Omar Ford
Omar Ford is MD+DI's managing editor. You can reach him at [email protected].
Thermo Fisher Gets into Companion Diagnostic Collaboration with Janssen
The Waltham, MA-based company said both firms will work together to validate multiple biomarkers with the Oncomine Dx Target Test, which will be used to identify variant-positive patients for enrollment into clinical trials focused on non-small cell lung cancer.
New Financing Could Help BillionToOne Expand Product Offerings
The Menlo Park, CA-based company has raised $15 million in a follow-on to its series A round and said it will use the proceeds to support the commercial expansion of its prenatal screening test and help with R&D efforts into a liquid biopsy product.
FDA Suspends Inspections Outside of the US Due to Coronavirus Outbreak
The measure comes as President Trump is proposing a payroll tax break to help with the financial fallout of the coronavirus. Currently there are about 773 cases of the coronavirus in the U.S.
More Tests on the Way as Coronavirus Spreads
Both CerTest Biotec and Becton Dickinson and Company have received a CE mark for the VIASURE SARS-CoV-2 Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Detection Kit adapted for the BD Max System.
Even More Conferences Canceled Over Coronavirus Concerns
The joint meeting of the American College of Cardiology’s and World Congress of Cardiology (ACC.20/WCC) is the latest conference to be canceled because of the coronavirus outbreak. Organizers said this year’s meeting would exist in some sort of virtual form but noted details would come at a later date. The measure follows South by Southwest’s (SXSW) cancelation, which was announced late last week.
NeuroPace Removes Barrier for Epilepsy Treatment Through FDA Nod
The Mountain View, CA-based company has landed a PMA for MRI labeling for the RNS system.
SXSW is Latest to Be Canceled Because of Coronavirus Fears
The event was set to be held in Austin, TX from March 13 to March 22. This comes sharply on the heels of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) annual meeting being canceled.
Realizing the Promise of Artificial Intelligence in Pathology
Philadelphia, PA-based Proscia is collaborating with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) to validate the clinical effectiveness of computational pathology applications for several high impact pathology subspecialties.
Livongo is Still Blowing Minds with Its Success
The company brought in about $50.2 million in revenue for 4Q19 compared to revenue in 4Q18 of $21.2 million. Livongo has a winning combination of artificial intelligence; patient empowerment; and diabetes management.
Can AI Really Distinguish Between Back Pain?
Researchers from Mount Sinai have developed an artificial intelligence model that has the ability to tell the difference between acute or chronic lower back pain. The AI is able to determine this by going through doctors’ notes in electronic medical records.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Set to Acquire Qiagen for $11.5B
With the acquisition, Waltham, MA-based Thermo Fisher Scientific has the potential to boost its molecular diagnostics offerings. The company also has a chance to expand its coronavirus detection offerings with Qiagen’s QIAstat-Dx Respiratory Panel 2019-nCoV test kit.
FDA Strikes Hard at Coronavirus Outbreak with New Policy
The federal agency will allow laboratories to begin and use the diagnostics for the coronavirus before FDA has completed a review of their Emergency Use Authorization requests.
Verily Partnership Could Play a Big Role in iRhythm’s Future
The San Francisco, CA-based company spoke about the collaboration with Verily during its 4Q19 earnings call.
Aria CV Wants to Offer a Device Option for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
The St. Paul, MN-based company raised $31 million in a series B round to fund the early feasibility study of its Aria CV Pulmonary Hypertension System. The device is entering a space that is dominated by pharmaceutical offerings.
LivaNova and Verily in Research Agreement to Treat Depression
Both companies have gone through changes in recent months. LivaNova made a move to jettison its transcatheter mitral valve replacement program and Verily sold its remaining interest of the Verb Surgical joint venture to its partner Johnson & Johnson.
