MedTech Strategist reported that In May of this year, the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions conducted "an online survey of 50 clinical and service line leaders at US provider organizations on their deferred procedures". With the return of elective procedures being integral to a comeback for the MedTech industry, the results of that survey suggest that the path to resuming these procedures is becoming more complicated.

According to the Deloitte survey, "Respondents expect the return to pre-COVID-19 productivity volumes to take two to six months, with three months the typical estimate. When asked to list their top concerns about resuming deferred procedures, providers say a second coronavirus outbreak is their biggest worry (82%)". It appears that their biggest fear, a COVID-19 resurgence, may be coming to pass.

The following is just a small sampling of recent updates regarding the Life Sciences industry's COVID-related delayed procedures and what an impact a resurgence may have. These updates are compiled, reviewed and posted in real-time by our SmartTRAK analysts, who are constantly monitoring the situation and sifting through the noise to present the most relevant news to our subscribers:

COVID-19 hit the SCS market hard in Q220 as shutdowns and widespread procedure cancellations led to a dramatic decline in SCS revenues.

COVID-19 clobbered the SCS market in Q220 as shutdowns and widespread procedure cancellations led to a dramatic decline in SCS revenues, with the biggest impact in April across all geographies. For Q220, WW SCS revenues tumbled down -38.1% vs Q219, and US SCS revenue dropped by -37.7% YoY according to SmartTRAK Financial Dashboard.

Among the many topics covered in the comprehensive Q220 SCS Market Recap* are:

Q220 brought unexpected strong demand for orthopedic robotics, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Q220 brought in unexpected strong demand for orthopedic robotics. Companies rose to the challenge through flexible business models to accommodate limitations in short-term hospital financial constraints through increased financing and implant volume commitments. The unexpected strength in robotics revenues also demonstrated a rebound in elective (total joint) procedures that is expected to normalize in early 2021.

Among the many topics covered in the comprehensive Q220 CAS Ortho Market Recap* are:

Despite a downturn in the CAS spine market and a decrease in the proportion of robotic spine cases in Q220, interest in spine robotics and other enabling technologies remains strong.

Although robotic system placements and procedures declined in Q220, companies remain optimistic with strong surgeon interest in spine robotics and a long runway ahead given the early stage of adoption and under penetration of the market. Additionally, product enhancements, new applications and the development of surgical platforms that span multiple enabling technologies (robotics, AI, surgical planning, patient-specific implants, etc.) are expected to drive growth in the CAS spine space going forward.

Among the many topics covered in the comprehensive Q220 CAS Spine Market Recap* are:

Calibrating the craziness and uncertainties of a roller coaster quarter

Because Orthobiologics spans various markets and is used in numerous procedures in different surgical settings, Q2 proved to be a roller coaster of a quarter, creating uncertainty and craziness. Beginning in mid-March with stay-at-home orders and restrictions on elective surgery, US elective procedures bottomed in April, resulting in plummeting revenues and increased angst.

Responding quickly to the new twists and turns of COVID-19, many companies shifted priorities, reduced costs and implemented initiatives to help climb out of the record-breaking descent of Q220. Revenue and procedural recovery varied widely and impacted segments differently.

Among the many topics covered in the comprehensive Q220 OrthoBio  Market Recap* are:

The effects of COVID-19 were felt throughout the WW Spine Market with dramatic Q220 declines in both the US and international markets. 

COVID-19 stifled the Spine Hardware Market in Q220, driving WW revenues down -26.4% in the quarter, with the US at -30.5%. The US Spinal Fusion Market took the hardest hit, with that market seeing a -31.4% decline in Q220 vs US Disc Replacement and VCF Markets at -26.6% and -24.6%, respectively, according to SmartTRAK Financial Dashboard. Needham estimates that Medtronic* gained the most spine share in Q220, with DePuy Synthes* losing the most. 

Among the many topics covered in the comprehensive Q220 Spine Market Recap* are:

Q220 reflects the full impact of COVID-19, driving a downward slide in all segments

For Q220, according to BioMedGPS’ SmartTRAK Financial Dashboard, the US Infection Prevention - Vascular Access Adjunct Products market was down -16.8% YoY.

The prevention of Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs) continues to drive measures and practices to reduce Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSIs) and is creating demand for products that can address these issues. Numerous programs and educational tools are being developed to provide measures and strategies that assist healthcare providers in the prevention and reduction of infection in acute care and other settings.

Among the many topics covered in the comprehensive  Q220 Infection Prevention: US Vascular Access Adjunct Market Recap* are:

Heavy-weight contender ​COVID-19 landed some brutal blows to revenue in Q220, but companies look for better days in the second half of 2020. 

The impact of the COVID-19 crisis started to hit the US Joint Fluid Replacement market late in Q120, and, to some degree, this helped to shield HA companies from heavy punches to revenue. Although none were left KO’d in round one, they still came through bruised up. Going into Q220 for round two, HA companies prepared as best as they could and braced for impact. Unfortunately, COVID-19 is a formidable opponent and even with strong cost-control measures in place, companies were hit hard with huge revenue losses for products in the three largest segments of the US Joint Fluid Replacement market.

Among the many topics covered in the comprehensive Q220 US Joint Fluid Replacement Market Recap* are:

In Q220, all geographies experienced shrinkage in their AWC revenues with Single-use NPWT showing the sharpest declines.

All companies are experiencing a negative impact on their wound businesses from COVID-19 in Q220, but most are also stating that June was better than April, indicating a strong recovery in the wound market. 3M* remains the WW market leader with Q220 revenue down -14.9% YoY. WW Advanced Dressings declined -9.9%, impacted by COVID-19, especially in hospitals. US Skin/Dermal Substitute (CTP) revenue fell also, with mixed results from market leaders. WW NPWT was down -17.8%, with single-use and traditional devices down -24.2% and -16.4%, respectively.

Among the many topics covered in the comprehensive Q220 Advanced Wound Care Market Recap* are:

Keith Boettiger, Vice President, Neuromodulation, Abbott discusses COVID-19 and the Company’s strategies for growth in an interview with SmartTRAK

Keith Boettiger, Vice President, Neuromodulation, Abbott discusses how COVID-19 has impacted the Company, its growth strategies, the market for neuromodulation and what’s next in terms of innovation in an interview with SmartTRAK.

To find out more about Abbott and the Company’s latest initiatives, including digital health, remote care and remote programming, click on the following video below to listen to the interview recorded live via Uberconference (35:38 min). Specific interview topics by time code are also outlined below. To download a complete transcript of the interview, click here.