A slow-down in EU medical device audits due to the long-delayed transition to the EU Medical Device Regulation is leading to increased applications to Australia as small businesses bypass Europe altogether.

With more than three weeks left in the first quarter, the value of med-tech IPOs for 2025 already exceeds the funds raised from all IPOs for med-tech companies in the last two years combined. Kestra Medical Technologies Ltd. provides a clear example of how fast the market is heating up, with a final IPO that raked in more than twice as much as initially expected, while Advanced Biomed Inc. shows the appeal of the U.S. exchanges for non-U.S. companies.

Investigators at Pennsylvania State University have described a novel approach to combat Clostridioides difficile infection using a synthetic microbiome therapy, which offers an alternative to antibiotics and fecal microbiota transplant .

Martin Makary, President Donald Trump’s pick to head the U.S. FDA, took his turn before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee March 6, a week ahead of the committee’s confirmation votes on both him and Jay Bhattacharya as the next NIH director. The committee votes will set the stage for the full Senate to vote on confirming both nominees later this month.

4C Medical Technologies Inc. raised $175 million in a series D financing round led by Boston Scientific Corp. The financing will support the regulatory trials and commercialization of the Altavalve system, a transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) technology.

Relief Srl raised more than €1 million (US$1.08 million) in financing for Urorelief, its endourethral medical device which treats stress urinary incontinence. The Italian startup will use the funds to conduct clinical trials to validate the device as it looks to transform the lives of men and women suffering from the condition.