In 2025, the momentum behind robotic-assisted surgical systems continued to accelerate on the back of increasing demand for minimally invasive procedures. In many parts of the world, these technologies are reshaping surgical procedures by improving precision and efficiency through high resolution imaging, AI and refined instrument control. It is resulting in fewer complications, faster recovery and improved patient outcomes.

Med techs prune, purchase to rebalance product portfolios

Four optimization trends dominated the med-tech industry in 2025. Growth-driven acquisitions propelled major players into hot markets, while strategic realignments at several large companies prompted notable exits as well as a few tuck-in deals. Spin-offs continued their mixed performance, with several companies on track for significant splits and others changing plans. Private equity entered – and exited — with leveraged buyouts, and a record-setting cash out.

Science in 2025: the best of the rest

Transplanting pig organs into humans, or human organs grown in pigs, could shorten donor waiting times and potentially offer a definitive solution if these xenotransplants manage to overcome interspecies incompatibilities and the immunological problems that trigger rejection and organ failure. Until now, success has been limited. However, several advances were achieved in 2025. Genetic engineering has enabled different combinations to block pig genes that trigger strong immune responses, prevent porcine retroviruses from infecting the recipient, and incorporate human transgenes that modulate blood coagulation. With these genetic modifications, the FDA has approved several clinical trials to perform pig‑to‑human kidney transplants. The year 2025 marked a milestone for this technology. A pig kidney xenotransplant with 69 altered genes functioned for nine months in a patient.

LINC01116 has prognostic value in lung cancer, study shows

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, where lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common subtype. The complexity of the disease has impeded the development of effective therapies, making the discovery of reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis an urgent need. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as potential markers of disease, since they associate with proteins that regulate gene expression, translation or stability, among others, and where hypoxia might play a role in this scenario. In recently published work, researchers analyzed clinical data from patients with LUAD to identify hypoxia-modulated lncRNAs in vivo and in vitro, and which could correlate with prognosis.

Holiday notice

BioWorld’s offices were closed Thursday, Jan. 1. No issue was published.

Also in the news

Delcath Systems, Evotec, Intelligent Bio Solutions, Lantheus, Modular Medical, Owens & Minor, Platinum Equity, Shine