Rewalk Robotics Ltd. (Yokneam, Israel/Marlborough, Mass.) reported the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has issued a national policy for the evaluation, training and procurement of the Rewalk Personal exoskeleton systems for all qualifying veterans. Prior to the VA's decision the company had been struggling to find footing amidst lagging shares and investor's concerns regarding the viability of the exoskeleton market. The decision has breathed new life into the company, as Rewalk shares (NASDAQ:RWLK) closed on Friday at $13.50, up about 22 percent.
Reliefband Technologies LLC (Philadelphia), a private company, reported it has raised $5 million in venture capital funding since it was established in July. The company will use the funding to fuel the consumer market introduction of Reliefband, an FDA-cleared wearable device that uses neuromodulation for the treatment of nausea.
Medtronic plc. (Dublin) and Samsung Electronics America (Ridgefield, N.J.) are once again forming a strategic alliance to develop technology, but this time the partnership will be focused on advancing technology for the neuromodulation space. This follows the two companies pairing together in June to develop technology for the diabetes control and management market (Medical Device Daily, June 9, 2015).
Verily Life Sciences LLC. (Mountain View, Calif.) has formed a partnership with Johnson & Johnson (New Brunswick, N.J.) to form Verb Surgical, a firm focused on developing a surgical solutions platform that will incorporate robotic capabilities and medical device technology.
