Medical Devices Today

Deals Update

Article preview reprinted Medtech Insight - January 2009

A roundup of recent medtech strategic alliances, mergers & acquisitions and financings.

A Mechanistic Look at Diabetes Surgery

Article preview reprinted from IN VIVO - January 2009

The notion of how Roux-en-Y achieves weight loss and reverses diabetes is changing. Francesco Rubino, MD, chief of gastrointestinal metabolic surgery at Cornell University's Weill Cornell Medical College is at the forefront of diabetes surgery. Rubino's diabetes surgery program aims to tease out the mechanisms by which gastric bypass reverses diabetes. Here, an interview with Dr. Rubino.

Venture Capital For MedTech “Somewhat Resilient,” With 18% Drop In ’08

Full article reprinted from "The Gray Sheet" - February 23, 2009

The U.S. medical technology industry's access to private venture capital remained relatively strong in 2008, while its ability to raise funds through debt and public stock offerings took a beating from the global financial crisis, according to a recent ¹report by consulting firm Ernst & Young.

LaViolette Sees Opportunities Behind The Risks In Down Economy

Full article reprinted from "The Gray Sheet" - February 23, 2009

Find out how Paul LaViolette has a unique perspective on the device industry, having worked with some of the biggest and most established firms as well as brand new start-ups.

Combo Product Firms Lose Patience As Regs, Guidance Are Delayed Again

Full article reprinted from "The Gray Sheet" - February 23, 2009

Combination product companies want the next FDA commissioner to raise the profile of combo product issues within the agency.

Asahi Kasei Acquires U.S.-based Device Maker TechniKrom; Seeks ¥18 Billion in Sales

Full translation summary from PharmAsia News - February 18, 2009

TOKYO - Asahi Kasei Medical, a unit of Japan's Asahi Kasei, has reached an agreement to fully acquire TechniKrom, a bioprocess equipment manufacturer, in a merger that the company hopes will spark growth between its filtering technology and the U.S. firm's bioprocess equipment systems for biopharmaceutical manufacturing materials, the Japanese parent company announced Feb. 16.

Full translation summary from PharmAsia News - February 18, 2009

Clinical Edge

Article preview reprinted Medtech Insight - January 2009

Find out how the test tube bone marrow can produce red and white blood cells, including B cells, a type of white blood cell that produces antibodies to fight infection and disease.

Ascent Therapeutics: There's Still Money in Discovery Platforms

Article preview reprinted from Start-Up - January, 2009

It's a common perception that venture investors have turned their backs—or at least hidden their pocketbooks—from big think platform-based biotechs in search of early stage funding. But a quick look at the large A rounds raised in recent years suggests that sentiment isn't exactly true. Even as the pool of available capital shrinks and despite the gloomy exit environment, start-ups with promising technologies capable of generating multiple products across a wide swath of therapeutic areas are still gaining funding.

Creating J&J;'s Cardiology Franchise: An Interview with Marv Woodall

Article preview reprinted from IN VIVO - January 2009

Find out how the architect of J&J's cardiology business reflects on the ups and downs of building a stent business, integrating a hostile takeover, and why—despite all their success—stents have not met their original goal.

Philips Combats Sales Slowdown By Getting Even Closer To Customers

Full article reprinted from "The Gray Sheet" - February 16, 2009

Find out how Philips sales exec Joe Robinson says his people will start asking more questions to understand what capital-starved hospitals are going through, and offer customers new ideas for financing during the economic downturn.