With a total market potential estimated in the multibillion-dollar range, the drug-coated balloon opportunity is attracting a growing list of competitors, including several leading multinational cardiovascular device companies that have entered the space via recent acquisitions. DCBs still need to prove their worth in large, long-term clinical trials, but the ultimate proving point for DCBs could center on cost: if they can offer an effective treatment option that is significantly less expensive than existing devices, DCBs may provide a compelling economic argument.

Brief summaries of recent medtech market and industry developments. This month we cover Medtronic’s acquisition of Kanghui, Greatbatch’s new R&D center in Singapore, the outlook for the ICD/CRT market, and Cook Medical’s newly launched ENT unit.

Brief summaries of recent medtech market and industry developments. This month we cover Covidien’s continuing buying spree, and other medtech M&A.