This week, NIST published a new version of its international cybersecurity standard; SeaStar Medical’s kidney device got an HDE; and the FDA announced safety issues for DT MedTech LLC, operating room tables, and GE incubators.

Applications to market Roche’s spinal muscular atrophy drug have already been submitted in eight countries including the US, where a decision is due in August.

Talent, innovation, world-class research institutions, established supply chains, and a lower cost of doing business – what else do you need to launch and grow a device company? Well, capital, for one. Players in the Midwest are working in a variety of ways to draw entrepreneurs and venture money to the region, and their efforts are reaping positive results.

Biopharma start-ups raised $338.1 million – 51% less than in Q4 2011. Device companies brought in $123.7 million and diagnostics firms raised $99.3 million; Series C rounds generated more money in both the device and diagnostic sectors than any other financing type. Cancer was the most prevalent therapeutic area for biopharma alliances. During Q1, M&As across biopharma and diagnostic industries were valued at a total of $471 million.