TOP STORIES
A multiyear, randomized clinical trial study of 4,685 patients with HIV in 35 countries found that early treatment — when patients are initially diagnosed — can cut in half the number of cases of AIDS, deaths and complications, such as kidney or liver disease, according to a statement from the National Institutes of Health. The Strategic Timing of AntiRetroviral Treatment study began in 2011. The findings contradict current practice, which is to provide treatment once white blood cells have dropped below a certain level. The findings show that HIV drugs treatment should be given when white blood cell counts are still high.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci said in a statement:
Market Trends to Watch for Health Systems and Their Specialty Pharmacies
The future looks bright for the integrated specialty pharmacy model – for health systems, providers, and most importantly, for patients.
“We now have clear-cut proof that it is of significantly greater health benefit to an HIV-infected person to start antiretroviral therapy sooner rather than later…Moreover, early therapy conveys a double benefit, not only improving the health of individuals but at the same time, by lowering their viral load, reducing the risk they will transmit HIV to others. These findings have global implications for the treatment of HIV.”
Seattle-based Juno Therapeutics partners with privately held Cambridge biotech Editas Medicine in a deal valued up to $737M. A portion of the money will go toward research over the next five years to develop three new treatments that combine Editas’ gene editing technique with Juno’s approach to fighting cancer using T-cells.
LIFE SCIENCE
Medical device startup, VertiFlex, gained FDA approval for it’s minimally invasive, motion preserving Superion Interspinous Spacer System.
The Funding Model for Cancer Innovation is Broken — We Can Fix It
Closing cancer health equity gaps require medical breakthroughs made possible by new funding approaches.
Two groups of scientists reported that the four nucleotides that make up DNA can be replaced by two newly discovered nucleotides. The new nucleotides could create new proteins which could be used for medical purposes.
Greece has racked up mounting debts with international drugmakers and now owes the industry more than $1.2 billion (1.1 billion euros).
The rising unpaid bill reflects the growing struggle by the nearly bankrupt country to muster cash, and creates a dilemma for companies under moral pressure not to cut off supplies of life-saving medicines.
Percepta, a less invasive test for lung cancer, is expected in 2016.
PAYERS-PROVIDERS
University of Pennsylvania study suggests that younger cancer patients are more receptive to alternative treatments than older patients.
TECH
Jawbone has filed a lawsuit against wearable rival Fitbit in a California court. Its complaint maintains that Fitbit recruited employees earlier this year and took confidential information with them — particularly product development plans and market research.
Five new ways for diabetics to monitor glucose levels with new diabetes technology.
Scientists connected a bionic arm to a different part of the brain in order to gain smooth motor control.
POLITICS
A new study finds overhead costs for Obamacare are expected to spike.
Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee supports the idea of importing prescription drugs from Canada.
A LITTLE EXTRA
India appointed it’s first transgender principal at the Krishnager Women’s College in West Bengal.
The Morning Read provides a 24-hour wrap up of everything else healthcare’s innovators need to know about the business of medicine (and beyond). The author of The Read published it but all full-time MedCity News journalists contribute to its content.
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