In an ongoing trend, the US agency announced it revoked a number of emergency use authorizations at the behest of manufacturers.

During the first quarter, medical device company mergers and acquisition totalled $10.2bn, while in vitro diagnostic firms and research tools players completed M&A activity that totaled $5bn.

The deal combines two of the largest providers of sterilization and infection-prevention products to create a $4bn-plus-revenue business.

Research suggests N95 respirators used by medical staff can be safely decontaminated at least two to three times, with hydrogen peroxide vapor the most effective decontamination method.