Masimo proxy fight heats up as ISS backs activist’s board nominees

Institutional Shareholder Services recommended that Masimo shareholders support two board candidates nominated by activist investor Politan Capital Management, setting up a showdown for Masimo’s June 26 annual meeting.

By Susan Kelly • June 14, 2023

Wound repair, custom prosthetics targeted by developers of multi-material bioprinter

Researchers developed a bioprinter that can print multiple materials, allowing them to print cells, drug-releasing meshes and sensors. 

By Nick Paul Taylor • June 14, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from MedTech Dive

From haphazard layoffs at the Food and Drug Administration to the industry’s current IPO environment and tracking FDA-authorized AI devices, here is a collection of top stories from MedTech Dive.

By MedTech Dive staff

Samsung adds heart rhythm notifications to Galaxy Watch to close gap on Apple

The news comes weeks after the FDA granted 510(k) clearance to the new feature, which can be used to detect atrial fibrillation, and positions Samsung to take on other wearable heart monitors from firms including Apple.

By Nick Paul Taylor • June 14, 2023

Abbott names Philip Boudreau as CFO

Current CFO Robert Funck will become executive vice president of finance, with the company making a series of internal promotions to fill the roles of CFO and controller.

By Elise Reuter • June 13, 2023

Abbott’s $1.9B electrophysiology unit threatened by pulsed field ablation: analysts

The analysts warn Abbott could lose some market share, but say Medtronic “will face the most significant competitive pressures.”

By Nick Paul Taylor • June 13, 2023

Getinge’s packaging problems continue with recall of circulatory support devices

The company put a shipping hold on a separate set of life support devices last year due to potential breaches in sterile packaging, which could pose an infection risk. 

By Elise Reuter • June 12, 2023

Merit Medical buys two dialysis catheter lines for $132.5M combined

The acquisitions are expected to boost the Utah-based device maker’s annual revenue by about $30 million.

By Susan Kelly • June 9, 2023

EPA’s proposed ethylene oxide regulations may cost sterilizers more than estimated: Moody’s

Large commercial sterilizers should be able to handle the increased costs, but smaller companies might have to sell, Moody’s analysts write. 

By Elise Reuter • June 9, 2023

Friday Q&A: Biosense Webster’s Brooks and Hong talk about cardiac ablation

The leaders of Johnson & Johnson’s Biosense Webster unit see growth opportunities with new cardiac ablation technologies, despite a crowded field that includes Abbott, Boston Scientific and Medtronic.

By Elise Reuter • June 9, 2023

SunMed agrees to $110M takeover of Avanos’ respiratory health unit, continuing M&A spree

Avanos, whose competitors include Stryker and Medline Industries, is selling the unit to narrow its focus on areas where it can succeed.

By Nick Paul Taylor • June 9, 2023

New devices could help Penumbra take market share, according to physician survey

Penumbra’s new systems for removing blood clots from veins and arteries received a positive reception, with doctors expecting to use the company’s devices more, according to a survey of 25 surgeons by J.P. Morgan. 

By Elise Reuter • June 8, 2023

In shift away from toxic ethylene oxide, Colorado firm offers ‘green’ chlorine dioxide sterilization

The addition of chlorine dioxide capabilities comes as the industry races to find alternatives to ethylene oxide ahead of restrictions on the use of the carcinogenic gas.

By Nick Paul Taylor • June 8, 2023

Precision Neuroscience’s brain implant maps electrical activity in a first-in-human trial

Created by a founder of Elon Musk’s Neuralink, Precision has developed a device with some 1,000 electrodes in a one square centimeter flexible film. The trial could open the way to a computer-brain interface.

By Nick Paul Taylor • June 8, 2023

Cue Health wins first non-emergency authorization for COVID test, days after Goldman downgrade

The FDA’s marketing authorization for Cue’s COVID-19 molecular test could boost consumer access, but the company faces strong competition from more established diagnostic firms.

By Peter Green • June 7, 2023

Teleflex prevails in Medtronic’s appeal over guide catheter patents

A federal appeals court judge denied Medtronic’s claims that Teleflex’s catheters were unpatentable.

By Elise Reuter • Updated June 7, 2023

How they built it: Florian Hillen wants to look at your teeth with his AI

Hillen is building a business on the premise that using artificial intelligence to examine dental X-rays can nearly double diagnostic accuracy, and help detect other diseases.

By Peter Green • June 7, 2023

FDA: iRhythm targeted heart monitor at ‘high-risk’ patients without seeking clearance

William Blair analysts believe “customers are unlikely to change their usage of Zio AT [heart monitors] over time, making this a resolvable issue.”

By Nick Paul Taylor • June 7, 2023

Philips faces new recall of Evo respirators, tagged Class I by FDA

The woes are continuing for Philips and its Respironics unit, whose ventilators and other breathing assist devices have faced a slew of recalls. 

By Peter Green • June 6, 2023

Nevro names new chief commercial officer, cuts forecast as spine stimulation market tightens

While the company’s new chief commercial officer and its recently appointed CEO “have a considerable amount of experience,” Nevro still faces challenges in its core market, according to analysts.

By Elise Reuter • June 6, 2023

Abiomed heart pump recall labeled Class I by FDA, no deaths reported

The recall, tied to specific sets of the Impella 5.5 with SmartAssist, comes just months after Johnson & Johnson paid $16.6 billion for Abiomed.

By Peter Green • Updated June 5, 2023

Medtronic names former Amazon robotics VP as technology chief

Ken Washington, who has also served as chief technology officer at Ford and Lockheed Martin, will be charged with driving growth through innovation at the world’s largest medical device maker by revenue.

By Susan Kelly • Updated June 5, 2023

Novo Nordisk says in talks to acquire French device-maker Biocorp for $165M

The offer per share is about 20% more than Biocorp’s closing stock price on June 2. The two companies plan to focus on drug delivery solutions for chronic diseases, such as diabetes.

By Elise Reuter • Updated June 6, 2023

Masimo board accepts appointment of activist investor’s nominee, with caveats

The agreement to let former J&J executive Michelle Brennan join its board comes as Masimo, and founder and CEO Joe Kiani, are working to fend off activist investor Quentin Koffey.

By Nick Paul Taylor • June 5, 2023

Geographic disparities in the rise of orthopaedic ASCs

The shift towards orthopaedic procedures at ASCs is growing, but growth has been inconsistent across the US. AcuityMD shares the geographies poised for ASC growth.

By Michael Monovoukas, CEO, Co-Founder, AcuityMD • June 5, 2023

Deaths reported with Philips ventilators, sleep apnea machines still climbing

The FDA reported 40 additional deaths tied to the recall of Philips’ devices in its latest update.

By Susan Kelly • Updated June 2, 2023