TOP STORIES
CES (don’t forget our coverage) is winding down and the press is now completely punchy and pumping up anything that screams “health hype at CES 2016.”
- High-tech running shoes. – WSNV
- Vaginal rejuvenation tools. – Cult of Mac
- L’Oreal’s My UV Patch (a second skin!) – Today
- Top health gadgets at CES. – Tech Republic
It’s not all love and hype at CES, though. Get a load of this commentary after IBM CEO Ginni Rometty’s keynote: “The most memorable statement by Rometty was that AI computer technology will ‘change the way you are.’ IBM has not lined up enough large customers for Watson and its related software to support that.” The headline for the story: “IBM Watson dies at CES.” – 24/7 Wall Street
The Shire-Baxalta $32.5 billion deal is done. – Reuters
LIFE SCIENCES
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.
Valeant’s interim CEO said he would put a halt on price-hikes on drugs and the company would extend its no-acquisition stand until it gets its debt in order. – Business Insider
Martin Shkreli has $45 million sitting frozen in an E-Trade account. – The New York Times
Really, GSK is still paying doctors. They’re just not paying doctors outright. – Financial Times
Exosome Diagnostics $60 million round will likely get it through a launch of its liquid biopsy-based diagnostic test. Funding came from Qiagen, CD Ventures, Monashee Capital, Arcus Ventures, Forbion Capital Partners, NGN Capital, Tiger Management, and Blue Ridge Capital. – Xconomy
Allergan acquired Anterios, which makes a topical version of Botox, for $90 million (and more) to build its derm pipeline. – FierceBiotech
Ex-Cubist Pharmaceuticals CEO Mike Bonney has joined Third Rock Ventures. – Xconomy
EnteroMedics keeps revamping under its new CEO. Brad Hancock, the company’s chief commercial officers, is out. – Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal
Roche likes that it sees in the latest trial results for its cancer immunotherapy treatment atezolizumab. – Reuters
PAYERS-PROVIDERS
It’s hard to read the tea leaves in this summary on the state of AHIP. It all comes down to if you believe this quote, I suppose: “Let’s be real, when Sylvia Burwell wants to find out what the health insurance industry’s position is on an issue, she’s going to call Marilyn Tavenner. She’s not going to call the CEO of any one member company.” – The Hill
TECHNOLOGY
Another point-of-view on that Flatiron Health fund-raise: investors love cancer therapies. – New York Business Journal
New York-Presbyterian’s new app lets users locate a physician, find contact information for appointment scheduling and questions, get directions to the hospital, pay bills, and connect with the hospital on Twitter. More is coming. – MobiHealthNews
Kolibree has raised $4 million for a smart-phone-connected toothbrush that knows how long you brushed your teeth and hit all the hard-to-reach areas. – MobiHealthNews
Stephany Verstraete, who worked for brands like Kraft, Frito Lay and Hostess, is now the chief marketing officer at Teladoc. – Business Wire
Britain’s Push Doctor raised $8.2 million through Oxford Capital Partners, Draper Esprit and Partech Ventures. – MobiHealthNews
POLITICS
I’m not surprised the Republican presidential candidates don’t have specific plans about healthcare reform – yet. – The Wall Street Journal
The Obama administration is claiming the crucial subset of young Americans are beginning to embrace health insurance. – The New York Times, Forbes
A LITTLE BIT EXTRA
Reddit asked: “What’s the most simple thing you’ve ever had to explain to a fully competent adult?” I’d suggest the healthcare version of that would be: “What’s the most simple thing you’ve ever had to explain to an investor?” – AskReddit
Photo: Getty Images
