Despite a drop off in elective procedures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Stryker Corp., of Kalamazoo, Mich., unveiled first-quarter results that came in better than analysts had presumed. BTIG’s Ryan Zimmerman noted that, unlike other companies, Stryker did not pre-announce preliminary revenue. And while investors were concerned that the company would be adversely affected by the slump in elective procedures, "the diversity of the portfolio helped to offset procedure declines in late March.” Read More
The restrictions on elective surgeries as hospitals struggle to manage the unfolding global pandemic are hitting medical device companies particularly hard. Abiomed Inc., which specializes in a tiny, minimally invasive heart pump to support heart failure patients, saw its first fiscal fourth-quarter revenue flatten as procedures were postponed. Still, U.S. revenue remained stronger than Wall Street had expected, even as ex-U.S. revenue had deeper declines. Read More
Researchers in Guangzhou, China, have developed a nanoparticle-based lateral flow immunoassay that quickly and accurately detects antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. The current test, which works in a similar manner to a pregnancy test, detects IgG antibodies in blood in less than 10 minutes. A proof-of-concept study appeared in Analytical Chemistry this week. Read More
PERTH, Australia – Australia is taking several measures to increase diagnostic testing for COVID-19 and rolling out a national surveillance app as it prepares to relax social distancing measures and get back to work. Read More
PARIS – April 2020 was a milestone month for the key players in interventional cardiology in France. The reimbursement system in France is finally opening its doors to the drug-eluting balloon (DEB), following years in the wilderness. Read More
Even as the world grapples with COVID-19, researchers and public health officials are trying to apply its lessons to future outbreaks. In our series “The next pandemic,” BioWorld explores the strategies and technologies that could improve the fight against future outbreaks, from robust surveillance to rapid vaccines. Read More
Med-tech happenings, including deals and partnerships, grants, preclinical data and other news in brief: Adeptrix, Avacta Group, Babson Diagnostics, Biolife Solutions, Biosig Technologies, Co-Diagnostics, Dermtech, Ipsum Diagnostics, Omega Bio-tek, Quantumdx Group Tandem Diabetes Care, Trinetx, Viewray. Read More
Regulatory snapshots, including global submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations: Bio-Rad, Quotient, Scibase. Read More
Keeping you up to date on recent developments in neurology, including: Light-based stimulation relieves symptoms of Parkinson's, Implant-free optogenetics minimizes brain damage during neuronal stimulation, Persistent and worsening insomnia may predict persistent depression in older adults. Read More
