TOP STORIES
The latest Brexit fallout could be higher drug prices for the National Health Service. The weakened British pound already is making it more expensive for traders to import medications from other European countries. The situation could worsen if the European Union reinstates trade barriers with the UK. — The Wall Street Journal
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
Merck will pay $200 million upfront to Moderna Therapeutics in a deal to develop messenger RNA-based, personalized cancer vaccines. They’ll be testing Merck’s Keytruda (pembrolizumab) modified with patient-specific mRNA, technology created by Moderna. — Business Wire
It seems Caitlyn Jenner has found a purpose beyond shameless publicity-hunting. She’s now advocating for better understanding of transgender health issues. “It’s not as much a physical health issue as it is an emotional issue. Physically, we had it down pretty good as far as transitioning, to do it in a healthy way. It’s mostly the emotional scars that need to be healed that had festered for a long, long time,” Jenner said. — STAT
LIFE SCIENCES
A Personalized Approach to Medication Nonadherence
At the Abarca Forward conference earlier this year, George Van Antwerp, managing director at Deloitte, discussed how social determinants of health and a personalized member experience can improve medication adherence and health outcomes.
High-tech suture-maker HeartStitch said its product has been used in human aortic valve surgery for the first time, and it happened in an unlikely place: Astana, Kazakhstan. People over there are apparently very proud of this accomplishment. — Marketwired
Waltham, Massachusetts-based Tesaro disclosed that its ovarian cancer drug passed a late-stage trial, sending its stock soaring. — Boston Business Journal
Syros Pharmaceuticals cut its IPO price by one-sixth, but still raised $50 million. — FierceBiotech
JustRight Surgical said it has become the first company to gain FDA clearance on an electrosurgical device specifically for pediatric use. — PR Newswire
Toronto-based medical device company Conavi Medical has hired Murray Maynard as CEO, effective next week. — PR Newswire
PAYERS/PROVIDERS
“I’m a physician and the son of a physician. I went into medicine because I wanted to help people get better and stay well. Somehow along the way, I got worse. Five years ago, I hit a wall, and admitted to myself that I was burned out.” — STAT
More reverse medical tourism: Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago is offering flat fees and short wait times on five surgical procedures for Canadian patients. — Canada Newswire
TECHNOLOGY
An artificial intelligence system developed at Harvard was nearly perfect in detecting cancerous cells in breast biopsy samples when paired with review by a pathologist. — PR Newswire
The race to develop technology that diagnoses disease by the sound of a patient’s voice is heating up. — STAT
Expect the market for remote patient monitoring and implantable patient monitors to grow by 7.1 percent annually, to $23.8 billion in 2020, according to BCC Research. — Marketwired
The healthcare IoT market will expand even faster, at a “remarkable” 36 percent annual rate, said Technavio. — Business Wire
Obeo Health, Burlingame, California, has released an online tool for employers to allow employees to manage their healthcare finances. — PR Newswire
2Morrow has partnered with Louisiana’s Department of Health to make its smoking cessation app, SmartQuit, available to pregnant women and their family members who want to quit. Louisiana has higher smoking rates than the national average —one quarter of its residents smoke, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control. — 2Morrow
POLITICS
The National Academies of Sciences, Medicine, and Engineering are pressing the White House to withdraw a plan to require patient consent before performing research on de-identified biospecimens. — STAT
Consumer advocacy organization Public Citizen has petitioned the FDA to put “black box” warnings on six drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease. — STAT
A LITTLE BIT EXTRA
Head down to the beach, kick back and crack open a refreshing bottle of drinkable sunscreen. — The Guardian
Photos: Flickr user alf.molin, Steve Granitz/WireImage
