Astrazeneca plc launched a health-tech business aimed at bringing to market digital technological solutions that will optimize clinical trial design and delivery. The company, called Evinova, will offer solutions to reduce the time and cost of developing new drugs, bring care closer to patients at home and reduce the burden on health systems.

Surmodics Inc. reported positive two-year data from the SWING trial, the first-in-human study to look at the safety of its Sundance Sirolimus drug-coated balloon (DCB) when used to treat occlusive disease of the infrapopliteal arteries. Results presented at the VEITHsymposium in New York showed that the Sundance Sirolimus DCB demonstrated an excellent safety profile and achieved primary patency of 71.4% at 24 months in the per protocol analysis population.

Senior leaders and investors in the health care sector expect mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity to continue to pick up next year but this will be corporate led rather than private equity, according to a report by global investment bank Jefferies.

The U.S. FDA granted Roche Holding AG breakthrough device designation for its Elecsys Neurofilament Light Chain test for multiple sclerosis. The Elecsys NfL test can aid in the detection of disease activity in adults, 18-55 years old, with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis or secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. It also provides critical information for managing the disease.