Becton Dickinson (NYSE:BDX) is touting the results of a small, in-house study of its Veritor Plus antigen test over molecular (PCR) tests to indicate whether an infected person is more likely able to spread SARS-CoV-2. The peer-reviewed study compared antigen and PCR test results to positive results using a viral cell culture test. Viral growth […]
coronavirus
Here at MassDevice — medtech's online business journal — we're covering news about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic daily. Here is the latest about coronavirus and the medical device industry, regulatory changes related to the pandemic, new tests for the virus, vaccine development, and much more.
GE ticks up on mixed-bag Q4
General Electric (NYSE:GE) shares ticked up today on fourth-quarter results that were mixed compared the consensus forecast. The Boston-based company posted profits of $2.6 billion, or 27¢ per share, on sales of $21.9 billion for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2020, more than tripling its bottom line despite a sales decline of -16.4%. Adjusted to […]
Moderna details ‘proactive’ strategy to fight emerging COVID-19 variants
While the so-called ‘U.K. variant’ of COVID-19 has triggered alarm, it may be a harbinger of things to come, as the novel coronavirus mutates across the world, complicating mass-vaccination efforts. Moderna (NSDQ:MRNA) detailed its plans to combat the matter in a briefing with investors. While it expects two 100-µg doses of its mRNA-1273 vaccine to be […]
Abbott Panbio rapid antigen test wins CE mark for asymptomatic COVID-19 screening
Abbott (NYSE:ABT) announced today that it received CE Mark for two new uses of its Panbio COVID-19 Ag rapid diagnostic. Panbio COVID-19 Ag has received an updated label with clinical data on asymptomatic individuals to enable mass testing of people who do not currently present symptoms of the disease, according to a news release. The other […]
Authorities investigating death of California recipient of COVID-19 vaccine
Last week, Norwegian officials raised eyebrows when they announced that they were investigating the deaths of 23 elderly patients who had recently received COVID-19 vaccine doses. Now, California authorities are investigating the death of a Placer County-based patient who received a COVID-19 vaccine dose on Jan. 21. The patient died hours afterward. Placer County officials […]
AdvaMed wants input on Biden pandemic DPA use
AdvaMed reacted to President Joe Biden’s plan to use the Defense Production Act (DPA) to tackle the pandemic with some cautionary words. In a letter responding to Biden’s 200-page COVID-19 plan, the medtech trade group asked for collaboration and urged the president to consider the industry’s experience with DPA orders issued by former President Trump. Get the full story […]
MedTech 100 roundup: Another peak for the industry
Medtech stocks have been on the rise in 2021, and the past week saw the trend continue with yet another all-time best mark. MassDevice‘s MedTech 100 index reached 107.4 points on Jan. 20, topping the all-time best of 106.81 points set on Jan. 8. That mark represents a 16% jump from the pre-pandemic high of 92.32 […]
6 questions about facial swelling and COVID-19 vaccines answered
The news that Moderna’s (NSDQ:MRNA) COVID-19 had a small risk of facial swelling for patients with dermal fillers has spooked scores of patients. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons have been inundated with queries from concerned patients. But the risk of problems is minuscule, according to Dr. Wilbur Hah, the president of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery […]
Intuitive Surgical stock down despite Street-beating Q4
Intuitive Surgical (NSDQ:ISRG) shares took a solid hit today despite fourth-quarter results that topped the consensus forecast. Shares of ISRG were down -5.9% at $751.89 per share in mid-afternoon trading today. They had been down -1.1% at $790 per share after hours when the results were released yesterday. The Sunnyvale, Calif.-based robot-assisted surgery technology developer posted […]
Johnson & Johnson vaccine trial results expected soon
Trial results for the COVID-19 vaccine candidate developed by Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) are reportedly expected to be released soon. The Hill reported last week that former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said the single-dose vaccine from J&J appears to have a “good profile for a vaccine,” indicating the potential for a third authorized candidate, following those […]
7 takeaways from Biden’s ‘full-scale, wartime’ plan to combat the COVID-19 pandemic
President Joe Biden kept to his word to announce plans to “establish clear federal leadership” to tackle the coronavirus pandemic on his first full day in office. The White House issued a 200-page document on Wednesday, detailing “full-scale, wartime” plans to harness the nation’s manufacturing and distribution capabilities to boost vaccine production, end shortages of […]
