TOP STORIES
BioCardia, which is expecting to enter its lead cell-based therapy for cardiovascular disease into a Phase 3 trial this year, has now filed paperwork indicating hopes to raise around $50 million in an IPO. – Xconomy
The Obama administration is putting together plans in an attempt to provide better healthcare to unaccompanied immigrant children crossing the border.
In response to the influx of Central American children immigrating to the U.S. over the last year, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) says it has increased the number of doctors available to treat these unaccompanied minors and is on the lookout to protect them from child predators and other dangerous situations once they arrive. – The Hill
PAYERS-PROVIDERS
Here’s a look at what’s to expect following the Aetna and Humana merge. – Fierce Health Payer
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. suspended services to patients after fear of an active shooter on the premises. It turned out to be a false alarm. — ABC News
A Deep-dive Into Specialty Pharma
A specialty drug is a class of prescription medications used to treat complex, chronic or rare medical conditions. Although this classification was originally intended to define the treatment of rare, also termed “orphan” diseases, affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the US, more recently, specialty drugs have emerged as the cornerstone of treatment for chronic and complex diseases such as cancer, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS.
A survey by HealthMine claims that 43 percent of 1,200 consumers with self- and employer-sponsored health insurance want financial incentives in a wellness program to be offered to their dependents as well as themselves. — HealthMine
LIFE SCIENCE
AstraZeneca will pay $46.5 million and Cephalon Inc will cough up $7.5 million to resolve allegations that they underpaid rebates owed under the Medicaid program. — Reuters
Novo Nordisk is terminating its ending 18-month partnership with Zosano Pharma to use that company’s drug delivery platform for glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues to treat Type 2 diabetes. — Biospace
Metabolon, a company specializing in metabolomics, has hired a chief commercial officer — a newly created position. Darin Leigh will oversee the company’s commercial strategy for biomarker services, precision medicine, and diagnostics business units. — Metabolon
POLITICS
A new federal audit revealed that doctors are often over-prescribing drugs due to a Medicare program created to offset costs at hospitals. – The Hill
TECH
The NHS has selected 17 healthtech innovators to join the Innovation Accelerator. – Tech City News
“The NHS stands on the cusp of a revolution in innovation,” said Sir Bruce Keogh, NHS England’s national medical director. “At its heart, innovation is the will to better, to find solutions for existing needs or new problems through more effective products, processes, technology or even the way we deliver services.”
A LITTLE BIT EXTRA
Google is entering the carpooling business this week with the launch of a new app called RideWith in Israel. – VentureBeat
Photo: Flickr user vnc2009
