MedTech response to COVID-19 – ResMed, Stryker, Baxter, Boston Scientific, Zimmer and Medtronic

Medical device companies are playing a critical role in supplying frontline healthcare workers with the equipment needed to fight COVID-19 while adapting to a changing economic landscape in which elective surgeries, field force interactions and supply chains have been disrupted.

Stryker

The company received approval for a device to sterilise N95 masks and similar respirators. The Sterizone VP4 Steriliser is 510(k)-cleared for use in terminal sterilisation of cleaned, rinsed, and dried metal and non-metal reusable medical devices in healthcare facilities. Stryker will also produce 10,000 “low-cost, limited-release emergency response” beds per week.

Stryker is temporarily cutting CEO Kevin Lobo’s base salary in half and reducing some executives’ and board members’ salaries.

ResMed

ResMed will be launching a cloud-based remote monitoring software for various ventilator models to help protect care providers from frequent exposure to sick patients. The platform, called AirView, allows care providers to track a patient’s respiratory rate and blood oxygen saturation.

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Boston Scientific

Boston Scientific is producing a low-cost emergency resuscitator designed in the U.S.

Biopharma company Soligenix is licensing a novel vaccine adjuvant for SARS-CoV-2 from BTG Specialty Pharmaceuticals, a division Boston Scientific gained in its $4.2 billion takeover of BTG last year.

Baxter

Baxter received approval for the Oxiris blood purification filter to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU with respiratory failure. The company plans to increase production in the coming months. Baxter is also providing dialysis machines and fluids to implement peritoneal dialysis in ICUs.

Medtronic

Medtronic CEO Omar Ishrak and President Geoff Martha recently called for an “unrestricted supply chain” for ventilators. “Actions by one government to restrict the global flow of needed products can lead to retaliatory actions by others. The company will not raise prices or pit one customer against another in a bidding process for these critical products.”

Medtronic is surging production of its highly acute ventilators for critically ill patients and was collaborating with Tesla’s Elon Musk on ventilator manufacturing.

Zimmer Biomet

Zimmer Biomet’s business was impacted by a significant global decline in elective procedures, a trend it expects to continue in the second quarter. Zimmer is collaborating with an industry coalition and using 3D printing to make ventilator components and face shields.