When life-saving inhalers sell in Europe at 1.5% to about 8% of their list price in the U.S., they’re bound to attract scrutiny, especially in a time when inequities in prescription drug prices are fueling more and more legislation to reduce U.S. prices.
The U.S. FDA’s Pulmonary-Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee has a lot to discuss Nov. 17, but only one voting question: Does the evidence demonstrate that Merck & Co. Inc.’s gefapixant provides a clinically meaningful benefit to adults with refractory or unexplained chronic cough?
Zig Therapeutics Inc. reported on new patented systems and methods for the remote diagnosis and treatment of a bacterial infection in individuals with chronic respiratory diseases experiencing acute respiratory exacerbations using automated color vision sputum analysis.
One of the key advances in regenerative medicine has been the engraftment of external epithelial stem cells to supplement or replace damaged native cells. However, the difficulty in engrafting internal tissues has hindered the long-term rescue of diseased internal epithelia, such as those in the respiratory airways.
Premature babies face challenges in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) as their heart, lungs and neurological system continue to develop outside the womb. Roughly half of neonates born at 26 weeks to 28 weeks gestation experience respiratory distress. These infants often need extra oxygen and help breathing, as well as constant monitoring to ensure oxygen is absorbed and carbon dioxide (CO2) is dispelled. To that end, Etiometry Inc. received FDA clearance for its IVCO2 Index, a software tool for use in monitoring risk of hypercapnia in NICU patients weighing less than 2 kg.
Deep learning algorithms are used to remotely monitor and track just about everything these days and now that includes ordinary and chronic cough. Hyfe Inc. has launched an AI-driven remote patient monitoring (RPM) program designed to monitor cough for a whole range of serious ailments at virtual hospitals, remote care and telehealth programs across the U.S.
Taking a step forward in an increasingly crowded market that has long been dominated by non-Chinese players, Magassist Co. Ltd. got positive clinical results from its extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) system Breathmo to provide support for patients with serious heart failure or lung failure, with a study showing that the system can provide pulmonary and cardiac support effectively and safely.
Resmed Inc. has acquired Somnoware Inc., a privately held developer of respiratory care diagnostics software, for an undisclosed price. The deal is Resmed’s third software acquisition in the past year, having snapped up German software-as-a-service (SaaS) maker Medifox Dan GmbH for $1 billion in June 2022 and Mementor GmbH last August.
After a licensing deal with Galvanize Therapeutics Inc., Energenx Medical Ltd. will develop and commercialize pulsed electric field therapies for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau, where there is a significant need. The deal could also be the basis for future exports out of China as Energenx develops its own products.
Beyond Air Inc. completed a senior secured debt financing of up to $40 million from Avenue Capital Group to support the company’s commercial launch of the Lungfit PH and further development of the Lungfit platform. Beyond Air is focused on applications of nitric oxide for the treatment of patients with a range of respiratory conditions. Its affiliate, Beyond Cancer Ltd., is developing a treatment for solid tumors that uses an ultra-high concentration of nitric oxide.
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