TOP STORY
Google and parent company Alphabet seem to be failing in healthcare again. Remember that smart contact lens that Google’s Verily was developing with Novartis? That’s “scientifically dubious at best.”
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.
The “Baseline” study of human health is said to suffer from “design weaknesses.” Verily itself has been questioned over CEO Andrew Conrad’s ethics.
And most of all, the company’s attempt to replicate the “Star Trek” Tricorder is “floundering” after a prototype missed expectations, according to former employees.
As STAT reported:
It’s axiomatic in Silicon Valley’s tech companies that if the math and the coding can be done, the product can be made. But seven former Verily employees said the company’s leadership often seems not to grasp the reality that biology can be more complex and less predictable than computers.
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.
One outsider attributed some of the struggles in life sciences to “Silicon Valley arrogance.” — STAT
LIFE SCIENCES
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected GlaxoSmithKline’s bid to avoid a racketeering lawsuit brought by health plans over the cost and side-effects of the pharma company’s Avandia diabetes drug. — STAT
Gilead Sciences is off the hook for $200 million in damages after a federal judge ruled that Merck used deceptive practices in applying for patents on hepatitis C drugs Sovaldi and Harvoni. — Reuters
Genentech and OSI Pharmaceuticals will pay the federal government $67 million to settle a whistleblower case alleging that they misled physicians on the effectiveness of the drug Tarceva to treat non-small cell lung cancer. — STAT
Sarepta Therapeutics’ stock soared late Monday after the company said the FDA has requested more information on its experimental treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. — The Wall Street Journal
Martin Shkreli has pleaded not guilty to the latest criminal charge brought against him. — The Wall Street Journal
Gene-editing company Applied StemCell has raised a $19 million Series D round of investment. — Business Wire
PAYERS/PROVIDERS
Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle has picked its first female president, former CIO and CFO Suzanne Anderson. — Puget Sound Business Journal
Licensed technical professionals at PeaceHealth Southwest in Vancouver, Washington, have voted to unionize. — Portland Business Journal
The University of Pennsylvania is starting up a joint MD/JD program for the 2017-18 school year. — Philadelphia Business Journal
TECHNOLOGY
Centauri Health Solutions, maker of technology for risk adjustment and quality-based revenue programs, has acquired IMI Health for an undisclosed sum. — PR Newswire
The FDA will hold a public advisory meeting next month as it tries to determine whether to allow Dexcom’s G5 mobile continuous glucose monitor to inform treatment decisions without the need for a fingerstick. — MobiHealthNews
Cerner CEO Neal Patterson is “fully engaged” with the EHR vendor even as he continues his cancer treatment. — Kansas City Business Journal
Vital Connect, maker of FDA-cleared, wireless disposable sensors, has brought in $10.6 million in new funding. — MobiHealthNews
POLITICS
Speaking at ASCO 2016 on Monday, Vice President Joe Biden announced the creation of the Genomic Data Commons, a system to help cancer researchers share genomic and clinical data. Biden also called the Cancer Moonshot 2020 “the only bipartisan thing left in America.” — Reuters
Two Harvard clinical leaders say it’s a mistake for NIH to abandon its Clinical Research Center program at hospitals around the country, including Massachusetts General. — The Journal of Clinical Investigation
A LITTLE BIT EXTRA
RIPMedicalDebt is suddely famous, thanks to John Oliver’s takedown of collections companies on Sunday. Here’s what that charity is all about. — STAT
Photo: Google
