Abbott (NYSE:ABT) is reportedly laying off as many as 400 workers in Maine as a result of a drop in demand for its COVID-19 diagnostics. WMTW-TV in Portland, Maine reported that about 300 Abbott employees will be laid off in Westbrook, as confirmed by the town’s mayor. Additionally, the station reported that about 100 workers […]
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.
SEC claims Parallax Health Sciences, execs misled about COVID-19 tests, PPE
The SEC announced today that it levied a complaint against Parallax Health Sciences and two top executives for making allegedly misleading statements about COVID-19-related products. Without admitting or denying the allegations, Parallax, its CEO Paul Arena, and CTO Nathaniel Bradley consented to judgments permanently enjoining them from future violations of the charged provisions and requiring […]
Eurofins launches COVID-19 testing network to facilitate European travel
Eurofins announced today that it opened a network of about 500 COVID-19 testing centers across Europe to help facilitate summer travel. Luxembourg-based Eurofins’ network covers major traveling hubs to provide testing accessibility in locations ranging from supermarkets to business parks and residential areas, too. According to a news release, the company’s 500-center network is already […]
FDA revokes EUAs for certain respirators, decontamination systems after increased N95 access
The FDA issued a briefing confirming the revoking of emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for certain respirators and decontamination systems. EUAs for all non-NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health)-approved disposable respirators, including disposable respirators like KN95s, along with decontamination and bioburden reduction systems, were all revoked, having been issued amid the COVID-19 pandemic. According […]
PharmaJet begins enrollment for needle-free COVID-19 vaccine trial
PharmaJet announced today that it began enrollment for a Phase 1 clinical trial for its needle-free COVID-19 vaccine in Australia. Golden, Colo.-based PharmaJet’s needle-free injection systems will be studied with Covigen, a DNA-based vaccine developed by French-Thai pharmaceutical company BioNet-Asia in collaboration with Melbourne, Australia-based Technovalia. Get the full story at our sister site, Drug Delivery […]
Sanofi to spend nearly half a billion dollars a year on mRNA vaccine research
Sanofi (NYSE:SNY) announced today that it plans to invest approximately $476.3 million (€400 million) per year on mRNA vaccine development. Paris-based Sanofi’s intends for its annual investment to go toward a first-of-its-kind vaccine “mRNA Center of Excellence” to accelerate the development and delivery of next-generation vaccines. Get the full story at our sister site, Drug […]
Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines appear to have a durable immune response
A new study shows that the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines create an immune response that may protect recipients for years. The study, published in Nature, revealed that those who received the two-dose mRNA vaccines developed by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna could provide immunity for years or even a lifetime in those who were infected with COVID-19 […]
Abbott wins CE mark to sell Panbio COVID-19 antigen test over the counter
Abbott (NYSE:ABT) announced today that it received CE mark approval to market the Panbio COVID-19 test for over-the-counter use. European approval covers the direct-to-consumer sale of the Panbio COVID-19 antigen self-test for detecting the SARS-CoV-2 virus in adults and children both with or without symptoms. Abbott Park, Ill.-based Abbott’s Panbio antigen self-test uses a minimally […]
MedTech 100 roundup: Nearing new highs once again
Having hit a downturn as the summer neared, the medtech industry is now consistently on the rise as June comes to a close. MassDevice‘s MedTech 100 Index — which includes stocks of the world’s largest medical device companies — finished the week (June 25) at 113.42 points, producing a 2.5% rise from the 110.64-point mark set […]
Roche wins EUA for intravenous tocilizumab in treating COVID-19
Roche announced today that it received FDA emergency use authorization (EUA) for intravenous Actemra/RoActemra in treating COVID-19. Basel, Switzerland-based Roche’s Actemra/RoActemra (tocilizumab) drug received authorization to treat COVID-19 in hospitalized adults and pediatric patients (two years of age and older) who are receiving systemic corticosteroids and require supplemental oxygen, non-invasive or invasive mechanical ventilation or […]
White House allocates 55M COVID-19 vaccine doses for global distribution
The Biden-Harris administration today announced a global distribution list for 55 million doses of America’s COVID-19 vaccine supply. Biden pledged to allocate 80 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine supply belonging to the U.S. by the end of June to aid the global fight against the pandemic. Earlier this month, the administration announced the plan […]
