A new year usually comes with a fresh set of investing goals. For many income investors, that means being more meticulous, focusing less on flashy yields, and paying closer attention to what they actually own. And that perspective led me to this list. Instead of chasing trends and hype, I looked at the Dividend Kings, companies that have increased their dividends for at least five decades, overcoming recessions, rate changes, and shifting market conditions along the way. That kind of track record does not ...

Core Insights - BD has achieved a significant milestone with the first Phasix™ Mesh laparotomy reinforcement case in Greece, marking the first broad prophylactic indication for hernia mesh in high-risk procedures within the European Union [1][2] Product Development and Clinical Trials - The Phasix™ Mesh was used prophylactically during a sigmoidectomy on a 63-year-old male patient at George Papanikolaou General Hospital, aiming to reduce future hernia development [2] - BD's PREVENT trial has enrolled over 85% of its target population and is expected to complete enrollment in 2026, focusing on providing clinical evidence for the use of bioabsorbable mesh to prevent incisional hernias [3] Economic Impact and Cost Savings - Incisional hernias affect up to 30% of patients post-abdominal surgery, leading to significant healthcare costs, with average repair costs in the U.K. reaching £23,148, nearly double that of patients without repair [4] - Prevention strategies using Phasix™ Mesh could potentially reduce these costs and enhance patient quality of life [4] Regulatory Approvals and Market Expansion - Phasix™ Mesh received CE marking approval for prophylactic use and launched three new sizes in 2025, now registered in the U.K. and available across Europe for hernia prophylaxis [5]