Geography

Congress has launched an inquiry into 23andMe amid privacy concerns following its bankruptcy, particularly regarding the potential sale of sensitive user data. Additionally, a Cybernews report gave 40 DNA testing firms an average cybersecurity grade of D, citing widespread vulnerabilities and data breaches, along with inadequate public information about their security practices.

As it celebrates 75 years shaping the medtech industry, Medtronic invited Medtech Insight to its Minneapolis headquarters to get a closer look at the company’s past, what it’s working on now, and what’s on the horizon.

Many of the hundred-plus commenters to the FDA's draft guidance on AI in medical product regulation said the document was a good start but needed additional clarity and more concrete examples. Stakeholders recommended the inclusion of case studies, metrics, and clearer guidelines to enhance the utility of the guidance, which is seen as a vital step for AI integration in healthcare.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urged FDA staff to resist the “deep state” and “crony capitalism,” and focus on improving the health of America’s children. “You're not here to take orders,” he said and urged FDA staff to speak up if they see wrongdoing.

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.

Concerns President Trump’s tariffs could create a full-blown trade war with China jumped dramatically as Beijing responded with its own set of tariffs targeting various US goods. On the medtech front, AdvaMed wants Trump to create a carve-out for Chinese medical devices as he did in his first term.

El Salvador has approved a new law that will establish a new regulatory body responsible for authorizing medicines and setting prices.

Will challenges in the way of designations of notified bodies that assess AI-enabled medical devices create delays and bottlenecks and slow EU medtech innovation?

A change of government, hospital reform and a drive towards healthcare digitization are keeping German medtech manufacturers on their toes. Making the MDR more user-friendly and winning support for a medtech strategy are arguably bigger priorities. US export tariffs have also pushed their way onto the agenda. BVMed chief executive Marc-Pierre Möll puts it all into context.

“We believe [the SAPIEN M3] launch alongside PASCAL and EVOQUE will help support the company’s target of $2bn in transcatheter mitral and tricuspid therapies sales by 2030,” noted analysts from Leerink Partners.

Industry waits to see if there will be a surge in demand for orthopedic and cardiology devices as IHI’s EU Ambulatory Surgical Centers proposal awaits sign-off.

India’s medical technology industry is raising the alarm over steep new US tariffs on imported medical devices. It argues for structural change to address “unequal regulatory access” and non-tariff barriers.

The International Medical Device Regulators Forum discussed AI regulation, the development of a reliance playbook, and post-market regulation at the group's annual meeting in Tokyo last week. While the US FDA was not on-site, the agency was able to participate virtually.

Zydus Lifesciences plans to expand global markets for patented products of French orthopedic tech company Amplitude Surgicals which it is acquiring from PE firm PAI Partners and others. Could the European business also serve as a buffer to upheaval in the US amid talks of tariffs?

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.

Biotech and pharma are increasingly clear about one thing: They need diagnostics. But with prices suppressed, how have diagnostics companies proven their utility without going under?

The medtech industry hopes to use a 90-day pause on tariffs to negotiate a “zero for zero” exemption. However, recent public comments from President Donald Trump suggest the health care sector may still be at risk.

International device regulatory group IMDRF has issued a new playbook on “regulatory reliance,” which allows regulators to make use of assessments performed by trusted regulatory partners. The document is the first to offer a detailed guide on developing and implementing these agreements.

Medical devices, diagnostics, and equipment face tariffs announced by President Donald Trump, despite industry pleas for exemption. The tariffs, ranging from 10%-49%, impact most countries trading with the US, potentially hindering innovation and increasing costs in the medtech sector.