LONDON – Wise Srl has received CE marking for its cortical strip electrode, validating the underlying flexible electronics technology and opening the door to the development of implantable devices for long-term neurostimulation.
Restoring blood flow to limbs is a challenging goal, given the minuteness of the peripheral vasculature. But there is a huge unmet need for patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) – a severe form of peripheral artery disease in which patients face major amputation. Now, Limflow SA reports one-year data from the PROMISE I study shows its Percutaneous Deep Vein Arterialization System (pDVA) led to sustained amputation-free survival and wound healing in CLTI patients treated with the device.
PERTH, Australia – As D-Day approaches for the European Medical Device Regulations (MDR), Australia is also nearing completion of implementing its own medical device reforms, which closely mirror the EU MDR. “We had to look at aligning as close as possible with the EU system, but we’ve had to align with a moving, incomplete and delayed target, and the TGA asked us to move ahead of the EU reforms,” said John Skerritt, deputy secretary, Health Products Regulation for the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), during the recent Ausmedtech virtual conference.
DUBLIN – Skysona (elivaldogene autotemcel, Lenti-D), Bluebird Bio Inc.’s gene therapy for cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy, received a nod from the EMA’s Committee for Human Medicinal Products (CHMP) during its May meeting this week, paving the way for a formal European authorization in the coming weeks. It will constitute the first approval for the product. An FDA approval is some way behind – the company will not complete its BLA filing with the FDA until around midyear.
The EMA issued a positive scientific opinion on Glaxosmithkline plc (GSK) and Vir Biotechnology Inc.’s sotrovimab for early COVID-19 treatment. The Committee for Human Medicinal Products (CHMP)’s opinion concerns the monoclonal antibody’s use for adolescents ages 12 and older weighing at least 40 kg (88 pounds), plus adults. All must risk progressing to severe COVID-19 and not require oxygen supplementation.
Where Ilaris (canakinumab) failed, can Kineret (anakinra) succeed? Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB is reporting that an investigator-initiated phase III study of its interleukin-1 (IL-1) blocker, Kineret, in 594 hospitalized COVID-19 patients with moderate or severe pneumonia, who had a poor prognosis, uncovered what appear to be dramatic benefits.
LONDON – The U.K. is launching a trial to investigate the potential use of seven different COVID-19 vaccines as boosters, to provide safety and immunogenicity data for if/when immune responses to initial vaccination wane and a revaccination campaign is needed later in the year. The trial, at 18 sites across the country, will recruit 2,886 participants who previously received two doses of either Astrazeneca plc or Pfizer Inc./Biontech SE’s COVID-19 vaccines.
PARIS – Tecmoled SAS has just completed the initial testing phase for its wireless oximeter. A prototype has been tested over the past four months on 30 healthy subjects, aged 2 to 70 years, to measure oxygen saturation (SpO₂), heart rate and body temperature.
PARIS – Readily3d SA has been awarded just under $600k by the European Union to develop a living model of the pancreas using its Tomolite 3D bioprinting technique. The European program, Enlight, boasts a total budget of $4.4 million provided by the European Innovation Fund 2020.
For almost two months, Brazil’s health care surveillance agency Anvisa, the European Medicines Agency, and the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety have been sharing regulatory and confidential information as part of an effort to improve the safety and efficacy of drugs and medical devices.
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