Say hello to MassDevice +7, a bite-sized view of the top seven med-tech stories of the week. This latest feature of MassDevice.com’s coverage highlights our seven biggest and most influential stories from the week’s news to make sure you’re up to date on the headlines that continue to shape the medical device industry.
If you read nothing else this weekend, make sure you’re still in the know with MassDevice +7.
7. Sapien transapical trial spiked on adverse events
A clinical trial examining the insertion of Edwards Lifesciences’ Sapien heart valve through the ribcage is cut short after several patients experience stroke, kidney failure and death.
6. Olympus admits to 20 years of hiding losses
Olympus executives reveal decades of concealing heavy investment losses after an internal probe finds nearly $1.5 billion funneled through offshore funds.
5. Stryker plans to lay off 5% of its workforce ahead of the med-tech tax
Stryker Corp. announces plans to lay off 5 percent of its workforce, reducing operating costs by more than $100 million before the 2.3 percent med-tech levy takes effect in 2013.
4. Is Becton Dickinson ripe for a buyout?
Becton Dickinson & Co. (NYSE:BDX) is at its lowest valuation since 1993, making it ripe for a buyout, after reporting dismal third-quarter results last week.
3. FDA survey reviews patient tracking
A small FDA survey on radio frequency identification and real-time location technologies finds that nearly 90 percent use the technologies to track patients and medical devices.
2. St. Jude wins patent protection decision in Access Closure lawsuit
A federal judge in Arkansas ruled that a St. Jude Medical patent covering vascular closure technologies is protected from a challenge by Access Closure Inc., even though it’s similar enough to another St. Jude patent to be deemed invalid.
1. Zimmer goes after another law firm
Zimmer Holdings sues another law firm over an ad campaign aimed at drumming up clients by attacking its NexGen knee implant.
