Briefs

Stryker Wraps Up 3 Acquisitions

Stryker scored a hat trick last week, completing the acquisition of Physio-Control, Sage Products and Synergetics. The Kalamazoo, Mich.-based device giant bought Physio-Control in an all-cash transaction worth almost $1.3 billion, Sage for nearly $2.8 billion, and Synergetics for an undisclosed amount of money. The deals were announced in February (IDDM, Feb. 19).

Merck KGaA, Sysmex Inostics Gain CE Mark

Merck KGaA and Sysmex Inostics’ jointly developed liquid biopsy OncoBEAM RAS CRC assay has garnered CE marking. Comparable to tissue-based testing, the test can identify which patients with metastatic colorectal cancer are more receptive to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapies, like Erbitux, according to a statement. The assay consists of a 34-mutation panel based on beads, emulsion, amplification and magnetics technology, and only requires a 10-ml blood sample.

Sterigenics to Acquire Nelson Laboratories

Sterigenics International has agreed to buy microbiology test developer Nelson Laboratories for an undisclosed amount. Upon completion of the acquisition, Nelson will merge with Sterigenics’ microbiological and analytical testing and consultancy, SteriPro Labs. Both will market under the Nelson name. Additionally, Nelson will continue to operate in Salt Lake City, Utah, with Jeffery Nelson retaining his presidency. Sterigenics is a Deerfield, Ill.-based provider of contract sterilization services, gamma technologies and medical isotopes.

ResMed Finalizes $800M Brightree Deal

San Diego-based ResMed has finalized its acquisition of cloud healthcare software company Brightree for $800 million, the company reported last week in an SEC filing. The companies announced the acquisition in February. Brightree specializes in post-acute care-focused clinical software applications. The Atlanta-based company will keep its name and continue to operate as a separate entity.

NICE Backs ElectroCore’s GammaCore

UK’s National Institute of Health and Care Excellence has issued guidance backing electroCore’s vagus nerve stimulation treatment gammaCore, intended to treat migraine and cluster headaches. The guidance noted five clinical trials in which patients experienced “substantial and meaningful benefit” from treatment. The CE-marked device is placed on the side of the neck over the vagus nerve, which is stimulated for two minutes. Treatment can last between four and six minutes and the device poses no serious side effects.

SpeeDX, Goffin Enter Distribution Agreement

Sydney-based SpeeDX has entered into a distribution agreement with molecular diagnostics company Goffin Molecular Technologies. Under the agreement, Goffin will distribute SpeeDX’s PlexPCR and ResistancePlus qPCR kits — for the detection of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance markers, respectively — in Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg. The agreement expands SpeeDX’s presence in Europe in molecular diagnostic markets.