Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX) made waves this month when it recalled and retired its Lotus TAVR product line. Subsequent layoffs, first in Minnesota, then in Ireland, highlighted the impact of the decision to pull Lotus from the highly competitive market as a result of complexities related to the product delivery system and solely that — as the […]
Research & Development
Who would — and wouldn’t — line up for COVID-19 vaccines?
Once enough people receive effective vaccines against the novel coronavirus, experts say, the end of the pandemic may be in sight. But a new poll of older adults — one of the highest-priority groups for vaccination — suggests an uphill climb lies ahead to reach that goal. In all, 58% of adults aged 50 to […]
BREAKING: AstraZeneca says its COVID-19 vaccine could be up to 90% effective
AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) announced today that one of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate dosing regimens is 90% effective in preventing the virus. Cambridge, United Kingdom-based AstraZeneca, working in collaboration with Oxford University, found the vaccine to be highly effective in preventing COVID-19 for subjects in the UK and Brazil, with no hospitalizations or severe cases of the disease […]
MedTech 100 roundup: Industry remains strong despite slight dip
The heights of two weeks ago may not have been reached, but the medtech industry — despite a slight dip — performed well in the stock markets once again. MassDevice’s MedTech 100 Index — which includes stocks of the world’s largest medical device companies — finished last week at 97.99 (Nov. 20), marking a 1% downturn […]
Why the COVID-19 vaccine market won’t be ‘winner take all’
There are a dozen Phase 3 COVID-19 vaccine candidates with more than 50 in either Phase 1 or Phase 2 trials. But the fact that Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) and Moderna (NSDQ:MRNA) have vaccine candidates with efficacy greater than 90% could ultimately narrow the playing field. “Efficacy matters, but I don’t think [Pfizer’s and Moderna’s efficacy rate of] greater […]
MedTech 100 roundup: Stocks remain high after record-setting week
Medtech stocks have been on the rise since positive news regarding COVID-19 vaccines broke last week, breaking a record in the process. MassDevice’s MedTech 100 Index — which includes stocks of the world’s largest medical device companies — finished last week at 98.99 (Nov. 13), marking a 1.4% uptick from the 97.62 points registered at the […]
Joe Biden’s plan for COVID-19 and how the industry is reacting
Following the weekend’s news that Joe Biden is now president-elect of the U.S., plenty of focus is shifting to his plan for COVID-19. While positive news regarding Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine candidate came through this morning, the pandemic is still roaring on, with the U.S. hitting a record 128,000 new cases on Saturday as the […]
MedTech 100 roundup: Stocks show no signs of slowing down
The medtech industry hit further highs in the market last week and the stocks show no sign of stopping their ascent now. MassDevice’s MedTech 100 Index — which includes stocks of the world’s largest medical device companies — finished last week at 97.62 (Nov. 6), marking a 7.3% leap from the 91.01 points registered at the […]
Report: Oxford chief says there’s ‘small chance’ COVID-19 vaccine is ready by Christmas
The director of the group developing a COVID-19 vaccine candidate at Oxford University says it’s possible that the vaccine could be ready by Christmas. According to a Reuters report, Oxford vaccine trial chief investigator Andrew Pollard said he’s optimistic that the university, which is collaborating with AstraZeneca on the vaccine, will present trial results by the end […]
Robocath, MicroPort enter JV
Robocath announced today that it created a joint venture with MicroPort Scientific through its MicroPort MedBot subsidiary. Rouen, France-based Robocath said in a news release that the partnership is designed to enable the commercialization of its R-One robotic-assisted platform in China, as MedBot is based in Shanghai. Both companies are set to engage in research […]
CB Insights reports digital health, global healthcare investment funding records
CB Insights reported record funding for global healthcare and digital health, among other milestones during the third quarter. Global healthcare investments to private companies hit a new quarterly record of $21.8 billion in the third quarter of this year, with a total of 1,539 equity investments in the three-month period growing 18% from the previous […]
