A quiet six months for device approvals
The second half of 2019 saw half as many innovative medical devices approved as the first.
Last-ditch rally saves 2019 float tally
A stock market rebound created a strong finish for biopharma flotations in 2019, with four $100m-plus floats, led by Phathom Pharmaceuticals.
Nektar’s clearing event clears away $500m
As a US adcom gives the strongest possible indication that oxycodegol won’t be approved, Nektar’s valuation loses 11%.
Medtech
Bioresorbable scaffolds flounder as Reva heads to bankruptcy
With Reva, Amaranth and Abbott out of the game, the pool of dissolving scaffold makers is shrinking.
A quiet six months for device approvals
The second half of 2019 saw half as many innovative medical devices approved as the first.
Mixed fortunes greet listing medtechs
The device sector enjoyed a mid-year IPO bonanza, but after getting away the class of 2019 had a torrid time.
Company Events
Novo Nordisk’s quiet entry into the year of Alzheimer’s
An upcoming study could show whether diabetes drugs like Novo’s Victoza might have an effect on slowing cognitive decline.
The joker in Exelixis and Bristol’s kidney cancer pack
The first-line Checkmate-9ER study will read out soon, and could show whether two arch rivals can together defeat a common enemy.
The first test of Spectrum’s shift
By the end of December poziotinib will deliver results that could justify the strategic refocusing Spectrum undertook this year.
Interviews
Avatera Medical becomes the newest robotic surgery group in Europe
The German start-up must navigate the hazards that have felled other surgical robot developers while simultaneously dealing with a more crowded market.
Keeping corporations healthy is good business for Livongo
Livongo Health, which launched a highly successful IPO in July, claims to be one of the fastest-growing companies in Silicon Valley. Can it keep investors happy as growth…
Allogene and the need for a reliable cell source
A recent technology deal with Notch points to a problem that all allogeneic cell therapy players might sooner or later have to tackle.