Medtronic announced plans to spin off its patient monitoring and respiratory interventions businesses, which currently provide revenues of over $2bn a year. The company previously signaled plans to make significant changes to its business portfolio.

The new independent kidney-care company will be equally co-owned by both companies. It will include all of Medtronic’s renal care solutions business, including renal access, acute therapies, and chronic therapies.

The kappa opioid receptor agonist is not listed as a scheduled substance and labeling meets expectations. Cara and partner Vifor plan to launch the product in early 2022.

Rockwell Medical has filed an NDA for the iron replacement therapy, which will be positioned as an alternative to I.V. iron during dialysis and could limit the need for erythropoietin-stimulating agents.