Myriad Genetics Inc. is launching a new suite of genetic tests designed for personalizing chemotherapy treatment. The Precise oncology offering includes Myriad’s precise tumor molecular profile test and two companion diagnostic tests, Mychoice CDx and Bracanalysis CDx. The company said the combination of germline, somatic and companion testing aims to maximize information for oncologists as they assign individual treatment plans. Results from each test are gathered as a single report accessed on an online portal.
Norwegian diagnostics company Cardinor AS landed a CE mark for its Secretoneurin (SN) ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). The blood-based test detects SN, a small 33-amino acid neuropeptide produced by neuroendocrine and heart muscle cells. Studies have shown the biomarker is a predictor of mortality in major patient cohorts, including ventricular arrhythmia, acute heart failure, acute respiratory failure patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and severe sepsis.
The FDA has cleared a plasma collection device developed by Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies (Terumo BCT) and plasma collection network CSL Plasma. The companies, which are subsidiaries of Terumo Corp. and CSL Ltd., signed a collaboration deal in 2021 to develop the new Rika device for CSL Plasma collection centers. The automated technology is designed to reduce plasma collection time to 35 minutes or less. According to the Red Cross, plasma donations currently take on average about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Musculoskeletal (MSK) care company Sword Health Inc. has released a new digital therapy focused on pelvic pain and postpartum recovery. The Bloom sensor tracks and measures the pressure of the pelvic floor, with real-time feedback provided via an app. The technology then combines with clinical guidance from pelvic health specialists to help women create personalized exercise programs.
Sense Biodetection Ltd. is preparing to launch a new rapid, disposable, point-of-care molecular diagnostic test for COVID-19 in Europe after securing CE marking for the platform. The company will make its Veros COVID-19 test available in Ireland, Benelux and Nordic countries this quarter before expanding to other European markets.
As conflict escalates and medical supplies dwindle, Ukrainians are urging the international health care community to send medical equipment and medication. In a webinar, a panel of speakers discussed which medical supplies are desperately needed to address the growing humanitarian crisis. Anna Levchuk, vice president of market access, commercialization and health care at Clarivate and a member of the supervisory board for Medical Procurement of Ukraine, moderated the panel.
Investors are backing precision medicine company Cancer IQ Inc. with $14 million to expand use of its cancer prevention platform. The series B funds will be used to scale the company’s cancer screening service among diverse, uninsured, and rural populations in the U.S.
Lumithera Inc. has completed the acquisition of Diopsys Inc. to expand its footprint of ocular disease care. Under the terms of the agreement, Pine Brook, N.J.-based Diopsys is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Poulsbo, Wash.-based Lumithera, with its electroretinography technology adding to Lumithera’s photobiomodulation (PBM) Valeda light delivery system for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) treatment.
A thin film electrode platform technology developed by Neuroone Medical Technologies Corp. could be used to treat chronic back pain according to new tests. Eden Prairie, Minn.-based Neuroone said it concluded initial testing that demonstrate the electrode could provide chronic stimulation at typical stimulation parameters currently used to treat patients suffering with chronic back pain due to multiple failed back surgeries.
A Seattle-based startup has secured breakthrough device designation for its blood-based Alzheimer’s disease (AD) test. Altpep Corp.’s Soba-AD platform is designed to selectively detect toxic forms of amyloid-beta peptide associated with AD progression. The company said early data indicated the assay can detect AD before symptoms including cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration arise.
