The North American Spine Society Annual Meeting provided a positive view of one area in orthopedics that may be immune from the effects of widespread use of GLP-1 medications. Recent data indicates volumes and seasonality have finally recovered from pandemic impacts. Major trends discussed at the conference included expanded use of robotic systems, increased customization and adoption of augmented reality technology.
Recruitment underway for Toronto-based Vielight Inc. has commenced recruitment for a clinical trial in the U.S. to study how brain stimulation photobiomodulation (PBM) might mitigate long-term cognitive impairment from long Covid. The study intervention comes on the heels of Canadian approval of a device to treat the acute version of Covid, involving light emitting diodes (LEDs) placed inside the nasal cavity and on the chest to deliver near infrared (NIR) light to the body.
Venus Concept Inc. is undergoing a bit of nip and tuck in efforts to improve the company’s cash flow position and obtain long-term stability. As part of the reconfiguration, the company plans to shed 18% of its workforce with layoffs starting on Feb. 6. In Israel and North America. The executive leadership team also experienced some plumping and extraction.
858 Therapeutics Inc. emerged from stealth mode, unveiling $60 million in series A funding and plans to drug a series of protein targets involved in modulating RNA biology in cancer.
With the Americas having the dubious distinction of the most COVID-19 cases in the world, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is answering that “wake-up call” with plans to develop a collaborative platform to develop mRNA vaccine production in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Versant Ventures has closed three new funds with an aggregate raise of $950 million to allocate to the next wave of innovative startups across North America and Europe. The money is new, but everything else is more or less unchanged. “It’s the same strategy, same team, same geography, same operational model,” Versant chairman and managing director Brad Bolzon told BioWorld.
Boston Scientific Corp. has scooped up an approval from the U.S. FDA for the Ranger drug-coated balloon to help those with peripheral artery disease in the superficial femoral artery and proximal popliteal artery.
The U.S. FDA has given the green light to a new type of treatment to help smokers quit, clearing the way for the first time the use of deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (Deep TMS) for short-term smoking cessation in adults.
CAJICA, Colombia – A research team at the Autonomous University of Queretaro (UAQ), Mexico, is working to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, joining about 100 other teams working toward a similar goal. Unlike other teams, however, this one is being led by veterinarians.
LONDON – The COVID-19 outbreak appears to be sliding toward pandemic status, with the virus spreading to four more countries and confirmed cases and deaths mounting in infection hotspots in Italy, Iran and South Korea. Parts of northern Italy are in lockdown, with 200-plus cases and seven deaths. Austria and Switzerland are reported to be considering closing their borders with Italy, and the EU has responded with a €232 million (US$252 million) package of aid, including €90 million for development of a vaccine and €10 million for therapeutics and diagnostics.
RSS
