TOP STORIES
For Flatiron Health, the $175 million is all about getting where it needs to go – and in this case that means meeting “certain financial metrics” that will drive it to an IPO in two to three years.
For Roche, it’s all about the data.
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.
“Flatiron has tremendous data that helps us understand how medicine reacts in patients,” said Daniel O’Day, the chief operating officer at Roche. “This is a long-term strategic investment, and the strategic collaboration benefits us. The value in the investment is not to generate a financial return.”
– New York Times, Business Insider, Business Wire
LIFE SCIENCES
KaloBios Pharmaceuticals reportedly was just days away from buying a drug to treat a rare tropical disease when CEO Martin Shkreli was arrested on fraud charges. Critics wondered if Shkreli might take advantage of fast-tracked FDA approval for orphan drugs to jack up the price. — New York Business Journal
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.
BiO2 Medical has raised $9 million that will help fund a clinical trial (a year ahead of schedule) for its catheter designed to trap blood clots before they reach the lungs. – MassDevice
The FDA has sued to shut down a Dallas drug compounder with a history of safety violations. — STAT
It’s still not clear whether cancer screening actually saves lives. — Reuters
An Ebola treatment that uses plasma taken from survivors probably is ineffective, but a malaria drug might actually work against Ebola. — STAT
New research suggests birth-control pills taken around the time of pregnancy don’t raise the risk of birth defects. — The New York Times
Benvenue Medical has closed a $60 million funding round to develop treatments for degenerative disc disease and vertebral compression fractures. — MassDevice
Agilent Technologies will pay Enzo Biochem $9 million to settle claims of patent infringement. — Business Wire
Lab supplier VWR, based in Radnor, Pennsylvania, has acquired Therapak, maker of convenience kits and procedure packs for clinical trials. — PR Newswire
PAYERS-PROVIDERS
Just 2 percent of patients at the nation’s largest hospitals are using hospital-provided mobile health apps. The lack of a strategy to engage patients by app is costing each facility as much as $100 million annually, according to a new Accenture report. — Business Wire
Summit Partners has invested $250 million in DuPage Medical Group in the Chicago suburbs. — PE Hub
Nashville (Tennessee) Pharmacy Services, a pharmacy specializing in HIV/AIDS treatments, has settled Medicare and TennCare/Medicaid overbilling allegations for $7.8 million. — Nashville Post
Health insurer Anthem has opened an “innovation studio” on the campus of Georgia Tech in Atlanta. — Atlanta Business Chronicle
Chipotle Mexican Grill has been subpoenaed in a federal criminal investigation over the norovirus outbreak in California last year. — Reuters
TECHNOLOGY
The CEO of a startup wonders why so much venture capital is flowing into digital health. — HIStalk
Home8, of Fremont, California, has introduced an automatic home medication dispenser that is aimed at postoperative patients and those with dementia. — PR Newswire
At CES, Jacksonville, Florida-based Seal Shield introduced what it called the first UV sanitizing device that can kill 99.95 percent of pathogens on smartphones and tablets in 30 seconds. — PR Newswire
POLITICS
As expected, the GOP-controlled House voted to repeal key provisions of the Affordable Care Act and defund Planned Parenthood, but President Obama is sure to veto. — The Wall Street Journal
The American Legion is concerned that the new White House actions on guns might discourage veterans from getting care for mental health. — Business Wire
The 2016 federal budget allocates $233 million to the VA to upgrade its VistA EHR. — Healthcare IT News
A LITTLE BIT EXTRA
There’s a petition going around Change.org to name a newly discovered element after recently deceased Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister. The element, of course, is a heavy metal. — Music Feeds
Photo: Flickr user Araceli Arroyo
