Novartis pharma head Epstein steps away, most recent loss in string of top-level turnovers Novartis (NYSE:NVS) is facing an upheaval in its top management, seeing 7 departures over the last 5 months as shares fell 25% since last July. Last week, Novartis pharmaceuticals head David Epstein quit as his division was split up. Earlier in the month, U.S. […]
Novartis
Microsoft and Novartis partner to use gaming sensor to “Assess MS”
Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT) is looking to use its Kinect computer vision system for more than just games. The tech giant said this week it is partnering with Novartis (NYSE:NVS) to develop a system for assessing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis using its Kinect system, which is more commonly used for motion controlled video games. The Redmond, […]
Novartis taps Hospira-sale engineer exec Ball to revive slumping Alcon
Novartis (NYSE:NVS) is looking to revitalize its slumping Alcon eye care division by picking up medical vet Michael Ball, who recently organized Hospira’s $15 billion sale to Pfizer (NYSE:PFE). Ball will replace previous Alcon chief Jeff George, the company announced today. Novartis CEO Joe Jimenez is reportedly putting Ball in control of reviving Alcon. Alcon […]
No quick fix seen for Novartis’s troubled Alcon unit
(Reuters) – Introduced a decade ago, glaucoma drug Travatan Z has been a powerful driver behind the success of Novartis (NYSE:NVS)’s Alcon eye care business, its second biggest division behind the main pharmaceuticals business. But the drug’s patent expiration last month, the latest in a wave of expiries that have left Alcon vulnerable to generics, […]
Google restructuring puts Life Sciences & Calico group under new umbrella
Google (NSDQ:GOOG) announced today a corporate restructuring that places it under the new parent company Alphabet. The company highlighted the separation of its med-device developer Life Sciences business and human-longevity focused Calico division. The new Google will be slimmed down, former Google CEO and now-Alphabet CEO Larry Page said, and separated from companies that run […]
Alcon’s sluggish Q2 hits Novartis
(Reuters) — A weak performance from eyecare division Alcon, plus the strong dollar, hit Novartis (NYSE:NVS) in the 2nd quarter, scuppering hopes that the Swiss drugmaker would raise its 2015 financial outlook. The difficulties at Alcon reflected lower sales of contact lenses, intraocular lenses and surgical equipment, offsetting a solid showing in pharmaceuticals and an impressive sales […]
FDA releases final recs on legal exemptions for customized medical devices | Regulatory news for the week of September 29, 2014
Alcon wins date with FDA panel for AcrySof lens
Alcon Laboratories won a date before an FDA advisory panel in November to review the data behind its application for a new indication for its AcrySof IQ ReSTOR intraocular lens, the watchdog agency said today.
The AcrySof IQ ReSTOR lens is already approved in the U.S. to treat presbyopia and cataracts.
Proteus Digital closes $172M round for ingestible sensor tech | Medtech funding for the week of July 28, 2014
Medtronic-backed Proteus Digital raises $172M for sensor-enabled pills
California-based Proteus Digital Health closed a Series G funding round this week with more than $172 million pledged in support of the company’s ingestible sensor-laden pills.