Medtronic plc received CE mark for its latest miniature, leadless pacemakers, the Micra AV2 and Micra VR2. According to the company, they are the world's smallest pacemakers, provide a longer battery life, and are easier to program than previous Micra pacemakers, while maintaining the benefits of their predecessors such as reduced complications compared to traditional pacemakers.
Cardiomech AS raised $13 million in fresh capital via a convertible loan agreement that will go towards developing its transcatheter mitral valve chordal repair technology. The round was heavily oversubscribed, indicating investors' expectations that the company’s technology may be a first-line therapy for patients suffering from degenerative mitral regurgitation.
Renovos Biologics Ltd. was granted a U.S. FDA breakthrough device designation for its Renovite BMP-2 (bone morphogenetic protein-2) product, which is designed for interbody spinal fusion.
Roche Holding AG entered into a definitive agreement to buy Lumiradx Ltd.’s point-of-care technology platform for $350 million. The deal is part of Roche’s effort to transform its point-of-care portfolio and enable more patient-centric health care. For Lumiradx, the sale is the end of a journey to restructure and refocus the company and will result in it being delisted from Nasdaq.
Carmat SA recently reported a software update for its bioprosthetic total artificial heart Aeson device that will significantly improve its safety profile. In the past, the company had to suspend implantations of its device following issues around quality. With the enhancements, the Aeson software will be able to detect signals of malfunctions in real time and adapt the control of the prosthesis so that its performance is not affected.
To say that 2023 continued to be a difficult fundraising environment for companies in Europe is an understatement. However, there were some green shoots and investors continued to back companies, seeing opportunities across the health tech, med-tech and biotech space.
Over the past few years, the health care sector has been progressively leveraging artificial intelligence techniques for activities such as end-to-end drug discovery and development, diagnosing patients, improving communication and engagement between physician and participant, transcribing medical documents and remotely treating and monitoring patients.
Luma Vision Ltd. raised $22 million in financing that will allow the company to secure U.S. FDA approval and prepare for commercialization of its 4D cardiac imaging technology platform, Verafeye. The series A3 financing round was led by existing investors EQT Lifesciences, ABV Uni Fund and imec.xpand. Luma also added three new investors comprising an undisclosed multinational strategic investor, Atlantic Bridge Growth Fund and Bayern Kapital.
Robocath SAS said it performed the world’s first-in-human remote robotic coronary angioplasty between two cities in China, Beijing and Urumqi, located 1,700 miles apart. The procedure was carried out using the company’s R-One robotic platform, via a 5G connection, and paves the way for long-distance endovascular procedures.
Carl Zeiss Meditec AG reported it plans to buy Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center BV (DORC) from investment firm Eurazeo SE for approximately €985 million (US$1.08 billion).
