Medtech industry group AdvaMed has developed a registry to share data on how many COVID-19 diagnostic tests are available and where they are, with a goal of foreseeing and nipping in the bud potential test shortages. Thirteen diagnostic manufacturers – including Abbott, Roche, Siemens and Thermo Fisher Scientific – have partnered with AdvaMed on the initiative.

In line with its midterm growth strategy, the medical arm of Japanese chemicals group Sekisui Chemical has acquired Veredus Laboratories, a Singapore-based specialist in rapid and affordable multiplex molecular diagnostic systems. The acquisition will further strengthen Sekisui's presence in China, a key territory for the group and one of the main markets for Veredus' products.

US FDA released five device-related close-out letters in December.

Derived from Strategic Transactions, Informa’s premium source for tracking life sciences deal activity, the Medical Device Deals Update column is a survey of recent medtech M&A, alliance, and financing activity. This month’s column covers deals announced April-May 2015.