Asia’s patent offices carry the volume while Western megacaps in software, chips and medtech do most of the heavy filing. Drug majors are riding older IP waves instead of driving the boom. According to fresh WIPO data, innovators filed a record 3.7 million patent applications in 2024, up 4.9% from 2023 and the fastest growth…
R&D alert: Research and development spending stalls in the 2025 Medtech Big 100 ranking
Medtech Big 100 revenue hit a new record high, but collective R&D spending by the world’s largest medical device companies is leveling off. By Managing Editor Jim Hammerand and Senior Editor Danielle Kirsh Aggregate research and development spending growth across the world’s largest medical device companies is grinding to a halt after double-digit growth in…
Medtronic execs: renal denervation for AFib could be on the horizon
Medtronic renal denervation leaders Jason Weidman and Sean Salmon discuss RDN’s potential to help patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib). As if treating an epidemic-level condition like hypertension wasn’t enough, renal denervation (RDN) also shows potential for atrial fibrillation (AFib) and other conditions related to high blood pressure. In interviews with Medical Design & Outsourcing, Medtronic…
What Medtronic learned on its long road to RDN approval
It took Medtronic nearly 13 years to win FDA approval for renal denervation (RDN) since buying Ardian and its hypertension-treating technology. Jason Weidman, the Medtronic SVP who is also president of coronary and RDN, has a more personal measure of the long road to approval for the world’s largest medical device manufacturer. “The first meeting…