Singapore-based Lucence said it has developed a sample collection device for viral infections such as COVID-19. Unlike other companies’ tests, Lucence’s SAFER-Sample (Stabilization of nucleic Acid Formulation for Evaluation of RNA) does not require samples from nose or throat swabs to be chilled for transport to a lab, according to the company. It comes with […]
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Masimo acquires TNI Medical
Non-invasive monitoring technology developer Masimo (NSDQ:MASI) announced that it plans to acquire German ventilation company TNI Medical for an undisclosed amount. Irvine, Calif.-based Masimo pulled the trigger on the acquisition after it disclosed an investment in August 2019 that included an exclusive option to purchase Würzburg, Germany-based TNI. Masimo expects to close the deal in the […]
Cardinal Health names new chief financial officer
Cardinal Health (NYSE:CAH) this week said it appointed Jason Hollar as chief financial officer, effective May 12. Hollar succeeds Dave Evans who will continue to serve as the chief financial officer until May 11. “We are pleased to welcome Jason to the Cardinal Health family,” CEO Mike Kaufmann said in a news release. “With his deep […]
7 ways the coronavirus is affecting medtech
Medtech companies face some tough times as the deadly coronavirus pandemic gains steam. But could this be the medical device industry’s Dunkirk, too? Just days ago, MassMEDIC president Brian Johnson made a call-out on LinkedIn for people to send ideas about how Massachusetts medical device companies could help fight COVID-19. He drew an analogy to […]
Major U.S. manufacturers answering call for ventilator needs
U.S. manufacturers — inside and outside medtech — are offering help amid shortages of ventilators, respirator masks and more needed to combat coronavirus. News broke this week that Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York is reportedly experiencing shortages of masks and other protective equipment, and it is not alone in that regard. Last […]
Sterigenics asks to reopen Georgia EtO plant to fight coronavirus
Sterigenics has asked Cobb County, Ga. officials for permission to reopen its medical device sterilization plant to aid in the fight against the coronavirus. Oak Park, Ill.-based Sterigenics temporarily shut the Atlanta plant on August 26 to voluntarily upgrade emission controls for ethylene oxide (EtO), the carcinogenic gas it used to sterilize medical devices. In September, […]
Trump invokes Defense Production Act against coronavirus
President Trump announced today that he is invoking the Defense Production Act — a Korean War–era law that enables extraordinary government actions to boost needed supplies — “just in case we need it” to fight the coronavirus pandemic. There have been stories of healthcare providers across the United States facing shortages of everything from ventilators […]
Moody’s lowers outlook for U.S. medtech industry due to coronavirus
Moody’s Investors Service has lowered its outlook for the U.S. medical device industry due to lower sales it expects from the coronavirus outbreak. The Wall Street ratings service said yesterday that it has revised its EBITDA forecast for the next 12 to 18 months to 2% to 4% from 5% to 6%, but added that […]
Sight Sciences raises $30m in Series E round
Growth-stage ophthalmology and optometry device developer Sight Sciences announced today that it closed a Series E preferred stock financing round totaling over $30 million. The Menlo Park, Calif.–based company — which develops treatments for glaucoma and dry eye disease — said in a news release that the proceeds from the funding are earmarked for clinical […]
FDA lets states approve COVID-19 tests
The FDA has issued an unprecedented new guidance that allows individual states to approve diagnostic tests for COVID-19. The guidance also describes a policy regarding the use of serological testing for antibodies to the virus without an emergency use authorization (EUA). The new guidance allows commercial manufacturers to more rapidly distribute their validated SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics […]
Quest Diagnostics, Quidel Corp. get emergency nod for COVID-19 tests
The FDA has granted two more companies’ COVID-19 tests emergency use authorizations. Tests by Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX) and Quidel Corp. (NSDW:QDEL) got the nod for distribution within the U.S. without prior clearance or approval. Quest Diagnostics (Secaucus, N.J.) said it will expand testing with its new COVID-19 diagnostic this week from its high-complexity laboratories in Chantilly, Va., […]