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. Feds join whistleblower probe of Vascular Solutions’ alleged off-label scheme
Federal investigators join an investigation into Vascular Solutions, spurred by a whistleblower’s allegations that the company engaged in off-label promotion and illegal kickbacks to sell its Vari-Lase varicose vein treatment devices.
6. KCI sells Therapeutic Support Systems business to Getinge for $275 million
Medical Device company Kinetic Concepts divests unit which makes therapeutic beds, mattress replacement systems and other support surfaces to Getinge for $275 million.
5. UPDATE: Federal appeals court sends Smith & Nephew / KCI bout back to Texas
A federal appeals court remands a patent infringement lawsuit between Smith & Nephew and Kinetic Concepts Inc. back to a lower court in Texas, saying the judge there didn’t give enough weight to the jury’s ruling.
4. Brazil’s economic slowdown may be a disappointment for device makers
Sluggish growth in Brazil’s economy may signal diminishing returns for medical device companies with aggressive strategies in the country, but hope remains for the country’s medtech sector.
3. St. Jude Medical slides on FDA order
Shares of St. Jude Medical closed down more than 4% yesterday after the FDA ordered it to run a 3-year study of its recalled Riata defibrillator leads.
2. Medical device companies: Who spends the most on R&D?
Despite a lethargic economy, medical device companies boosted their spending on research & development last year, according to MassDevice.com’s Big 100 database of the 100 largest med-tech makers.
1. Battle in Silicon Valley: Device makers trade barbs in the fight to gain share in robot assisted procedures
The best way to beat Intuitive Surgical out of the corner it has on the prostate cancer treatment market is by amping up the aggression, radiosurgery veteran and Varian chief medical officer John Adler tells MassDevice.com.
