In this second roundup from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons’ meeting, Medtech Insight highlights new collaborations to create workflow efficiencies in the operating suite, new VR training programs, product launches and new technologies.

US FDA’s drug GMP warning letters to API suppliers tripled in 2016, driven by data integrity findings in China and India and concerns about facilities and equipment maintenance. Trend could spell trouble for commercial production and launches. While there’s no turning back the clock on supply chain globalization, there’s no turning back the clock on FDA warning letters either.

Derived from Strategic Transactions, Informa’s premium source for tracking life sciences deal activity, the Dealmaking column is a survey of recent health care transactions listed by relevant industry segment – In Vitro Diagnostics, Medical Devices, Research/Analytical, and Pharmaceuticals – and then categorized by type – Acquisition, Alliance, or Financing. This month’s column covers deals announced April 2015.

The market for minimally invasive surgical products continues to grow, driven by increasing demand and advances in laparoscopic technologies and techniques. Medical device manufacturers are developing new and innovative endomechanical and energy devices, as well as improved camera systems, which are allowing surgeons to safely push surgical boundaries and expand the minimally invasive surgery (MIS) approach into more complex surgical procedures than ever before. From a market perspective, manufacturers are driving growth in the MIS product market by targeting underpenetrated and emerging markets, particularly in Asia and Latin America, and by focusing education, sales, and product development efforts on growing clinical areas with good potential for increasing MIS adoption.