Medtech in a Minute: FTC Crosses Swords with Illumina, Hologic's Shopping Spree Continues, and More

FTC Blocks Illumina-Grail Deal

The Federal Trade Commission has filed a lawsuit to block Illumina’s $7.1 billion acquisition of Grail, a liquid biopsy specialist. If FTC is successful, San Diego, CA-based Illumina would fail to bring Grail, the company it launched in 2016, back into the fold. The agency alleges that the proposed deal will diminish innovation in the U.S. market for multi-cancer early detection tests. These types of tests could be used to detect up to 50 types of cancer, most of which are not screened for at all today, saving millions of lives around the world.

Varian Gets an Assist from Google Cloud in Cancer Effort

Google Cloud AI tech will help Varian create AI models for organ segmentation – a crucial and labor-intensive step in radiation oncology that can be a bottleneck in the cancer treatment clinical workflow. The resulting AI segmentation engine will be "trained" to create customized auto-segmentation models for organs in the body. Varian said it intends to incorporate these models into its treatment planning software tools for use in cancer centers around the world.

Hologic's M&A Hot Streak Continues

Hologic plans to acquire Mobidiag Oy, a molecular diagnostics firm, for about $795 million. The deal is expected to close early in 4Q21.

And in case you missed our last Medtech in a Minute report...

FDA Allows for First POC STD Test

FDA said Tuesday that it will allow the use of the Binx Health IO CT/NG Assay at point-of-care settings, such as in physician offices, community-based clinics, urgent care settings, outpatient healthcare facilities and other patient care settings. The test, which uses female vaginal swabs and male urine specimens, is designed to detect the presence of the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which cause the sexually transmitted infections chlamydia and gonorrhea, respectively. The ability to diagnose at a point-of-care setting will help with more quickly and appropriately treating sexually-transmitted infections, expert says.

FDA Moves on OTC and POC COVID-19 Testing

FDA said it is taking swift action to get more COVID-19 tests for screening asymptomatic people on the market. The agency has authorized several COVID-19-related tests for over-the-counter (OTC) use and some for point-of-care use. The agency says that screening testing, especially with OTC tests, is an important part of the country’s pandemic response as many schools, workplaces,and other entities are setting up testing programs to quickly screen for COVID-19.