Say hello to MassDevice +3, a bite-sized view of the top three medtech 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. FDA warns on cancer risk with uterine morcellation
FDA officials issued a formal warning today asking doctors to avoid a certain method for removing uterine tissue out of concern that it may cause stealthy cancers to spread beyond the uterus.
U.S. healthcare regulators asked doctors to avoid laparoscopic power morcellation, a procedure in which the uterus or uterine fibroids are broken up into smaller pieces prior to removal. The increasingly popular procedure allows surgeons remove tissue through small incisions rather than through open surgery, but the FDA warned that it may also allow undetected cancers to spread. Read more
2. ForSight Vision5 lands $15M Series C round
ForSight Vision5, which is developing devices to treat front-of-the-eye conditions such as glaucoma and dry eye disease, said it pulled down a $15 million Series C round.
ForSight Vision5 is a spinout of ForSight Labs, a Menlo Park, Calif.-based incubator focused on developing ophthalmic treatments. Read more
1. Vital Therapies lowers IPO to $12/share
Vital Therapies dropped its per-share price even lower, opening at $12 per share in the hopes of raising $54 million. Shares were slated to open today on the NASDAQ exchange under the “VTL” symbol.
Vital Therapeutics plans to use the new funds to support upcoming clinical trial efforts, according to an SEC filing. The company plans use some of its existing cash and equivalents to make up the difference, should the IPO fail to bring in enough to cover costs. Read more
