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The top 5 medtech stories of the week — July 24, 2020

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MassDevice Top Five medtech stories weekCOVID-19 is surging back in the U.S., new jobless claims are up, but MassDevice’s most-read stories this week were mostly optimistic.

That’s the takeaway from our inaugural MassDevice Top Five — a weekly recap of the most-read stories on MassDevice, the online business journal of the medical device industry. Want to hear more about the week’s top news? Executive editor Chris Newmarker and Tom Salemi will discuss during our DeviceTalks Weekly podcast.

Without further ado, here’s this week’s MassDevice Top Five:

5. Better than expected results from Edwards Lifesciences

Officials at Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW) had warned that it was going to be a tough Q2 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Sure enough, it was. But the Irvine, Calif.–based artificial heart valves and hemodynamic monitoring company results still beat Wall Street expectations — with the company even upping its earnings guidance for the year. “Irrespective of the unpredictable surges of this deadly pandemic, there is growing recognition that valve therapy should not be postponed as these patients have an urgent need,” said CEO Michael A. Mussallem. Read the full story. 

4. Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes’ trial likely won’t take place until next year

A federal judge in California has indicated that the trial of ex-Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes and president Sunny Balwani likely probably won’t happen until next year. A trial next year should hopefully allow potential witnesses in their senior years — including former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and media mogul Ruport Murdoch — to travel to testify in person. Read the full story.

3. Boston Scientific’s next-gen stroke prevention device gets FDA nod

Medical device companies continue to roll out new devices amid the pandemic and recession. The latest is  Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX), which this week announced FDA approval of its next-gen Watchman left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) device. Boston Sci describes  the Watchman FLX as a permanent implant designed to close off the left atrial appendage and thus reduce the risk of stroke without the bleeding danger associated with blood-thinners. Read the full story. 

2. People can now control their Abbott neuromod device over their iPhone

Abbott (NYSE:ABT) announced has received FDA approval for the use of its Patient Controller app on compatible Apple smartphone devices. The company’s Patient Controller app offers management tools for patients with neurological conditions, such as chronic pain or movement disorders, with implanted neuromodulation devices. Now, with the latest approval from the FDA, it’s possible to manage an Abbott neuromodulation directly from a personal smartphone — which Abbott officials say is especially a plus amid a pandemic. Read the full story. 

1. BD lands order for 177m injection devices for COVID-19

Amid hopes for a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the year, Becton Dickinson (NYSE:BDX) has received additional pandemic orders for needles and syringes from the U.S. and Canada, totaling 177 million devices. BD so far has received a total of 330 million needle and syringe orders from the U.S., Canada and the U.K. Read the full story. 

Also this week, the Galien Foundation announced nominees for most innovative medical devices for its 14th Annual Prix Galien USA Awards. Check out our full list of most innovative medical devices of 2020. 

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