Originally published here: https://www.statnews.com/2021/08/19/verily-signalpath-optellum-lung-cancer/
You’re reading the web edition of STAT Health Tech, our guide to how tech is transforming the life sciences. Sign up to get this newsletter delivered in your inbox every Tuesday and Thursday.
The latest C-suite shuffles
A first-of-its-kind bet for an Alphabet spinout
Alphabet life science spinout Verily announced plans to make its first major acquisition — of SignalPath, a Raleigh-based maker of clinical trials software. Verily will use the purchase to increase its appeal to research sites and speed its efforts on decentralized studies, Amy Abernethy, who leads Verily’s clinical research business, told Erin. Abernethy is steering Baseline — the company’s showpiece research and evidence-generation platform — by working to assemble a portfolio of studies and uncover new treatments for diseases. The acquisition will also boost Verily’s nascent presence in North Carolina, where the company already has a smattering of employees.
Lung cancer detection AI gets a boost from J&J
Optellum, which earlier this year received FDA clearance for its AI-powered clinical support tool that helps doctors diagnose lung cancer, has a new partnership with Johnson & Johnson’s Lung Cancer Initiative, a multi-disciplinary effort to improve detection and treatments. Optellum’s Virtual Nodule Clinic identifies lung CT Scans that indicate risk of cancer, with the goal of identifying and treating illness early — potentially even before cancer has developed.
Government funding for telehealth expansion
The Biden Administration on Wednesday announced $19 million in new funding to expand telehealth in rural and underserved areas. The money will be distributed to 36 recipients. Programs funded include a $4.3 million effort to create mentorship programs to train and support primary care providers in the treatment of complex conditions like long Covid and substance use disorder.
3D-printed brain tumors
Researchers at Tel Aviv University developed a method for 3D-printing “active and viable” glioblastoma tumors based on samples from real patients, according to a new paper in Science Advances. Cancer treatments are frequently tested on samples grown in lab dishes, an environment is so different from the body it might cause the cancer cells to behave abnormally, the researchers say. The 3D-printed tumors, though, include a system of blood vessels through which drugs and blood can flow, simulating a more human environment. The printed tumors could be used to test experimental drugs or existing treatments to see which would work best for a particular patient.
The latest deals
Discover the major changes happening that affect you, how to prepare, and even how to make the new rules work in your favor.
Discover how to stand out based on unique offerings and high member satisfaction, and how to implement these strategies.
Discover how to bring price transparency into your benefit offerings to increase member satisfaction, lower overall costs, stand out from competitors, and improve member retention.
Discover the roadmap unique to your health plan type and start seeing higher member satisfaction, lower overall costs, and healthier members.
Discover how TPAs, health cost sharing groups, and limited benefit medical plans can benefit from the use of ASCs.
Discover what health plan members had to say about the value of patient advocacy in our survey.
Learn the best strategies and tips for retaining your members while keeping costs low.
Learn the best strategies and tips for growing your members while keeping costs low.
Discover what health plan members had to say about the value of patient advocacy in our survey.
Learn the best strategies and tips for retaining your members while keeping costs low.
Discover how the the new rule will affect TPAs and health plans and how you can start your journey to compliance.
Discover how to add value to your health offerings that delight clients and members but don’t cost a fortune.
Discover what health plan members had to say about the value of patient advocacy in our survey.