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It's In the News.. a look at the top headlines and stories in the diabetes community. This week's top stories: CRISPR modified cell transplant for type 1, risk of T1D if parent has a different type of diabetes, Metformin and the brain, oral GLP-1, and more! Find out more about Moms' Night Out Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible! Learn more about Gvoke Glucagon Gvoke HypoPen® (glucagon injection): Glucagon Injection For Very Low Blood Sugar (gvokeglucagon.com) Omnipod - Simplify Life Learn about Dexcom Check out VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter: Sign up for our newsletter here Here's where to find us: Facebook (Group) Facebook (Page) Instagram Twitter Check out Stacey's books! Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com Reach out with questions or comments: info@diabetes-connections.com Episode transcription with links: Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I'm Stacey Simms and every other Friday I bring you a short episode with the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now. XX A 42-year-old man who has lived most of his life with type 1 diabetes has become the first human to receive a transplant of genetically modified insulin-producing cells. This marks the first pancreatic cell transplant in a human to sidestep the need for immunosuppressant drugs. “This is the most exciting moment of my scientific career,” says cell biologist Per-Ola Carlsson of Uppsala University in Sweden, who helped develop the procedure. The new treatment, he says, “opens the future possibility of treating not only diabetes but other autoimmune diseases.” This procedure uses the gene editing technique, CRISPR, to discourage the auto immune attack on the donor cells. Before the transplant, the participant had no measurable naturally produced insulin and was receiving daily doses of the hormone. But within four to 12 weeks following the transplant, his levels rose slightly on their own after meals—showing that the new beta cells were releasing some insulin in response to glucose. even though the new study is promising, it involved just one participant and is therefore preliminary. And longer-term monitoring is needed to confirm the therapy's safety before it can be offered to more people. She also notes that the injected cells produced only 7 percent of the insulin needed for a person to be fully independent of additional medication. The researchers supplied the recipient with insulin doses to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. While Herold thinks it's still too early to consider this approach for a cure, “these options are now here to change the disease in ways that have never been possible before,” he says. “There's tremendous hope.” https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/type-1-diabetes-patients-insulin-production-restored-with-new-cell/ XX This one is interesting… a recent study shows that children of mothers with gestational diabetes or fathers with type 2 diabetes have higher chances of developing type 1 diabetes than kids whose parents do not have any type of diabetes. Specifically, the study found that children whose mothers had gestational diabetes during pregnancy were 94% more likely to develop type 1 diabetes compared to children of mothers without diabetes. Similarly, having a father with type 2 diabetes was linked to a 77% higher risk. The study also suggests a possible link between maternal type 2 diabetes and type 1 diabetes in children, although more data are needed to confirm whether the risk is real. "What is interesting is that type 1 diabetes is a disease of lack of the hormone insulin while gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes stem mostly from the body's resistance to the hormone. What may be happening is that genes, environments and behaviors that create insulin resistance may also, in some cases, trigger the immune reactions that lead to type 1 diabetes," adds Dr. Dasgupta. A 2019 meta-analysis by researchers at Soochow University in China found that gestational diabetes was linked to a 66% higher risk of type 1 diabetes in children. This new study, which includes more than twice as many studies, offers a robust synthesis of current evidence and shows the risk is even greater than previously estimated. It is also the first meta-analysis to examine the link between paternal type 2 diabetes and type 1 diabetes in offspring. "Several mechanisms may be at play. Families often share lifestyle and eating habits, which can raise the likelihood that children will be affected. But beyond that, high blood sugar levels may also cause biological changes in parents that could increase their children's risk of developing type 1 diabetes," explains Laura Rendon, co-first author of the study, who completed an MSc in experimental medicine at The Institute and, as someone living with type 1 diabetes herself, finds deep personal meaning in conducting this research. For instance, the authors suggest that high blood sugar during pregnancy may stress the fetus's insulin-producing beta cells, reducing their number at birth or making them more vulnerable to damage later in life. It may also trigger epigenetic changes—modifications to proteins and molecules attached to DNA—that increase the risk. Likewise, high blood sugar in fathers with type 2 diabetes may cause epigenetic changes in their sperm, potentially influencing their child's risk of developing type 1 diabetes. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-diabetes-children-linked-parents.html XX Can a CGM help you lose weight? The company Signos is banking on it – the just got FDA approval for their system, which uses the over the counter Dexcom Stelo. The claim here is that the system will help track how food choices, activity, stress and sleep can all affect metabolism. Signos also works in partnership with the digital nutrition counseling startup Nourish. It currently offers a quarterly subscription plan, including six CGM sensors, for $139 per month. And they tell you don't take any medical actions based on the app's output without consulting a physician. https://www.fiercebiotech.com/medtech/fda-clears-signos-over-counter-cgm-powered-weight-loss-app XX Good news for T1D1, a free mobile app that helps people calculate insulin doses, track daily data, and share insights with healthcare providers. After being pulled off the market with similar apps a few years ago, it's now back and FDA approved. Drew Mendelow created the app after his diagnosis at age 13. He came on the show last year and I'll link his story up in the show notes. Diabetes Center Berne provided the initial funding to support the T1D1 efforts to redesign the app per FDA standards. Comerge AG , the registered manufacturer, enlisted a team of software engineers, regulatory experts, and design professionals to ensure T1D1 was FDA-ready. Dexcom graciously conducted the Human Factors study to ensure safety and accuracy. T1D1 is now FDA-cleared as a Class II medical device and is the first over-the-counter insulin calculator cleared for individuals aged 2 and older. T1D1 is expected to be live in the AppStore and Google Play Store by October 2025. https://diabetes-connections.com/the-fda-took-down-this-teens-free-bolus-calculator-he-needs-your-help-to-bring-it-back/ XX Metformin has been the standard treatment for type 2 diabetes for more than six decades, yet scientists still do not fully understand how it works. A team from Baylor College of Medicine, working with international collaborators, has now identified an unexpected factor in its effectiveness: the brain. Their findings reveal a brain pathway involved in metformin's glucose-lowering action, pointing to new strategies for treating diabetes with greater precision. The study was published in Science Advances. The researchers concentrated on a small protein called Rap1, located in a region of the brain known as the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH). They discovered that metformin's ability to lower blood sugar at clinically relevant doses depends on suppressing Rap1 activity in this brain area. “This discovery changes how we think about metformin,” Fukuda said. “It's not just working in the liver or the gut, it's also acting in the brain. We found that while the liver and intestines need high concentrations of the drug to respond, the brain reacts to much lower levels.” https://scitechdaily.com/after-60-years-scientists-uncover-hidden-brain-pathway-behind-diabetes-drug-metformin/ XX Looks like GLP-1 pills are moving ahead. Lilly says it's version helped overweight adults with type 2 lose 10% of their body weights and lower A1C. Just two weeks ago, we were talking about how the same drug in people without diabetes had less than the stellar expected results. Orforglipron is a small-molecule pill that is easier to manufacture and package than wildly popular injectable drugs for obesity, such as Lilly's Zepbound and Novo Nordisk's NOVOb.CO rival treatment Wegovy, which are peptide mimics of the appetite-controlling GLP-1 hormone. In the 72-week study of more than 1,600 overweight or obese adults with type 2 diabetes, those who received the 36-milligram highest dose of orforglipron on average shed 10.5% of their weight, or about 23 pounds (10.43 kg), versus 2.2% for those who received a placebo, achieving the main goal of the trial. Patients on the lowest 6 mg dose of the Lilly drug lost 5.5% of their weight. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2025/08/26/lilly-glp-1-pill-weight-loss/85830686007/ XX An intervention that combined a low-calorie Mediterranean diet and exercise led to less diabetes incidence in older adults. Men had a greater diabetes risk reduction with the intervention than women. The study was based in Spain, and the diet may not be as easy to adhere to in the U.S. Among nearly 5,000 adults with metabolic syndrome and overweight or obesity in the PREDIMED-Plus trial, those who followed this intervention had a 31% lower risk for type 2 diabetes over 6 years relative to those who received only ad libitum Mediterranean diet advice (aHR 0.69, 95% CI 0.59-0.82). the Mediterranean diet focuses on high intake of plant-based foods, moderate consumption of fish, poultry, and dairy with optional red wine, and low intake of red meats, sweets, and sugar-sweetened beverages. Common foods featured in the diet include extra-virgin olive oil, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains. However, Sharon Herring, MD, MPH, and Gina Tripicchio, PhD, MSEd, both of Temple University in Philadelphia, pointed out that this study was conducted solely in Spain, and sticking to this type of diet may be more challenging in countries like the U.S. "Participants in the study received extra-virgin olive oil to support adherence and retention; in the United States, prices of extra-virgin olive oil have nearly doubled since 2021 due to a combination of factors including climate change, rising production costs, supply chain disruptions, and now tariffs," they noted in an accompanying editorial. "[T]he large number of dietitian contacts during the study may prove difficult to scale broadly in the United States given challenges with health care access and reimbursement for prevention services." https://www.medpagetoday.com/primarycare/diabetes/117151 XX A group of Canadian researchers has identified an unexpected way to lower blood sugar and protect the liver: by capturing a little-known fuel produced by gut bacteria before it enters the body and causes harm. The findings, published in Cell Metabolism, could open the door to new therapies to treat metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease. Scientists from McMaster University, Université Laval, and the University of Ottawa discovered that a molecule generated by gut microbes can cross into the bloodstream, where it drives the liver to overproduce glucose and fat. By designing a method to trap this molecule in the gut before it reaches circulation, they achieved striking improvements in blood sugar regulation and fatty liver disease in obese mice. https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-discover-a-surprising-new-way-to-fight-diabetes/ XX Dexcom, which specializes in technology for glucose biosensing, will lay off 350 workers, with nearly 200 of them in San Diego, according to the San Diego Union Tribune. The bulk of the local jobs being lost are focused on Dexcom operations and manufacturing. The Dexcom development follows cutbacks to Verily, a life sciences company that is a subsidiary of Alphabet, Google's corporate parent. Verily's work included a project with Dexcom on wearable glucose sensors. CEO Stephen Gillett, in a memo obtained by the publication, said there will be “workforce reductions across Verily.” A representative for Verily confirmed to Business Insider that “we have made the difficult decision to discontinue manufacturing medical devices and will no longer be supporting them going forward.” https://timesofsandiego.com/business/2025/08/27/report-life-sciences-firm-dexcom-lay-off-200-san-diego-workers/ XX Front office changes at Insulet. Eric Benjamin, former chief product and customer experience officer, will take the role of chief operating officer, effective immediately. Manoj Raghunandanan Mu-NOHJ Rug-a-nun-da-nun to the position of chief growth officer, leading Insulet's new growth organization. The appointments are some of CEO Ashley McEvoy's first changes since she was hired in April. The appointments come after McEvoy outlined four priorities for Insulet on an August earnings call: enhancing the company's commercial capabilities, building Insulet's brand and direct-to-consumer capabilities, driving growth outside of the U.S. and accelerating the pace of innovation. https://www.medtechdive.com/news/insulet-eric-benjamin-manoj-raghunandanan-appointments/758668/ XX XX Want to highlight The Children's Diabetes Foundation in Colorado – they held a medal ceremony for patients of the Barbara Davis Center who've lived with Type 1 diabetes for 50 years or more. There were 87 medal recipients in the ceremony including Dana Davis, Executive Director of the Children's Diabetes Foundation and the daughter of the founders of the Barbara Davis Center. Davis shared: "When you got Type1 diabetes in the 70s, they thought you shouldn't have children. They thought you weren't going to live past 30 or 40. It was definitely very different," Davis said. https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/barbara-davis-center-celebrates-colorado-type-1-diabetes-patients-milestone/
It's In the News.. a look at the top headlines and stories in the diabetes community. This week's top stories: A new Austrailian study aims to prevent type 1, the new twiist pump will integrate with Eversnse CGM as well as Libre, diabetes deaths are down in the US, Dexcom U is looking for college athletes, and more! Find out more about Moms' Night Out Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible! Learn more about Gvoke Glucagon Gvoke HypoPen® (glucagon injection): Glucagon Injection For Very Low Blood Sugar (gvokeglucagon.com) Omnipod - Simplify Life Learn about Dexcom Check out VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter: Sign up for our newsletter here Here's where to find us: Facebook (Group) Facebook (Page) Instagram Twitter Check out Stacey's books! Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com Reach out with questions or comments: info@diabetes-connections.com Episode transcription with links: Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I'm Stacey Simms and every other Friday I bring you a short episode with the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now. XX A world-first human trial of a drug designed to treat the underlying cause of type 1 diabetes has begun in Australia. University of Queensland researcher Ranjeny Thomas said the experimental drug — dubbed ASITI-201 — was designed to retrain the immune system so it no longer attacks the insulin-producing pancreatic cells, known as beta cells. The drug, given as an injection under the skin, combines fragments of a protein found in the beta cells of people with type 1 diabetes and vitamin D to calm the immune response. She said if effective, the drug would initially be given to patients with type 1 diabetes as soon as possible after diagnosis to preserve remaining pancreatic cells and reduce the amount of insulin needed. But eventually, if screening programs can be developed to pick up people at risk of developing type 1 diabetes, it may be possible to "prevent the progression of the disease altogether". The first in-human trial of 36 participants will test the safety of the drug, but blood tests will also determine the impact of the therapy on a patient's immune system and glucose tolerance. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-29/type-1-diabetes-drug-trial-auto-immune-disease-science/105223022 XX Diabetes deaths in the U.S. have fallen to some of the lowest rates in years, according to new preliminary figures published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reversing a surge in mortality that was seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. There were 26.4 deaths per 100,000 people from diabetes, according to early death certificate data for the third quarter of 2024 published this month by the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics. Death rates from diabetes peaked in 2021, according to CDC figures, at 31.1 deaths per 100,000 people for that year. Diabetes was the eighth leading cause of death in 2021. The CDC says the link between COVID-19 and diabetes may be to blame for that increase. "Data show an increase in mortality rates for all people during the COVID-19 pandemic, and research shows that people with underlying conditions, including diabetes, are more likely to become very sick from COVID-19 and have a higher risk of hospitalization and death," Christopher Holliday, head of the CDC's Division of Diabetes Translation, told CBS News in a statement. Holliday added that research shows the pandemic may also have made it harder for Americans to properly manage the disease, ranging from interruptions to physical activity to disruptions to routine medical care diagnosing and treating the disease. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/diabetes-deaths-lowest-levels-years-early-cdc-figures/ XX Big news for the Eversense CGM – they have their first pump partner. Sequel Med Tech says the twist pump will integrate with Senseonics Eversense 365 continuous glucose monitor (CGM). This collaboration would make twiist the first AID system compatible with Eversense 365, the world's first and only one-year CGM. Sequel and Senseonics say they have already started their work to integrate the latest-generation, 365-day implantable sensor with twiist. They expect to make the integrated offering available in the third quarter of this year. This marks the second CGM integration for Sequel, which partnered with Abbott and its FreeStyle Libre platform earlier this year. This week we also got a peek at the packaging and delivery of the twist as the first people posted about wearing it. We'll follow up and learn more about this newest insulin pump in the us. Senseonics, meanwhile, brought the first year-long CGM to market last year, launching Eversense 365 with its global distribution partner, Ascensia Diabetes Care, in October 2024. The system also received clearance as an integrated CGM (iCGM) system, meaning it can work with compatible medical devices. Those include insulin pumps as part of automated insulin delivery systems. https://www.drugdeliverybusiness.com/sequel-senseonics-integrate-cgm-insulin-pump/ XX Medtronic has announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the Simplera Sync sensor for use with the MiniMed 780G system. With this approval, the MiniMed 780G system now offers more flexibility for users of the company's most advanced insulin delivery system featuring Meal Detection technology with both the Guardian 4 sensor and Simplera Sync sensor. The Simplera Sync is a disposable, all-in-one sensor that requires no fingersticks with SmartGuard or overtape and features a simple, two-step insertion process. It is the company's newest addition to its CGM portfolio, which expands options and provides greater flexibility for users. The MiniMed 780G system's adaptive algorithm automatically anticipates, adjusts, and corrects glucose levels every 5 minutes, 24/7 – working around the clock so users can focus on what matters. It's the only system featuring Meal Detection technology, which detects rising sugar levels and delivers more insulin as needed to help users keep glucose levels in range more often – even when users occasionally forget to dose insulin for snacks or meals or underestimate their carbs. The system uses a “treat to target” approach and flexible glucose targets as low as 100 mg/dL, which, combined with its adaptive algorithm allows it to more closely mirror the glucose levels of someone not living with diabetes. Real-world data of the system shows global users consistently achieve time in range above international targets of 70% when using optimal settings (active insulin time of two hours and 100 mg/dL target glucose). It is also the only system that works with the world's only infusion set that lasts up to 7 days so that users only have to change their infusion set once per week and can experience 96% fewer injections compared to multiple daily injections. “We're committed to driving innovation that makes life easier for those living with diabetes so they can forget about their diabetes as much as possible throughout the day,” said Que Dallara, EVP and president of Medtronic Diabetes. “Our MiniMed 780G system delivers advanced diabetes technology for so many around the world, and we're excited to continue evolving this experience with expanded CGM options —including our Simplera Sync sensor, which we look forward to bringing to people living with diabetes in the U.S.” A limited launch of the Simplera Sync sensor will begin in the U.S. in the fall of 2025. Today, the MiniMed 780G system can be used with the Guardian 4 sensor. Like this:https://med-techinsights.com/2025/04/29/simplera-sync-sensor-for-minimed-780g-now-fda-approved/ XX Front office changes at Insulet.. The former head of Johnson & Johnson's worldwide medtech business, Ashley McEvoy will take over as president and CEO from Jim Hollingshead, who has led Insulet since 2022. In its announcement of the leadership change, Insulet said that Hollingshead and the company mutually agreed to part ways, effective immediately. McEvoy served as worldwide medtech chairman at J&J from 2018 until her departure in late 2023, the culmination of nearly 30 years at the company and several executive roles—including president of its Ethicon division and group chairman of vision and diabetes care. Since then, she has also served as a board member at Procter & Gamble. https://www.fiercebiotech.com/medtech/insulet-taps-former-jj-medtech-head-ashley-mcevoy-be-ceo XX New free mobile game launched this week to make type 1 diabetes onboarding faster easier and less overwhelming. It's called Level One.. created by Level Ex (Powered by Relevate Health), the studio behind award-winning medical games for medical professionals. Level Ex CEO Sam Glassenberg created the game after a – quote - brutal onboarding experience when his daughter was diagnosed five years ago He says It took a year to understand how to manage this disease. So we fixed it. We built a game that can train your brain to do it in a matter of hours." The game is launching in partnership with leading diabetes organizations Beyond Type 1 and Breakthrough T1D Play, who are integrating Level One into their outreach and educational campaigns to support newly diagnosed families worldwide. Download Level One on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/level-one-a-diabetes-game/id6739605694 Learn more: https://playlevelone.com https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/level-ex-launches-level-one-a-free-mobile-game-to-redefine-type-1-diabetes-onboarding-302440929.html XX Collagen is widely recognized for its role in maintaining healthy skin, but its importance extends far beyond that. As the most abundant protein in the human body, collagen provides essential structure and support to nearly all tissues and organs. Now, researchers at Carnegie Mellon's Feinberg Lab have made a major breakthrough using their novel Freeform Reversible Embedding of Suspended Hydrogels (FRESH) 3D bioprinting technique. This method enables the precise printing of soft, living cells and tissues. Leveraging this technology, the team successfully created the first-ever microphysiologic system, also known as a tissue model, constructed entirely from collagen. This advancement opens new possibilities for studying disease and engineering tissue therapies, including potential treatments for conditions like Type 1 diabetes. Traditionally, small-scale models of human tissue, referred to as microfluidics, organ-on-chip devices, or microphysiologic systems, have been fabricated using synthetic materials such as silicone rubber or plastics. These materials were necessary due to limitations in earlier manufacturing techniques. However, because they are not biologically native, they fail to fully replicate natural tissue environments, restricting their effectiveness in biomedical research and therapeutic development. “Now, we can build microfluidic systems in the Petri dish entirely out of collagen, cells, and other proteins, with unprecedented structural resolution and fidelity,” explained Adam Feinberg, a professor of biomedical engineering and materials science & engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. “Most importantly, these models are fully biologic, which means cells function better.” Building Complex Tissues with FRESH Bioprinting In new research published in Science Advances, the group demonstrates the use of this FRESH bioprinting advancement, building more complex vascularized tissues out of fully biologic materials, to create a pancreatic-like tissue that could potentially be used in the future to treat Type 1 diabetes. This advancement in FRESH bioprinting builds on the team's earlier work published in Science, by improving the resolution and quality to create fluidic channels that are like blood vessels down to about 100-micron diameter. “There were several key technical developments to the FRESH printing technology that enabled this work,” described Daniel Shiwarski, assistant professor of bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh and prior postdoctoral fellow in the Feinberg lab. “By implementing a single-step bioprinting fabrication process, we manufactured collagen-based perfusable CHIPS in a wide range of designs that exceed the resolution and printed fidelity of any other known bioprinting approach to date. Further, when combined with multi-material 3D bioprinting of ECM proteins, growth factors, and cell-laden bioinks and integration into a custom bioreactor platform, we were able to create a centimeter-scale pancreatic-like tissue construct capable of producing glucose-stimulated insulin release exceeding current organoid based approaches.” https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-bioprint-living-tissues-that-could-revolutionize-diabetes-treatment/ XX Another study showing the blood sugar benefit of walking after a meal. Skeletal muscle plays a central role in glucose uptake. Exercise stimulates glucose transport into muscle cells through insulin-independent pathways, notably through the action of glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT-4), which is responsible for transporting glucose from blood to skeletal muscles.4 This means that even without a robust insulin response, physical activity can facilitate glucose clearance from the bloodstream. These effects also occur without requiring high-intensity exercise, making postprandial walking accessible to a broad range of individuals, including those with limited exercise tolerance. multiple studies show that starting activity within 30 minutes after a meal is optimal. https://www.news-medical.net/health/Walking-After-Meals-Small-Habit-Big-Metabolic-Gains.aspx XX Dexcom brings back Dexcom U for a 4th years. This is a name, image and license program for college athletes with diabetes and includes a nationwide open call for passionate and inspiring college athletes to join its roster. Now through May 23, athletes, coaches, friends and family members can nominate candidates through an online submission. Those selected, along with the eight returning athletes from last year, will be invited to attend the Dexcom U Signing Day Camp this summer, hosted by Dexcom Warrior and Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews. https://www.hmenews.com/article/dexcom-u-returns-for-fourth-season
Welcome to the MassDevice Fast Five medtech news podcast, the show that keeps you up-to-date on the latest breakthroughs in medical technology. Here's what you need to know for today, December 14, 2023. Check out the show notes for links to the stories we discussed today at MassDevice.com/podcast. Ekso Bionics announced it earned a Medicare win for its exoskeleton technology this week. Fast Five hosts Sean Whooley and Danielle Kirsh discuss what the win means for the company and the technology it is developing. Calyxo closed a $50 million funding round to support kidney stone treatment. Hear how much funding the company has received in recent years and what the company's technology does. Tandem Diabetes Care has launched its diabetes management platform for insulin pump users. Whooley talks about what the new platform is designed for and some other positive news from the company in recent months. Former Johnson & Johnson MedTech head Ashley McEvoy has landed a board position at a consumer goods giant. Learn where she is joining the board in today's episode. Integra LifeSciences is buying J&J's Acclarent and its ENT technology. Whooley and Kirsh discuss the financial details of the deal and how it will supplement Integra LifeSciences' portfolio.
Welcome to the MassDevice Fast Five medtech news podcast, the show that keeps you up-to-date on the latest breakthroughs in medical technology. Here's what you need to know for today, October 25, 2023. Check out the show notes for links to the stories we discuss today at MassDevice.com/podcast. The first commercial cases using Levita Magnetics' surgical robot were recently announced. Fast Five hosts Sean Whooley and Danielle Kirsh detail what the surgical robot does and what doctors think about the robot. Moon Surgical also announced the first commercial cases in France of its Maestro surgical robot. Hear what procedures it was used in and what surgeons thought about its use. Butterfly Network is looking to make a move in the BCI space. Whooley talks about the company's latest partnership to boost the use in brain-computer interfaces and what executives think. The 3M Health Care spinoff is on track to be completed in early 2024. The Fast Five hosts discuss the optimism 3M executives have with the progress of the spinoff, as well as some of the executive appointments that have already been announced. Johnson & Johnson MedTech chair Ashley McEvoy announced she is stepping down to pursue other opportunities. Hear more about her incredible career at J&J, who is taking her place and the parting words she shared on her time at J&J.
Good morning from Pharma and Biotech Daily, the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in the Pharma and Biotech world. Today, we have several key developments to discuss in the medical technology industry. Let's dive in.First, Danaher's Q3 revenue has declined due to ongoing demand challenges, but respiratory testing revenue has been a bright spot. The FDA has also updated its list of cleared AI/ML medical devices, adding 171 new devices primarily in radiology. Activist investor Carl Icahn is suing Illumina, seeking to remove board members and claiming damages over their handling of the acquisition of Grail. In addition, Olympus has issued a recall of its abdominal insufflation devices after reports of patient injuries and one death. Ashley McEvoy is stepping down as the chairman of J&J's medtech business, with Tim Schmid taking over. Small- and medium-sized medtech companies are facing challenges under the EU Medical Device Regulation. Moving on to payer news, Centene Corporation has beaten Q3 forecasts despite pressure from Medicare Advantage star ratings and redeterminations. HCA Healthcare, on the other hand, missed Q3 expectations due to costs associated with its physician staffing firm, Valesco. A report by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Urban Institute found that if the 10 remaining states expanded Medicaid, 2.3 million people would gain coverage. Prospect Medical Holdings has been given clearance to seek a buyer for its struggling four-hospital health system, Crozer Health. Kaiser Permanente imaging services workers will join an ongoing strike among pharmacy workers in Oregon and Washington. Independent pharmacies are suing Express Scripts over alleged price fixing.In the biotech world, Orbimed has raised $4.3 billion in new funds for startup investing. Novartis has delayed its FDA filing for its radiopharma drug Pluvicto due to mixed survival data. Aiolos Bio has raised $245 million for a better asthma drug targeting an inflammation-linked protein. Rampart Biosciences, an Orbimed-backed biotech, has launched with $85 million to develop a new kind of DNA medicine. Seagen's trial data at ESMO impressed, boosting stock prices for Merck and Pfizer. Roche's planned buyout of Telavant has pushed 2023's deal value total above $100 billion. PRC Clinical is partnering with TrialHub to transform the clinical research landscape, and Novo Nordisk is facing weight problems with its drug Ozempic.Moving on to Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis, they reported a 12% increase in sales and 21% growth in core operating income for Q3. Verve Therapeutics received FDA approval for its first in-human base editing study in the US. Belgium is considering a short-term ban on Novo Nordisk's Ozempic for weight loss due to supply constraints. AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo addressed safety concerns for their investigational antibody-drug conjugate candidate at the ESMO conference.Next, we have Pfizer's vaccine business, which has experienced significant growth driven by the success of its COVID-19 vaccine, Comirnaty. Pfizer is expanding its vaccine portfolio with new approvals. The recipients of the 2023 Red Jackets will be announced during a virtual event called "The Next Frontier of the Life Sciences." Other news includes the CDC updating recommendations for the RSV shot, AstraZeneca's cancer drug allaying safety concerns but still facing questions, Roche settling a US patent lawsuit against Biogen, and Wall Street increasing forecasts for anti-obesity drug sales.In funding news, Rampart Biosciences has raised $85 million to develop more potent DNA-based medicines. Invea Therapeutics and Cargo Therapeutics have joined the IPO queue, and Laronde is merging with Senda Biosciences. Ultragenyx plans to spin out a new company focused on Alzheimer's gene therapy. Roche has agreed to acquire Televant for $7.1 billion.That's all for today's episode of Pharma and Biotech Daily. Stay tuned for more important new
What's life really like at the top of a $30 billion healthcare company? While many might find the prospect of serving 300 million patients around the world daunting, Ashley McEvoy, Worldwide Chairman of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, sees it as a privilege. While at the helm of J&J MedTech, her impact has been significant: she has tripled its revenue growth since 2017 and spearheaded its entrance into telehealth, robotics, and digital surgery. At a time when senior executive tenure is often short, Ashley has carved out a career at J&J MedTech spanning almost three decades—all while maintaining an unwavering passion for providing the very best care to patients when they need it most. In this fascinating episode of Redefiners, Ashley lifts the lid on how J&J MedTech is transforming how it delivers care to patients with the help of AI, why being an exceptional listener should be in every leader's toolbox, and why your inner voice is the most powerful voice of anyone in the world. It's a conversation you don't want to miss. We'll also hear from Fawad Bajwa, a Managing Director in our Toronto office. He'll outline how generative AI tools like ChatGPT are changing the game for leaders, and how great leadership is critical to its successful implementation. Click HERE to access our report How will ChatGPT and other generative AI impact leadership? If you enjoyed this interview, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:• Risk-taking and Dealmaking with Global MedTech Leader, Kevin Lobo• Confessions of a Serial Entrepreneur with Mario Schlosser, CEO and co-founder of Oscar• Break the Bias: Closing the Gender Wealth Gap with Sallie Krawcheck, CEO and c-founder of Ellevest
Ashley McEvoy, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Chairman, Medical Devices, at Johnson & Johnson recently joined AdvaMed's Scott Whitaker to discuss her views on leadership, her work with the Trevor Project, and her role as chair of the AdvaMed committee tasked with addressing head-on the issue of racial disparities in health care access and outcomes.
HAPPY BIG 5-0!! This week’s is our 50th DeviceTalks Weekly Podcast, and we’re going to celebrate! Ashley McEvoy, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Chairman, Medical Devices, Johnson & Johnson, makes her DeviceTalks Weekly debut. In this update, McEvoy delivers great insights on several areas of interest including: • COVID-19’s impact on J&J in the past, and what changes may remain in the future. • J&J’s far-ranging digital surgery portfolio could bolster many of its specialties. • How the company uses its innovation network to accelerate development • Why she’s bullish on the future of eye care. • How the company will prepare for future challenges. We also talk with Naomi Murray, Director of Advanced Operations-Additive Technology at Stryker about her almost predestined path to join the orthopedics leader. She’ll be leading the March 23 discussion on Additive Manufacturing at DeviceTalks Tuesday. Register at DeviceTalks.com. Colleague Lisa Eitel, executive editor of Design World, crashes the party to tell us about her upcoming Women in Engineering webcast. Register for that discussion at https://www.designworldonline.com/design-world-online-events-and-webinars/ Finally, Chris Newmarker delivers some good news and bad Newmarker's Newsmakers from the digital pages of MassDevice, Medical Design & Outsourcing, and other sites. Companies highlighted include Frequency, Medtronic, Theranos, GE Healthcare, DJO and Stryker Subscribe now on any major podcast channel. Google. Apple. Spotify. Amazon, etc.
Welcome to the My WHIM Life show where it is our mission is to create a significant impact in this world by sharing WISDOM, HUMOR, INSPIRATION & MOTIVATION in such a way that YOU will use it to affect actual real change in your own life and the lives of others creating a ripple effect of goodness!This week's guest is Ashley McEvoy! Ashley is an independent distributor of Plexus Worldwide, a bartender at a local restaurant AND a mom of SEVEN kids!! She really does it all!Please help me welcome, Ashley.Contact Ashley at: ashymack87@gmail.comAshley’s Fun Facts:Q: What was your first word? A: NoQ: School achievements?A: I won the race to read
This show is the real deal. I honestly almost edited the first five minutes because the "flow" was not happening yet. However, my beautiful guest Ashley McEvoy reminded me of being genuine, about being authentic. You might see me stumbling over words, repeating a few things- but that is life right? So I kept it. It is definitely in line with Ashley's journey. She stumbled a bit at the beginning of life- made some challenging choices and felt innately flawed for so many years of her life. During one of her darkest periods in life- she discovered the answer to her healing and the things that catapulted her to her great success in life. She will share her story and shed light on exactly how she climbed out of the dark hole in her life and learned to find joy regardless of circumstances. This is a special episode. You are going to fall in love with the magnificent Ashley McEvoy.
Last week, Johnson & Johnson announced plans to acquire TearScience, maker of a line of products capable of diagnosing and treating Meibomian gland dysfunction, a leading cause of Dry Eye. Ashley McEvoy , Company Group Chairman for Johnson & Johnson Vision, explains where TearScience will fit into J&J if the deal is completed and what the global giant’s plans for additional Dry Eye treatments may be.
Ashley McEvoy, group chairman of J&J’s Vision Group, says the combination of consumer and surgical businesses will create a powerful new force in ophthalmology.
Ashley McEvoy, Company Group Chairman, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care and Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Care Companies, says the new force could pursue M&A in future expansion. Hear the details of the deal.
At the recent Ophthalmology Innovation Summit in Chicago, Jeff George, Presi-dent & Global Head of Alcon; David E.I. Pyott, CEO of Allergan; Murthy V. Simhambhatla, PhD, President of Abbott Medical Optics; and Ashley McEvoy, Company Group Chairman of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care shared how they balance external innovation with the acquisition of out-side technologies to further the ophthalmic franchises.