The early detection of chronic liver disease (CLD) could help in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), according to a study published in the Journal of Hepatology. Using Perspectum Ltd.’s Livermultiscan, a noninvasive MRI scan, researchers analyzed liver data and found that liver disease activity measured by MRI corrected T1 (cT1) is associated with higher risk of major CVD events.
Corwave SA raised €26 million (US$28 million) in the second close of its series C funding round taking the total amount to €61 million. The funds will go toward the industrial development of the company’s facilities as well as entry into clinical trials for its heart pump, the Corwave LVAD, which is based on its wave membrane biomimetic technology, inspired by the undulating movement of marine animals.
A graphene-based electronic biosensor platform from Paragraf Ltd. simultaneously detected both protein antigen and RNA biosignals from samples in real time, according to a study published in Advanced Materials Technology. Paragraf claimed that the achievement is a world first, and the development of the platform, which can be quickly adapted for multiomics and multiplexed diagnosis of continuously evolving biothreats and global pandemics, is a major breakthrough.
The U.S FDA 510(k) clearance for Corneat Vision Ltd.’s Everpatch is a “safety stamp” for the product, and the “first step’ in the deployment of Corneat’s synthetic tissue substitute technology, which could displace the use of donor and processed tissue, Almog Aley-Raz, CEO of Corneat, told BioWorld. The Corneat Everpatch, for use in ophthalmic surgeries, is the first non-degradable material that seamlessly embeds itself with surrounding tissue avoiding foreign body response often triggered by implanted devices, Aley-Raz claimed.
Aptamer Group plc and Neuro-Bio Ltd. have developed Optimer binders which could enable the creation of a lateral flow test for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Aim-listed Aptamer saw its share price soar on the news as early detection of Alzheimer could bring substantial benefits to patients, caregivers and health care systems and there is currently a lack of tests available for early stage diagnosis of the disease.
Boston Scientific Corp. said that three-year primary patency and the four-year freedom from target lesion revascularization (TLR) rate for patients treated with the Ranger drug-coated balloon (DCB), in the Ranger II superficial femoral artery (SFA) study, are the best ever reported data for randomized trials using DCBs.
Vivolta BV raised €7 million ($US7.56 million) in new financing from existing shareholders and the Dutch government to expand its Medispin platform, an automated medical electrospinning production system, for high-throughput manufacturing of tubular electrospun products such as vascular stent grafts and prosthetic heart valves. The funds will also allow the company to continue to evolve into a medical electrospinning contract development and manufacturing organization as it transitions away from an equipment manufacturer.
An artificial intelligence (AI) framework developed by researchers in Denmark has outperformed human emergency call handlers in identifying stroke. The AI tool has the potential to play a critical role in helping to address the number of strokes that go unrecognized as the number of strokes are projected to increase as the population ages.
Avacta Group plc has continued its growth through M&A strategy with the acquisition of Coris Bioconcept Sprl, a developer of rapid diagnostic test kits, for an up-front cash consideration of £7.4 million (US$9.3 million). The Coris deal comes on the back of its £24 million purchase of Launch Diagnostics Holdings Ltd last year, as Avacta works on building up its diagnostics division.
Startup Brightheart SAS raised €2 million (US$2.14 million) in seed financing, from Sofinnova Partners, that will allow the company to accelerate the development of its artificial intelligence software, which helps physicians detect congenital heart defects in fetuses. Brightheart hopes that the technology will improve the detection of complex congenital heart defects during prenatal ultrasound screening as intervening early could address fetal malformations or abnormalities and improve a baby’s chance of survival.
