Abbvie Inc. and Istar Medical SA inked a deal to develop and commercialize Istar’s Miniject device to treat patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. The minimally invasive glaucoma surgical (MIGS) device won CE mark approval in November and has been available in some European countries since early 2022.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is continuing a streak of investments in the med-tech space, signing a €20 million (US$22 million) loan agreement with Midiagnostics NV, to scale-up a new rapid COVID-19 PCR test. Leuven, Belgium-based Midiagnostics is developing a rapid PCR test for SARS-CoV-2, which can achieve an accuracy speed 20 times faster than classic PCR machines. A nasopharyngeal swab sample is transferred on a PCR testcard, from which the results are read by a compact reader. Pilot programs for the test began at Brussels Airport this month, with a market launch pegged for Spring 2022.

LONDON – The first commercial implantations of Istar Medical SA’s minimally invasive Miniject supraciliary glaucoma drainage device have taken place in Germany, following European CE approval for the product.

Istar Medical SA, which is focused on minimally invasive ophthalmic implants for the treatment of glaucoma patients, revealed positive one-year results from the European STAR-II clinical trial of its micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) device, Miniject.