A Delaware chancery court decreed that Johnson & Johnson Inc. owes investors in Auris Health Inc. more than $1 billion over allegations that J&J had undercut Auris products after the 2019 acquisition of Auris. The outcome highlights the hazards of acquisitions of companies that are competitive in a particular product space, but a shift in FDA policy regarding robotic surgical systems may have also played a role in this outcome.

CMR Surgical Ltd. recently submitted its application to the U.S. FDA for approval for its Versius surgical system as it seeks to get more surgeons using the small, portable, robotic tool in laparoscopic procedures.

Siemens Healthineers AG made a binding offer to Novartis AG, of Basel, Switzerland, to acquire its Advanced Accelerator Applications Molecular Imaging business which includes the European manufacturing and distribution network of diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals for positron emission tomography scans.

Vitestro Holding BV received CE marking for its automated blood drawing device which uses artificial intelligence, ultrasound-guided imaging and robotics to ensure accurate and secure blood collection. The device is the first of its kind to achieve CE mark and the company believes it will be transformational for health care.

In an earnings call, Asensus Surgical Inc. told shareholders it will have to file for bankruptcy if they do not approve the previously reported merger with Karl Storz Se & Co. KG.

Moon Surgical SAS recently received U.S. FDA clearance for the commercial version of its Maestro surgical robotic system for laparoscopic procedures. The greenlight is “pretty massive” for the company as it will allow the robotic platform to be rolled out in the U.S., to help enhance the surgeon’s performance while carrying out procedures, Anne Osdoit, CEO of Moon Surgical, told BioWorld.

News out of the Heart Rhythm Society 2024 meeting May 16-19 highlighted the rapid disruption pulsed field ablation (PFA) devices have wrought in cardiac arrhythmia treatment, so it is little surprise to see that PFAs are among the top five technologies with transformative potential identified by Clarivate plc in its Medical Technologies to Watch in 2024 report. The impact of the other four – continuous glucose monitors (CGM) for diabetes, neurostimulation devices, surgical robotics and renal denervation – has been just as revolutionary, if longer in being realized.

News out of the Heart Rhythm Society 2024 meeting May 16-19 highlighted the rapid disruption pulsed field ablation (PFA) devices have wrought in cardiac arrhythmia treatment, so it is little surprise to see that PFAs are among the top five technologies with transformative potential identified by Clarivate plc in its Medical Technologies to Watch in 2024 report. The impact of the other four – continuous glucose monitors (CGM) for diabetes, neurostimulation devices, surgical robotics and renal denervation – has been just as revolutionary, if longer in being realized.

Stereotaxis Inc. said it is buying electrophysiology catheter maker Access Point Technologies EP Inc. to enhance its minimally invasive endovascular surgical robotics technology offerings.

Asensus Surgical Inc. grabbed a $10 million lifeline from prospective suitor Karl Storz SE & Co. KG, which has offered to buy the cash-strapped company for 35 cents per share or about $96 million. Asensus signed a non-binding letter of intent to consider and negotiate terms after “an extensive period of consideration of various strategic alternatives.” Under certain circumstances, it could access a further $10 million from Storz prior to a merger. Asensus reported in March that its cash runway would tap out in early July.