With the support of Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB), Medtronic plc has launched the Medtronic Open Innovation Platform (OIP) in Singapore to develop med-tech and digital health solutions for Asia Pacific. The company will invest up to $50 million for this venture.

Medtronic plc’s Hugo robotic-assisted surgery system has received a CE mark for urologic and gynecologic procedures, paving the way for commercialization in Europe. The approval is a key milestone for the Dublin-headquartered company, following the launch of Hugo in Latin America and India. The company is prioritizing robotics as a major growth opportunity, but will face tough competition in the space as it goes head-to-head with established market leader Intuitive Surgical Inc. According to Medtronic, Europe could provide a significant opportunity due to its current low uptake of surgical robotic procedures.

The FDA reported two class I recalls associated with insulin pumps made by Dublin-based Medtronic plc, albeit for two significantly different issues. The two recalls affect roughly 495,000 units combined, and may significantly affect access to some patients. One of the recalls was for Minimed 600 series insulin pumps, a recall announced in 2019 and expanded in October. The recall addresses the risk of incorrect dosing of insulin due to a faulty clear retainer ring, which is used to lock the insulin cartridge into place in the insulin pump reservoir. The second recall is for remote controllers used with Medtronic insulin pumps. In this instance, the action was undertaken due to cybersecurity concerns, although the controllers in question are no longer in distribution.

Medtronic plc strengthened its suite of products for minimally invasive spine surgery with several new additions. The portfolio provides an integrated solution that includes implants, navigation, robotics, and artificial intelligence to streamline transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), customize treatment for patients and improve outcomes.

The U.S.FDA said the recall of two models of the Pipeline Flex embolization devices is due to a risk that the delivery system’s wire and tubes will fracture during placement of the stent. The agency said the recall is associated with 59 reports of malfunction, 10 serious injuries and two fatalities, making this a class I event.

PERTH, Australia – Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has initiated proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia against Medtronic Australasia Pty Ltd. for alleged unlawful supply of its Infuse bone graft kit, which contains a medicine and other components to stimulate bone growth in patients.

The FDA has approved Medtronic plc’s Evolut FX TAVR system for patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. During Medtronic’s fiscal first quarter earnings call CEO Geoffrey Martha said the company will roll the latest generation system out in the U.S. market later this year, with a full launch planned in 2022.

Medtronic plc reported it will acquire Intersect ENT, a deal that represents a major expansion of Medtronic’s footprint in the ear/nose/throat (ENT) space. Intersect’s products for chronic rhinosinusitis will give Medtronic access to a medical market said to be among the top 10 most expensive conditions for employers, with a potential patient population of 35 million in the U.S. alone.

The annual scramble for elevated payment rates under the U.S. Medicare inpatient rule has concluded, and at least one artificial intelligence product came up short in its bid for a new technology add-on (NTAP) payment. However, Medtronic plc, Boston Scientific Corp. and Cook Medical Inc. all secured or sustained NTAP payments for products that are critical for patients with a variety of life-threatening conditions, such as severe pulmonary valve regurgitation in pediatric patients.

Medtronic plc got a thumbs up from the FDA for two Accurhythm algorithms to detect atrial fibrillation and asystole in patients who have heart rhythm abnormalities. The new artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithms are designed for use on the company’s Linq II insertable cardiac monitor (ICM). Dublin-based Medtronic said the Accurhythm AI algorithms will be available on its Carelink Network later this year for use with all implanted Linq II devices in the U.S.