Med-tech deal value, excluding M&As, totaled $628.41 million in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026, an increase of about 322% from the $149.08 million recorded in Q1 2025 though a 36% drop from Q4 2025‘s $978.58 million.

With cases of peripheral artery disease (PAD) rising across the U.K., and lower limb amputations continuing to increase, med-tech companies joined forces with parliamentarians and health care professionals to push for urgent reform of the vascular sector.

Whoop Inc. secured $575 million in a series G funding round at a $10.1 billion valuation to advance its AI-powered wearable platform for personalized and preventive health care. Abbott Laboratories joined the round as a strategic investor, backing the company’s push to expand access to its device amid growing demand.

Polares Medical SA raised $50 million in a series C financing round for Mrace, its posterior leaflet replacement system designed to treat mitral regurgitation.

The U.K.’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommendation that leadless cardiac pacemakers be used as the standard of care for people with slow heart rhythms (bradyarrhythmias) is a boon for more than 2 million individuals living with the condition. The use of the technology will transform patients’ quality of life, reduce rates of infections and lower costs for the health care system.

The U.K.’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended the use of Abbott Laboratories’ Cardiomems HF system, giving people living with heart failure an option to monitor their condition daily from home. The implantable wireless sensor could transform care for individuals with the chronic condition as it will enable them to catch early warning signs before they escalate to medical emergencies.

Abbott Laboratories reported fourth quarter sales below expectations before the market opened on Jan. 22, sending the stock down nearly 12% from the prior day's closing. The biggest hits came from contraction in the nutrition group along with continued disruption in the diagnostics unit from volume-based procurement in China. Medical devices suffered from market share loss in electrophysiology and slower than expected uptake of continuous glucose monitors. The pharma group performed as anticipated, posting 7% growth.

Abbott Laboratories received CE mark in Europe for the Tactiflex Duo ablation catheter to treat patients with atrial fibrillation. The first commercial cases using Tactiflex Duo, a dual energy device, were completed in the EU this week.

Over the last year, diabetes technology saw significant changes, including the acceleration of patch pumps, ever-smaller continuous glucose monitors (CGM), implanted CGMs and increased interest in devices that measure additional chemicals in blood without needles.

Four optimization trends dominated the med-tech industry in 2025. Growth-driven acquisitions propelled major players into hot markets, while strategic realignments at several large companies prompted notable exits as well as a few tuck-in deals. Spin-offs continued their mixed performance, with several companies on track for significant splits and others changing plans. Private equity entered — and exited — with leveraged buy outs, and a record-setting cash out.