03-Oct-16 Intuitive Surgical is expanding into robotic-assisted catheter-based medical devices through a JV with Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical. These devices will use IP from Intuitive Surgical and will focus on diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. R&D and manufacturing will take place in Shanghai. Intuitive Surgical will oversee distribution outside China while the JV will be in charge within China. [image: Asian Scientist Magazine]

30-Sep-16 German medtech firm Biotronik opened an expanded production plant in Singapore. The firm produces implantable pacemakers, defibrillators and stents. "This small nation of 5.5 mn people is the fourth-largest exporter of high-tech goods in the world... We will be manufacturing components for Biotronik's latest and most innovative products for distribution around the world," said Erik Trip, Managing Director. [image: Biotronik]

15-Sep-16 Biomedical manufacturing contributed just under SGD30 bn (USD41 bn) to Singapore's GDP in 2014. Of this, pharmaceuticals accounted for nearly SGD17 bn and medical technology about SGD11 bn. This sector employs over 18,000 workers, most of whom are highly skilled and technically qualified. [image: ZUU Online]

31-Aug-16  Japanese ophthalmology specialist Santen Pharmaceutical has announced the start of operations of its joint venture with state-owned Chinese group Chongqing Kerui. This partnership, which will involve the establishment of China’s largest manufacturing site for eye care treatments in the city of Chongqing, promises to provide people in China with affordable ophthalmic products. [image: Santen Pharmaceutical]

29-Aug-16 Leading knee surgeons from across India highlighted the problem that is frequently plaguing knee replacement surgeries, resulting in a team embarking on a one year project for size standardization and identifying methods for producing high quality affordable implants. This is part of the "Made in India" initiative. [image: Sulekha]