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Trump paused the tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada just days after announcing them while sweeping levies on Chinese imports remain. Credit: Chip Somodevilla / Shutterstock

The last few days were a rollercoaster for the pharmaceutical industry. Mexico and Canada were bracing themselves for the effects of double-digit tariffs from the US, only for President Donald Trump to pause the levies after striking a deal with the two countries.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average slowed its dramatic fall in response to the pause on some of Trump’s tariffs, rebounding by the end of 4 February to recover most of its lost share price.

Meanwhile, the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) shared its concerns on the potential impacts of tariffs on medtech.

“An exemption was provided for most medical devices during President Trump’s first term with respect to the tariffs on China, and we are advocating for a similar approach this time,” the association said in a statement.

AdvaMed added that the heavy regulation in healthcare means “tariffs impact American companies similarly to an excise tax, which would lead to less R&D/innovation, layoffs, higher prices for the above-mentioned payors and patients, or all of the above”. 

The challenges in meeting regulatory requirements during a clinical investigation often start at the site level, and strong communication and site presence of trial sponsors and clinical research organisations (CRO) are key in ensuring positive outcomes.

Speaking on a panel during the Outsourcing Clinical Trials (OCT) Medical Devices 2025 conference, taking place in Munich, Germany, on 28-29 January, Medaxis’ medical expert Mark Cregan stated that regarding site-level processes during a clinical investigation, regulatory compliance is only as good as the data input.

“If you look at what goes on at the site and what goes into the electronic data capture (EDC) system, the quality of that data, defines all your regulatory compliance, and that really depends upon the sponsor to have a good presence at the site,” he said. 

Stereotaxis has won European CE mark approval for its MaGiC ablation catheter, a robotically navigated device for the treatment of heart arrhythmia.

Shares in the US company, which specialises in robotic magnetic navigation systems, opened 5.1% higher compared with a pre-announcement market close. MarketWatch has an average recommendation rating of ‘buy’ for the stock.

MaGiC is a magnetic ablation catheter designed to perform minimally invasive cardiac procedures that treat heart arrhythmia. The approval in Europe includes the delivery of local lesions in cardiac tissue for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.

Ablation works as part of an approach called cardiac remapping by blocking pathways that conduct faulty electrical signals responsible for an irregular heartbeat. Magnetic ablation works via the interaction of small magnets in the catheter’s tip with a wider magnetic field generated by large magnets either side of the patient. 

A3D printer developed by Auxilium Biotechnologies has created medical devices on the International Space Station (ISS) as science attempts to overcome certain gravity-induced manufacturing limitations.

The Auxilium Microfabrication Platform (AMP-1) bioprinter has simultaneously built eight implantable medical devices for peripheral nerve repair on the ISS in two hours.

According to Nasa, US-based Auxilium is developing a drug-delivery medical device to more effectively treat people who have sustained traumatic peripheral nerve injury.

The company has developed the Gen 1.0 NeuroSpan Bridge, which is a biomimetic nerve regeneration device that guides and accelerates nerve regeneration. Auxilium is also using its 3D-printing system to adapt its platform to a Gen 2.0 3D-print device in microgravity by adding novel drug delivery nanoparticles. 

Baxter International has announced the immediate retirement of José (Joe) Almeida as CEO, president, and chair. Almeida will continue to serve in an advisory capacity until 31 October 2025.

The company’s board of directors has named Brent Shafer as the new chair and interim CEO and begun the search for a permanent CEO. 

Almeida has been at the helm of the company since January 2016, steering it through significant strategic changes, notably reorienting towards higher-growth markets.

His leadership has seen the divestment of non-core assets and the introduction of a new operating model aimed at expediting innovation and enhancing value. Baxter has also gained recognition for its social responsibility and as a preferred employer under Almeida’s tenure. 

Almeida said: “It has been an immense honour to lead the exceptionally talented Baxter team, which is united by our mission and passionate about serving the more than 350 million patients who count on us every year.