A review of life science current events reported by MedCity News this week:
Forget sports. Ohio’s best rivalry is Cleveland Clinic-University Hospitals. In an era of big healthcare, and when economic development is now a bar-stool discussion, hospital rivalries like Cleveland Clinic-University Hospitals are the hottest local feuds going. They have everything sports rivalries do — from a storied history to snippy jokes — but with the added bonus of the fate of local economies hanging in the balance. (But, as one MedCitizen points out, there’s more than rivalry at work in Cleveland healthcare)
Medicare competitive bidding rules blasted by DME providers. Charlotte is one of the first cities in the country implementing Medicare’s new competitive bidding program for suppliers of durable medical equipment, or DME. Included among the other nine first round markets are Cleveland, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Miami-Fort Lauderdale. North Carolina’s Research Triangle is scheduled for a later round.
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.
Biogen Idec inks biotech blood products research deal with Amunix. The partnership combines Mountain View, California-based Amunix’s expertise in protein pharmaceuticals with Biogen Idec’s capabilities working with recombinant blood factors for hemophilia. Biogen Idec, headquartered in Weston, Massachusetts, maintains major biologics R&D and manufacturing operations in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
Promising Minnesota spinoff removes founding scientist from its board. Founders of companies often clash with CEOs hired to operate the business. But at Miromatrix Medical, a Minnesota company spun out of the University of Minnesota, it happened with lightning speed.
Neurotech startup SPR Therapeutics readies for launch of pain relief device. Year-old SPR (it stands for “stimulation for pain relief”) is one of the newest members of the Cleveland area’s growing cluster of neurotechnology firms. The Cleveland area — along with cities like Raleigh, North Carolina; Chicago; and Shanghai, China — was identified in 2009 as a “region to watch” among growing neurotechnology cluster areas by trade group the Neurotechnology Industry Organization (NIO).
