Ultromics Ltd. joined forces with Pfizer Inc. to expedite U.S. FDA clearance of its artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced platform to aid early diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis, also known as stiff heart syndrome. The company received FDA breakthrough device designation last year for Echogo Amyloidosis, which uses deep AI to analyze echocardiograms and detect the presence of cardiac amyloidosis, a serious condition often missed during standard heart assessments.
Orchestra Biomed Holdings Inc. randomized the first patient in the BACKBEAT pivotal study investigating the use of its atrioventricular interval modulation (AVIM) therapy as a treatment for patients with uncontrolled hypertension implanted with a Medtronic plc pacemaker. AVIM therapy is an investigational patented bioelectronic therapy designed to immediately and durably reduce blood pressure.
Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH partnered with Newcastle University and the University of Edinburgh to fund a £30 million (US$38 million) study into liver cirrhosis in a bid to provide scientists with new insights into liver health. The partners hope that the study will not only enhance the understanding of nonalcoholic or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (NASH/MASH) cirrhosis, but also help identify translational biomarkers using a cutting-edge approach called single-cell RNA sequencing to accelerate the development of future therapies.
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.
