U.S. laboratories are not running enough COVID-19 diagnostic tests using Abbott (NYSE:ABT) m2000 RealTime machines, according to Dr. Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus response coordinator. During last night’s White House briefing, Birx said that 80% of the Abbott machines in 120 laboratories across the country are not running, despite the availability of 1 million tests. Abbott […]
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.
Dupont to deliver millions of Tyvek suits to aid coronavirus fight
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says DuPont has agreed to deliver 450,000 Tyvek suits to the U.S. this week to protect healthcare workers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with an N95 respirator or surgical/face mask, a face shield or protective eyewear, and gloves, a Tyvek coverall suit is an important piece of […]
OncoSec, Inovio testing COVID-19 vaccines
OncoSec Medical (NSDQ:ONCS) and Inovio Pharmaceuticals (NSDQ:INO) announced that they are testing potential COVID-19 vaccines after the latter received investigational new drug clearance from the FDA. Inovio received an IND nod, while OncoSec’s is pending, but both companies are pursuing a first-in-human Phase 1 clinical trial for their vaccines, according to separate news releases. Get the full […]
Carbon partners with Adidas, Resolution Medical on COVID-19 response
Carbon, the 3D printing company, announced today that it is working with Adidas on face shields for healthcare workers and with Resolution Medical on nasal swabs for COVID-19 testing. Adidas tweeted about its work with longtime collaborator Carbon, saying the athleticwear company is aiding Carbon’s production of face shields, which healthcare providers are using to protect themselves from contracting […]
BREAKING: Philips to double U.S. ventilator production by May under $646.7m deal
Royal Philips (NYSE:PHG) announced today that it has reached an agreement with the U.S. government to double its ventilator production by May in order to better support the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The Amsterdam-based company also plans to quadruple production by the third quarter in order to deliver tens of thousands of ventilators to the […]
Essentium makes 3D printed face mask with reusable frame
Essentium announced that it designed and is now producing a protective mask kit made from a reusable 3D printed mask frame and filtration media. The Austin, Texas-based 3D printing company said in a news release last week that the first run of 500 masks are set to be delivered to the Pflugerville Police & Fire […]
COVID-19 is an opportunity for cybercriminals to hack medical devices
Interpol is warning that cybercriminals are targeting hospitals and other institutions on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. The international agency’s Cybercrime Threat Response team at its Cyber Fusion Centre has detected a significant increase in attempted ransomware attacks against key organizations and infrastructure engaged in the virus response. The ransomware attacks involve preventing […]
Abbott getting FreeStyle Libre systems into hospitals amid COVID-19 pandemic
Abbott (NYSE:ABT) has won FDA permission for the use of the FreeStyle Libre 14 day continuous glucose monitoring system in hospital settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Use of the system in hospitals will enable remote monitoring of people with diabetes and help limit opportunities for coronavirus transmission, according to Abbott. The company is donating 25,000 FreeStyle […]
Could these DIY ventilators stop coronavirus from killing people?
Amid the global crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, hospitals and healthcare facilities are reporting shortages of vital equipment that not only keeps the patients safe, but the staffers, too. One important device for which demand has ramped up is ventilators for patients who need assistance with their breathing due to the respiratory effects of […]
Novacyt joins collaboration to boost COVID-19 testing in UK
Novacyt announced today that it is collaborating with AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN), GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) and the University of Cambridge to increase testing in the United Kingdom. Pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca and GSK, along with the University of Cambridge, are slated to set up a new testing laboratory at Cambridge’s Anne McLaren lab. The facility will be used for high throughput […]
EU science chief resigns over government response to coronavirus
Disappointed in the European Union’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, the head of its top science organization has resigned. Mauro Ferrari was president of the European Research Council (ERC) since Jan. 1. His resignation was effective immediately, according to the council. Ferrari claimed he had run into institutional and political roadblocks when he tried to […]