Despite the approval of dozens of antidepression medications, an estimated 30% of individuals who experience major depressive disorder (MDD) fail to respond to treatment despite repeated trials. As about one in eight individuals will experience MDD in their lifetime, investors and researchers have leapt into the gap to find and fund better ways to match treatment to patients, develop non-pharmacological therapies and improve outcomes.

Neuralace Medical Inc. tied up a second U.S. FDA clearance for its Axon therapy, adding painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) to the chronic nerve pain indication it received in 2021. An ‘electroceutical’ device, Axon employs non-invasive magnetic peripheral nerve stimulation (mPNS) to provide relief without leads, injections or implants.

Pearsanta Inc., a subsidiary of Aditxt Inc. formed in Feb. 2023, acquired MDNA Life Sciences Inc. for $25 million in stock, marking Aditxt’s second deal announced in a month. The company moved into the women’s health market with the $100 million planned acquisition of Evofem Biosciences Inc., maker of the contraceptive gel Phexxi, which it reported on Dec. 12. The deals show boldness on the part of Aditxt’s management team as the company just announced it regained compliance with Nasdaq’s continued listing rule for minimum stockholder’s equity on Jan. 2.

Abbott Laboratories received U.S. FDA approval for its Liberta RC deep brain stimulation (DBS) system for use in movement disorders, less than two weeks after the agency gave its nod to Medtronic’s Percept RC DBS system. The news come on the heels of Abbott’s release of strong fourth quarter results on Wednesday.

Invitae Corp. continued its aggressive cost-cutting initiative with the sale of its reproductive health assets to Natera Inc. for $10 million in upfront cash and an additional $42.5 million in potential milestone payments and litigation credits. The assets include screening tests for carrier status and non-invasive prenatal screening.

In a boon to older women worldwide, Bone Health Technologies Inc. received U.S. FDA clearance for its Osteoboost device, which reduces loss of bone strength in postmenopausal women. It is the first device cleared for intervention to slow loss of bone density or osteopenia before it advances to osteoporosis.

In a potential godsend for women struggling with infertility and painful periods, Hera Biotech Inc. acquired the endometriosis diagnostic assets of Scailyte AG, consolidating the two leading tissue-based diagnostic programs for the disease. The combination of the companies’ non-surgical diagnostic options could significantly speed time to treatment for millions of women, who on average spend 10 years in search of the cause of chronic pelvic pain before being diagnosed with endometriosis.

Dermasensor Inc. received U.S. FDA clearance for its non-invasive skin cancer evaluation device that provides quantitative identification of all skin cancer types at the point of care and within seconds. The point-and-click device is designed to facilitate detection of skin cancers by primary care physicians (PCPs) and speed the time to diagnosis and treatment.

Investors bailed on many med-tech companies last year, fearing that the frenzy surrounding GLP-1 agonists would tank companies in the weight-loss, diabetes and orthopedics segments. Their concerns now appear overblown in many instances, with some of the most directly affected businesses reporting a “rising tide” associated with an increased focus on obesity treatment that has lifted their boats rather than sinking them.

Veracyte Inc. revealed plans to buy C2i Genomics Inc. at the J.P. Morgan Health Care Conference in San Francisco on Jan. 8, a move that will significantly expand its portfolio of cancer diagnostic and monitoring assays. The terms include $70 million in Veracyte shares to be paid at closing plus an addition $25 million payable in cash or Veracyte shares over the next two years if C2i achieves certain performance milestones.