Edwards Lifesciences Corp. received some good news with the earlier-than-expected U.S. FDA approval of its Evoque tricuspid valve replacement system. The company beat out rival Abbott Laboratories for the honor of being the first transcatheter therapy to receive FDA approval.
The U.S. FDA added a second pulsed field ablation (PFA) system to the approved list with its greenlight for Boston Scientific Corp.’s Farapulse for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Farapulse joins Medtronic plc’s Pulseselect, which garnered FDA approval in December. Two other PFA devices scored regulatory wins since the new year: Biosense Webster inc.’s Varipulse secured approval from the Japanese Ministry of Health Labor and Welfare and Sichaun Jinjiang Electronic Medical Device Technology Co. Ltd. got the nod from China’s National Medical Products Administration.
Abbott Laboratories received U.S. FDA approval for its Liberta RC deep brain stimulation (DBS) system for use in movement disorders, less than two weeks after the agency gave its nod to Medtronic’s Percept RC DBS system. The news come on the heels of Abbott’s release of strong fourth quarter results on Wednesday.
Sichuan Jinjiang Electronic Medical Device Technology Co. Ltd. received approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approval for the commercial use of its PFA technology in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, making it the first pulsed field ablation device to gain approval in the country.
Medtronic plc received the greenlight from the U.S. FDA for its latest deep brain stimulation system, the Percept RC. The rechargeable neurostimulator includes the company’s sensing technology which captures data from brain signals and allows for more personalized therapy.
Biosense Webster Inc. scored approval from Japan’s Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare’s (MHLW) for its Varipulse pulsed field ablation platform to treat symptomatic drug-refractory recurrent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation on Jan. 9., making it the first PFA system approved in the country.
Orchestra Biomed Holdings Inc. randomized the first patient in the BACKBEAT pivotal study investigating the use of its atrioventricular interval modulation (AVIM) therapy as a treatment for patients with uncontrolled hypertension implanted with a Medtronic plc pacemaker. AVIM therapy is an investigational patented bioelectronic therapy designed to immediately and durably reduce blood pressure.
The U.S. FDA granted breakthrough device designation to CG Bio Co. Ltd.’s spine implantation device, Novosis putty, making it the first bone substitute material developed in South Korea to gain the agency’s priority support. Novosis putty, successor to CG Bio’s first generation Novosis Ortho, combines a bone-forming protein called recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2; Nebotermin) with ceramic scaffolds to accelerate bone growth.
Boston Scientific Corp. agreed to acquire neurostimulation company Axonics Inc. for $71 per share or $3.7 billion in total. Axonics focuses on stimulation of the sacral neve to treat overactive bladder and bowel dysfunction. It also offers a bulking agent to address stress urinary incontinence in women.
The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2024, pending approval of stockholders and regulators.
Medtronic plc received CE mark for its latest miniature, leadless pacemakers, the Micra AV2 and Micra VR2. According to the company, they are the world's smallest pacemakers, provide a longer battery life, and are easier to program than previous Micra pacemakers, while maintaining the benefits of their predecessors such as reduced complications compared to traditional pacemakers.
