MPO’s Most-Read Stories This Week—Jan. 6

Auld lang syne (appropriately) was the driving force behind this past week’s top news, as MPO website visitors favored acquisition announcements, clinical study updates, and a company transformation bulletin.

The number-one favorite—not surprisingly—was Roche’s $295 million deal to acquire certain parts of the LumiraDx group that are related to the company’s Point of Care (POC) technology. The transaction is expected to close by mid-2024, at which point the acquired businesses will be integrated into Roche Diagnostics. LumiraDx’s acquired tech platform includes a range of immunoassay and clinical chemistry tests that can be stored at room temperature. The company’s technology integrates multiple POC tests on a single instrument.

Clinical trial news from Glucotrak and Boston Scientific drove significant traffic as well. GlucoTrack offered updates about initial and long-term preclinical studies for its implantable Continuous Blood Glucose Monitor (CBGM). The Rutherford, N.J.-based company successfully finished the CBGM’s first preclinical study, which assessed implantation technique and the device’s safety in patients. A small sample size of sensors was also used to determine device functionality. The company also revealed it began long-term preclinical testing to assess sensor accuracy and longevity with a refined prototype and larger sample size.

Boston Scientific amassed pageviews by sharing news of the start of its AVANT GUARD clinical trial to evaluate safety and effectiveness of its Farapulse pulsed field ablation (PFA) system as a first-line treatment for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Farapulse is a nonthermal treatment where electric fields selectively ablate heart tissue. The company said AVANT GUARD is the only trial to study PFA’s use as frontline therapy in patients with persistent AF.

Contract manufacturer Okay Industries, meanwhile, enticed website visitors this past week with its official rebranding to Avna, an abbreviation for “advanced innovation.” 

1. Roche to Buy LumiraDx’s Point-of-Care Biz for $295M

2. Glucotrak Moves Toward Human Trials of Implantable Continuous Blood Glucose Monitor

3. Boston Scientific Begins AVANT GUARD Farapulse Trial

4. Reimbursing Breakthrough Designation Products—Mike on Medtech

5. Okay Industries Transforms into Avna