Gastroenterology

Genetic Analysis Leaders On Gut Microbiota Testing, Pharma Connections And Direct-To-Consumer Scene

 

Genetic Analysis CEO Ronny Hermansen and Christina Casén, senior VP of clinical and medical affairs, discuss the company’s polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based approach to gut microbiota profiling versus DNA sequencing, competitive landscape, and opportunities for supporting pharma R&D and assessing drug treatment success.

Neptune Medical Leans Into GI Robotics, Spins Out Jupiter Endovascular

 

Announced in conjunction with a $97m Series D financing round, Neptune underscores its gastrointestinal focus and robotics aspirations by spinning out Jupiter Endovascular, which will leverage $21m of the funding to support ongoing development of its Endoportal Control technology.

Who is Responsible For AI Gone Wrong? Endoscopy Patients Say Doctors, Hospitals

 
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A survey of over 1,000 patients worldwide found that the majority of patients agree that hospitals and endoscopists are responsible for mistakes made by devices that use AI.

Visana Health To Scale Virtual Women’s Health Clinic To Provide ‘Whole Human Being’ Care

 
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In 2024, Visana Health will leverage $10.1m in seed funding to expand its holistic, value-based virtual clinic to add conditions that differently or disproportionally affect women and provide at-home testing. Health plans and employers are taking notice, and Visana’s CEO expects further investment to follow.


Olympus Recalls Insufflator Units Over Heart Concerns, Requests No More Use Of The Device

 

Olympus Medical has issued a recall of its High-Flow Insufflation Unit after reports of cardiac events during surgical procedures performed while using the device. The company has also requested providers stop using the device unless no alternative is available.

FDA Lists Benefits And Risks Of Surgical Mesh For Hernia Repair

 

The Food and Drug Administration is providing patients with information on the pros and cons of hernia mesh surgery, a procedure that has come under intense scrutiny in recent years.

Minute Insight: Medtronic To Help Allurion Market Gastric Balloon In CEMA Region

 

Medtronic, an investor in Allurion, will help distribute Allurion’s inflatable gastric balloon in specific regions.

To Reuse, Or Not To Reuse: The Pros And Cons Of Reprocessed Endoscopic Devices

 

During MD&M East in New York, Robert Austring, vice president of sales and marketing at Precision Optics, described the opportunities and challenges of marketing either reusable or single-use endoscopic devices.


Minute Insight: Boston Scientific Walks Away From MI Tech Deal, Citing Regulatory Hurdles

 
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The Federal Trade Commission said it supports Boston Scientific’s decision to walk away from a planned $230m acquisition of Korea-based MI Tech. Boston Scientific said it could not obtain needed global regulatory approvals.

Swedish Drug And Device To Go Head-To-Head In The GERD Space

 

Two Swedish companies are working on tackling GERD – one with a drug, one with a device.

Minute Insight: Cook Cuts 4% Of Its Global Workforce

 
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The Indiana company is the latest medtech firm to announce that it is making broad headcount reductions to cut costs.

Olympus Gets Greenlight From FDA For Its New Endoscopy System

 

The US FDA has cleared a new endoscopy system from Olympus along with two compatible gastrointestinal endoscopes for the diagnosis and treatment of a range of GI issues.


FDA Slaps Olympus With Another Endoscope Warning

 

The US FDA recently rebuked Tokyo-based medical device firm Olympus for failing to adhere to good manufacturing practices for its endoscopes and for not investigating complaints related to the devices.

Omar Ishrak’s SPAC Buys Allurion To Support Weight-Loss System

 
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Allurion markets the Allurion Program, a unique temporary gastric balloon treatment paired with a digital health platform to support weight loss. Supported by $70m in new money from a merger with Compute Health Acquisition Corporation, the company hopes to submit a PMA to the FDA for system later this year.

News We’re Watching – 20 January

 
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This new Medtech Insight feature compiles news briefs on a range of US regulatory and legal happenings. This week: Congressional criticism of ClinicalTrials.gov, new radiation device performance standards, clearance of a new sepsis test and two new device classifications.

FDA Issues Back-To-Back Warnings To Major Endoscope Maker Amid Device Reporting And Quality Systems Concerns

 

The US Food and Drug Administration issued warning letters in 2022 to Japanese device maker Olympus Medical Systems Corporation and a subsidiary concerning good manufacturing practices related to its endoscopes.


Digital Health Roundup: HLTH2022 Highlights, EU Updates, Diabetes Medtech Monthly

 

In this month’s Digital Health Roundup, Medtech Insight’s Marion Webb provides highlights from the recent HLTH conference in Las Vegas. Reed Miller and Barnaby Pickering offer an overview of the highly competitive diabetes tech market. We also talk about digital health in Germany and Europe.

Tissium Hopes Its Programmable Polymer Will Be A Gamechanger For Nerve Repair

 

The company has developed a highly-customizable polymer that can repair tissue, negating the need for stitches and staples, for use in multiple applications.

Two Companies, One Owner; US FDA Sends Warning Letters To Same Address For Similar Issues

 

Two Massachusetts-based infusion pump manufacturers with the same founder and CEO received warning letters from the US FDA for similar violations.

Thumbs Up: FDA Authorizes Weight Loss Suturing Systems From Apollo Endosurgery

 
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People with obesity now have new tools to help them lose weight, thanks to the US agency’s de novo authorization.