WorldHeart cuts workforce by 42% as it ditches Levacor
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
WorldHeart has discontinued development of its lead product, the Levacor heart pump, and is laying off 21 out of 50 employees. The firm said it does not believe the product can be competitively commercialised because of delays in its bridge-to-transplant trial, which originally got the go-ahead from the US FDA in January 2010 (www.clinica.co.uk, 11 January 2010).
You may also be interested in...
What are the hottest innovations from Israel?
Israel is well-known as a medtech hot-spot, with a focus on academic research and strong government support helping the country punch well above its weight when it comes to innovative devices.
EuroPCR: St Jude and Philips talk up rival intravascular imaging techs
St Jude Medical had a heavy focus on its intravascular imaging offering at this year’s EuroPCR meeting, presenting data supporting its optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology. OCT provides intravascular images to help assess culprit lesions, which can improve stent selection and deployment, according to St Jude.
EuroPCR: Medtronic's drug-coated balloon keeps rising
A big topic at this year’s EuroPCR, held in Paris on 19-22 May, was drug-coated balloons (DCBs). One of the leaders in the field, Medtronic, presented positive data from two studies of its IN.PACT Admiral balloon, which could support an expanded indication for the device.