• Exagen Diagnostics (Albuquerque, New Mexico) said that it filed for FDA review of the first of six products currently in its product pipeline. This product, eXagenBC, is a DNA-based test that identifies risk of recurrence in breast cancer patients and allows physicians to more accurately predict prognostic outcome. Exagen makes genomic marker-based in vitro diagnostic kits that provide diagnostic and prognostic information allowing targeted treatments and assisting physicians.

• Hospira (Lake Forest, Illinois) introduced a new wireless platform for its medication infusion devices that incorporates leading-edge authentication standards and encryption protocols to assist hospitals in securely transferring data and complying with patient confidentiality regulations. The new technology also provides a three- in-one wireless multi-band module for an infusion system, enabling hospitals to select any of three frequency modes for communication. The platform's expanded security options help ensure only designated, approved hospital staff access clinical data transmitted between the devices and hospital information technology systems as part of the intravenous medication administration process. Hospira is a hospital products company.

• Innocoll (Ashburn, Virginia) reported FDA approval of its investigational new drug application to conduct a Phase II clinical trial with its long-acting CollaRx Bupivacaine Implant for the management of post-operative pain in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy. The implant is a biodegradable and resorbable bupivacaine-collagen sponge formulated using Innocoll's CollaRx technology. It is under development in the U.S. and Europe for the management of post-operative pain following moderate/major abdominal, gynecological, thoracic or orthopedic surgeries. The bioresorbable nature of the collagen matrix avoids the need for removal of a catheter by a healthcare professional, as is necessary for ambulatory infusion pumps often used to provide continuous, long-term analgesia. Innocoll is a specialty pharmaceutical company.

• K2M (Leesburg, Virginia) reported successful clinical evaluations using its new Serengeti minimally invasive retractor system. The system offers a novel approach for screw and rod placement resulting in improved visualization and access for posterior spine procedures. It features a screw-based design for percutaneous delivery with the pedicle screw and establishes a fixed position to the anatomy. This placement eliminates retractor re-positioning typically associated with competitive systems, potentially reducing surgical procedure time. Additionally, the retractor is designed to facilitate a procedure that can preserve the muscle and neurovasculature, which may lead to reduced post-operative pain and shorter recovery time for the patient. K2M makes spine and motion preservation systems.