With aging populations and more sophisticated markets growing in the Asia Pacific region, multinational corporations including Medtronic plc and Olympus Corp. are tapping digitalization, robotics and innovation platforms to seek med-tech solutions.

Venus Medtech (Hangzhou) Inc. reported it has acquired 100% equity interest and corresponding equity in Cardiovalve Ltd. for $300 million. Or Yehuda, Israel-based Cardiovalve produces the Cardiovalve system, a transcatheter interventional replacement product for mitral or tricuspid regurgitation.

Easyendo Surgical Inc. has won the South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety’s (MFDS) latest breakthrough device designation for its robotized ureteroscope. The device, currently known as Easyuretero, is the first of its type to be developed in South Korea. The next goal for Easyendo will be regulatory approval, said the MFDS. Daejeon, South Korea-based Easyendo is already working towards winning that approval. “We are now preparing to start clinical trials in South Korea, and discussing the start date and scope of the trials with MFDS,” an Easyendo spokesperson told BioWorld.

With large amounts of cash in hand from exponentially higher sales related to COVID-19, some Chinese med-tech companies are now implementing plans to continue growing in a post-pandemic world.

PERTH, Australia – Health care artificial intelligence (AI) company Harrison.ai has raised AU$129 million (US$97 million) in a series B round that will expand the company’s global footprint by commercializing its comprehensive clinical AI applications.

PERTH, Australia – Medtech newcomer Artrya Ltd. listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in an AU$40 million (US$28.6 million) initial public offering to commercialize its software that analyzes heart computed tomography (CT) scans via artificial intelligence (AI) to better diagnose coronary artery disease.

PERTH, Australia – Six classes of medical devices listed on Australia’s Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) fall under new classification requirements on Nov. 25, 2021, following numerous consultations with industry. The consultations were part of the Australian government’s plans to overhaul its medical device regulations to be more in line with the European Medical Device Regulation (MDR).

Lunit Inc. has raised $61 million in a fundraising round, getting it closer to its planned list on South Korea’s Kosdaq. “We will use these funds as working capital to research and develop artificial intelligence (AI) products, as well as developing our global market,” a Lunit spokesperson told BioWorld. Seoul, South Korea-based Lunit secured new investors for this round, including U.S. life science investors Healthquest Capital, Casdin Capital LLC, and The American Cancer Society’s Brightedge fund. Asia Pacific-based global health care investors included Tybourne Capital Management Ltd. and NSG Ventures Pte. Ltd.

PERTH, Australia – Australian health technology company Planet Innovation is expanding its footprint into the U.S. with the acquisition of the North American operations of Germany’s medical device manufacturer BIT Analytical Instruments GmbH.

PERTH, Australia – Medical device and analytics company Trajan Group Holdings Ltd. has acquired the business and manufacturing facilities of Axel Semrau GmbH & Co., based in Sprockhövel, Germany, for AU$26 million (US$18.7 million), expanding the company’s global operations. Axel Semrau develops and manufactures laboratory automation and chromatography software and detection systems. The acquisition is the company’s most significant to date and broadens the company’s manufacturing base in Europe, Trajan founder and CEO Stephen Tomisich told BioWorld.