In addition to […]
Gamida Cell wins FDA breakthrough therapy designation for NiCord cell graft
Gamida Cell said today that it won breakthrough therapy designation from the FDA for its lead product candidate, NiCord. The Jerusalem-based company’s expanded cell graft is designed to be an alternative to bone marrow transplantation for patients with high-risk hematological cancers. Gamida Cell said it plans to launch an international Phase III registration study of the […]
Medtech startup teams with GM on robotic glove
(Reuters) — Bioservo Technologies, a medical technology startup that makes a light-weight robotic “extra muscle” glove for people with weak grips, is teaming up with carmaker General Motors (NYSE:GM) to design a model for industrial assembly workers. After built-in sensors on 3 fingertips record what the user does, the Swedish startup’s soft textile glove mimics and reinforces the movement […]
Mylan settles EpiPen pricing probe with $465m
Mylan (NSDQ:MYL) agreed last week to pay $465 million to settle claims that it underpaid Medicaid for its EpiPen auto-injector by misclassifying the device as a generic. Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said it spent $797 million on the emergency allergy treatment between 2011 and 2015, including rebates. The Canonsburg, Pa.-based company has […]
Lupin, MonoSol Rx ink licensing deal for pediatric products
Lupin Pharmaceutical (NSE:LUPIN) said last week that it inked a licensing agreement with MonoSol Rx to develop pediatric products using MonoSol’s drug delivery technology. Warren, N.J.-based MonoSol touts its dissolvable film, PharmaFilm, as a quick-dissolving system that’s easy to administer and masked by a taste. The minimally invasive film is designed to support pediatric populations that often […]
Report finds ethosomes as promising transdermal delivery mechanism
Ethosomes – nanocarriers loaded with ethanol – can penetrate the skin’s protective layers and deliver a variety of drugs, a review published in Current Clinical Pharmacology reported today. Transdermal delivery of drugs is touted by some researchers as promising, since it’s noninvasive and avoids any interaction with the gastrointestinal tract. Ethosomes are malleable and their […]
Fresenius Kabi wins FDA nod for Aurora Xi plasmapheresis system
Fresenius Kabi (NYSE:FMS) said today that it won FDA 510(k) clearance for its Aurora Xi plasmapheresis system. Plasma, a component of blood that contains proteins, is used in therapies to treat burn victims, bleeding disorders, and other chronic and genetic problems. Patients who require plasma infusions or injections have to get them regularly and often […]
Surgery during pregnancy carries low risk
(Reuters) — Surgical procedures during pregnancy are generally safe, new research indicates. “Clearly, surgery during pregnancy should only be considered if absolutely necessary,” said Dr. Paul Aylin, study co-author and an epidemiologist at the Imperial College London in England. But when expectant mothers do need to undergo surgery, “the information provided in our analysis may give […]