Asia
A recent approval from the US FDA allowing Boston Scientific to broaden its labeling for its pulse field ablation system means more patients with one type of AFib will have access to a promising new treatment.
A system of pre-regulatory review consultations for innovative drugs and devices in South Korea has contributed to the accelerated development of such products.
After multiple warning letters and safety communications, the US FDA has decided to block the import of certain endoscopes from Olympus. In total, the agency’s action pertains to 58 device models manufactured by the Japanese firm used in urinary, respiratory, abdominal and pelvic procedures.
From June 30, new European Commission rules will attempt to redress an imbalance in medtech trade between the EU and the People’s Republic of China.
Europe
In revising the foundations of EU product legislation, the European Commission aims to increase harmonization, cut regulatory burdens and promote digital tools to boost compliance and safety.
Steve Bates, head of the UK BioIndustry Association, has been appointed executive chair of the government’s Office for Life Sciences as the UK restructures its life sciences approach and drives health outcomes with a new NHS Long-Term Care plan.
The UK government’s response to MHRA public consultation on risk proportionate device routes to market and physical UKCA markings adds momentum to drive for modern, agile system. Another consultation in late 2025 will propose indefinite recognition of CE-marked devices in Great Britain.
The EU’s extra layer of checks on clinical evidence is proving a difficult, and sometimes humiliating process, for many device companies whose products have come under the spotlight.
International
The Lioness non-surgical silicon ring implant is designed to put an end to pre-term births, sparing maternal anguish and saving health system costs. PregnanTech won the Biomed Israel 2025 medtech start-up award, and Limor Sandach told In Vivo how a non-digital technology beat off stiff competition.
Agent drug coated balloon, Watchman product sales, and electrophysiology (EP) business unit growth offset Acurate discontinuation and tariff headwinds. CEO Michael Mahoney shouted out coronary therapies business and answered questions on CMS proposed Ambulatory Surgical Center codes.
Despite headwinds, executives remain optimistic about growth in Abbott’s medical devices and diabetes divisions and plan several product rollouts, including the Volt PFA catheter for electrophysiology and the dual glucose-ketone sensor CGM.
Stay current on regulatory guidelines from around the world with Medtech Insight's Guidance Tracker. Over 50 documents have been posted on the tracker since its last update.
Latin America
During MD&M East in Manhattan last week, a panel of experts discussed how the Trump administration’s trade policy is affecting manufacturing and offered some ideas on what manufacturers can do to help mitigate the chaos.
The US FDA recently announced plans to carry out more unannounced inspections of foreign facilities. But those inspections will primarily target drug producers, with less attention and resources allocated to those making devices.
In response to the Trump administration increasing its tariffs on imports from China, Beijing announced a ban on gene sequencers from US biotech firm Illumina, signaling a full-blown trade war could be in the making. Trump also pushed the deadline for implementing tariffs on Canada and Mexico back by another month.
PathAI, a Boston-based AI-pathology startup backed by $355m, partners with Brazil’s largest integrated healthcare network to support diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients using its AISight image management system.
North America
Agent drug coated balloon, Watchman product sales, and electrophysiology (EP) business unit growth offset Acurate discontinuation and tariff headwinds. CEO Michael Mahoney shouted out coronary therapies business and answered questions on CMS proposed Ambulatory Surgical Center codes.
The US FDA has launched the Regulatory Accelerator to expedite digital health product development. This includes resources like a Resource Index for Innovators, a Medical Device Software Guidance Navigator, and best practices for early meetings.
In his first 100 days as FDA commissioner, Martin Makary has gone from vocal critic to vocal supporter of the agency’s staff, calling them “phenomenal” and praising their dedication—even as morale remains shaken by recent layoffs and restructuring.
The medtech M&A landscape is experiencing a resurgence fueled by significant capital from private equity and venture firms, says Alex Wakefield, CRO of AcuityMD. Building strong relationships with physicians remains crucial in medtech, and defining an exit strategy early is imperative.