Say hello to MassDevice +3, a bite-sized view of the top three med-tech stories of the day. This feature of MassDevice.com’s coverage highlights our 3 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.
3. DNA sequencing in a handheld laboratory — Q&A with QuantuMDx founder Jonathan O’Halloran
QuantuMDx came from humble beginnings, and it’s still rather humble now, but the company has a grand vision for the future. With re-imagined diagnostic technology and a burgeoning gene sequencing revolution, QuantuMDx hopes 1 day to see a diagnostic lab in every medicine cabinet and cheap testing that can reach every under-served population.
Looking to the nearer future, the U.K.-based firm hopes to provide under-served areas with simple, quick tools to diagnose diseases on the cheap. QuantuMDx has a working prototype and is looking to raise funds to release its 15-minute test by the end of 2015. Read more
2. Hologic CFO steps down, new COO steps in and SVPs step up
Women’s health company Hologic made some changes to its leadership, preparing to bid farewell to its CFO, naming a new COO and making some changes among its senior vice presidents.
Hologic announced the impending retirement of Glenn Muir as the company’s CFO, finance & administration executive vice president, assistant treasurer and assistant secretary. Muir has been with the company since 1988 and became CFO in 1992. He agreed to stick around until the end of November to help select and transition to a new finance chief. Read more
1. Staar Surgical jumps on FDA panel nod
An FDA advisory panel voted last week to recommend approval for Staar Surgical’s Visian Toric implantable collamer lens for myopic astigmatism, sending STAA shares up nearly 17% today.
Should the FDA go along with the panel, the Visian Toric device would be the only lens approved in the U.S. for placement in the posterior chamber of the phakic eye that uses both toric and phakic features to treat astigmatism and myopia. The watchdog agency is not bound by its advisory panel decisions, but often follows their lead. Read more