While pain medicine specialist Dr. Pamela Palmer was working on the West Coast in the early 2000’s, she noticed something peculiar was happening to patients undergoing surgery – many who survived their procedures were dying of opioid overdoses as a result of patient-controlled drug pumps. “The nurse has to program a number of parameters into […]
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Beta Bionics taps Senseonics’ implantable glucose monitor for artificial pancreas
Senseonics‘ (NYSE:SENS) said today that it inked a deal to integrate glucose data from its Eversense continuous glucose monitoring system into Beta Bionics‘ investigational iLet bionic pancreas. According to the terms of the development agreement, Beta Bionics and Senseonics will work together to combine the two systems in the hopes of driving insulin and glucagon […]
Hospira issues nationwide recall for opioid overdose reversal drug
Pfizer‘s (NYSE:PFE) Hospira unit this week voluntarily recalled two lots of a drug used to reverse the course of an opioid overdose. The company’s naloxone injection, sold in its Carpuject single-use cartridge syringe, was recalled due to the potential presence of embedded and loose particulate matter in the plunger. Hospira specifically warned that products from lots 72680LL and 76510LL […]
BD partners with Helmer Scientific to launch drug-dispensing system for refrigerated meds
Becton Dickinson (NYSE: BDX) said today that it’s teaming up with Helmer Scientific to launch a medical-grade refrigerated solution that automatically dispenses medications. Automated medication dispensing has been a norm in the industry for decades, BD noted, but there hasn’t been a solution that securely dispenses refrigerated drugs. The two companies have co-developed a temperature monitoring system […]
Medtech veteran Mir Imran wants to replace injections with the ‘robotic pill’
Companies have tried for decades to deliver protein-based drugs orally. Can Mir Imran and his company’s robotic pill succeed where so many have failed? Mir Imran has been building medical device companies for 40 years. Perhaps known best for his work on the first FDA-approved implantable cardioverter defibrillator, Imran’s model is to identify big, unsolved […]
FDA clears Insulet’s Omnipod Dash insulin management system
Insulet (NSDQ:PODD) said today that the FDA granted 510(k) clearance to its Omnipod Dash insulin management system. The system wirelessly connects the company’s Personal Diabetes Manager with its tubeless, waterproof insulin pump. The PDM calculates how much insulin should be administered using blood glucose readings from the Contour Next One blood glucose meter. Altogether, the system […]
FDA’s Gottlieb: Drug shortages are an ‘inevitable consequence of an imperfect system’
When doctors and nurses are faced with a shortage of medically necessary drugs, they are forced to make challenging decisions about how to ration whatever they have left. FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb is looking to identify ways that the U.S. regulatory agency can help prevent and predict these shortages. In a statement this week, […]
EMA committee recommends approval for migraine prevention drug
Novartis (NYSE:NVS) said today that a committee for the European Medicines Agency has recommended that the regulatory agency approve Aimovig, a self-administered drug designed to prevent migraines in adults who have at least four migraine days each month. The drug is the first of a new class of medicines, called CGRP inhibitors. It’s a monoclonal antibody […]
Apotex recalls allergy nasal spray due to glass particles
Apotex yesterday issued a voluntary recall of one lot of fluticasone propionate allergy nasal spray devices, noting that they may contain small glass particles. The company first discovered the issue thanks to a customer complaint. The glass particles could block the device’s actuator, according to Apotex, and impact the pump’s functionality. The company’s sprays are used […]
Common Sensing, Flex partner to redesign digital insulin pen sensor
Common Sensing said today that it has enlisted design company Flex to help redesign its Gocap insulin pen device. Flex is tasked with finding materials to help extend the product’s battery life, as well as boost measurement accuracy and prepare for high volume manufacturing. Common Sensing’s Gocap device is designed to attach to existing injector pens and […]