August 13, 2018 — Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a terminal disease that affects nearly 6 million Americans. Yet its ...

Infraredx Inc. announced the Makoto Intravascular Imaging System, and accompanying Dualpro intravascular ultrasound and near-infrared spectroscopy (IVUS+NIRS) catheter, is now available in Japan. The launch follows a successful Spring 2018 limited market release, which included more than 10 hospitals in Japan.

Medtronic plc announced the start of a pilot study of its investigational Extravascular Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (EV ICD) system, with the first patient implant performed at Christchurch Hospital in New Zealand. The implant represents the first intended long-term patient use of the device, which is similar in size to transvenous ICDs.

Boston Scientific Corp. announced it has signed an agreement to acquire Veniti Inc., which has developed and commercialized the Vici Venous Stent System for treating venous obstructive disease. Boston Scientific has been an investor in Veniti since 2016 and currently owns 25 percent of the company. The transaction price for the remaining stake consists of $108 million up-front cash, as well as up to $52 million in payments contingent upon U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the Vici stent system.

Akcea Therapeutics Inc., an affiliate of Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., announced the publication of results from the first-ever study demonstrating the benefits of patient-to-patient connectivity in the management of familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS). FCS is a rare, potentially life-threatening disease with multiple severe, daily and chronic manifestations that affect one’s ability to work and engage in activities of everyday living. Results from the CONNECT study, which surveyed both FCS patients and their caregivers, were published in July in Expert Opinion on Orphan Drugs.