Calpro AS and Ampersand Health Ltd. are combining technologies to provide a self-management and remote monitoring solution for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The partnership will integrate Oslo, Norway-based Calpro’s smart biomarker test with Ampersand’s digital therapeutic app My IBD Care. The companies said the collaboration could help reduce the administrative burden of IBD patient care.

PERTH, Australia – Molecular diagnostic company Speedx Pty Ltd. has invested in a Perth-based startup that makes the raw materials needed for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 tests. The two companies will work to develop a new at-home rapid PCR test to ensure Australia can become self-sufficient with producing PCR tests. A rapid PCR test that gives an accurate result in minutes could be used at home or work.

Centogene NV and Twist Bioscience Corp. are linking up to develop custom assay kits for rare disease testing. The companies said the collaboration aims to make genetic tests more accessible to rare disease patients. Financial details were not disclosed. Centogene, which dubs itself the “rare disease company” is positioning to be a frontrunner in the testing market. The global rare disease genetic testing market size was valued at $812.3 million in 2019 and is projected to register a CAGR of 10.9% from 2020 to 2027.

Boston Scientific Corp. agreed to acquire the Baylis Medical Company Inc.’s cardiology business, Baylis Medical Co., for an upfront payment of $1.75 billion, subject to closing adjustments. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2022. Baylis Medical Technologies, which focuses on radiology and neurosurgery, is not part of the deal and will remain a separate entity.

TORONTO – Numalogics Inc. has entered a partnership deal with Sawbones Inc. to develop computational modeling and simulation software for small and medium sized orthopedic manufacturers. Adding Montreal-based Numalogics’ computational simulation software to Seattle-based Sawbones’ biomechanical test line is intended to help customers optimize their orthopedic device designs more quickly and efficiently. The software is expected to be market ready in 2022.

Innerscope Hearing Technologies Inc. acquired the assets and operations of Ihear Medical Inc. for an undisclosed amount. The deal significantly boosts Innerscope’s position in the emerging market of direct-to-consumer and over-the-counter hearing products, an important development in the run-up to the FDA’s expected release next month of new regulations for hearing aids that can be sold in stores without a prescription.

South Korea’s Cgbio Inc. has entered a partnership agreement with Singapore-based NDR Medical Technology Pte. Ltd. to introduce and test an automated needle targeting (ANT)-X system to assist surgeons during minimally invasive surgery. The system will combine artificial intelligence (AI) and medical image processing, based on core technology from NDR Medical.

Glucomodicum Oy tapped contract manufacturer Phillips-Medisize LLC to develop its needle-free continuous glucose monitor (CGM), Talisman, which is based on Glucomodicum’s magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) platform technology that measures glucose levels from interstitial fluid. The wearable CGM – the size of a smartwatch – combines MHD technology with biosensors and algorithms so health care professionals can monitor patients’ diabetes.

Ernst and Young’s (EY) annual Pulse of the Industry report released today provided proof of med tech’s strong rebound from the disruption of the pandemic. Research and development investment soared, deal activity hit new highs, venture capital poured $9.1 billion into the sector, IPOs doubled, and more than 9 out of 10 of commercial leaders reported increased revenues.

Illumina Inc.’s troubled takeover of Grail Inc. is facing further backlash from the European Commission (EC) after the regulator issued a statement of objections to the companies following their alleged breach of the EU Merger Regulation. Illumina’s acquisition of Grail has faced scrutiny from regulators since it was first announced due to concerns the deal could curb innovation and competition.