VX-880 is the first iteration of a cell therapy strategy which Vertex believes can bring curative treatment for Type 1 diabetes, but competition in this field is building.

This week, Quest Diagnostics contracted with the CDC to research the public health impact of hepatitis C; FDA Commissioner Robert Califf published a blog post on clinical trial transparency; Dexcom and Abbott approached a deal in their CGM patent case; and SoClean, Cordis and Eitan all announced recalls.

The $1.1bn acquisition of drug-eluting balloon developer MedAlliance will help Cordis return to its roots as an innovative leader in interventional cardiology.

Restructuring Edition: FibroGen follows its clinical setback with a 32% reduction in force, cutting 104 jobs. Also, Amarin named a new CEO, but cut all US sales and 30% of non-sales US roles, and 9 Meters is headed for dissolution after Chapter 7 bankruptcy, while several others seek strategic alternatives.