Medical Device Dailys

DxS Ltd. (Manchester, UK) has agreed to develop a diagnostic test device for Boehringer Ingelheim (BI; Ingelheim, Germany) to identify mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) for patients with lung cancer.

DxS EGFR companion diagnostic, a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay that detects mutations in the EGFR gene, will be designed as a companion test kit for BI's companion BIBW 2992 compound, branded as Tovok.

The DxS diagnostic is expected to be available in 3Q09 in time for Boehringer Ingelheim's multi-center Phase III clinical trial for Tovok.

BIBW 2992 is a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor that irreversibly blocks the EGFR /HER2 receptors that are believed to promote tumor growth.

Patients with mutations in the EGFR gene may be more likely to respond to a medication that targets these receptors, thereby allowing doctors to prescribe a more effective and individualized treatment.

Underscoring the theme of the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology being held in Orlando, Florida, this week, Manfred Haehl, senior vice president for medicine at BI, said, "Personalized medicine will play an important role in selecting the most effective treatment for patients with cancer and the collaboration agreement with DxS can expedite our efforts for patient selection and to help to maximise treatment outcome with our medication."

For 2008, BI reported net sales of EUR €11.6 billion ($16.35 billion) and spent 20% of net sales on research and development in its largest business segment, Prescription Medicines.

DxS in January expanded its sales and marketing support in North America to follow on an increasing demand for its tumour mutation detection tests.

Covidien changing corporate domicile to Ireland

Covidien Ltd.'s shareholders voted Thursday to approve a plan to change the company's place of incorporation from Bermuda to Ireland.

Covidien cited tax and legislative reasons for wanting to move the country of incorporation.

The company pointed to the "possible adoption of various legislative and regulatory proposals in the United States" including "proposals introduced in the U.S. to limit tax treaty benefits to companies that are domiciled and tax resident in countries that do not have tax treaties with the U.S., and potential federal and state legislative proposals that would deny government contracts to such companies."

Covidien said, "If enacted, we determined that these proposals, due to their potentially wide-ranging scope, could have a material and adverse impact on the company and its shareholders."

Assuming receipt of the required approval from the Supreme Court of Bermuda, which the company said it expects to obtain at a Thursday hearing, and the satisfaction of certain other conditions, Covidien expects that the transaction will be completed on that date.

Following completion of the transaction, shares of the Irish company, Covidien plc, will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange on June 5, 2009, under the symbol "COV," the same symbol under which Covidien Ltd. shares currently trade.

Covidien said it selected Ireland because it has conducted business there for nearly 30 years and has six facilities and 2,000 employees in that country. The company also liked that Ireland "enjoys strong relationships as a member of the European Union," and that it's an English-speaking nation.

Covidien, formerly known as Tyco Healthcare, was spun off from Tyco International in 2007.

The company had 2008 revenues of nearly $10 billion and has more than 41,000 employees worldwide.

Med-tech industry congresses scheduled

Two med-tech industry congresses are scheduled in Europe this fall.

Compamed 2009, High-Tech Solutions for Medical Technology, which will take place at the fairgrounds in D sseldorf, Germany, from Nov. 18-20. An expected 500 exhibitors from 30 countries will present a spectrum of high-tech solutions for use in the medical technology industry.

Compamed 2009 will be held concurrently with MEDICA, the world's largest medical trade fair

Exhibit categories at Compamed 2009 will include components, parts, clean room equipment, instrumentation control and quality control, laboratory equipment, manufacturing equipment and services as well as raw and semi-finished materials, molding and extrusion, packaging, labeling, printing, bar coding, sterilization and tubing.

A special feature at Compamed will be the U.S. Pavilion, organized by MEDICA/Compamed organizer Messe D sseldorf North America. This U.S. group exhibit provides a cost-effective means for companies to enter into or to expand their business in the lucrative overseas marketplace.

Also scheduled for this fall is the 9th MedTech Investing Europe Conference will be held Oct. 5-6 at The King's Fund in London.

Sponsored by Campden Conference, the event will bring together European med-tech companies and investors from around the world. The two-day gathering will provide a selection of more than 35 company presentations, panel discussions and roundtable sessions focused on addressing major issues facing the med-tech industry today.

London Fire Department order for Draeger

The London Fire Department has placed a major order with Draeger (Telford, Pennsylvania) for both breathing apparatus and monitoring systems. The order also reflects a commitment on behalf of both parties to work together to ensure even greater protection for England's largest fire service.

The order includes Draeger PSS 7000 Breathing Apparatus sets, together with FPS 7000 Face Masks, PSS Bodyguard 7000 electronic monitoring systems and PSS Merlin Telemetry boards. The new equipment is expected to be available by January 2011.