Although thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is now routine for lesions like dissection of the descending aorta, the Big Three aortic endovascular companies are developing devices for the more technically challenging proximal and distal portions of the thoracic aorta while physicians refine TEVAR in the descending aorta. Insiders say endovascular techniques are overcoming limitations and physicians will soon be able to treat the entire aorta, from the aortic valve to the bifurcation.

The endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) market is one of the brightest growth opportunities in the medical device arena today. As a result, the competitive landscape is heating up as several new entrants stake their claim for a share of this $1+ billion opportunity.

Pink Sheet reporters and editors consider the fallout from Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.’s negative US FDA advisory committee decision on its ALS drug, the impact of a government shutdown on the agency, and a study showing only a limited possibility for significant savings in the first round of Medicare price negotiations.