Despite an intense flurry of pushback, the U.S. Senate voted Feb. 24 to confirm cardiologist Robert Califf as the next commissioner of the FDA. The Senate had passed a procedural vote two days prior, but several Senators had held up the final vote the following day in an effort to push the agency to be more engaged in its review of opioid analgesics. Their efforts delayed by 24 hours a final 89-4 vote affirming the Obama administration's nomination, putting Califf at the helm as the agency faces new programs from both the White House and Congress that will stretch the agency's resources in the years to come.

San Diego-based Resmed Inc. said it will add to its portfolio of digital solutions with a proposed $800 million cash acquisition of Atlanta-based Brightree, a venture-backed firm that offers cloud-based software to the post-acute care industries. Resmed (NYSE:RMD) makes sleep-disordered breathing and respiratory care devices.