Oxford University startup Ultromics Ltd. has won the U.S. FDA's nod for its artificial intelligence (AI) image analysis system for diagnosing coronary artery disease. Called Echogo Core, the system is intended to serve as an aid to cardiologists in evaluating echocardiograms of patients referred with symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain. Ross Upton, co-founder and CEO of Ultromics, called the clearance a "watershed moment" for the company, which began developing its algorithm-based system in 2011 and was spun out of Oxford University in 2017. The next stage for the company is commercializing the product and bringing it to clinicians in the U.S. Ross said the company expects to launch the product in the beginning of next year.
An FDA advisory panel struggled at times to give the agency clear advice on the role of materials in device failures, but the panel nonetheless lent its support to the notion that device makers should disclose all materials used to fabricate device implants in product labels.
The FDA's Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee (EMDAC) unanimously concluded Thursday that Amarin Corp. plc provided sufficient evidence of efficacy and safety to support approval of fish oil-based Vascepa (icosapent ethyl) for an indication to reduce the risk of cardiovascular (CV) events in adults with elevated triglyceride levels (≥135 mg/dL) and other risk factors for CV disease. The 16-0 vote followed a day's discussion about potential effects of mineral oil, about the proper age population and the value of labeling. EMDAC's conclusion is only an advisory, as the FDA makes the final decision. FDA representatives at the panel discussion noted the study provided convincing data and waived off most concerns about mineral oil's impact on LDL cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
GAITHERSBURG, Md. – The Nov. 13 U.S. FDA hearing on immune response to metal-containing implanted medical devices suggested that there are many more questions than answers about how to prevent the associated adverse events. However, a key hurdle is the absence of widely recognized tests for determining patient sensitivity to these metals.
Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recently posted a draft guidance for regulation of software as a medical device, but the Medical Technology Association of Australia expressed a preference for an international standard for risk classification.
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