The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit recently returned a decision in a case pitting Shockwave Medical Inc. against Cardiovascular Systems Inc. in a decision that adds a new wrinkle to the question of how prior art can and cannot be used to eviscerate a patent.
Med-tech companies raised $8.13 billion in the second quarter of 2025, a modest dip from the $8.32 billion recorded in Q1. While the quarterly total marks a continued improvement over 2023’s lower figures, it still lags behind pre-pandemic peaks and the $22.87 billion raised in 2Q20. Compared to 2Q24’s $7.49 billion, this year’s figure reflects a slight year-over-year gain.
The ink is barely dry on the draft Medicare physician fee schedule for 2026, but three cardiology societies blasted the draft for cutting rates for left atrial appendage closure procedures – a move they said needlessly endangers patients.
Boston Scientific Corp. handily beat expectations for sales growth and profits in the second quarter, led by 117% growth for its Farapulse pulsed field ablation system in the U.S. and 23% overall organic increase in revenue for cardiology. The company cut the expected impact of tariffs by 50% and raised guidance for earnings per share and sales for the year.
The U.S. FDA expanded the approval for use of Boston Scientific Corp.’s Watchman Flx and Watchman Flx Pro left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) devices to include post-ablation patients, bringing good news to the company as it preps for its second quarter earnings report on July 23.
Abbott Laboratories’ second quarter results echoed Johnson & Johnson’s, with med tech performing the hero’s work with strong growth. Overall, Abbott slightly beat expectations with sales up 6.9% overall compared to 2Q 2024, largely boosted by the med-tech unit’s organic revenue increase of 12.2%, and worldwide sales for the quarter of $11.1 billion. Diabetes provided a particularly bright spot with 19.5% year-over-year growth for continuous glucose monitoring devices.
Field Medical Inc. continues to reap funding from investors for its pulsed field ablation (PFA) system with a $35 million oversubscribed series B financing round. With treatment of atrial fibrillation already upended by PFA technology, Field sees ventricular tachycardia as a fertile new territory for transformation.
The final Medicare coverage memo for transcatheter edge-to-edge repair for tricuspid valve regurgitation largely replicates the April 2025 draft, but cardiology centers will not have to bring an electrophysiologist to the patient’s care team to be permitted to practice these devices.
Kardium Inc. raised C$340 million (US$250 million) in an oversubscribed financing round to support commercialization of its Globe pulsed field ablation system for atrial fibrillation. Notably, the financing included an equity investment by an unnamed leading strategic investor. Kardium could receive U.S. FDA approval as early as this quarter and plans to launch Globe in the U.S. this year.
The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services posted the draft home health rule for calendar year 2026, which includes a proposal to subject continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps to competitive bidding, but the agency is also considering a more rapid pace of replacement of these technologies.
