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. NinePoint Medical wins FDA nod for real-time targeting on NvisionVLE device
NinePoint Medical said today that it won 510(k) clearance from the FDA for a real-time targeting feature on its flagship NvisionVLE gastrointestinal imaging device.
NvisionVLE uses optical coherence tomography to perform what it calls volumetric laser endomicroscopy to produce real-time, high-resolution cross-sectional images of the GI tract. The new targeting feature, enabling doctors to locate and mark areas of interest, was used for the 1st time in procedures at Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Bedford, Mass.-based NinePoint said. Read more
4. Baxter issues 4-year forecast
Baxter yesterday said it hopes to grow earnings per share to $3 over the next 4 years, as it looks to improve its operating margins and grow the top line.
The Chicago-area healthcare giant said it expects to post adjusted EPS of 2.10 to $2.25 in 2018, on sales growth of 3% to 4% on a compounded annual basis at constant currency rates from 2016 through 2018. Adjusted EPS in 2020 are expected to reach $2.75 to $3.00 per share on sales growth of 4% on a constant-currency compounded annual basis from 2016 to 2020. Read more
3. Senate panel once again slams physician-owned distributorships
The U.S. Senate’s Finance Committee today issued a report slamming physician-owned distributorships that sell the spinal implants their doctor-owners prescribe.
It’s not the 1st time that so-called PODs have drawn scrutiny from federal officials. Back in 2011, a Senate Finance panel report prompted a group of senators to petition the U.S. Health & Human Services Dept.’s inspector general to investigate the businesses and warn that they may create incentives for doctors to give preference to devices that provide them a financial return. The finance committee’s 2011 report found that PODS existed in 20 states, with more than 40 in California alone. Read more
2. Layoffs ahead as Haemonetics restructures, names new CEO
Haemonetics said yesterday that it plans to take a pre-tax charge of $26 million, including $17 million worth of “termination benefits,” as part of another round of layoffs aimed at boosting profitability and growth.
The Braintree, Mass.-based blood management company also said it named Chris Simon to be its new CEO, replacing interim chief Ron Gelbman, who took the reins after the September 2015 departure of Brian Concannon. Read more
1. Johnson & Johnson’s DePuy picks up BioMedical Enterprises
Johnson & Johnson subsidiary DePuy Orthopaedics said yesterday that it acquired BioMedical Enterprises, which makes implants for small bone fixation, for an undisclosed amount.
San Antonio, Texas-based BME’s nitinol implants are designed to treat deformities of the foot, ankle, hand and wrist. Read more