DUBLIN – After a COVID-19-fueled funding bonanza, European biotechnology appears to have reverted to the mean in the second half of this year. Firms engaged in drug development raised a total of $1.886 billion in disclosed transactions during the third quarter (Q3) of 2021. That represents a 44% fall on the total raised in Q2, which was itself down 46% on the Q1 total. The sector has raised a total of $11.44 billion so far this year, meaning that last year’s highwater mark of $12.682 billion is still within reach – but only just. The funding momentum appears to have stalled for now.

Medtronic plc strengthened its suite of products for minimally invasive spine surgery with several new additions. The portfolio provides an integrated solution that includes implants, navigation, robotics, and artificial intelligence to streamline transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), customize treatment for patients and improve outcomes.

LONDON – Industry-sponsored clinical research in the U.K. took a big hit in the pandemic and is still struggling to catch up – and to capitalize on innovative trial designs and delivery approaches that were so successful in speeding up COVID-19 studies.

LONDON – It is both safe and effective for people to receive an influenza vaccine at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine, with no negative impacts on the strength of the immune response produced by either vaccine and reported side effects mainly mild to moderate. Only nine of 679 participants in a U.K. study testing combinations of different flu and COVID-19 vaccines said they would not want to have two different vaccines at the same time in the future. Six of those were in the control arm of the trial, in which saline was injected as a placebo.

The EU’s Medical Device Regulation is now in full implementation mode, but the In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR) won’t kick in until May 2022. Oliver Bisazza, director general of Medtech Europe, said that only six notified bodies are currently certified to review IVDs under the new regulatory framework, a predicament which suggests that many these tests will never again be available to patients.

LONDON – Industry-sponsored clinical research in the U.K. took a big hit in the pandemic and is still struggling to catch up – and to capitalize on innovative trial designs and delivery approaches that were so successful in speeding up COVID-19 studies.

LONDON – Industry groups, patients’ representatives and clinicians have launched the European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH) to lobby for a comprehensive EU policy to address the increasing burden of cardiovascular disease.

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.

A second activist investor has questioned the leadership of Glaxosmithkline plc’s CEO Emma Walmsley, after Bluebell Capital Partners Ltd. took a reported £10 million (US$13.7 million) stake in the embattled U.K. pharma.