The plum in the middle of Philips' intense period of M&A this summer was the €1.9 billion purchase of Spectranetics, which, combined with Philips Volcano, should create a $1 billion+ devices business within the image-guided therapy group by 2020. IGT senior vice president and general manager Bert van Meurs explains the rationale behind the deal, and what's next for Philips.

The latest Asian Regulatory Discussions heard about Malaysia’s five-year device certificate renewal concerns, Vietnam industry’s suggestion for device fast-task approval routes, and the Philippines industry’s transition needs as the country’s new AMDD-based regulatory system gets up and running. Also: device news from Singapore and Thailand.

Swiss domestic medtech manufacturers reluctantly accept Switzerland’s new status as a third country to the EU, but the Swiss industry is anxious that new national regulations do not impose higher hurdles than the EU MDR. At present, there is a risk of that happening.