Top Story

• Mercator gains EU approval for micro-infusion catheters
  Mercator MedSystems has earned the CE mark to market its Cricket and Bullfrog micro-infusion catheters in Europe. The devices already have U.S. approval. The devices are used to deliver drugs straight to deep tissue through blood vessel walls, keeps the injected agent from spreading throughout the body while also allowing for a high concentration near the targeted area. MedGadget.com (3/1)     

Asian Cancer Market Set to Grow Along with Increased Disease Rates

Rates of cancer have risen dramatically in Asia, where more than six million people are diagnosed with the disease every year. That number now accounts for 50% of new global cases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the occurrence of cancer in India and China is set to climb to at a rate of 78% from now through 2030. Find out the details.

Business & Market Trends

• QuantuMDx announces acquisition of ID testing company
  QuantuMDx has agreed to pay an undisclosed sum to acquire NorthGene, a U.K.-based firm specializing in identity testing. As part of the deal, QuantuMDx aims to expand NorthGene's DNA analysis services and test offerings that could have applications in medical, veterinary and scientific research. GenomeWeb Daily News (free registration) (3/1)     

• Alere receives $42.2M boost from Gates Foundation
  Alere will use as much as $21.6 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to develop tools for tuberculosis testing. The firm also will get loans worth up to $20.6 million to increase its manufacturing capacity in Germany for point-of-care tests of TB and HIV viral loads. GenomeWeb Daily News (free registration) (3/1)     

• NeoGenomics hopes to raise $7.8 million from stock sale
  NeoGenomics seeks to obtain net proceeds of $7.8 million from a public offering of its company stock. The Ft. Myers, Fla.-based company, which focuses on cancer genetic screening, will use the proceeds to support its operating needs and other functions. GenomeWeb Daily News (free registration) (2/28)     

International Developments

• Global MRI market could hit $6B in five years, report says
  ReportsnReports forecasts that by 2018, the global market for MRI scanners will be valued at $6 billion, with the U.S. market expected to account for $2.1 billion. The report notes that this growth will be driven by technological developments, more clinical software being made available and the arrival of MRI-safe pacemakers, among other factors. AuntMinnie.com (free registration) (3/1)     

• Strong growth is expected for Nigerian laboratory test market
  Spectaris reports that the laboratory test market in Nigeria is poised for further growth after increasing more than 8% to $56 million in 2011. The German industry group attributes this growth to the rising local demand for advanced testing tools that are faster, more reliable and more effective. Clinica (subscription required) (3/1)     

Science & Health

• Trial compares heart implant, warfarin for AF patients
  In patients with atrial fibrillation, Boston Scientific's Watchman heart implant performed better than the anticoagulant warfarin in terms of quality-of-life indicators after one year, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The study, however, also found that patients who had the implant had a higher risk for serious bleeding. MassDevice.com (Boston) (2/28)     

Emerging Technologies

• Advanced tumor-targeting device from Elekta is released
  Elekta has announced the release of its Versa HD system, an advanced linear accelerator with high-precision tumor-targeting and beam-shaping capabilities. The device is intended to provide specialized treatments that call for tumor-targeting precision, as well as traditional therapies for various tumors in all areas of the body. AuntMinnie.com (free registration) (3/1)     

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by AdvaMed SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• JNJ, Medtronic top list of best medical device companies to work for (MassDevice.com (Boston))

• Quest to divest HemoCue diagnostic biz for about $300 million (RTT News)

• Bausch + Lomb wins FDA date for vision-correcting implant (MassDevice.com (Boston))

• Argentina enacts updated medical device regulations (MassDevice.com (Boston))

• FDA guidance aims to clarify device enhancements, recalls (MassDevice.com (Boston))

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

Government & Regulatory

• AdvaMed CEO raises concerns over fallout from sequestration
  The FDA's budget and the user fees paid by the medtech industry will be affected by the automatic budget cuts known as sequestration, said AdvaMed President Stephen Ubl, who adds that his group is working to make a case about the adverse effects of those cuts. Ubl also expressed concern that political distractions are complicating industry efforts to strike down the medical device tax. "It clearly makes it harder to focus individual members [of Congress] on the harmful impacts of the tax," he said, "[But] I think we’re off to a very strong start this year." Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) (3/2)     

• FDA examines complications tied to Intuitive's surgical robot
  The FDA reportedly is conducting a survey on complications experienced by doctors in using Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci surgical robot after receiving increased incident reports tied to the device. Doctors in the survey also were asked about the training they obtained in using the technology as well as about procedures that may or may not be ideal for the device. MassDevice.com (Boston) (3/1)     

AdvaMed News

• Medical Device Tax Workshop
  Wednesday, March 13 -- Thursday, March 14
  Sheraton Crystal City, Arlington, Va.
  Join tax professionals in discussing how to implement the new medical device 2.3% excise tax. Medical device tax experts discuss how to implement these tax changes. Interact in educational sessions and collaborative lessons, and discuss with other industry affiliates concerns with the medical device excise tax. Medical device tax leaders navigate you through these tax changes by identifying key issues such as: identifying taxable medical devices; taxable and non-taxable uses; combination products; bundled services; exemptions; reporting; exclusions; rebates; payment; penalties; accounting systems; and ruling guidance. Visit MTLI online for more information.     

• Join the AdvaMed-MTLI LinkedIn group!
  Build close relationships with member companies, both small and large, and receive an intimate understanding of the key issues affecting innovation, access and the bottom line. Interact in discussions that leverage the leadership and expertise of the medical technology industry. This social group is full of key stakeholders, influencers and industry thought leaders as well as regulatory and policy experts from the FDA and CMS. Aside from practical learning opportunities, this LinkedIn group provides the premier opportunity to network with key players from virtually every aspect of the industry. Link to the AdvaMed MTLI LinkedIn group page.     

Position Title Company Name Location Sales Area Manager/Sales Rep of Neurovascular Intervention Products Asahi Intecc USA, Inc. Any location in US, CA Compliance Consultant 2 DJO Global Vista, CA Accreditation Manager American Association of Tissue Banks McLean, VA REGULATORY AFFAIRS SPECIALIST Masimo Corporation Irvine, CA Director, Health Care Compliance RTI Biologics Alachua, FL Manager, HCL Regulatory & Quality Compliance Owens & Minor Louisville, KY Director of Global Infrastructure - 002196 Edwards Lifesciences Irvine, CA DIR OPERATIONS, Milpitas Site - 130000007R Abbott San Jose, CA Engineer, Process Development ArthroCare Corporation Irvine, CA Biostatistician - Post Market Surveillance Johnson & Johnson Raynham, MA Legal Counsel II Medtronic, Inc. Minneapolis, MN or Washington, DC, United States

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SmartQuote

The man who insists upon seeing with perfect clearness before he decides, never decides. Accept life, and you must accept regret." --Henri Frédéric Amiel, Swiss philosopher, poet and critic