TOP STORIES
Merck might give Gilead a run for its money. In a comparative Phase 3 study, Merck’s Hepatitis C, Zepatier, was found to be more safe and effective than Sovaldi. Given the latter’s stunning ($80,000) price tag, it’ll be worth seeing what an approved Merck competitor could do for the Hepatitis C market. — Zacks
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.
A study published in JAMIA calls attention to some serious gaps in electronic medical record data that could affect clinical care, medical research, and public health. Among the findings, a record of acute psychiatric services was missing 89 percent of the time. — JAMA, FierceEMR
LIFE SCIENCES
Google co-founder Sergey Brin says the much-criticized life sciences arm Verily is actually profitable – and will continue to be. — Fierce Medical Devices
CareDx, which centers on diagnostics that aid organ transplants, just raised $22 million in a private placement – meant to grow its business and provide additional working capital. — GenomeWeb
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.
In a new $60 million deal, we have a new NASH player on the public markets: Synta Pharmaceuticals and Madrigal Pharmaceuticals are reverse-merging to create a company that focuses on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, as well as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. It’ll keep Madrigal’s name. — Philadelphia Business Journal
PAYERS-PROVIDERS
Kaiser Permanente has launched a biobank using the DNA of voluntary participants for environmental and behavioral health research. Participation is open to members in eight states and Washington, D.C. The goal is to use the findings to develop new diagnoses and treatment plans. — Healthcare IT News
Premera confirmed that it has cut about 165 employees since November as part of a strategic reorganization. — Puget Sound Business Journal
Boston Medical Center will pay $1.1 million to settle charges that it overbilled Medicare and Medicaid for units of cancer drug Rituxan that it didn’t use. — Boston Business Journal
ZDoggMD has some company in using the arts to raise awareness to critical issues in healthcare. Johns Hopkins palliative care physician Madeline Leong wrote a one-act play about end-of-life decisions and will debut in Baltimore. —Becker’s Hospital Review
TECHNOLOGY
Specialists on Call named Sean Banerjee as the company’s new Chief Technology Officer, He previously worked for Evolent Health as the vice president of engineering. He also led the IT eBusiness division of Anthem. — HIStalk
Madison, Wisconsin-based EnsoData has raised $550,000 in a round led by HealthX Ventures for its sleep data analysis software. The startup has already participated in the Y Combinator accelerator and graduated from Gener8or’s gBeta accelerator. — MobiHealthNews
Kaiser Permanente has launched a new database that allows researchers to study participants’ DNA as it relates to environmental and behavioral health. — Healthcare IT News
POLITICS
Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed into law legislation to prevent consumers in both emergency and non-emergency situations from being responsible for out-of-network rates if they don’t have the ability or opportunity to be treated by a participating provider. — Consumers Union
The White House and GOP leaders are pointing fingers over the stalled effort to increase funding for the fight against the Zika virus. The Obama administration has ramped up attacks on Republicans this week, accusing them of holding billions of dollars needed to prevent a widespread outbreak of the disease. — The Hill
A LITTLE BIT EXTRA
The natural transfer of DNA between plants and animals has been documented by researchers. Insects have been found to have transferred some of their DNA into conifer trees millions of years ago. But how? —Phys.org
