Allergan PLC said early Wednesday that it plans to buy privately-held medical device company Keller Medical Inc., which developed a funnel used during breast surgery procedures.
The Keller Funnel, which helps plastic surgeons guide implants into the surgical pocket and reduces the risk of implant contamination, is “a natural complement to our world-class plastic surgery and regenerative medicine business,” said Senior Vice President of Medical Aesthetics David Moatazedi.
Plastic surgery and cosmetics has become a key business area for Allergan, with its aesthetics business — which includes Botox among other products — seen as one of its key assets. Allergan spent nearly $2.5 billion earlier this year to buy body-contouring company Zeltiq Aesthetics. Allergan shares were not active in premarket trade. Shares have dropped 4.7% over the last three months, compared with a 2.6% rise in the S&P 500.
By Emma Court
Source: Market Watch
Big Pharma has long seen the potential for AI and machine learning to accelerate drug development. But Novo Nordisk is going a step further by channeling $200 million toward the creation of a computer that will outrun anything in existence.
Current methods for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease rely on a complex combination of self- and caregiver-reported symptoms, a physical examination and either a PET scan or a spinal tap to look for evidence of amyloid plaque build-ups in the brain. But a new artificial intelligence-based method may make the diagnostic process a much more objective one.
There is lots of talk about diversity and inclusion in business, including in pharma and medtech. A new report by the Open Political Economy Network (OPEN), a think tank focusing on migration and diversity, released its “Minority Businesses Matter: Europe” report highlighting the successes and challenges of ethnic minority-owned businesses in Europe.
