Eggshell Weekly 20180708: 'Dying to Survive' Highlights Healthcare Pain Points, Sparking Focus on Innovative Drug Development
Works | Doctor Relaxing with Tea
Author |Norman Rockwell
Medical History in Pictures | Issue 20180708
This week, with the release of Dying to Survive, Indian generic drugs have come into the public spotlight. When exorbitant drug prices become an unbearable burden on life, can we opt for generics that offer similar efficacy at a relatively affordable cost? Amidst the tension between empathy and the law, can the flower of life still bloom? Here are our recommended reads for this week.“Leveraging National Power to ‘Counterfeit’ and Greenlighting ‘Infringement’: How India Turned Generic Drugs into a Nearly $50 Billion Business?”
As major companies go public one after another, sparking a wave of IPOs in the industry, and with the Hong Kong stock market opening its doors to biotechnology firms, Chinese CRO companies will have greater opportunities.
Over the past two decades, more than 5 million patients worldwide have regained their captivating smiles with Invisalign. Although clear aligners currently account for only about 15% of the overall orthodontic market, demand is rising steadily. According to relevant industry research reports, this sector is projected to expand rapidly at an annual growth rate of 12% over the next four years.
As Alibaba’s healthcare business portfolio continues to expand, it has effectively unveiled a vision of “New Healthcare.” This vision is broadly characterized by a user-centric approach, delivering healthcare services and products through integrated online and offline channels. The medical care process is optimized to the utmost extent, with artificial intelligence technologies applied throughout the entire patient journey—from initial triage to post-consultation patient education and post-discharge management. This significantly frees up physicians’ time, enabling more efficient utilization of their professional expertise.
The core viewpoints of the four hospital presidents in the article are summarized as follows:
1. Building a Hospital Brand Is Inseparable from Talent
2. Centering on Promotion: Ten Steps to Build and Maintain a Hospital Brand
3. The Three-Step Process of Discipline Brand Building Is the Driving Force for Hospital Development
4. Brand Innovation Models for Provincial-Level Grade-A Tertiary Hospitals
The listing of innovative pharmaceutical companies in Hong Kong and the United States is not driven by capital, but can be seen as a “relay” of capital. From venture capital (VC) and private equity (PE) to the capital market, the financial support for innovative drugs has become more solid. Investing in innovative drugs has turned into a “business” rather than a “gamble.” This is undoubtedly good news for the advancement of innovative drugs and treatment methods, because only an institutionalized and industrialized investment model can ensure stable output.
Integrated Doctor-Patient Care is a business model that connects and facilitates collaborative cooperation among upstream and downstream stakeholders, including physicians, patients, the government, healthcare institutions, insurance providers, and pharmaceutical companies. The United States has already established a highly mature mechanism for this approach. This article will explore the development of integrated doctor-patient care both domestically and internationally, examining how various parties—including insurance institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and physicians—collaborate.
July 2
The World’s First Therapeutic Antibody Targeting PVRIG Approved for Clinical Trials
Israel’s Compugen announced that its therapeutic antibody targeting PVRIG, COM701, has received FDA approval to enter clinical trials. COM701 is the first anti-PVRIG antibody globally approved for clinical development and is currently being evaluated for the treatment of malignant solid tumors.
July 3
Yuheng Pharmaceutical “Slims Down”: Sells 100% Equity Stakes in Three Subsidiaries
Yuheng Pharmaceutical announced that the planning of major asset restructuring (the sale of 100% equity interests in its wholly-owned subsidiaries: Shanghai Huatuo Pharmaceutical Technology Development Co., Ltd., Tibet Yuheng Sunshine Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Shanxi Pude Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) is ongoing. Due to the substantial workload involved in due diligence and the need for further deliberation and refinement of the restructuring plan, due diligence on the target assets and commercial negotiations are still being actively advanced.
Yihua Health Subsidiary Plans to Acquire 65% Equity Stake in Yongchuan Wolong Hospital for RMB 226 Million
Yihua Health announced that its subsidiary, Dazi Selecon Medical Investment Management Co., Ltd., intends to acquire a 65% equity stake in Chongqing Yongchuan Wolong Hospital Co., Ltd. held by Wang Chaobing for RMB 226.12 million in cash.
Chinese Company Acquires Australian Medical Device Firm for $9.3 Billion
Reuters reported on July 3 that Sirtex Medical, an Australian manufacturer of liver cancer treatment devices, stated that the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) of Australia has approved a $1.4 billion (approximately RMB 9.3 billion) acquisition proposal from a Chinese consortium. The FIRB’s approval means that this transaction, which sets a new record for the highest amount paid by Chinese capital in overseas acquisitions of medical device companies, has cleared its major regulatory hurdles.
Qianhong Biopharma’s Blockbuster Oral Anti-Cancer Drug Approved for Clinical Trials; No Similar Products Currently Available in China
Qianhong Pharma announced that its self-developed CDK9 inhibitor, QHRD107 capsules, has received clinical trial approval for a Class 1 new drug from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). This also marks the company’s first Class 1 new drug to obtain clinical trial approval.
20 Pharmaceutical Companies Have Been Merged and Restructured
Hubei Provincial Medical Products Administration Issued 12 Announcements, Revoking the "Drug Operation License" and "Good Supply Practice for Pharmaceutical Products Certification Certificate" of 12 Pharmaceutical Enterprises.
July 4
Zhongsheng Pharmaceutical’s Broad-Spectrum Anti-Cancer New Drug Approved for Clinical Trials
Zhongsheng Pharmaceutical announced that its improved new drug (Class 2.2 chemical drug) of paclitaxel, a basic chemotherapy anti-tumor drug developed by the company, namely Paclitaxel Polymeric Micelles for Injection, has recently received the Drug Clinical Trial Approval issued by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). To date, no paclitaxel polymeric micelle products have been marketed in China.
Huahai Pharmaceutical's Voriconazole Tablets Receive Drug Registration Approval
On July 4, Huahai Pharmaceutical issued an announcement stating that it had recently received the "Drug Registration Approval" approved and issued by the National Medical Products Administration.
Humanwell Healthcare’s Acetaminophen and Oxycodone Hydrochloride Tablets Receive FDA Approval
Humanwell Healthcare (Group) Co., Ltd.’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Epic Pharma, LLC (“Epic Pharma”), has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Oxycodone Hydrochloride and Acetaminophen Tablets.
July 6
"Dying to Survive" Released
The comedy film Dying to Survive, directed by Wen Muye and co-produced by Ning Hao and Xu Zheng, and starring Xu Zheng, Zhou Yiwei, Wang Chuanjun, Tan Zhuo, Zhang Yu, Yang Xinming, and Li Naiwen, was released in China.
ARCH Venture Kristina Burow
I believe this is a highly compelling time to invest in early-stage biotechnology startups, driven by three interwoven factors. First, the cost of many technological advances has dropped significantly, making them widely accessible. Second, academia has begun to recognize the availability of these tools and has gained substantial expertise in their application, enabling researchers to take a longer-term view throughout the course of their projects. Third, research institutions are becoming increasingly sophisticated and are willing to commit more resources to help scientists translate groundbreaking ideas into successful products. (Source: WuXi AppTec)
Analysis of Single Cells Enables a More Effective Understanding of Cell Biology
When analyzing cell populations, the complexity of genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics tends to be obscured by their average measurements. However, when analyzing individual cells, this complexity is revealed. Single-cell analysis can provide effective and innovative insights into the development of cellular systems, aging physiology, the non-coding genome, and cancer-driving molecules.
Current methods for single-cell genomics include cell sorting, valve fabrication combined with microfluidics, and related approaches based on microfluidic emulsions. For example, Professor Stephen Quake and Dr. Seung K. Kim at Stanford University employed single-cell transcriptomics to determine the impact of aging on the pancreas. In this study, they analyzed pancreatic cells from 2,544 individuals spanning six decades.
Source: genengnews.com
Amazon Acquires U.S. Online Pharmacy PillPack for $1 Billion
As one of the world’s largest e-commerce companies, Amazon, under its CEO Jeff Bezos, has expressed intentions to transform the healthcare system. The impending acquisition of PillPack will help realize this vision. PillPack is an online pharmacy licensed to mail medications in all 50 U.S. states. Amazon aims to expand its service offerings, including the sale of prescription drugs, by leveraging its consumer-focused “one-click shopping” model. Amazon’s expertise and resources will also support PillPack’s future development in pharmaceutical services.
Source: mobihealthnews.com
Cleveland Clinic Pushes Electronic Health Data to iPhone via Apple Health
Patients can now access their personal health data on iPhone using Apple Health. The Epic MyChart app, launched by Cleveland Clinic, provides patients with more comprehensive medical services, such as accessing their own health data, managing appointments, and directly contacting physicians and medication providers. Personal health data includes allergies, medical conditions, immune system information, laboratory results, medication tracking, vital signs, and more.
Chief Medical Information Officer Amy Merlino stated that the application can also help patients track information such as their weight, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels, with the primary goal of ensuring their overall health.
Source: healthcareitnews.com
Antispasmodic Drugs Are Ineffective for Low Back Pain; Gabapentin Use May Be Counterproductive
Based on nine trials (859 participants), researchers found antispasmodic drugs ineffective in 14 out of 15 comparisons for reducing low back pain or lumbar radicular pain. Compared with placebo, gabapentin had no short-term effect on low back pain reduction (pooled mean difference [MD, 0.0]) and was nearly ineffective for lumbar radicular pain (pooled mean difference [MD, 0.1]).
However, substantial evidence indicates that the use of gabapentin increases the risk of adverse effects. Gabapentin (also known as Noritin, Gebapantin, Kabafanding, Neurontin, or GO-3450) is an antiepileptic drug initially developed by Warner-Lambert in the United States and was first launched in the United Kingdom in 1993.
Source: physiciansbriefing.com
Analysys: 2018 Annual Comprehensive Analysis of China's Online Sports and Fitness Market
With economic growth and consumption upgrades, public spending on sports and fitness has continued to rise. The online fitness market has developed a distinct landscape over the past few years by targeting different demographic groups through various exercise offerings. The development strategies of vendors reflect the industry’s evolutionary path: Will they move upstream in the value chain to provide sports event services, or will they focus downstream on retaining end consumers (C-end) to monetize through courses and e-commerce? This report addresses these questions.
iResearch: “2018 Health Insurance Industry Research Report”
By integrating analyses of the industry’s scope, market structure, opportunities, and challenges, this report provides an in-depth examination of the current state and future development trends of the health protection industry. Through in-depth interviews with industry experts and desk research, we have obtained a comprehensive overview of the industry’s development. Furthermore, employing qualitative research methodologies such as PEST and SICAS, we conduct a thorough analysis of the health protection industry’s present landscape and future trajectory, considering its areas of involvement, market architecture, as well as emerging opportunities and challenges.
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