Heart failure still remains a leading cause of death worldwide. Improving risk stratification and prognostic analysis tools is required to aid in the management of the disease.

Biobeat Technologies Ltd. expanded its U.S. FDA-cleared remote patient monitoring offerings with a double nod from the agency for its sensors to monitor stroke volume and cardiac output. The two new indications join its capabilities for measuring the five vital signs assessed in any medical visit—blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, pulse rate, respiratory rate and body temperature—all of which can be done using photoplethysmography (PPG) on sensors embedded on either a short-term chest patch or a more durable wrist monitor.

An analysis of more than 1,000 small molecules has identified dozens of compounds that could be effective to treat Marfan syndrome (MFS), an inherited disorder affecting connective tissue, primarily in the heart and blood vessels, the skeleton, and the eyes. In particular, the researchers from Cambridge University found that glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) could be a target to develop new therapies based on its inhibition.

Shockwave Medical Inc. will acquire Neovasc Inc. for just under $108 million, if all terms of the deal are met. Shockwave will pay $27.25 in cash for each of Neovasc’s 2.71 million outstanding shares or approximately $73.78 million at close. Shockwave said the offer corresponds to an enterprise value of $100 million. Neovasc could receive an additional payment of up to $47 million, if the company’s Reducer system for refractory angina obtains U.S. FDA marketing approval within a specified time frame.

Researchers from Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica and affiliated organizations recently reported the synthesis and evaluation of novel α-pyrone III derivatives as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Rocket Pharmaceuticals Inc. has added RP-A601 to its cardiac gene therapy portfolio for the treatment of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy due to plakophilin 2 pathogenic variants (PKP2-ACM).

New research published in BMJ Open claims there are inconsistencies in Amgen Inc.’s phase III Fourier study for cholesterol lowering. Cardiac deaths were numerically higher in those taking the PCSK9 inhibitor Repatha (evolocumab) combined with a statin than those in the placebo group, the research noted.