FDA: Page 59


  • Low Medicare EKG device draft slams iRhythm, stock price sinks by over 30%

    Wall Street analysts questioned whether the lower-than-expected rates are final and what the prospects are for renegotiation. Shares of market leader iRhythm fell over 32% on Friday.

    By Updated Feb. 1, 2021
  • Colorized scanning electron micrograph of a cell heavily infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, isolated from a patient sample
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    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. (2020). "Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2" [Micrograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    Vaccine makers prepare response as coronavirus mutations raise alarms

    So far, both Pfizer's and Moderna's vaccines appear to work against more transmissible variants, but preparation is underway for the day they don't.

    By Jonathan Gardner • Jan. 28, 2021
  • Boston Scientific's Farapulse pulsed field ablation device. Explore the Trendlineâž”
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    Permission granted by Boston Scientific
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    Trendline

    New medical devices are reshaping the medtech industry

    From pulsed field ablation devices to glucose sensors and surgical robotics, new medical technologies are transforming patient care and how people manage their health.

    By MedTech Dive staff
  • A vial of BioNTech and Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine
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    Courtesy of BioNTech
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    Biden invokes DPA to combat supply shortages, but experts say it's no 'magic wand'

    AdvaMed early in the pandemic urged against using the Defense Production Act's powers, though some companies were more open. The device lobby last week asked the administration to coordinate with industry before taking action.

    By Matt Leonard • Jan. 27, 2021
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    Brian Tucker/MedTech Dive
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    4 key trends for payers and providers in 2021

    The COVID-19 crisis may spur speedier adoption of value-based care and partnerships between health systems and payers in the year ahead.

    By Samantha Liss • Jan. 22, 2021
  • Q&A

    ACLA seeks lab reimbursement changes as need for COVID-19 testing surges

    Julie Khani, president of the American Clinical Laboratory Association, which includes Quest and LabCorp, says there are coverage gaps and that clarifications are needed for which tests are paid for by insurers.

    By Jan. 22, 2021
  • Former Vice President of the United States Joe Biden speaking with attendees at the Presidential Gun Sense Forum hosted by Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action at the Iowa Events Center in
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    "Joe Biden" by Gage Skidmore is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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    Biden appoints Janet Woodcock as acting FDA chief, plans COVID-19 testing board

    The longtime agency staffer is reportedly being considered to permanently fill the role. The president also named acting directors for HHS and CMS.

    By Shannon Muchmore • Jan. 21, 2021
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    Courtesy of Abbott Labs
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    Abbott antigen test misses two-thirds of COVID-19 asymptomatic cases: CDC

    Compared to gold standard PCR tests, the company's point-of-care BinaxNOW diagnostic had a 35.8% sensitivity when used to analyze samples taken from individuals without symptoms, according to the agency.

    By Jan. 21, 2021
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    Getty Images
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    FDA breakthrough nods go to Alzheimer's devices, cardiovascular products

    Cognito and Boston Scientific-backed Functional Neuromodulation picked up agency designations, positioning them for speedy reviews as they work to get their Alzheimer offerings to market.

    By Jan. 20, 2021
  • CMS expands transcatheter mitral coverage, boosting Abbott's MitraClip device

    Wall Street analysts said the national coverage determination could triple the patient base eligible for Abbott's MitraClip device, adding fuel to a growing and under-penetrated market.

    By Jan. 20, 2021
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    Getty Images
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    CMS rejects 1st colorectal cancer blood test, tweaks path for Exact, Guardant and others

    The agency removed one of the criteria needed to secure Medicare coverage but still shunned Epigenomics' diagnostic. Rivals have versions in development.

    By Jan. 20, 2021
  • MedTech Europe calls for EU to retain support for digital health post-pandemic

    The industry wants reimbursement changes and other measures to make digital health permanent.

    By Jan. 19, 2021
  • Members of the Army and Air National Guard from across several states have been activated under Operation COVID-19 to support federal, state and local efforts. (
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    The image by The National Guard is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Abbott, Quidel tout big COVID-19 testing year despite vaccine rollout: JPM21

    "I don't see COVID just simply going away, but I do see it looking more like a flu-like seasonal test. And if you think about it globally, it's a pretty significant amount of volume," Abbott CEO Robert Ford said at J.P. Morgan's conference.

    By Jan. 15, 2021
  • Google calls Fitbit acquisition complete despite ongoing DOJ review

    The search giant closed the deal because the department's 14-month investigation period expired without any objection. However, DOJ could still sue to unwind the buy.

    By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Jan. 14, 2021
  • A collage showing two nurses, one standing with a mask and another donned in personal protective equipment pulling a curtain shut.
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    Yujin Kim/MedTech Dive
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    Pandemic propels health systems to mull insurer acquisitions, partnerships: JPM21

    Advocate Aurora CEO Jim Skogsbergh said "partnering for health plan capability is going to be critical to our success."

    By Samantha Liss • Jan. 14, 2021
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    UpperEdge
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    FDA issues action plan for regulating AI in medical devices

    The proposal brings the agency a step closer to draft guidance for regulating the fast-evolving field of artificial intelligence and machine learning-based software in medical devices.

    By Jan. 13, 2021
  • CMS breakthrough rule called tailwind for Abbott, J&J and Medtronic

    The policy gives developers of FDA-designated breakthrough products coverage for Medicare's 60 million beneficiaries on the day of approval.

    By Jan. 13, 2021
  • In medtech win, MDR-IVDR remote audits OK'd amid pandemic pressures

    An official for MedTech Europe, which pushed for flexibility ahead of new medical device rules set to kick in later this year, called the move "significant and positive."

    By Jan. 12, 2021
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    "State Capitol Building, USA, California, Sacramento" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Pixy.
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    California proposes expanding Medicaid coverage of continuous glucose monitors

    The budget proposal seeks to increase access to CGMs among adults with Type 1 diabetes covered by the state's Medicaid program Medi-Cal. Abbott, Dexcom, Medtronic and Senseonics compete for the U.S. CGM market.

    By Jan. 11, 2021
  • The FDA logo on a glass pane at the agency's campus in Silver Spring, Maryland.
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    Jacob Bell/MedTech Dive
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    FDA flags COVID-19 false negative risk from virus variant of Thermo Fisher, Applied DNA and Mesa tests

    Sensitivity may be affected by emerging forms of the virus, though the agency said "the impact does not appear to be significant." In fact, the tests may help to spot where a fast-spreading variant is prevalent.

    By Jan. 11, 2021
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    "White House Press Briefing". Retrieved from The White House.
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    HHS allocates $300M for Abbott COVID-19 rapid tests or 'equivalent' testing tech

    The agency has yet to decide if it will purchase Abbott's or a similar diagnostic from a rival, Assistant Secretary for Health Brett Giroir said Thursday.

    By Jan. 8, 2021
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    Jacob Bell
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    FDA tracks impact of COVID-19 mutations on test performance

    The agency is concerned existing tests might miss new variants, Tim Stenzel, director of the FDA's Office of In Vitro Diagnostics and Radiological Health, said. Thermo Fisher's Taqpath COVID-19 assay may detect the U.K. version. 

    By Jan. 7, 2021
  • The FDA logo on a glass pane at the agency's campus in Silver Spring, Maryland.
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    Jacob Bell/MedTech Dive
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    FDA finalizes speedier medical device pathway alternative to breakthrough status

    Final guidance for the voluntary Safer Technologies Program features changes to draft sections criticized by AdvaMed, specifically what qualifies as a "significant" improvement to patient safety.

    By Jan. 6, 2021
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    Jacob Bell
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    FDA flags false negative risk of startup Curative's COVID-19 test

    The Los Angeles-based firm was founded in January 2020 to focus on sepsis but has since pivoted to focus on coronavirus. Justin Mateen, founder of dating app Tinder, is its lead investor, according to Crunchbase.

    By Jan. 5, 2021
  • Hospitals lose another attempt to stave off price transparency

    A judge wrote that the American Hospital Association's arguments, including that some rates are unknowable, "miss the mark." Facilities are now set to disclose base rates for items and services as of Jan. 1.

    By Samantha Liss • Jan. 4, 2021
  • Brexit deal creates regulatory barriers to UK-EU medical device trade

    The new arrangement lacks provisions for the mutual recognition of standards, forcing products made in the U.K. to undergo an extra certification step to enter the EU market.

    By Jan. 4, 2021