Author: Ken Dropiewski

FDA Grants Orchestra BioMed Additional Breakthrough Device Designation for AVIM Therapy

Atrioventricular Interval Modulation (“AVIM”) Therapy Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) Breakthrough Device Designations span the broader population of patients with uncontrolled hypertension despite medication at increased cardiovascular risk and the specific pacemaker-indicated population being evaluated in the BACKBEAT TrialThe addressable U.S. patient population for AVIM Therapy, based on the indications for use specified in its Breakthrough Device Designations, comprises over 7.7 million adults with hypertension despite medicationBreakthrough Device Designation supports favorable reimbursement pathways, including potential eligibility for New Technology Add-on Payment (“NTAP”) and Transitional Pass-Through (“TPT”) payment, which can facilitate broader, more timely patient access and provider adoption NEW HOPE, Pa., April 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orchestra BioMed Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: OBIO) (“Orchestra BioMed” or the “Company”), a biomedical company accelerating high-impact technologies to patients through strategic partnerships with market-leading global medical device companies, today announced that the FDA has granted a second Breakthrough Device Designation (“BDD”) for AVIM Therapy specific to patients with uncontrolled hypertension despite the use of anti-hypertensive medications, and an indication for a pacemaker. Together, the two BDDs for AVIM Therapy cover indications that encompass both the broader population of patients with uncontrolled hypertension despite medication and increased cardiovascular risk as well as the specific pacemaker-indicated population with uncontrolled hypertension being evaluated in the BACKBEAT Global Pivotal Trial (“BACKBEAT Trial”), which Orchestra BioMed is conducting in collaboration with Medtronic (NYSE: MDT). This additional BDD supports strategic optionality for the clinical, regulatory and commercial reimbursement strategies for AVIM Therapy for both the pacemaker population and potential future expansion populations with uncontrolled hypertension and increased cardiovascular risk. “We are pleased to receive this additional Breakthrough Device Designation from the FDA. We believe it is directly aligned with the patient population being studied in our ongoing BACKBEAT Trial which we are executing in collaboration with Medtronic,” said David Hochman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Orchestra BioMed. “Continued alignment from the FDA, alongside our strategic relationship with Medtronic and accelerated enrollment in the BACKBEAT Trial, puts us in a strong position to advance AVIM Therapy to pivotal trial results.” Orchestra BioMed has a strategic collaboration with Medtronic, the global market leader in cardiac pacing therapies, for development and commercialization of AVIM Therapy for the treatment of uncontrolled hypertension in pacemaker-indicated patients. Under the terms of the existing collaboration agreement, Medtronic holds the right of first negotiation to expand its licensing agreement with Orchestra BioMed to obtain global rights to commercialize AVIM Therapy for the treatment of uncontrolled hypertension in patients that do not have an indication for a pacemaker. The FDA Breakthrough Devices Program, which reflects the FDA’s commitment to device innovation and protecting public health, is designed to expedite the development of and provide priority review for innovative medical technologies that have the potential to significantly improve outcomes for patients with serious or life-threatening conditions. To be eligible for this designation, a device must demonstrate the potential to provide more effective treatment or diagnosis of a life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating condition. In addition, the device must meet at least one of the following criteria: it must represent breakthrough technology, have no approved or cleared alternatives, offer significant advantages over existing options, or be determined by the FDA to be in the best interest of patients. Beyond regulatory acceleration, the BDD may also support favorable reimbursement pathways, including eligibility for incremental inpatient reimbursement through the New Technology Add-on Payment and outpatient Transitional Pass-Through payments under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services programs. These mechanisms may help facilitate more timely access to breakthrough technologies while supporting provider adoption and patient access. About Orchestra BioMed Orchestra BioMed is a biomedical innovation company accelerating high-impact technologies to patients through strategic collaborations with market-leading global medical device companies. The Company’s two flagship product candidates – Atrioventricular Interval Modulation (AVIM) Therapy and Virtue® Sirolimus AngioInfusion™ Balloon (Virtue SAB) – are currently undergoing pivotal clinical trials for their lead indications, each representing multi-billion-dollar annual global market opportunities. AVIM Therapy is a bioelectronic treatment for hypertension, the leading risk factor for death worldwide, and is designed to be delivered by a pacemaker and achieve immediate, substantial and sustained reductions in blood pressure in patients with hypertensive heart disease. The Company has a strategic collaboration with Medtronic, one of the largest medical device companies in the world and the global leader in cardiac pacing therapies, for the development and commercialization of AVIM Therapy for the treatment of uncontrolled hypertension in pacemaker-indicated patients. AVIM Therapy has FDA Breakthrough Device Designations for these patients, as well as an estimated 7.7 million total patients in the U.S. with uncontrolled hypertension despite medical therapy and increased cardiovascular risk. Virtue SAB is a highly differentiated, first-of-its-kind non-coated drug delivery angioplasty balloon system designed to deliver a large liquid dose of proprietary extended-release formulation of sirolimus, SirolimusEFR™, for the treatment of atherosclerotic artery disease, the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Virtue SAB has been granted Breakthrough Device Designation by the FDA for the treatment of coronary in-stent restenosis, coronary small vessel disease and below-the-knee peripheral artery disease. For further information about Orchestra BioMed, please visit www.orchestrabiomed.com, and follow us on LinkedIn. About AVIM TherapyAVIM Therapy is an investigational therapy compatible with standard dual-chamber pacemakers designed to substantially and persistently lower blood pressure. It has been evaluated in pilot studies in patients with hypertension who are also indicated for a pacemaker. MODERATO II, a double-blind, randomized pilot study, showed that patients treated with AVIM Therapy experienced net reductions of 8.1 mmHg in 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure (aSBP) and 12.3 mmHg in office systolic blood pressure (oSBP) at six months when compared to control patients. In addition to reducing blood pressure, clinical results using AVIM Therapy demonstrate improvements in cardiac function and hemodynamics. The BACKBEAT (BradycArdia paCemaKer with atrioventricular interval modulation for Blood prEssure treAtmenT) global pivotal study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of AVIM Therapy in lowering blood pressure in patients who have systolic blood pressure above target despite anti-hypertensive medication and who are indicated for or have recently received a dual-chamber cardiac pacemaker. AVIM Therapy has been granted two Breakthrough Device Designations by the FDA for the treatment of uncontrolled hypertension in patients who have increased cardiovascular risk. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements included in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook” and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the initiation, enrollment, timing, implementation and design of the Company’s ongoing pivotal trials, realizing the clinical and commercial value of AVIM Therapy and Virtue SAB, the potential safety and efficacy of the Company’s product candidates, the potential benefits of BDD, including its ability to expedite FDA reviews and support favorable reimbursement pathways, and the ability of the Company’s partnerships to accelerate clinical development. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of the Company’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as and must not be relied on as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction, or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and may differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of the Company. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political, and legal conditions; risks related to regulatory approval of the Company’s commercial product candidates and ongoing regulation of the Company’s product candidates, if approved; the timing of, and the Company’s ability to achieve expected regulatory and business milestones; the impact of competitive products and product candidates; and the risk factors discussed under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, which was filed with the SEC on March 12, 2026. The Company operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. Given these risks and uncertainties, the Company cautions against placing undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which only speak as of the date of this press release. The Company does not plan and undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements made herein, except as required by law. Investor Contact:Silas NewcombOrchestra BioMedSnewcomb@orchestrabiomed.com Media Contact:Kelsey KirkOrchestra BioMedkkirkellis@orchestrabiomed.com

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enVVeno Medical Receives First-Ever FDA IDE Approval for a U.S. Pivotal Study of a Non-Surgical Replacement Venous Valve

Apr 29, 2026 First-in-Class enVVe system to be evaluated in TAVVE U.S. Pivotal Trial Clinical site activation and patient enrollment expected to commence later this year Large unmet clinical need for approximately 3 million U.S. patients with severe deep Chronic Venous Insufficiency Potential multi-billion-dollar untapped U.S. market Company has approximately […]

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BD Reimagines Central Line Insertion, Advancing Leadership in Patient Safety Through Breakthrough Vascular Access Technology

With the launch of CentroVena One™, BD brings a first‑of‑its‑kind insertion system to market that simplifies central line placement for clinicians and enhances care in acute settings FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., April 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), a…

Kestra Medical Technologies to Present at the BofA Securities 2026 Healthcare Conference

KIRKLAND, Wash., April 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kestra Medical Technologies, Ltd. (Nasdaq: KMTS), a leading wearable medical device and digital healthcare company, is scheduled to present at the BofA Securities 2026 Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, May 13 at 2:20 p.m. Pacific Time. Interested parties may access the live webcast and a replay of the presentation by visiting the Kestra investor relations website. About Kestra Medical TechnologiesKestra Medical Technologies is a leading wearable medical device and digital healthcare company focused on transforming patient outcomes in cardiovascular disease using monitoring and therapeutic intervention technologies that are intuitive, intelligent, and connected. For more information, visit www.kestramedical.com. CONTACT: Investor contact
Neil Bhalodkar
neil.bhalodkar@kestramedical.com

Boehringer Ingelheim and Eko Health Inc. launch new AI-based solution that detects heart murmurs in dogs

Eko Vet+TM | CANINEBEAT® AI helps veterinarians detect, visualize, and grade heart murmurs in dogs that can otherwise go undetectedThe CANINEBEAT® AI algorithm detects heart murmurs associated with structural heart disease in dogs with more than 95% sensitivity and specificity*With earlier murmur detection, dogs can benefit from heart disease diagnostics and treatment sooner INGELHEIM, Germany, and SAN FRANCISCO, US – Boehringer Ingelheim, a global leader in animal health, and Eko Health, a leader in AI-powered cardiac and pulmonary disease detection, announced the launch of an innovative solution to detect, visualize, and grade heart murmurs in dogs. Eko Vet+TM | CANINEBEAT® AI aims to improve health outcomes for dogs with heart disease by enabling veterinarians to identify heart murmurs that might otherwise go unnoticed. “Our proprietary CANINEBEAT® AI algorithm integrated into the Eko Vet+TM app will powerfully support veterinarians’ early detection of heart murmurs in dogs and pet owner conversations,” said Dr. Erich Schött, Head of the Pet Business at Boehringer Ingelheim. “Heart murmur detection in dogs can be quite difficult, especially in busy clinics. Because pet owners don’t see clinical signs in the early stage of heart disease, it’s a challenge for veterinarians to explain that the dog suffers from a serious disease. With this unique AI solution, we can help detect murmurs earlier in the disease process, so dogs may receive appropriate diagnosis and treatment sooner.” The new digital solution includes three integrated components: ●    The Eko CORE™ Digital Attachment connects to most single-tube stethoscopes and digitizes heart sounds that can then be analyzed by AI-based algorithms. It also helps veterinarians hear more subtle murmurs by amplifying heart sounds by 40 times and offers advanced noise cancellation and cardiac sound filtering. Other Eko devices also are compatible with the veterinary digital solution. ●    The CANINEBEAT® AI algorithm, trained and validated on more than 4,000 annotated canine heart sound recordings, detects heart murmurs associated with structural heart disease in dogs with more than 95% sensitivity and specificity.* The algorithm is intended to support veterinary clinical assessment and does not replace comprehensive cardiac evaluation or professional veterinary judgment.●    The EkoVet+TM app incorporates insights from the CANINEBEAT® AI algorithm, including murmur images, sound files, and shareable reports. The app provides clinical support and helps veterinarians discuss the potential findings and any diagnostics and treatment needs with pet owners. Heart disease affects approximately 10% of all dogs.1 The most common heart disease in dogs is myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), which often produces a heart murmur when the heart has a leak in one of the heart valves, preventing blood from getting pumped correctly. MMVD is a chronic condition that is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in dogs.2 Because dogs in early stages of heart disease may be asymptomatic, heart murmurs can go unnoticed during routine examinations. To address this challenge, 50 global veterinary cardiology experts contributed to the development of Eko Vet+TM with CANINEBEAT® AI. “CANINEBEAT® AI inside Eko Vet+TM is an exceptional resource for general practitioner veterinarians, helping them quickly detect and grade murmurs with a high level of consistency,” said Prof. Gerhard Wess, Head of the Cardiology Service, Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich. “I am thrilled to be involved in the development of this new AI-powered solution that will give veterinarians greater confidence in heart murmur detection and support better outcomes for dogs.” The introduction of this innovative auscultation solution for the veterinary industry has begun in the United States and the United Kingdom and will start in Germany next month. A phased expansion is planned in additional markets later this year and next. It will be available through both Boehringer Ingelheim and Eko Health, comprising the same three components through distinct commercial offers.  “We’ve seen firsthand in human health how earlier, more accurate detection of cardiac disease can change the trajectory of care,” said Connor Landgraf, CEO and co-founder of Eko Health. “Collaborating with Boehringer Ingelheim, a leader in canine cardiology, allows us to bring that same innovative approach to veterinary medicine. Together, we’re equipping veterinarians with AI-powered tools to identify heart murmurs earlier and support better outcomes in canine patients.” About Boehringer Ingelheim – Animal Health business Boehringer Ingelheim provides innovation for preventing and treating diseases in animals. The company offers a wide range of vaccines, parasite-control products, and medicines for pets, horses, and livestock to veterinarians, animal owners, farmers, and governments. As a leader in animal health, Boehringer Ingelheim values that the health of humans and animals is deeply connected and strives to make a difference for people, animals, and society. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health.   About Boehringer IngelheimBoehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health. As one of the industry’s top investors in research and development, the company focuses on developing innovative therapies that can improve and extend lives in areas of high unmet medical need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire value chain. Our approximately 54,300 employees serve over 130 markets to build a healthier and more sustainable tomorrow. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com. About Eko HealthEko Health is a pioneering AI early disease detection company advancing how healthcare professionals detect and monitor heart and lung disease with its portfolio of digital stethoscopes, ECG devices, software, and AI-powered analysis. Its FDA-cleared platform, with more than 700,000 devices sold worldwide, helps clinicians detect earlier and manage treatment more effectively to improve patient outcomes. Eko Health is headquartered in Emeryville, California. For more information, visit www.ekohealth.com. Media Contacts:Mi-Kyung Lee Langemi-kyung.lee-lange@boehringer-ingelheim.com  Sam Moore sam.moore@ekohealth.com Editorial Note: * The CANINEBEAT study was conducted using one of the largest canine digital auscultation datasets to date, comprising more than 4,000 heart sound recordings collected from over 3,400 dogs. The study assessed the performance of the CANINEBEAT® AI algorithm in detecting canine heart murmurs. All recordings were systematically annotated, with the algorithm’s development and validation supported by nearly 50 veterinary cardiology experts. Detailed study results will be presented and published in peer reviewed scientific forums. References:  1 Keene, Bruce W et al. “ACVIM consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs.” Journal of veterinary internal medicine vol. 33,3 (2019): 1127-1140. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.154882 Häggström, J et al. “New insights into degenerative mitral valve disease in dogs.” Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice. 2004 vol 34, 5: 1209-1226. doi: 10.1016/J.CVSM.2004.05.002.