TOP STORIES
A groundbreaking study in the New England Journal of Medicine has apparently proven the feasibility of “desensitization” to allow patients to receive kidneys from otherwise-incompatible donors. The procedure to alter immune systems could potentially save thousands of lives and cut transplant waiting times for thousands more. — The New York Times
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.
The first uterus transplant in the U.S., performed with much fanfare at the Cleveland Clinic, has failed after the patient developed an unspecified complication. Cleveland Clinic surgeons said Wednesday that they have removed the transplanted organ. — The Dallas Morning News
Health officials in Wisconsin have linked an outbreak of a bloodborne bacterial infection known as Elizabethkingia to 18 deaths. At least 48 people in the state have contracted the infection since November. — Reuters
Chipotle Mexican Grill hasn’t completely rid itself of food-safety problems. — Reuters
LIFE SCIENCES
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.
Valeant Pharmaceuticals and R&O Pharmacy have settled their litigation. Terms weren’t announced, but the companies did say R&O will make a payment to Valeant. — StreetInsider.com
Big Pharma is cheering a decision by India to cut back on the number of licenses to manufacture generic drugs without consent of patent-holders. — STAT
Seattle-based Sound Pharmaceuticals is teaming with Oxford University on a clinical trial for a new treatment for bipolar disorder. — PR Newswire
Austin, biotech hub? It may already be happening in the “Silicon Hills” of Texas. — STAT
How do biotech startups choose their names and branding? — STAT
PAYERS-PROVIDERS
Three former patients at Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colorado, have sued the hospital in the wake of revelations that a former surgical technician with a history of drug addiction potentially exposed 2,900 patients to blood-borne pathogens. — KUSA-TV
Christus Health continues to ramp up its school-based telemedicine program. — mHealth Intelligence
What makes incoming Memorial Hermann Health System CEO Dr. Benjamin Chu tick? — Houston Business Journal
Today’s Zika news:
- Any vaccine under development may come too late to address the current Zika outbreak, a WHO panel said. — Reuters
- The Zika virus has been linked to meningoencephalitis. — USA Today
- Florida sees its first sexually transmitted Zika infection. — Miami Herald
- Might climate change be a factor in the Zika epidemic? — Los Angeles Times
TECHNOLOGY
Speaking of Austin, Texas, mobile medical technology company HealthTronics, which is headquartered there, has acquired Chicago-based United Therapies. — PR Newswire
Healthcare organizations experienced, on average, one cyber attack per month in the last year, a new report says. — Government Health IT
Research Stack, the forthcoming Android alternative to Apple’s ResearchKit, probably will strengthen ResearchKit as well. — mHealth Intelligence
Canon has won exclusive negotiating rights to Toshiba’s Toshiba Medical Systems Corp. unit. — PE Hub
POLITICS
In a rare show of bipartisanship, Senate HELP Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tennessee) said passing the 21st Century Cures Act, funding the Precision Medicine Initiative and the White House’s cancer moonshot would be the “most important bill signed into law this year.” — The Chattanoogan
“The CMS Medicare Part B Drug Payment Model is an inappropriate, potentially dangerous, and perverse experiment on the cancer care of seniors who are covered by Medicare,” the Community Oncology Alliance said in a letter to HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell and acting CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt. — Community Oncology Alliance
Connecticut lawmakers are considering a repeal of a six-month-old tax on ambulatory surgery centers. — PR Newswire
Despite the obvious appearance of aging during his time in the White House, President Obama, 54, remains in excellent health. — The New York Times
A LITTLE BIT EXTRA
A North Dakota zookeeper is playing kangaroo mama to an orphaned joey. — UPI
Photo: Flickr user scribbletaylor
