Swift Biosciences Inc. released an S gene panel for SARS-CoV-2 that covers 100% of the gene even with minimal viral titers. The S gene controls the spike protein, which enables the virus to bind to cells and affects transmissibility, and has accumulated multiple mutations in the concerning variants recently discovered in the U.K., South Africa, Brazil, Denmark and the U.S. The panel is expected to enable rapid scaling of surveillance efforts of the new strains and can be run by any lab using the Illumina system.

Using Rhythm AI Ltd.'s stochastic trajectory analysis of ranked signals (STAR) mapping system with pulmonary vein isolation terminated and eliminated recurrence of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) at much higher rates than other ablation procedures in a study published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology. The artificial intelligence-driven STAR mapping process collects and analyzes thousands of heart signals to precisely identify the areas of the heart responsible for the errant electrical signals causing atrial fibrillation, enabling more thorough and accurate ablation.

Orthospin Ltd.'s outlook was braced by the U.S. FDA's 510(k) clearance of its next-generation digitally enabled, robotic external fixation system. The Autostrut G2 system allows preprogramming of external fixation devices used for orthopedic issues such as lengthening bones, setting complex fractures and correcting deformities.

Driving to a laboratory for blood testing may soon be a thing of the past. Babson Diagnostics Inc. just completed a pivotal study of its new system for collecting and analyzing blood from a finger prick at a pharmacy counter. The results indicate that the microsample system provides comparable results to phlebotomist-drawn venipuncture blood samples.

One in five breast cancer conserving surgeries leaves behind some of the tumor. That means patients must schedule a second surgery and then endure additional pain, infection risk, recovery time and cost. Cairnsurgical Inc.'s Breast Cancer Locator system may change that by providing 3D tools that enable surgeons to precisely tailor resection to the shape, size and location of each tumor.

New funding to the tune of $8 million in series B investment moves Oncohost Ltd. a good bit closer to bringing its personalized immunotherapy prediction platform to market and key operations to the U.S.

New funding to the tune of $8 million in series B investment moves Oncohost Ltd. a good bit closer to bringing its personalized immunotherapy prediction platform to market and key operations to the U.S. Ourcrowd, an investment platform that simplifies investment by accredited investors and others in startups, early-stage companies and venture funds, led the round. Other participants included a group of family offices and private investors.

A green light from the U.S. FDA has significantly brightened Seno Medical Instruments Inc.’s image of its immediate future. The San Antonio-based company developed a novel breast cancer imaging technology that combines noninvasive opto-acoustic (OA) technology with ultrasound (US) to more accurately distinguish benign from malignant breast lesions following ambiguous mammography results.

Royal Philips NV will close on its $635 million acquisition of Capsule Technologies Inc. in the first quarter of 2021, continuing the expansion of the Dutch company's remote monitoring capabilities. Capsule's Medical Device Information Platform integrates nearly all medical devices used in hospitals with electronic health records in a vendor-neutral system. The deal has already received approval from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) appears on the verge of expanding colorectal cancer screening to individuals ages 45 to 49, based on its latest draft recommendations. If it does, Exact Sciences Corp. is ready. A study in Cancer Prevention Research demonstrated that the Madison, Wis.-based company's Cologuard multitarget stool DNA test had better than 95% specificity in individuals with nonadvanced precancerous lesions or negative findings on colonoscopy.