TOP STORIES
It’s been since six years of Obamacare. It looks like the president is hoping – in part due to the presidential campaign rhetoric – to “broaden the conversation” on healthcare reform. “It’s important to lay out the next chapter in the [Affordable Care Act] — building a healthcare system that puts patients at the center and works better for all Americans.” – The Hill
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.
LIFE SCIENCES
The Sequenom announcement yesterday about its patent appeal is a big deal. “The stakes could not be higher for the life sciences. And this is undoubtedly a breakthrough invention that illustrates the harm from the Federal Circuit’s ruling.” – PR Newswire & IP Watchdog
The Valeant overhaul is going to be long and painful. And, really, what will the company become after it is all said and done?
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.
“It’s a soap opera,” said David Maris, an analyst for Wells Fargo. “Here you have something that’s unfolding at an incredible velocity. And you have very colorful characters.”
The accused CFO is not going quietly: “At no time did I engage in any improper conduct that relates to any restatement of revenue.” – Financial Times, The New York Times & Fortune
British Specialty pharma Atlantic Healthcare, which focuses on gastrointestinal disorders, raised $24 million from investors that include the founders of Salix Pharmaceuticals, among others. – FierceBiotech
Elusys Therapeutics anthrax drug Anthim has won FDA approval. – STAT
LifeWatch will pay $18.7 million to Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield after an arbitrator ruled in favor of Highmark regarding payments for LifeWatch’s ACT elemetry monitoring services. – MassDevice
PAYERS-PROVIDERS
Up to two-thirds of seniors are taking five or more medications (up from about 53 percent in 2011.- Reuters
Anthem and its $15 billion legal showdown with Express Scripts. – The Washington Post
TECHNOLOGY
The tech company Tamr is offering its data preparation platform to help researchers affiliated with the White House’s Cancer Moonshot Task Force. – Tamr
Hooray! Evidence that investors came to their senses on wearables: investment dropped 20 percent in 2015. – CB Insights
A South Korean startup is developing a handheld sonogram device. – ZDNet
A perfectly timed overview of the “ransomware economy.” – Government Health IT
POLITICS
The American Health Information Management Association has launched a petition calling for a unique patient identification system.
“Remove the federal budget ban that prohibits the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from participating in efforts to find a patient identification solution. We support a voluntary patient safety identifier,” the petition states. “Accurate patient identification is critical in providing safe care but the sharing of electronic health information is being compromised because of patient identification issues. Let’s start the conversation and find a solution.”
– AHIMA
Don’t overfund the Cancer Moonshot over screening and prevention, warn more than 70 public health deans (read the full letter). – Politico
Here’s why the FDA has recommended banning powdered medical glove. – The New York Times
A LITTLE BIT EXTRA
Horrific news out of Belgium this morning. At least 13 are dead and 35 are injured after two explosions at the Brussel’s airport. – BBC
Photo: Getty Images
