Orthopedics

This week, Neuralink announced it received US FDA breakthrough device designation for a device to restore sight; medtechs Discure and DeepLook secured new funding; FDA pump recalls from B. Braun Medical and Fresenius Kabi; Axonics prevails in patent infringement lawsuit with Medtronic; Merit Medical buys Cook Medical for $210m.

UK-based Biocomposites will begin selling in the UK its next-generation osteoinductive bone graft substitute, NanoBone, which came with its acquisition of Artoss GmbH in June 2023. Meanwhile, the company has purchased remaining shares in the manufacturers of SYNICEM and Subiton antibiotic bone cements and preformed antibiotic-loaded spacers.

Moximed aims to accelerate adoption of its MISHA Knee System, De Novo-approved by the US FDA in April 2023, with $91m in Series D funding. Chris Gleason, president and chief executive officer, offers perspective on the company’s innovative technology and commercial growth activities.

Caresyntax said it will use the $180m it recently raised in a series C extension and debt financing round to build out its vendor-neutral surgery platform aimed to help surgeons with real-time and long-term decision support to improve patient outcomes and efficiencies.

The nonprofit XLerator Network has announced eight life sciences start-ups, including five medtech concerns, that will benefit from its educational support and other resources. The NIH-funded program is designed to build entrepreneurial skills and promote commercialization of academic technologies in the US Southeast region. 

The European Medicines Agency has started reviewing new marketing applications for 10 products, including Blenrep, GSK’s previously approved multiple myeloma drug that was withdrawn from the market, and vimseltinib, which could become the EU’s first oral treatment approved for TGCT.

J&J Medtech announced the FDA clearance of its dual-use robotics platform Velys Spine with plans to go to market in the first half of 2025.

AstraZeneca’s sipavibart for preventing COVID-19 in the highly vulnerable population of immunocompromised patients is among the latest drugs that the European Medicines Agency has started to review for potential pan-EU marketing authorization.

The program, which brings together innovators and device industry stakeholders, helps ease the path to market for novel devices. 

A new muscle-building front is opening in the fight against obesity, with Lilly among the leaders. But it plans to remain tight-lipped on upcoming Phase II data for its myostatin inhibitor in combination with Novo’s Wegovy for fear of playing into the hands of its rival.

A recent review of orthopedic device approvals between 2018 and 2022 found that less than 10% of 510(k) devices – and less than 5% of PMA and de novo products – have been authorized for use in children, highlighting the ongoing lack of pediatric devices.   

Vyluma’s eyedrop for treating myopia in children and Vertex’s next-generation triple combination treatment for cystic fibrosis are among the latest drugs that the European Medicines Agency has begun reviewing for potential EU marketing approval.

This week, AdvaMed and MITA win appeal to prevent repair companies from hacking medical devices, the FDA cleared Abbott’s Libre Rio CGM for OTC sales, J&J MedTech wins expanded clearance for Velys knee medical robot, the FDA updates its AI program, Canary Speech secures $13m in series A funding and Xeltis won FDA approval for an IDE submission to begin enrolling patients for a pivotal study for aXess.  

The Mereo-partnered drug is in pivotal development for osteogenesis imperfecta. Ultragenyx also recently reported positive Phase III data for a rare disease gene therapy.

The company sees a $5bn opportunity to treat children with achondroplasia and the less severe growth disorder variant, hypochondroplasia.

This week, the ACLA filed a lawsuit against the US FDA; Philips recalled around 100,000 ventilators; women’s health companies Natural Cycles and Gameto padded their coffers; and Canary Medical and J&J’s Ethicon received FDA nods.

Phase I/II data for its ADC candidates in myotonic dystrophy type 1 and Duchenne muscular dystrophy indicate potential for biomarker-based accelerated approval in both diseases, Dyne asserts.

The European Medicines Agency believes Idorsia’s Jeraygo should be approved for use in the EU at two different doses rather than just the one approved by the US Food and Drug Administration last month.

The CHMP, the European Medicines Agency’s human medicines committee, will this week decide whether a range of new medicines merit being approved.

This week, the US and UK announced a partnership to promote AI safety. Boston Scientific recalls embolic agent. LumiCell received FDA approval for its imaging agent to detect residual cancer. Scout receives an award to develop an STI test; and Osso VR leverages the Apple Vision Pro for VR medical training.