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. GI Dynamics sinks 13 percent on opening day
GI Dynamics (ASX:GID) had a less-than-auspicious début on the Australian stock exchange yesterday, where GID share prices dropped 13 percent in their first day of public trading.
Sign up to get our free newsletters delivered right to your inbox.
6. Device training for FDA reviewers
The FDA launches its reviewer certification program to tighten device application times as Congress prepares to dig deeper into the watchdog agency’s med-tech review process.
5. Urologix, Medtronic ink prostate pact
Urologix Inc. (NSDQ:ULGX) strikes a 10-deal with Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) to offer the Prostiva RF treatment, planning to couple that bladder obstruction treatment with its own Cooled ThermoTherapy system for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
4. Former DePuy Orthopaedics CEO Floyd lands on his feet
David Floyd, the former CEO of DePuy Orthopaedics, starts a new gig today: CEO of OrthoWorx, an “industry, community and education initiative” that aims to boost the orthopedics cluster centered in Warsaw, Ind., according to its website.
3. Diabetes device-related infections worry CDC
The number of patients exposed to blood-borne infections during diabetes testing, glucose monitoring and insulin delivery in group settings is on the rise, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.
2. The BRIC bubble might be in for a flatline
The predicted flat 7.9 percent growth for the BRIC nations of Brazil, Russia, India and China through 2012 could be bad news for the clutch of med-tech titans who have just committed big bucks on the growth of emerging markets.
1. AdvaMed warns of 400,000 lost jobs on FDA’s excise tax
Medical device industry lobby AdvaMed says that the new 2.3 percent excise tax, slated to go into effect in 2013, will be "the last straw on the camel’s back" for medical device companies trying to thrive in the struggling American economy.