MPO’s Most-Read Stories This Week—Aug. 27

There was something for everyone in this week’s most popular news items.

Recall? Check. FDA clearance? Check. New product introduction? Check. Acquisitions? Double-check.

Garnering the most MPO website page views by far was start of Teleflex’s deal for Standard Bariatrics, a firm that provides powered stapling technology for bariatric surgery. Teleflex is paying $170 million cash upfront at closing with $130 million payable upon commercial milestone achievement. Standard Bariatrics’ Titan SGS, according to the company, touts the longest continual staple cutline of 23 cm. The stapler can help to achieve more consistent, symmetrical sleeve pouch anatomy. 

Alcon’s initial steps acquire Aerie Pharmaceuticals drove site traffic as well. The $770 million deal will bolster Alcon’s ophthalmic pharmaceutical portfolio and add broader R&D capabilities; Alcon will gain the commercial products Rocklatan (netarsudil and latanoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.02%/0.005% and Rhopressa (netarsudil ophthalmic solution) 0.02%, as well as AR-15512, a Phase 3 product candidate for dry eye disease, and a pipeline of several clinical and preclinical ophthalmic pharmaceutical product candidates.

The FDA clearance of note involved Insulet’s Omnipod 5 automated insulin delivery (AID) system for type 1 diabetes patients aged two years and older, while Medtronic enticed readers with its rollout of the Onyx Frontier drug-eluting stent (DES), whose  design changes include a dual-layer balloon, lower crossing profile, and increased catheter flexibility.

Medtronic also generated cyberviews with the Class I designation of its Palindrome and Mahurkar hemodialysis catheters recall that began June 8. The catheters, acquired from Covidien in the landmark 2015 acquisition, are implanted and used in hemodialysis, apheresis, and infusion. They were recalled due to a catheter hub defect that will connect both extension catheters. As a result, specific chronic dialysis catheters may potentially leak within the hub.

1. Teleflex to Acquire Standard Bariatrics for Up to $300M

2. Insulet’s Omnipod 5 OK’ed For Kids Aged Two to Five

3. Medtronic (Covidien) Hemodialysis Catheter Recall is Class I

4. Alcon to Buy Aerie Pharmaceuticals for $770M

5. Medtronic Rolls Out Onyx Frontier Drug-Eluting Stent