As the momentum and interest in brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies continues to accelerate, Merge Labs has emerged with an investment from OpenAI in its seed round. Merge Labs says it plans to develop next-generation BCIs capable of interacting with the brain at high bandwidth, integrating with advanced AI, and doing so in ways that safe and accessible everyone.

Colostat, Genetype pairing sharpens cancer screening pathway

Rhythm Biosciences Ltd. launched a new genetype colorectal cancer (CRC) risk assessment clinical test that incorporates clinical and lifestyle risk factors alongside its established 140-SNP polygenic risk score to identify people at elevated risk of colorectal cancer. The test supports more targeted screening and complements Melbourne-based Rhythm’s Colostat bloodbased CRC detection test, which debuted in Australia in December 2025.

CMS hears discord in comments for TAVR coverage memo

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has cracked open its coverage policy for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) devices a second time and a wide range of stakeholders are providing feedback. Where the agency will land on questions such as the need for continued evidence development is difficult to predict, however, given that the agency is hearing anything but unanimity on the question. CMS reopened the TAVR national coverage determination in December 2025 at the behest of Edwards Lifesciences Inc., maker of the Sapien series of TAVR devices.

Fat tissue subtyping gives functional insights

Once it was considered to be more or less a passive energy-storing device that could double as a cushion. But increasingly, fat is conceptualized as an endocrine organ as much as a tissue type. Now, separate research groups have reported new insights into the functional roles of different fats based on their anatomical location and functional characteristics. Investigators at Rockefeller University have identified a role for thermogenic fat located around the aorta in the control of blood pressure. They reported their results in Science on Jan. 15, 2026.

Holiday notice

BioWorld’s offices will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the U.S. No issue will be published Monday, Jan. 19.

Also in the news

BD, Bioretec, Dymicron, Elekta, Endoquest, Enweno Medical, Henry Schein, Livsmed, Optimed Medizinische Instrumente, Orasure Technologies, Proprio, Zylox-Tonbridge