The FDA granted breakthrough device designation to Histosonics Inc. for the first system to harnesses microbubbles created by pulsed ultrasound waves to wreak very targeted cellular destruction, with real-time visualization and control. The therapy, called histotripsy, destroys tissue in the liver without heat, radiation or surgery. The technology was developed at the University of Michigan.

The question of bias in artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms is generally thought to be overcome by ensuring that the data set used to train the algorithm is representative of the population at large. However, Naomi Aaronson, executive director of clinical evaluation at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, said its not that simple because demographic data can combine in unpredictable ways and thus “the only real understanding of whether it works is in the clinical validation” of the algorithm in various settings.

The U.S. National Institutes of Health reported Oct. 14 that it has awarded contracts in the amount of $77.7 million for development and manufacture of a dozen new rapid tests for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The monies were awarded under the NIH’s Rapid Development of Diagnostics (RADx) program, and will add seven viral antigen detection and five viral RNA detection tests to the suite of offerings. all with an eye toward more rapid turn-around of test results. The news of the new round of RADx grants was followed by 24 hours the announcement that the Department of Health and Human Services has extended the public health emergency (PHE) for the COVID-19 pandemic for another three months.

A genetic biomarker-based diagnostic test developed by Inbiomotion SL to identify treatment for early-stage breast cancer could significantly improve patient survival, a study has found. Data from the phase III NSABP-B34 study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute Cancer Spectrum, showed that in patients with MAF-negative (mutation biomarker) tumors – determined with Inbiomotion’s MAF Test – adjuvant treatment with clodronate was associated as having the greatest benefit compared to placebo-treated control patients receiving the same standard of care.

Oncology genomic testing company Berry Oncology Corp.’s latest research results showed promising data for its Hifi platform-based technology, its CEO Jun Zhou said during the first International Biopharma Industry Week held in Shanghai. With the Hifi liquid biopsy test, users can receive early screening of six cancers, including liver cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer, and pancreatic cancer, with an overall sensitivity of 87.6%, specificity of 99.1%, and overall tissue of origin precision in 82% of positive cancers.