Orthopedic companies felt pressure from COVID-19 in their most recent quarters. For example, Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc. reported second-quarter net sales of $1.226 billion, a decrease of 38.3% from the prior-year period. Still, those revenues did come ahead of expectations, as Wells Fargo analyst Larry Biegelsen noted – $432 million ahead of his group's estimate and $305 million ahead of consensus. Read More

Eko Devices Inc. said Tuesday that it is collaborating with British pharma giant Astrazeneca plc to speed the development of digital health tools to improve early detection of cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure. The partnership could lead to more personalized care for heart failure patients, improving long-term outcomes. Read More

The Trump administration has issued an executive order designed to improve access to telehealth for Medicare beneficiaries in rural America, making permanent numerous changes that had been temporarily added for the COVID-19 pandemic. The news arrives as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) posted the draft Medicare physician fee schedule (MPFS) complete with expanded use of telehealth for a number of services. Read More

The U.S. FDA gave an emergency use authorization (EUA) to the first semi-quantitative antibody test from Siemens Healthineers AG for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This test, known as the SARS-CoV-2 IgG (COV2G) antibody test, could potentially be used repeatedly over time to assess relative levels to gauge potential immunity. Read More

The matter of how adhesion of its Viaskin Peanut allergy patch relates to efficacy became a major problem for DBV Technologies SA, which drew a complete response letter (CRL) for the once-daily epicutaneous (EPIT) product. Shares of the Montrouge, France-based firm (NASDAQ:DBVT) closed Aug. 4 at $2.34, down $1.76, or 43%, in reaction to the CRL for the patch, designed to protect children ages 4 to 11. The FDA wants DBV to modify the patch, which means a new human-factor study; officials also are requiring clinical data for the modified patch. Read More

New hires and promotions in the med-tech industry, including: Cerevasc, Innovatus Capital Partners, Letsgetchecked, Monarch Medical, Newronika, Renovacare, Spectral Medical, Spindiag, Todos Medical, Usgi Medical. Read More

Med-tech firms raising money in public or private financings, including: Avinger, Ra Medical Systems, Voiceitt. Read More

Clinical updates, including trial initiations, enrollment status and data readouts and publications: Avelas, Menarini. Read More

Med-tech happenings, including deals and partnerships, grants, preclinical data and other news in brief: 10x Genomics, Abbott, Adagio Medical, Adaptive Biotechnologies, Aesthetic Laser Partners, Aesthetic Mobile Laser Services, Ams, Avid Product Development, Balt, Berkeley Data Ventures, Bio-Rad, Cerus Endovascular, Crank Software, Daxor, De Novo Software, Electromedical, Exagen, Fluidigm, Genuity Science, Htg Molecular Diagnostics, Imricor Medical Systems, Intertek, Launchpad Medical, Lubrizol, Matrix Medical Network, Midge Medical, Nashville Biosciences, Penlon, Precipio, Revbio, Royal Philips, Sensus Healthcare, Solos Health Analytics, Think Surgical, United Orthopedic, Transenterix, Tüv Rheinland, Usgi Medical, Ventec Life Systems, Xleratehealth. Read More

Regulatory snapshots, including global submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations: Abiomed, Biotricity, Siemens Healthineers. Read More

The latest global regulatory news, changes and updates affecting medical devices and technologies, including: Advamed, Boston Scientific, Clinical Research Consultants, MDMA. Read More

Keeping you up to date on recent developments in oncology, including: Cancer follow-up plummeted in Wuhan after onset of COVID-19 pandemic; T-cell receptor sequencing proves useful for tracking thyroid cancer; Silver nanowires take their place in brain cancer therapy. Read More