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. T2 Biosystems, Bayer ink blood disorder deal
T2 Biosystems said today that it inked a deal with Bayer for research on blood coagulation disorders.
The deal calls for T2 to provide its T2MR magnetic resonance-based diagnostic device to Bayer for a research program for drug and biomarker discovery in hemostasis. Read more
4. Medtronic wins FDA nod for 2-level cervical fusion with Prestige LP spine implant
Medtronic said today that the FDA approve 2-level cervical fusions using its Prestige LP spinal implant.
“Medtronic is committed to elevating spine care by combining innovative new technologies with clinical evidence,” Medtronic Spine president Doug King said in prepared remarks. “The Prestige LP Disc is a superior alternative to [anterior cervical discectomy & fusion] and an important motion-preserving option for physicians treating certain patients suffering from two-level cervical disc disease.” Read more
3. Stryker’s Mako wins a round in patent war with Smith & Nephew’s Blue Belt Technologies
Stryker subsidiary Mako Surgical won a round in its patent war with Smith & Nephew‘s Blue Belt Technologies last week, after the U.S. Patent Trial & Appeal Board declared parts of a Blue Belt patent invalid.
Mako last year asked the patent trial board for an inter partes review of the patent, no. 6,757,582 covering “Methods and systems to control a shaping tool.” The review board found that Mako proved that 11 of the patent’s claims are unpatentable, but failed to show that another 32 claims are invalid. Read more
2. FDA approves Abbott’s Tecnis Symfony lens for cataracts
The FDA last week granted pre-market approval to the Tecnis Symfony intraocular lens made by Abbott Medical Optics for treating patients with cataracts.
The device is the 1st intra-ocular lens to provide extended depth of focus for better vision at near, intermediate and far distances, the federal safety watchdog said. Abbott said the FDA also approved a version for patients with astigmatism called the Tecnis Symfony Toric intraocular lens. Read more
1. Zimmer pays at least $132m for French robot-assisted surgery firm Medtech SA
Zimmer Biomet said today that it agreed to pay at least $132 million to acquire French robot-assisted surgery firm Medtech.
Warsaw, Ind.-based Zimmer Biomet has already paid €50.00 per share ($55.39) for more than 1.4 million ROSA shares, which is about 58.77% of the Montpellier, France-based company’s stock, to founder & CEO Bertin Nahum, Newfund and other owners. Zimmer Biomet also put up €50.03 ($55.43) for per Medtech’s convertible bonds and €17.17 ($19.02) for its warrants, both of which were owned by Ally Bridge Group. Read more
