Deep Dive
Industry insights from our journalists
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6 ways the FDA can improve medical device recalls
Experts said improving how adverse events are tracked and requiring manufacturers to use electronic notifications could make devices safer.
Elise Reuter • March 18, 2024 -
Why Cigna is capping cost increases for pricey GLP-1 weight loss drugs
The first-of-its-kind move comes as pharmacy benefit managers continue to try to prove their value to clients, and shows how major players are shoring up to meet sky-high GLP-1 demand.
Rebecca Pifer • March 11, 2024 -
4 heart device trends shaping the medtech sector in 2024
Medtronic, Boston Scientific and J&J are among the medtech companies advancing treatments in cardiac care for when medicines are not enough.
Susan Kelly • Jan. 30, 2024 -
Orthopedics leaders watch procedure backlog, new technologies in 2024
J&J, Medtronic and Smith & Nephew executives and orthopedic surgeons said they expect more procedures to move outpatient, while questions about pricing and procedure backlogs loom over the medical technology industry.
Elise Reuter • Jan. 23, 2024 -
5 medtech trends to watch in 2024
From the M&A outlook and tough year-over-year comparisons to emerging markets like pulsed field ablation, here are the top medical technology trends to watch this year.
Ricky Zipp • Jan. 9, 2024 -
‘No tolerance for failure’: An oral history of the first CRISPR medicine
A new sickle cell disease therapy developed by CRISPR Therapeutics and Vertex Pharmaceuticals is now approved in the U.S. and U.K. This is the story of how it came to be.
Ned Pagliarulo and Shaun Lucas • Dec. 13, 2023 -
Why medical device companies are worried about the EPA’s planned sterilization regs
The EPA is expected to finalize new regulations in March that would limit ethylene oxide emissions from companies that sterilize medical devices.
Elise Reuter and Shaun Lucas • Nov. 27, 2023 -
Why medtech firms are putting diabetes tech in consumer devices
As Abbott develops a line of wearable wellness devices, and Dexcom makes a CGM for people with diabetes who don’t take insulin, both companies are turning to new users for future growth.
Elise Reuter • Updated Aug. 31, 2023 -
Dexcom, Abbott ramp up DTC marketing amid fight for share of growing diabetes market
As insurers cover continuous glucose monitors for more people, device-makers are taking a page from the pharma marketing playbook.
Elise Reuter • Aug. 17, 2023 -
Showdown at Masimo: Proxy battle targets CEO Kiani’s leadership, board
Shareholders are voting on whether to add investor Politan Capital’s picks to the board of the pulse oximeter maker, a move that could change the company’s direction.
Susan Kelly • June 23, 2023 -
Grassroots innovation: How a patient-driven device for diabetes won FDA clearance
Tidepool Loop, an automated insulin dosing app based on one developed by the DIY diabetes community, received FDA clearance in January.
Elise Reuter • April 3, 2023 -
Delays in reporting led FDA to late cancer warning on breast implants, advocates say
Cases need to be better tracked, and the cancer risks should be discussed with patients prior to surgery, patient advocates and physicians said.
Elise Reuter • March 22, 2023 -
Diabetes outlook: What Dexcom, Medtronic and other leaders are watching in 2023
From new product launches to regulatory changes that could expand CGM coverage, company executives and analysts share their predictions.
Elise Reuter • Jan. 20, 2023 -
A look back at medtech’s top 10 acquisitions of 2022
While larger acquisitions were announced at the end of the year including J&J’s $16.6B purchase of Abiomed, the number of deals declined from 2021.
Elise Reuter • Dec. 22, 2022 -
Apple locked in court battles with small medtech firms over allegations of stolen technology
AliveCor and Masimo are looking to bar Apple from selling watches that use technology the firms claim they invented.
Elise Reuter and Nick Paul Taylor • Updated Dec. 13, 2022 -
Health tech companies weigh options to stem cash burn as IPO market sags
Healthcare technology companies are delaying initial share sales as public market stocks and valuations plunge across the sector. Where will they turn in the meantime?
Sydney Halleman • Updated Nov. 24, 2022 -
Medtech companies shift strategy as more orthopedic procedures move to ambulatory surgical centers
Many ASCs are looking for cashless options to get capital equipment as they offset the cost of new buildings, Zimmer Biomet COO Ivan Tornos said.
Elise Reuter • Oct. 5, 2022 -
With COVID testing on the wane, small diagnostics companies shift focus
Startups that grew quickly from large contracts are looking nervously to a new future, as demand plummets for mass testing and shifts to homes.
Elise Reuter • July 13, 2022 -
Companies see a future for smart implants. Doctors are waiting for proof.
Zimmer Biomet and Canary Medical are rolling out the first knee implant with an integrated sensor, though it will take time to learn how to incorporate that data into patient care, experts say.
Elise Reuter • June 28, 2022 -
As cross-state telemedicine waivers expire, virtual care advocates focus on long-term policy changes
There’s a complication: No one solution to the U.S.’ patchy physician licensing infrastructure has universal buy-in.
Rebecca Pifer • June 22, 2022 -
Can digital therapeutics become profitable?
As more software-based treatments gain FDA clearance, they still face hurdles ahead in getting insurance reimbursement and garnering adoption among patients and physicians.
Elise Reuter • April 11, 2022 -
‘Where’s the patient?’: Experts question FDA’s final recall guidance
While the guidance encouraged the use of electronic communications in recalls — a change experts have advocated for — some questioned why the agency did not address more problems with the system.
Ricky Zipp • April 6, 2022 -
Hospitals struggle to fill staffing holes in short, long term amid surge in nurse turnover
"This is a bigger workforce shortage than we have ever dealt with," said Gay Landstrom, senior vice president and chief nursing officer of Trinity Health, a nonprofit system with 88 hospitals nationwide.
Hailey Mensik • March 31, 2022 -
Long-term health of patients, hospitals at stake as care delays continue
As federal relief funds dwindle and volumes remain stagnant, concerns are mounting about the stability of many providers' operations, especially those lacking robust outpatient services.
Samantha Liss • March 30, 2022 -
The case for hybrid care models
Telehealth is increasingly being woven into healthcare organizations' future plans, giving hope to proponents of hybrid care models.
Rebecca Pifer • March 22, 2022