TOP STORIES
Novartis’ has moved to separate its cancer business from the rest of the big pharma company amid disappointing sales of heart drug Entresto, which physicians don’t yet cover widely. It has also signaled the departure of its head of pharmaceuticals, David Epstein. The head of AstraZeneca’s North American operations, Paul Hudson, will join in July to run the non cancer drug side of the business and reports to the CEO. Bruno Strigini will run the cancer drug business. — The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg
Highmark Health is suing the U.S. government over the Affordable Care Act. Its suit contends that the federal government owes it around $223 million over the risk corridors component of ACA — a provision to reduce financial risks of insurers entering new markets. Last fall, the department of Health and Human Services said insurers would receive only 12.6% of the money they claimed under the risk-corridor program in the first year of operation in 2014. — The Wall Street Journal
When Investment Rhymes with Canada
Canada has a proud history of achievement in the areas of science and technology, and the field of biomanufacturing and life sciences is no exception.
LIFE SCIENCES
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave a green light to Bristol-Myers Squibb for its treatment for classical Hodgkin lymphoma. — Pharma Times
Medtronic has made a deal with Mazor Robotics for its robot-assisted spine surgery technology. Adding up a a co-promotion agreement and an equity investment, the medical device giant could wind up with a 15% stake in the Israeli company to the tune of $42 million.— Mass Device
A new company Islexa is developing technology to support people with Type 1 diabetes. Formed by the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult and University of Aberdeen, in Scotland, it will produce lab- grown islets, the organoids responsible for insulin production. — Scottish Business News
PAYERS-PROVIDERS
Bergen Regional Medical Center is New Jersey’s largest hospital and also was the scene of 300 assaults serious enough to alert the police in 2015. The figure includes eight employees attacked by patients last year. Even so, a Bergen spokeswoman said assaults against staff fall below the national average. — Modern Healthcare
TECHNOLOGY
ARC Devices has inked a deal with telehealth business VSee and patient monitoring company Ideal Life to transform its digital thermometer InstaTemp into a Bluetooth connected device. The new version of the thermometer is expected to hit the market in the fourth quarter. — MobiHealthNews
A LITTLE BIT EXTRA
Just what women need for their monthlies: a “Period Store” by Kotex. After all, where else can a woman buy feminine hygiene products, novelty items, pain relief and ice cream in New York, other than a drugstore, that is. — Health Communication
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Photo: Flickr user Michael Layefsky
