MPO’s Most-Read Stories This Week—Feb. 4

Old favorites were the top flavor of the week, as MPO website visitors gravitated toward news about acquisitions, recalls, studies, and new products.

The top-ranked story—by far—this past week was encouraging early study results from Swing Therapeutics’ single-arm study of its digital fibromyalgia therapeutic. After 12 weeks of Stanza treatment, 84% of fibromyalgia patients reported improvement in their condition, with 47% reporting to be “much” or “very much” improved. In addition, 84% and 88% of patients reported positive ratings in the MAUQ domains of “Ease of Use” and “Interface and Satisfaction,” respectively. Approximately 90% of participants who had used FDA-approved fibromyalgia medications preferred treatment with Stanza, or Stanza combined with approved fibromyalgia medication, versus treatment with approved medication alone. Stanza is a prescription smartphone-based digital therapeutic whose core treatment is acceptance and commitment therapy, a type of cognitive behavioral therapy with proven efficacy in treating fibromyalgia. Stanza is designed to help adult patients manage the psychological symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, including anxiety, depression, and sleeplessness.

Web wayfarers also showed interest in Verve Medical’s feasibility trial that showed the efficacy and safety of an ablation therapy treatment for uncontrolled hypertension. The Verve RPD Renal Pelvic Denervation System showed a 20.3 mm Hg reduction in blood pressure;iIn contrast to other renal denervation approaches in the renal artery, Verve’s method accesses the renal nerves through the natural orifice of the urethra, similar to common urology procedures.

Cirtec Medical’s deal for QMD’s Precision Components business was popular with cyber cruisers as well. The Precision Components business develops and manufactures silicone, polyisoprene, and other custom elastomeric components, tubing, and sub-assemblies. 

Other site traffic drivers included Coloplast’s new catheter rollout in the United States, and the FDA’s Class 1 identification of Medtronic’s Mahurkar catheters recall. The 13.5 French acute dual lumen high-flow hemodialysis catheters are implanted and used in hemodialysis, apheresis, and infusion for up to 21 days. Medtronic recalled the catheters last fall because of a hub defect that can cause leaks across the catheter’s tubes. During treatment, the leak could cause mixing of arterial and venous blood, lead to increased recirculation and poor dialysis, or bring about blood clot development in the blood vessels.

1. Study: Smartphone Therapeutic Helps Improve Fibromyalgia in Patients

2. Promising Study Results Released for Uncontrolled Hypertension Treatment

3. Cirtec Medical Corporation Acquires Precision Components Business From QMD

4. Coloplast Launches New Catheter in the U.S.

5. Medtronic’s Recall of Mahurkar Catheters is Class I