Highlights of the important and interesting in the world of healthcare:
Nobel Prize winner. Robert Edwards of Britain, an 85-year-old professor emeritus at the University of Cambridge who started working on in-vitro fertilization as early as the 1950s, won the 2010 Nobel Prize in medicine on Monday for developing the breakthrough that has helped millions of infertile couples worldwide have children, according to the Associated Press in the Washington Post.
Who’s behind anti-health reform ad? Who are the members of the Coalition to Protect Seniors, which is behind the television commercial of the wise-cracking baby addressing the camera in a voice like a Vegas bookie, “Gramps is sad — Obama cut $455 billion from his Medicare?” asks the New York Times. Who knows?
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.
Sanofi-Aventis goes hostile. France’s Sanofi-Aventis has launched a $69-a-share ($18.5 billion) offer for Genzyme, formally triggering a hostile takeover after months of failing to negotiate with the U.S. biotech company’s management for its promising cholesterol and rare genetic disorder drugs, according to the Financial Times.
Athersys partner Angiotech in trouble. Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, the Canadian partner with Cleveland, Ohio’s, Athersys on developing an adult stem cell therapy for heart attack victims, is deferring $9.7 million in interest payments due Friday and is in talks with subordinated noteholders to refinance its debt, Reuters reports.
Vega Therapeutics could cause earthquake. Little-known startup Vega Therapeutics in South San Francisco, California, has leading-edge science from big names at the University of Michigan and UC San Diego, and a proven management team from the Bay Area. And if everything comes together, Vega has the potential to shake up the standard of care for millions of people with Type 2 diabetes, according to Xconomy.
