Ask any early-stage medtech or digital health entrepreneur, and they’ll tell you how tough it is. There’s tremendous competition for venture investing, coupled with a pullback by previously traditional investors in this space. Bill Evans While venture investment in medtech and digital health has recovered since the financial crisis of a decade ago — setting
Stocks slide further as Trump doubles down on China tariffs
June 19, 2018 By Leave a Comment
The Trump administration yesterday added $200 billion worth of tariffs to the $50 billion in trade levies already slated to go into place next month and threatened to add $200 billion more, sending share prices down. The news put the Dow Jone Industrial Average on track for its longest losing streak in 15 months and
Paragonix Technologies aims to boost survival of donated lungs
June 18, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Many lungs being transported for transplant arrive in such bad shape that they cannot be used. Paragonix Technologies aims to change that with SherpaLung, a specialized cooler that keeps lungs properly inflated and at the right temperature to survive an airplane trip. Paragonix Technologies just landed support from the Lung Transplant Foundation to continue developing and commercializing
Webinar: Here’s how 2018 is shaping up for medtech
June 11, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Wednesday, July 11, 2018 2 p.m. Eastern time/ 11 a.m. Pacific time There has been a lot of news for the medical device industry and medtech during the first half of 2018, from the threat of tariffs to layoffs at IBM Watson Health. MassDevice and Medical Design & Outsourcing associate editors Fink Densford and Sarah
Report: Stryker puts in takeover bid for Boston Scientific
June 11, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Stryker (NYSE:SYK) has put in a bid as it looks to acquire rival Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX), according to a new report from the Wall Street Journal. Boston Scientific has not actively responded to the approach, according to the report, which came from sources “familiar with the matter,” according to the WSJ. “As a matter of company policy, […]
Trump tariffs leave medical device companies in the dark
May 31, 2018 By Leave a Comment
U.S. medical device industry representatives, for now, appear to be taking a wait and see approach as President Donald Trump’s administration wrangles over trade policy and threatens tariffs against China. The status of China tariffs on medical devices is unknown at this time as the Trump administration continues to make changes to its trade policies
Report: IBM Watson Health slashes workforce
May 30, 2018 By Leave a Comment
International Business Machine (NYSE:IBM) reportedly laid off 50% to 70% of the workforce at its Watson Health operation, primarily at recent acquisitions for which the tech giant paid at least $3.6 billion. The layoffs, according to a May 25 report in The Register, involve Cleveland-based Explorys and Dallas-based Phytel, which IBM acquired in April 2015 for undisclosed amounts. Cleveland […]
4 ways medtech contractors are evolving (and why)
May 21, 2018 By Leave a Comment
The present and near future for medtech contractors will rely on specific strategies such as tiered partnerships and consolidation, an emphasis on speed, and owning therapeutic and technology spaces. Andrew Potter, Bonifacio Consulting Services, and Christopher Delporte In the first article in this series, we examined some of the important trends during the last 10–15 years
Can Minnesota become a healthcare innovation hub?
May 18, 2018 By 2 Comments
Minnesota has the institutions and the talent to transform healthcare in the U.S. The question is whether the money will follow. RxFunction makes wearable devices called “Walkasins” that help people with chronic health conditions prevent falls that can lead to serious injury. It took eight painstaking years, though, before the Eden Prairie, Minn.-based startup secured
Former CMS admin Slavitt forms healthcare-focused VC firm
May 8, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Former Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services administrator Andy Slavitt is slated to head a new venture capital firm, Town Hall Ventures, which aims to invest in healthcare tech and service companies that look to help vulnerable populations. The fund will look to invest in companies that improve care in Medicare, Medicaid, risk-based care, those
Speakers you need to see at DeviceTalks Minnesota
May 8, 2018 By Leave a Comment
A Google executive whose own heart problems spurred her to seek medtech innovation, a leader at Abbott who wants to drive healthcare value, the head of an upstart company seeking to transform diabetes care — those are but some of the speakers you will encounter at DeviceTalks Minnesota this June. Read on to find out
The best medtech funding option you’ve never heard of
May 4, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Regulation A+ (Reg A+) is a funding option that feels tailor-made for high impact technologies like medtech. Never heard of it? That’s because it didn’t exist until 2015, when the Obama administration passed the JOBS Act. Before then, private companies could only seek backing from the wealthiest 2% of Americans — accredited investors. The new
Integer to deal surgical, orthopedics assets to MedPlast for $600m
May 4, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Integer Holdings (NYSE:ITGR) plans to sell its advanced surgical and orthopedic assets to MedPlast for $600 million in a deal that will double MedPlast’s top line and bolster the balance sheet for Integer, which missed expectations with its first-quarter earnings. Proceeds from the all-cash deal, announced yesterday and expected to close during the third quarter, are
Stericycle reports mixed results for Q1
May 3, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Medical and hazardous waste disposal and compliance company Stericycle (Nasdaq: SRCL) this evening reported mixed results for its first quarter ended March 31: Adjusted earnings per share beat the Street, but organic revenue was slightly down. Lake Forest, Ill.–based Stericycle earned $21 million, or 25 cents per share, during the first quarter, down from about
ProVerum Medical closes $4.2M investment round
April 25, 2018 By Leave a Comment
ProVerum Medical recently announced that it has closed a $4.2 million seed investment with Atlantic Bridge University Fund leading the investment round. Dublin-based ProVerum Medical, a startup company from Trinity College Dublin, received a number of investments from Irish and American angel investors like HBAN Medtech Syndicate, Irrus Investments, Boole and Xenium Capital. The $4.2
