Lexagene Holdings Inc. has successfully configured its Miqlab system to detect the U.K. and South African variants of SARS-CoV-2. The open-access point-of-care system can simultaneously screen for multiple respiratory pathogens and identify COVID-19 strains. Lexagene started studies to support its filing for U.S. FDA emergency use authorization (EUA) in late December 2020. If authorized, it would be the first open-access point-of-care (POC) device to gain an EUA.
Patensee Ltd. initiated a first-in-human trial of its machine vision-based surveillance system for stenosis in hemodialysis patients. The trial will evaluate the imaging system's ability to perform contact-free surveillance of the access points or fistulas essential for dialysis, which nearly all narrow or become blocked over time. The surveillance system aims to mimic the central components of a dialysis nurse's exam using technology.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) have taken wearables to a new level with a soft skin patch that integrates functions currently siloed in continuous glucose monitors, wearables, wellness apps and hospital monitors. The all-in-one patch can be worn on the neck to continuously track blood pressure, heart rate, glucose, lactate, alcohol and caffeine.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have implanted brain electrodes in a patient who suffered a subcortical ischemic stroke more than a year ago to help them overcome abnormal muscle tone and control a robotic arm brace. Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms interpret neuronal signals recorded by the electrodes into movement of the brace.
Cardiacsense Ltd.’s medical watch received CE mark for the detection of atrial fibrillation and heart rate variability monitoring. The watch provides continuous, long-term monitoring of heart arrhythmias without cumbersome external devices or invasive implants. The European clearance does not require a prescription for use and will enable the Caesarea, Israel-based company to begin distribution under a number of agreements the company signed in 2020.
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. is looking to lessons from tuberculosis and smallpox to guide its future in infectious diseases. The company is developing an intradermal skin test like that used for TB to measure T-cell immunity to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. It also has three vaccines in development for COVID-19 that rely on horsepox, likely the form of vaccinia used by Edward Jenner to create the smallpox vaccine.
An artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm developed by Geisinger researchers that uses echocardiogram videos predicted all-cause mortality at one year more accurately than three out of four expert cardiologists and other predictors commonly used in clinical practice, a study in Nature Biomedical Engineering demonstrated.
By mid-January 2021, the U.K., South Africa and Brazil had confirmed that “variants of concern” were driving massive surges in COVID-19 cases in their countries. Once alerted, other nations found these troubling strains rapidly multiplying within their populations as well. At the time, the world had reported 90 million cases, creating abundant opportunities for the coronavirus to mutate. Of those cases, the virus in just 360,000 had been sequenced – and nearly all of them from just a handful of countries.
Personal Genome Diagnostics Inc. (PGDx) secured $103 million in a series C fundraising round led by Cowen Healthcare Investments and other stars of the med-tech investment world. Participants included Northpond Ventures, Vensana Capital, Rock Springs Capital, Kern Capital, Sands Capital, PFM Health Sciences, Windham Ventures, New Enterprise Associates, Innovatus Capital Partners, Catalio Capital Management, and others.
Ascendum Capital, a health care-focused investment platform founded in 2020, acquired the majority of the shares of a developer of a disposable robotic system designed to navigate tricky vascular passages for an undisclosed amount. Yehuda, Israel-based Endoways Ltd. developed the technology in the Medx Xelerator and will move to Dinova Medtech’s Israeli incubator until its catheter laboratory-focused robot launches for commercial use.
