The U.S. FDA has cleared the way for Abbott Laboratories sixth COVID-19 test, a near-patient, point-of-care antigen test that gives results in 15 minutes and can be run without laboratory equipment. The company has priced the Binaxnow COVID-19 Ag Card rapid test at $5 and is offering a complementary mobile app that allows people to display their test results when asked by organizations for verification.
In a single draft coverage memo, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed to eliminate national coverage for artificial hearts and to provide coverage of ventricular assist devices (VADs) coverage for those in need of short-term ventricular support. Coverage of artificial hearts would thus revert to Medicare administrative contractors, while the change in VAD coverage would resolve a long-running dispute between cardiologists and the agency.
Abbott Laboratories has won the U.S. FDA’s nod for an iOS-compatible app that is designed to optimize care for people using the company’s neuromodulation devices to manage their chronic pain and movement disorders. The digital tool, which can be used on several Apple devices, is part of Abbott’s Neurosphere Digital Care connected care management platform, which launched in May.
Commercial continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) require some access to a patient’s blood, typically through tiny needles embedded in a wearable patch sensor. But Movano Inc. is working to develop a CGM that is based on radio frequency technology to monitor glucose levels via a noninvasive, external wearable, likely in a form factor akin to a watch or a wrist-worn fitness wearable.
Diversified health care player Abbott Laboratories did better than expected when it reported second quarter earnings. The Abbott Park, Ill.-based company is one of the earliest to start reporting for this period, which in the U.S. was characterized by an initial heavy impact from the ongoing pandemic.
Ongoing litigation between rivals Edwards Lifesciences Corp. and Abbott Laboratories is over, with the two settling all outstanding patent disputes in cases related to transcatheter mitral and tricuspid repair products. Details of the settlement remain confidential.
The U.S. FDA has given its nod to Abbott Laboratories' next-generation Gallant implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) devices. The Gallant system pairs with Abbott's secure Mymerlinpulse, an iOS- and Android-compatible mobile smartphone app that aims to streamline communication between doctors and their patients.
Abbott Laboratories and Tandem Diabetes Care Inc. have finalized an agreement related to integrated diabetes solutions. Specifically, the duo is planning to combine Abbott's Freestyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology with San Diego-based Tandem's insulin delivery systems, with an eye toward providing more options for diabetes management.
Minimally invasive structural heart implants are moving from mitral into tricuspid valve repair, as well as mitral valve replacement. Abbott Laboratories is presenting its latest data on all these fronts at the virtual PCR e-Course held by the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions from June 25 to 27.
