TOP STORIES
I don’t think the $1.6 billion Symphogen deal will slow any of the discussions on a Baxalta-Shire deal. Baxalta has won itself a new pipeline of a half dozen immuno-oncology therapies that fits perfectly into its mission. Expect an announcement as soon as this week that Shire has agreed to buy Baxalta for no more than $48 per share. That should make for a nice buzz at JP Morgan. – FierceBiotech, Bloomberg
Here’s a solid summary of the five biotechs that plan to announce IPOs today (including the gene-editing startup, Editas, which we covered yesterday). – TechCrunch
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.
Don’t lose this important story showing hard-evidence on the value of wearables amid the CES wearables hype: they are as good at measuring lactate thresholds for endurance runners as older methods. – Reuters
LIFE SCIENCES
Novartis pays $8.2 million to settle a case about its “boy’s club atmosphere” at Alcon Labs’ eye product unit. The original asking-price was nine figures. – STAT
The company formerly known as Atterocor, Millendo Therapeutics, has raised $62 million to continue developing specialty medications (it had a big win licensing a treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome to AstraZeneca last year). – Xconomy
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.
Glucose monitoring company GlySens follows up a $12 million raise a year ago with a $20 million round now. – MassDevice
Quartzy’s come a long way. The lab-supplies marketplace where people bid to get lower prices launched out of Y Combinator four years ago. Now it closed $17 million to build up its supply of lab equipment. – TechCrunch
Gilead has gotten priority review for its hepatitis C combination (Sovaldi with velpatasvir) and should know its fate by the end of June. – Wall Street Journal
So many snarky comments happening in so many biotech hallways today: Please refer to BIO as the Biotechnology Innovation Organization from now on. – Business Wire
Akebia announced the start of its Phase 3 trial for its treatment of anemic patients with chronic kidney disease as well as the $75 million common stock offering to fund it. – Seeking Alpha, Business Wire
Here’s a fascinating first-person account of taking “smart drugs.” – BBC
PAYERS-PROVIDERS
Under new federal rules providers can provide names of the mentally ill to a gun background check system maintained by the FBI. – Politico, Health and Human Services
Now that the Baylor Scott & White Health-Tenet Healthcare deal is done, one of the key “is population health management and coordinated care.” – Dallas Business Journal
TECHNOLOGY
Withings strikes first with the flashy CES healthcare announcements: get a hands-on look at its new thermometer. – VentureBeat, TechCrunch
The British government’s Sugar Smart app scans barcodes to deliver the amount of sugars in food. – PharmaTimes
German diabetes management company Emperra has raised $3.1 million from Robert Bosch Venture Capital, among others. – MobiHealthNews
POLITICS
Healthcare is inching its way back to the front of the presidential campaigns with the repeal vote today on Obamacare. Hillary Clinton from the campaign trail said Republicans want “to turn our healthcare system back to the insurance companies, so if you have a pre-existing condition it will be hard for you to afford care.” – The Hill
The consensus is Dr. Robert Califf gets “smooth sailing” next week – though Sen. Bernie Sanders still doesn’t like him. – The Hill
A LITTLE BIT EXTRA
A fascinating and heart-rendering journey: “A Father, a Dying Son, and the Quest to Make the Most Profound Videogame Ever” – WIRED
