Executive of the Year: Doug Bryant, Quidel

The veteran of Abbott has been at the helm for nearly 12 years, setting the company up for opportunities when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020 to leverage its point-of-care antigen testing.

By Greg Slabodkin • Dec. 9, 2020

Regulatory Disruption of the Year: HHS lab developed test policy

The surprise move to no longer require FDA premarket review for laboratory developed tests spurred backlash across a spectrum of public health experts and industry.

By Greg Slabodkin • Dec. 9, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Medical device industry continues to turn to AI

While the industry continues to embrace artificial intelligence, there are still questions about how the new technologies need to be regulated and if they are effective.

By MedTech Dive staff

The MedTech Dive Awards for 2020

From the relentless demand for COVID-19 tests to the pressure on medtechs' traditional business lines, the industry has faced unprecedented market forces this year.

By MedTech Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

Quest gets first FDA nod for at-home collection coronavirus-flu combo test

The lab giant is using Roche’s diagnostic and instrument, which received an emergency use authorization in September, with its own process for testing samples collected by consumers.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Dec. 7, 2020

Olympus to pay $300M to buy Veran for lung navigation system

The deal is for $300 million up front, with another $40 million tied to an undisclosed milestone.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Dec. 7, 2020

Siemens COVID-19 test gets high marks on FDA sensitivity list, beating Abbott, BD and Roche

A PerkinElmer test still holds the top position among coronavirus diagnostics least likely to return false negatives.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Dec. 4, 2020

CDRH headed for 'reset' in 2021 after COVID-19 derailed priorities, Shuren says

After a "massive increase" in work due to the pandemic, the device center anticipates continuing to manage coronavirus projects while also focusing on MDUFA V and new programs.

By Ricky Zipp • Dec. 3, 2020

EU underscores remote notified body audit policy amid pandemic

MedTech Europe has pressed the Commission to expand such reviews to the incoming MDR and IVDR regs, but a new Q&A notes the scope is limited to the directives and devices considered "clinically necessary" during the crisis.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Dec. 3, 2020

Everlywell raises $175M to expand at-home health testing, virtual care services

The startup was first to win FDA emergency approval for a COVID-19 test self-collection kit. Sales of most tests are growing more than 100% year over year, driven by deals with Target, Walgreens and CVS, though competition is rising.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Dec. 3, 2020

Fitbit data suggests potential for early COVID-19 detection using wearables

While the algorithm would generate far more false than true positives even when prevalence is high, researchers argue it could encourage more testing and precautions. The results have yet to be validated in a prospective study.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Dec. 1, 2020

Grail inks commercial pact with UK government for multi-cancer blood test

As competition mounts among liquid biopsy developers, the agreement gives Illumina target Grail the chance to validate its early detection tool in the real world and potentially secure access to the broader U.K. market.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Nov. 30, 2020

IVDR notified body count inches up to 5 with TÜV Rheinland designation

The medtech notified bodies trade group urged swift action on potentially delaying the start date for the In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation if designations don't more than double by year's end.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Updated Nov. 30, 2020

Hospitals adopt new round of elective surgery restrictions, brace for Thanksgiving COVID-19 surge

The American College of Surgeons is among those placing new emphasis on factoring healthcare worker wellbeing into capacity decisions.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 25, 2020

Breast cancer tech among FDA's latest breakthrough nods

Over the past month, designations for speedier review have also ranged from a migraine treatment to tissue regeneration tech for spinal cord injuries.

By Susan Kelly • Nov. 24, 2020

MedTech Europe backs proposed EU Health Union but flags potential hangups

The trade group fears moving responsibility for administering the IVDR and MDR expert panels to the European Medicines Agency could slow deployment.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Nov. 20, 2020

Notified bodies report early success with remote audits but challenges remain

While there have been benefits to going remote during the pandemic, 57% of those polled by a European trade group say they take longer than on-site assessments and most encounter problems due to poor network connections.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Nov. 20, 2020

HHS piloting Cue's NBA-tested rapid COVID-19 diagnostic in 5 states

Unlike lab-based molecular tests, which can take two to three days to turn around, Cue Health's point-of-care molecular test generates results in about 20 minutes.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 19, 2020

Health insurers, labs point fingers over COVID-19 test coverage and prices

An AHIP study of claims data is the latest volley in a debate about who ultimately foots the bill for coronavirus diagnostics. ACLA blames "murky" tri-agency guidance for coverage denials and high out-of-pocket costs. 

By Nick Paul Taylor , Greg Slabodkin • Nov. 19, 2020

FDA OKs first fully at-home COVID-19 test as US cases surge

An emergency use authorization to biotech Lucira Health comes as some experts say the tests could help significantly boost capacity. Others say that's a long way off, and call for more guidance from regulators on proper use.

By Greg Slabodkin • Nov. 18, 2020

In shift, FDA ordered to provide 'timely' EUA reviews for COVID-19 lab developed tests

Testing czar Brett Giroir has reversed FDA's decision to no longer review emergency use authorization requests for LDTs so that university labs can secure EUAs and get liability protection under the PREP Act.

By Greg Slabodkin • Nov. 17, 2020

EU regulators provide 7 rules for classifying diagnostics under IVDR

The European Commission's Medical Device Coordination Group placed IVDs into different risk categories based on how they will be used. Only one class can be self-certified.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Nov. 16, 2020

Labs face COVID-19 surges, warn of test result delays as CMS pay cuts loom

The American Clinical Laboratory Association sounded an alarm over nationwide capacity constraints, which may increase average time to results.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 13, 2020

Quidel on defense after COVID-19 vaccine spurs questions of reduced testing demand

The company's stock has been under pressure following positive vaccine results. CEO Doug Bryant argued Thursday the demand for tests is "endless."

By Greg Slabodkin • Nov. 13, 2020

3 ways Biden's COVID-19 approach could impact medtech

A new administration — regardless of who's in power — means device makers can anticipate shifts at key government agencies like the FDA.

By Maria Rachal , Greg Slabodkin • Nov. 12, 2020

Qiagen seeks EUA for COVID-19 antigen test aiming for positive results in 2 minutes

The company claims 90% sensitivity, whereas other antigen tests sold by Abbott, Roche and Quidel have reported sensitivities of around 97%.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Nov. 12, 2020