As it works to help improve arrhythmia care, Acutus Medical Inc., of Carlsbad, Calif., has scooped up $170 million, including a $100 million series D equity financing and a $70 million credit facility. The company plans to use the funding to accelerate commercialization and back global business development activities.

Varian Medical Systems Inc., of Palo Alto, Calif., has been busy on the acquisition front, reporting this week the buy of Austin, Texas-based Endocare Inc. and Hangzhou, China-based Alicon. Endocare is a provider of hardware and software solutions supporting cryoablation and microwave ablation, and Alicon focuses on embolic therapy for treating liver cancer in China. Varian said it is financing the $185 million purchase using cash and proceeds from borrowings.

Edmonton, Alberta-based Nanostics Inc., which is developing a liquid biopsy platform for the early diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer, reported the start of its key clinical validation study. This study is part of the process towards meeting U.S. FDA and Health Canada requirements for an in vitro diagnostic test, allowing the Claritydx Prostate test to be provided to patients. The Claritydx Prostate test could help in the elimination of unnecessary biopsies and treatments, as well as lower health care costs.

Netanya, Israel-based Theranica Bioelectronics Ltd., which is focusing on the development of advanced electroceuticals for migraine and other pain disorders, scored a win at the U.S. FDA, with the agency granting its de novo request for the smartphone-controlled Nerivio Migra.