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. St. Jude expands in Plymouth, consolidates cardiovascular unit
St. Jude Medical Inc. (NYSE:STJ) plans to more than double its Plymouth, Minn. presence with a 3 floor, 275,000-square-foot addition to its existing site. Along with the build, the medical device giant plans to consolidate its cardiovascular unit, currently located in Minnetonka, Minn. and Maple Grove, Minn. to the new Plymouth campus.
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6. December’s med-tech recalls
The FDA released its list of Class I and Class II recalls issued by the Centers for Devices & Radiological Health in December 2011. No Class I recalls were issued by the federal watchdog agency, but both Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX) and Philips Medical Systems made the Class II recall list.
5. SNN spins out biologics unit in JV with Essex Woodlands
British orthopedic titan Smith & Nephew (NYSE:SNN) shuffled its business deck yet again with the spinout of its biologics and clinical therapies division in a joint venture with venture capital firm Essex Woodlands. Essex will own 51% of the new business, named Bioventus LLC, with Smith & Nephew holding the remainder.
4. Accuray and Siemens amend ties amid tough times
Amid job losses and cost cutting measures, Accuray (NSDQ:ARAY) and Siemens AG (NYSE:SI) amended their strategic partnership to allow Siemens to sell CyberKnife products made by Accuray’s recent acquisition, TomoTherapy Inc.
3. FDA aims at reused medical devices
The FDA renewed its focus on reusable medical devices after receiving reports of patient exposure to microscopic amounts of blood and tissue left behind on equipment that wasn’t properly cleaned. While the federal watchdog agency urged patients not to delay or forgo medical procedures for fear of infection, the risks have roused concerns over multiple-use medical devices.
2. Oridion imports banned, share prices dive 40%
The FDA banned Oridion Systems Ltd. (PINK:ORDNF) from importing any medical devices into the U.S., after the Israeli med-tech maker failed to fix violations at its Jerusalem manufacturing facility.
1. Jilted Synthes goes after ex-sales reps, Stryker
Synthes, the orthopedic surgery specialists Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) paid $21.3 billion for in April, accused 3 of its former sales representatives of violating their non-disclosure pacts and stealing trade secrets when they quit to work for rival Stryker Corp. (NYSE:SYK).