VB Weekly Report 1012: Over Ten Companies Secure Funding Post-National Day Holiday, Several File IPO Prospectuses
Oct 12, 2015 08:10
CST Updated
08:10
Events and Perspectives
The first Monday after the National Day holiday—have you all recovered? If you’re still in denial, wipe your eyes (yes, really), because the news below is explosive! Explosive! Explosive!
The first to be impacted was the merger of Meituan and Dianping.
But what does it matter to us whether they form or not? Cough... Well, at least there’ll be more free storage space on our phones in the future.
Of course, we know that what concerns you most is how this one-stop O2O service platform for daily life will “deploy its forces” in the healthcare sector. According to our sources, the following four areas will be affected:
(1) In the healthcare services sector, the focus is primarily on pharmaceutical e-commerce and health checkups/wellness.
(2) In the highly competitive medical aesthetics market, Dianping already offers similar services, which may pose a challenge to startups in this sector such as So-Young and Gengmei.
(3) The health and wellness market based on traditional Chinese medicine and fitness. Currently, platforms such as Dianping and Meituan offer similar services.
(4) There are also pregnancy and childbirth services based on the maternal and infant sector.
In addition, those who prefer to move in groups include... Let's continue:
Taikang Life Secures the First License for a Public Grade 3A Hospital.
Taikang Life Insurance, which has long maintained a strong interest in the elderly care and healthcare industries, has finally moved to acquire equity stakes in domestic Grade A tertiary hospitals. Recently,Taikang Life Insurance Signs Capital Increase and Share Expansion Agreement with the Administrative Committee of Nanjing Xianlin University City; Taikang Plans to Acquire an 80% Equity Stake in Xianlin Gulou Hospital for RMB 5 Billion and Gain Controlling Interest in Nanjing Xianlin Gulou Hospital Investment Management Co., Ltd.
This marks the first public Grade 3A hospital license held by a Chinese insurance company. It is reported that in the coming years, Taikang will partner with Gulou Hospital to create a large-scale, internationally benchmarked comprehensive medical center and an integrated medical-elderly care demonstration project, combining clinical care, education, and research, and positioning itself as a leader in Jiangsu Province and across China.
Chen Dongsheng, Chairman of Taikang Insurance Group, stated, “We have hundreds of billions of yuan in insurance funds available for investment to build an ecosystem centered on healthcare and elderly care. In addition to this strategic investment in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, we are in negotiations on many other projects. In the future, these efforts will give rise to a Taikang Hospital Group and a Taikang Elderly Care Group.”
Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Partners with DXY.
Recently,Shanghai Pharmaceuticals announced that its pharmaceutical e-commerce platform, Shanghai Pharma Cloud Health, has entered into a Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement with Guanlan Network (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd. (Dingxiangyuan). Under the agreement, both parties will share their respective advantageous resources in medical services, big data, and pharmaceutical supply, including but not limited to the joint strategic layout of offline clinics plus pharmacies, as well as the sharing and integration of relevant medical big data. The agreement is valid for five years.
Henceforth, Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Cloud Health will become the exclusive pharmaceutical supply partner for DXY’s Dingxiang Doctor Clinics, providing end-to-end pharmaceutical supply chain management—including drug supply, pharmaceutical care services, and patient medication delivery—at preferential prices. In addition, Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Cloud Health will provide Dingxiang Doctor Clinics with a pharmaceutical management information system to fully integrate with their electronic prescription data. Meanwhile, DXY will provide clinic operation services for Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Cloud Health’s offline professional pharmacy, the “Yiyao Flagship Store.”
It is reported that this marks the second early strategic move into the prescription drug market, following Shanghai Pharmaceuticals’ prior partnership with JD.com. Previously, Shanghai Pharmaceuticals and JD.com jointly increased their capital investment in SPH Cloud Health to build three major online platforms: electronic prescriptions, pharmaceutical data, and patient data. Industry experts believe that the separation of prescribing from dispensing and the elimination of drug markups are inevitable trends. Those with closer ties to hospitals will capture the largest market share, making the collaboration with DXY aligned with this developmental direction. Once restrictions on prescription drugs are lifted, this partnership is expected to translate directly into financial gains.
Guizhou Yibai Pharmaceutical and Qingdao Baiyang Health Join Forces to Establish Guizhou Baiyang Yibai Oncology Easy Follow-up Big Data Company
Last week, Guizhou Yibai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. announced that it had signed a “Cooperation Framework Agreement” with Qingdao Baiyang Health Network Technology Co., Ltd. to jointly establish “Guizhou Baiyang Yibai Oncology Easy Follow-up Big Data Co., Ltd.” The venture aims to provide a professional and efficient information platform for oncologists to manage post-diagnosis or post-operative care for cancer patients. The company strives to have more than 20,000 physicians under contract by June 30, 2016.
Nanfang Hospital Signs Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Bangkok Hospital in Thailand.
The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University and Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, formally establishing a strategic partnership. In the future, Nanfang Hospital will engage in comprehensive cooperation with Bangkok Hospital across seven areas, including medical education, clinical and basic research, continuous quality improvement, establishment of telemedicine platforms, and patient referrals.
During the discussions, both parties acknowledged that China and Thailand share many similarities in their healthcare systems and operational models. With high-quality medical resources and over 30 years of accumulated experience in international services, Nanfang Hospital is fully equipped to expand into overseas markets and enhance the level of its foreign-related services. The “hospital-to-hospital” collaboration model proposed by Nanfang Hospital with Thai medical tourism service providers will enable hospitals in both countries to leverage their respective strengths, offering international patients a wider range of medical product choices and more diverse healthcare services.
Microsoft Enters Cloud-Based Genetic Engineering.
Recently, the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) signed an agreement with Microsoft, enabling UCSC to leverage Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing platform to study the map of human genetic variations and other information.
In this emerging market, Microsoft’s competitors include companies such as Amazon and Google. Partnering with UCSC thus means that Amazon and Google have been left out. As the saying goes,
Furthermore, in terms of new products and services, companies such as Microsoft, Codoon, and Walgreens have frequently unveiled new initiatives.
Microsoft Officially Launches Second-Generation Band, with Sales Starting on October 30For the second-generation Band, Microsoft directly updated the Microsoft Health app on Android, Windows Phone, and iOS!Simply put,
Among them, health-related updates include:
1. Ultraviolet Radiation Monitoring;
2. Altitude tracking based on the barometric pressure detection feature of the second-generation Band wristband;
3. New features to assist with sleep cycles;
4. Two new features, Customized Fitness and Comprehensive Comparison, have been added to the browser-based control panel. The former provides an excellent way to create reasonable and comprehensive training plans, while the latter allows users to view fitness programs from other users with similar characteristics.
Therefore, first-generation users can enjoy new features through the upgraded Microsoft Health app and online dashboard.
“Codoon” Quietly Launches New Product “Blast,” Targeting Nike+ in Overseas Markets.
Recently,The well-known sports social platform Codoon has launched its overseas version, “Blast.” As the first Chinese mobile internet sports software product to enter the overseas market, “Blast” focuses more on runners and places greater emphasis on its utility features.
Compared with the domestic version of Codoon, “Blast” features a cleaner interface and simpler operation. In contrast to Nike+, the most popular long-established running app overseas, “Blast” inherits the down-to-earth nature typical of Chinese apps: while focusing on running, it also addresses ordinary users’ needs for social interaction and sharing.
Walgreens Launches Fitness Tracker Program: Earn Points by Running.
Walgreens, the largest pharmacy chain in the United States, has launched a new initiative to track consumers’ health habits and reward them with points. This program leverages wearable activity trackers and their companion apps, allowing users to input their dietary history. The points earned can be redeemed at any Walgreens pharmacy.
This program tracks three fitness metrics: frequency, intensity, and resilience. Consumers can earn up to $500 in points, with the amount varying by activity. 1,000 points are equivalent to $1.
But not everyone is comfortable with a pharmacy accessing their personal health data. As is well known, conflicts of interest and privacy breaches are rampant in the industry. How can these conflicts be resolved? For now, Walgreens chooses to sidestep these issues, focusing solely on the commendable aspects of its program. As the saying goes,
Xiuzheng Pharmaceutical Enters the Big Health Industry.
Xiuzheng Pharmaceutical, expected to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange by the end of this year, has expanded into the big health industry while maintaining its core pharmaceutical business. However, its strategic move appears somewhat “bandwagon.”
Li Jia, spokesperson for Xiuzheng Pharmaceutical, told the media that the company’s strategic plan three years ago already included a layout in the big health sector. It was not until February and March of this year that products were gradually launched, marking Xiuzheng Pharmaceutical’s formal entry into the big health industry.
It is hardly surprising that the company has ventured into the broader health and wellness sector, as cross-industry expansion by pharmaceutical companies into this space has become a trend in recent years. What is unusual, however, is the wide range of products it has launched, many of which are familiar faces. These include Hericium erinaceus (lion’s mane mushroom) biscuits, maca and Polygonatum sibiricum plant-based beverages, and maca biscuits.
So why target “familiar faces”?
“Xiuzheng Pharmaceutical, if it aims to expand into the big health sector, must build a comprehensive ecosystem covering all aspects of an individual’s diet, daily necessities, and beverages,” said its person in charge.
Adidas Unveils Futurecraft 3D-Printed Running Shoe Design.
Recently, Adidas officially announced that in the future, customers will be able to collect foot characteristic data by simply taking a few steps on treadmills at Adidas brick-and-mortar stores, and then leverage 3D printing technology to manufacture unique, customized running shoes.
Unlike many other 3D-printed shoe designs, Futurecraft 3D does not prioritize aesthetics; it is a performance-driven shoe. Its lattice-structured midsole is crafted using unique 3D-printing materials and processes, providing athletes with unprecedented personalized support and cushioning.
According to VCBeat, the Futurecraft 3D shoes are merely the first product in Adidas’s “Futurecraft series.” The company plans to further invest in new manufacturing processes and launch more products that integrate emerging technologies.
In fact, Adidas was not the first company to conceive of using 3D printing for running shoe production. According to Digital Trends, Nike CEO Erick Sprunk also revealed their 3D-printed running shoe initiative at the 2015 GeekWire Summit, suggesting that in the future, Nike would only need to sell digital files containing shoe designs, allowing customers to print the shoes themselves at home or at other retail locations. As it stands, however, Adidas appears to have taken the lead.
Beijing’s Grade 3A Hospitals Jointly Launch Self-Developed Apps for Appointment Registration.
Recently,Peking Union Medical College Hospital and China-Japan Friendship Hospital Have Successively Launched Mobile Apps, Enabling Appointment Registration Services.
According to VCBeat, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Guang’anmen Hospital, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, and People’s Hospital have all launched their respective mobile apps, offering services such as appointment registration and laboratory test result inquiries. In addition to apps, WeChat has also become a key platform for major hospitals to explore new-media-based appointment registration.
A hospital department head stated that the hospital prefers its self-developed appointment registration platform. For the hospital, this serves as an effective promotional window, allowing it to subtly promote its brand characteristics, core specialties, and service philosophy through its proprietary platform.
Additionally,Sony Acquires Motion-Sensing Company SoftKinetic.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Sony announced on its official blog on October 8 that it had acquired Softkinetic Systems SA, a Belgian motion-sensing technology company founded in 2007 and focused on the research and development of motion-sensing technologies.
The company currently holds a proprietary imaging sensing technology known as “TOF (time-of-flight).” This technology measures the distance between the camera and the subject using near-infrared light emitted by sensors, and generates three-dimensional contour images of objects, thereby enabling faster and more precise autofocus.
Sony’s move is not only aimed at promoting VR but also at preparing for future development—the highly promising motion-sensing technology market. Motion-sensing technology will gradually see widespread application and become the next entry point into the consumer market. This represents a new way forward for Sony, which has been posting losses in recent years.
In addition to the industry giants showcasing their high-difficulty maneuvers, official authorities have also weighed in.
The National Development and Reform Commission stated that a unified national government data open portal will be established by 2018, promoting the centralized aggregation of government and public sector data resources and their unified release to the public, thereby achieving one-stop access to government data resources for society.
According to a relevant official from the National Development and Reform Commission, priority will be given to opening up government data in fields such as credit, transportation, healthcare, public health, employment, social security, geography, culture, education, science and technology, environment, finance, statistics, and meteorology—areas closely related to livelihood protection services—to the public.
To ensure the security and accuracy of public data, relevant laws and regulations will be established and improved, the Regulations on the Disclosure of Government Information will be revised and perfected without delay, and a national coordination, development, and oversight mechanism for big data will be established.
Guangdong Province Plans to Establish 20 Online Hospitals Within Six Years.
The People’s Government of Guangdong Province issued the “Guangdong Province ‘Internet Plus’ Action Plan (2015–2020).” The Plan indicates that, in the healthcare sector, Guangdong Province intends to establish ten pilot online hospitals by the end of 2017, with the number of pilots reaching 20 by the end of 2020.
According to National Business Daily, Guangdong’s first online hospital was launched as early as last October and has been operating on a trial basis for nearly a year. Over the past year, the Guangdong Provincial Online Hospital—jointly established by the Second People’s Hospital of Guangdong Province, Shenzhen Youdeyi Technology Co., Ltd., and dozens of chain pharmacies across Guangdong Province—has signed contracts with the top 20 chain pharmaceutical enterprises in China. It has set up consultation points in all 21 prefecture-level cities and 120 counties and districts of Guangdong Province, with a total of 1,500 consultation points established, 1,000 of which are operational and staffed by trained personnel. The hospital currently employs approximately 50 general practitioners and specialists at or above the attending physician level, along with a reserve pool of 400 physicians.
Nevertheless, the rollout of online hospitals has lagged behind expectations. The chairman of a pharmaceutical e-commerce company, who requested anonymity, stated that as an emerging industry, both traditional healthcare institutions and technology-driven internet companies must undergo extensive exploration in this field. Currently, online hospitals merely enhance the efficiency of existing models, with their impact on overall healthcare reform remaining limited.
Finally, a brief message is attached:
Second-child concept stocks buck the trend, with David Medical, Beingmate, and Helen Piano hitting their daily upper limits.
According to media reports, relevant authorities are studying the full relaxation of the two-child policy, which is expected to become a key issue in the 13th Five-Year Plan.
Regarding news that policy adjustments are expected to be advanced, experts believe that fully lifting the two-child policy will bring significant benefits in addressing the current issue of population aging in Chinese society and unleashing the demographic dividend.
Analysts point out that relaxing the two-child policy, coupled with improvements in supporting measures, would form a powerful “policy combination” to unleash substantial reform dividends. Over the next 5–10 years, China is expected to experience a baby boom of moderate scale. This will not only help alleviate the long-term pressure on elderly care in an aging society and strengthen consumption-driven economic growth, but also foster the service sector, create numerous job opportunities, and facilitate economic transformation and upgrading.
Netizens' whimsical replies:
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Healthcare Reform
★ National Health and Family Planning Commission: Medical Liability Insurance to Achieve 100% Coverage in Tertiary Hospitals
Last week, the National Health and Family Planning Commission, in conjunction with the Supreme People's Court, provincial public security departments, and other agencies, issued the “Opinions on Deepening the ‘Safe Hospital’ Initiative and Safeguarding Medical Order in Accordance with the Law.” The document calls for fundamental improvements in medical order through measures such as conducting screenings for hidden risks in doctor-patient conflicts and strengthening people’s mediation of medical disputes.
The “Opinions” propose that by 2015, the insurance participation rate for tertiary public hospitals nationwide should reach 100%, and that for secondary public hospitals should exceed 90%; by 2020, medical liability insurance should cover all public hospitals and more than 80% of primary healthcare institutions across China.
★ State Council Issues First-Ever Document Supporting O2O
Recently, the General Office of the State Council issued the “Opinions on Promoting Online-Offline Interaction to Accelerate Innovative Development and Transformation and Upgrading of Commerce and Circulation.” The Opinions state that next-generation information technologies, such as mobile internet, are accelerating their development, giving rise to a continuous stream of technology-driven business model innovations. Online-offline interaction has become one of the most dynamic forms of economic activity. Vigorously developing online-offline interaction is of great significance for promoting the transformation of brick-and-mortar stores, fostering business model innovation, enhancing new drivers of economic growth, and supporting mass entrepreneurship and innovation.
The Opinion proposes supporting and encouraging innovative online-offline interactions to stimulate the vitality of physical commerce, improving the modern market system, and introducing corresponding policy measures for support.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Commerce, the O2O market size reached RMB 304.94 billion in the first half of this year, representing a year-on-year growth of up to 80%. Given the current economic landscape characterized by sluggish development in the physical commerce and circulation sector, promoting the integrated development of online and offline channels is imperative.
★ National Health and Family Planning Commission: The tiered diagnosis and treatment system will be fully established within five years
A relevant official from the National Health and Family Planning Commission stated that the tiered diagnosis and treatment system will be gradually improved within two years, and by 2020, a comprehensive model featuring initial consultation at primary care facilities, two-way referrals, triage of acute and chronic conditions, and coordinated care between different levels of medical institutions will be fully established.
In summary, the implementation follows a two-step approach: achieving initial results through gradual improvement over two years, and reaching maturity and stabilization through comprehensive enhancement over five years. By 2017, the policy framework for tiered diagnosis and treatment will be gradually improved. A basic mechanism for division of labor and collaboration among medical and health institutions will be established, high-quality medical resources will be effectively decentralized to lower levels, and the volume of diagnoses and treatments at primary care facilities will increase significantly. By 2020, a tiered diagnosis and treatment model featuring initial consultation at primary care facilities, two-way referrals, triage between acute and chronic conditions, and coordinated care across different levels of healthcare institutions will be firmly established.
★ Central Government Allocates RMB 11.1 Billion in Subsidies to Support Public Hospital Reform
The Department of Social Security under the Ministry of Finance revealed on the 8th that the central government had allocated 11.124 billion yuan in subsidy funds in 2015 to support the reform of public hospitals.
First, subsidy funds totaling 5.931 billion yuan were allocated at a standard of 3 million yuan per county to support the comprehensive rollout of the reform of county-level public hospitals.
Second, subsidy funds totaling RMB 1.32 billion were allocated at a standard of RMB 20 million as a one-time grant per pilot city, to support the comprehensive reform pilots of public hospitals in 66 cities of the third batch, thereby expanding the number of pilot cities to 100.
Third, subsidy funds totaling RMB 273 million were allocated to the districts under the jurisdiction of 100 pilot cities, at a standard of RMB 1 million per district, to support secondary and lower-tier hospitals in carrying out pilot reforms for comprehensive public hospital reform.
Fourth, RMB 3.6 billion in subsidy funds for standardized residency training were allocated at a per capita annual rate of RMB 30,000, supporting 120,000 trainees in participating in standardized residency training.
Data
According to a recent report by GlobalData, the global compression therapy market is projected to reach $6.22 billion in 2021. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during this period is 7.13%, indicating robust growth momentum.
Furthermore, in terms of geography, the growth trend of the global compression therapy market is mainly concentrated in 10 key markets: the United States, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Brazil, China, and India. This growth is primarily driven by the aging global population and the increasing prevalence of diseases such as diabetes.
According to a recent report from Kantar Media, Fitbit had the highest advertising expenditure among all wearable device manufacturers last year, with total ad spending reaching $21.6 million.
Garmin and Samsung were not far behind. Garmin spent $18.7 million, while Samsung also spent $11.6 million. In sharp contrast to these three deep-pocketed players, other competitors reduced their spending in this area—Nike spent $3.2 million, Google $3.1 million, Jaybird $1.8 million, and Timex $1.7 million.
None of the other companies on this list spent more than $1 million on advertising for their wearable devices in 2014. Listed in descending order, these companies include Microsoft, LG, Qualcomm, Misfit, Withings, Jawbone, Adidas, Spire, and OM.
The report points out that the market is highly concentrated, as Fitbit, Garmin, and Samsung account for 75% of advertising expenditure.
According to research by Wristly, 83% of Apple Watch users reported improvements in their overall health and fitness. More specifically, 59% of respondents noted “some” positive changes, while 24% reported “significant” improvements in their physical fitness and health. Importantly, only 17% of respondents indicated that they had not observed any changes in their physical condition.
Wristly categorizes Apple Watch users into two groups: those whose primary purpose is fitness, and those who use the device for any other purpose. Among the first group, 31% reported noticing significant changes in their physical condition, while 58% told Wristly that they had experienced some changes in their overall health and fitness. Furthermore, among the second group, 72% of users believed that their health status had undergone some or substantial changes.
The Wristly study also revealed that among all Apple Watch users, 39% reported an increase in their level of physical activity after purchasing the device. Of these, 7% extended their workout duration, while 18% indicated that certain aspects of their exercise routines had improved.
New Technologies
◆ UK Says Functional MRI Can Predict Depression Relapse
Researchers from King’s College London and the University of Manchester conducted functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans on 64 patients with major depressive disorder who were in remission, to investigate changes in their brains. Following the scans, the researchers monitored these patients for 14 months, during which 27 patients experienced a relapse of depression.
To further validate the findings, researchers subjected another group of 39 individuals to this imaging scan. None of them had a personal or family history of major depressive disorder. The results showed no strong correlation between these two brain regions in this cohort either.
According to the researchers, by leveraging the aforementioned brain characteristics, they can predict whether patients with depression in recovery will experience a relapse, with an accuracy rate of approximately 75%.
This study has been published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry.
◆ Simple Blood Test Can Predict Heart Attacks
Scientists at the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom have discovered that protein levels in the blood can indicate whether a patient is at risk of suffering a fatal heart attack. They stated that by simply testing cardiac troponin levels, patients can be discharged immediately, thereby saving substantial costs. Low troponin levels suggest a low likelihood of a heart attack.
◆ Electronic Bandage: Accelerating Wound Healing by Using Electrical Stimulation of Blood Vessels
A team of bioelectronics researchers from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom recently discovered that human wounds heal faster under electrical stimulation, paving the way for the development of electronic bandages.
In a survey of 40 volunteers, participants were divided into two groups: one group used conventional bandages and relied on natural healing, while the other group used electronic bandages that delivered electrical pulse stimulation.
Two weeks later, the bandages were removed from both groups of participants simultaneously. The actual results demonstrated that the group using electronic bandages exhibited significantly faster healing rates and greater reduction in wound surface area. Electrical stimulation markedly increased blood flow around the wounds, thereby accelerating the healing process.
◆ Japanese research team develops technology for efficient collection of blood cancer cells
A research team from Nagoya University in Japan announced on the 9th that they have developed a new technology capable of efficiently screening and collecting circulating tumor cells (CTCs) present in trace amounts in the blood of cancer patients. This technology works by injecting collected blood samples into densely packed arrays of silicone micropillars to isolate CTCs, which are then collected individually. Since the number of isolated CTCs can be determined within approximately one hour, this method is expected to be applied in the future for assessing the efficacy of anticancer drugs and enabling early detection of cancer metastasis.
◆ Patch-Based Microneedle Vaccine: Painless and Self-Administered
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States have developed a tattoo-like vaccine patch that embeds multilayer polymer films into the epidermis via microneedles, enabling sustained release of the encapsulated vaccine.
Multiple arrays of microneedles are distributed on the surface of the vaccine patch. Each microneedle has a diameter of 250 micrometers, approximately 2.5 times the thickness of a human hair, and a height of 650 micrometers. The surface of the microneedles is coated with multilayer polymer films embedding genetic vaccines. When the “tattoo-like patch” is applied to the skin, the microneedles penetrate approximately 0.5 millimeters into the epidermis. This depth does not reach nerve endings or blood vessels, thereby causing no pain and offering greater safety compared to subcutaneous injection. After remaining in place for several minutes, the patch is removed, leaving the polymer film coatings from the microneedles within the epidermis. These coatings begin to degrade, releasing the vaccine continuously over several days to weeks. Hmm! In the future,
Capital
The first Monday after the National Day holiday—have you all recovered? If you’re still in denial, wipe your eyes (yes, really), because the news below is explosive! Explosive! Explosive!
The first to be impacted was the merger of Meituan and Dianping.
But what does it matter to us whether they form or not? Cough... Well, at least there’ll be more free storage space on our phones in the future.
Of course, we know that what concerns you most is how this one-stop O2O service platform for daily life will “deploy its forces” in the healthcare sector. According to our sources, the following four areas will be affected:
(1) In the healthcare services sector, the focus is primarily on pharmaceutical e-commerce and health checkups/wellness.
(2) In the highly competitive medical aesthetics market, Dianping already offers similar services, which may pose a challenge to startups in this sector such as So-Young and Gengmei.
(3) The health and wellness market based on traditional Chinese medicine and fitness. Currently, platforms such as Dianping and Meituan offer similar services.
(4) There are also pregnancy and childbirth services based on the maternal and infant sector.
In addition, those who prefer to move in groups include... Let's continue:
Taikang Life Secures the First License for a Public Grade 3A Hospital.
Taikang Life Insurance, which has long maintained a strong interest in the elderly care and healthcare industries, has finally moved to acquire equity stakes in domestic Grade A tertiary hospitals. Recently,Taikang Life Insurance Signs Capital Increase and Share Expansion Agreement with the Administrative Committee of Nanjing Xianlin University City; Taikang Plans to Acquire an 80% Equity Stake in Xianlin Gulou Hospital for RMB 5 Billion and Gain Controlling Interest in Nanjing Xianlin Gulou Hospital Investment Management Co., Ltd.
This marks the first public Grade 3A hospital license held by a Chinese insurance company. It is reported that in the coming years, Taikang will partner with Gulou Hospital to create a large-scale, internationally benchmarked comprehensive medical center and an integrated medical-elderly care demonstration project, combining clinical care, education, and research, and positioning itself as a leader in Jiangsu Province and across China.
Chen Dongsheng, Chairman of Taikang Insurance Group, stated, “We have hundreds of billions of yuan in insurance funds available for investment to build an ecosystem centered on healthcare and elderly care. In addition to this strategic investment in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, we are in negotiations on many other projects. In the future, these efforts will give rise to a Taikang Hospital Group and a Taikang Elderly Care Group.”
Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Partners with DXY.
Recently,Shanghai Pharmaceuticals announced that its pharmaceutical e-commerce platform, Shanghai Pharma Cloud Health, has entered into a Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement with Guanlan Network (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd. (Dingxiangyuan). Under the agreement, both parties will share their respective advantageous resources in medical services, big data, and pharmaceutical supply, including but not limited to the joint strategic layout of offline clinics plus pharmacies, as well as the sharing and integration of relevant medical big data. The agreement is valid for five years.
Henceforth, Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Cloud Health will become the exclusive pharmaceutical supply partner for DXY’s Dingxiang Doctor Clinics, providing end-to-end pharmaceutical supply chain management—including drug supply, pharmaceutical care services, and patient medication delivery—at preferential prices. In addition, Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Cloud Health will provide Dingxiang Doctor Clinics with a pharmaceutical management information system to fully integrate with their electronic prescription data. Meanwhile, DXY will provide clinic operation services for Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Cloud Health’s offline professional pharmacy, the “Yiyao Flagship Store.”
It is reported that this marks the second early strategic move into the prescription drug market, following Shanghai Pharmaceuticals’ prior partnership with JD.com. Previously, Shanghai Pharmaceuticals and JD.com jointly increased their capital investment in SPH Cloud Health to build three major online platforms: electronic prescriptions, pharmaceutical data, and patient data. Industry experts believe that the separation of prescribing from dispensing and the elimination of drug markups are inevitable trends. Those with closer ties to hospitals will capture the largest market share, making the collaboration with DXY aligned with this developmental direction. Once restrictions on prescription drugs are lifted, this partnership is expected to translate directly into financial gains.
Guizhou Yibai Pharmaceutical and Qingdao Baiyang Health Join Forces to Establish Guizhou Baiyang Yibai Oncology Easy Follow-up Big Data Company
Last week, Guizhou Yibai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. announced that it had signed a “Cooperation Framework Agreement” with Qingdao Baiyang Health Network Technology Co., Ltd. to jointly establish “Guizhou Baiyang Yibai Oncology Easy Follow-up Big Data Co., Ltd.” The venture aims to provide a professional and efficient information platform for oncologists to manage post-diagnosis or post-operative care for cancer patients. The company strives to have more than 20,000 physicians under contract by June 30, 2016.
Nanfang Hospital Signs Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Bangkok Hospital in Thailand.
The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University and Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, formally establishing a strategic partnership. In the future, Nanfang Hospital will engage in comprehensive cooperation with Bangkok Hospital across seven areas, including medical education, clinical and basic research, continuous quality improvement, establishment of telemedicine platforms, and patient referrals.
During the discussions, both parties acknowledged that China and Thailand share many similarities in their healthcare systems and operational models. With high-quality medical resources and over 30 years of accumulated experience in international services, Nanfang Hospital is fully equipped to expand into overseas markets and enhance the level of its foreign-related services. The “hospital-to-hospital” collaboration model proposed by Nanfang Hospital with Thai medical tourism service providers will enable hospitals in both countries to leverage their respective strengths, offering international patients a wider range of medical product choices and more diverse healthcare services.
Microsoft Enters Cloud-Based Genetic Engineering.
Recently, the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) signed an agreement with Microsoft, enabling UCSC to leverage Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing platform to study the map of human genetic variations and other information.
In this emerging market, Microsoft’s competitors include companies such as Amazon and Google. Partnering with UCSC thus means that Amazon and Google have been left out. As the saying goes,
Furthermore, in terms of new products and services, companies such as Microsoft, Codoon, and Walgreens have frequently unveiled new initiatives.
Microsoft Officially Launches Second-Generation Band, with Sales Starting on October 30For the second-generation Band, Microsoft directly updated the Microsoft Health app on Android, Windows Phone, and iOS!Simply put,
Among them, health-related updates include:
1. Ultraviolet Radiation Monitoring;
2. Altitude tracking based on the barometric pressure detection feature of the second-generation Band wristband;
3. New features to assist with sleep cycles;
4. Two new features, Customized Fitness and Comprehensive Comparison, have been added to the browser-based control panel. The former provides an excellent way to create reasonable and comprehensive training plans, while the latter allows users to view fitness programs from other users with similar characteristics.
Therefore, first-generation users can enjoy new features through the upgraded Microsoft Health app and online dashboard.
“Codoon” Quietly Launches New Product “Blast,” Targeting Nike+ in Overseas Markets.
Recently,The well-known sports social platform Codoon has launched its overseas version, “Blast.” As the first Chinese mobile internet sports software product to enter the overseas market, “Blast” focuses more on runners and places greater emphasis on its utility features.
Compared with the domestic version of Codoon, “Blast” features a cleaner interface and simpler operation. In contrast to Nike+, the most popular long-established running app overseas, “Blast” inherits the down-to-earth nature typical of Chinese apps: while focusing on running, it also addresses ordinary users’ needs for social interaction and sharing.
Walgreens Launches Fitness Tracker Program: Earn Points by Running.
Walgreens, the largest pharmacy chain in the United States, has launched a new initiative to track consumers’ health habits and reward them with points. This program leverages wearable activity trackers and their companion apps, allowing users to input their dietary history. The points earned can be redeemed at any Walgreens pharmacy.
This program tracks three fitness metrics: frequency, intensity, and resilience. Consumers can earn up to $500 in points, with the amount varying by activity. 1,000 points are equivalent to $1.
But not everyone is comfortable with a pharmacy accessing their personal health data. As is well known, conflicts of interest and privacy breaches are rampant in the industry. How can these conflicts be resolved? For now, Walgreens chooses to sidestep these issues, focusing solely on the commendable aspects of its program. As the saying goes,
Xiuzheng Pharmaceutical Enters the Big Health Industry.
Xiuzheng Pharmaceutical, expected to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange by the end of this year, has expanded into the big health industry while maintaining its core pharmaceutical business. However, its strategic move appears somewhat “bandwagon.”
Li Jia, spokesperson for Xiuzheng Pharmaceutical, told the media that the company’s strategic plan three years ago already included a layout in the big health sector. It was not until February and March of this year that products were gradually launched, marking Xiuzheng Pharmaceutical’s formal entry into the big health industry.
It is hardly surprising that the company has ventured into the broader health and wellness sector, as cross-industry expansion by pharmaceutical companies into this space has become a trend in recent years. What is unusual, however, is the wide range of products it has launched, many of which are familiar faces. These include Hericium erinaceus (lion’s mane mushroom) biscuits, maca and Polygonatum sibiricum plant-based beverages, and maca biscuits.
So why target “familiar faces”?
“Xiuzheng Pharmaceutical, if it aims to expand into the big health sector, must build a comprehensive ecosystem covering all aspects of an individual’s diet, daily necessities, and beverages,” said its person in charge.
Adidas Unveils Futurecraft 3D-Printed Running Shoe Design.
Recently, Adidas officially announced that in the future, customers will be able to collect foot characteristic data by simply taking a few steps on treadmills at Adidas brick-and-mortar stores, and then leverage 3D printing technology to manufacture unique, customized running shoes.
Unlike many other 3D-printed shoe designs, Futurecraft 3D does not prioritize aesthetics; it is a performance-driven shoe. Its lattice-structured midsole is crafted using unique 3D-printing materials and processes, providing athletes with unprecedented personalized support and cushioning.
According to VCBeat, the Futurecraft 3D shoes are merely the first product in Adidas’s “Futurecraft series.” The company plans to further invest in new manufacturing processes and launch more products that integrate emerging technologies.
In fact, Adidas was not the first company to conceive of using 3D printing for running shoe production. According to Digital Trends, Nike CEO Erick Sprunk also revealed their 3D-printed running shoe initiative at the 2015 GeekWire Summit, suggesting that in the future, Nike would only need to sell digital files containing shoe designs, allowing customers to print the shoes themselves at home or at other retail locations. As it stands, however, Adidas appears to have taken the lead.
Beijing’s Grade 3A Hospitals Jointly Launch Self-Developed Apps for Appointment Registration.
Recently,Peking Union Medical College Hospital and China-Japan Friendship Hospital Have Successively Launched Mobile Apps, Enabling Appointment Registration Services.
According to VCBeat, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Guang’anmen Hospital, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, and People’s Hospital have all launched their respective mobile apps, offering services such as appointment registration and laboratory test result inquiries. In addition to apps, WeChat has also become a key platform for major hospitals to explore new-media-based appointment registration.
A hospital department head stated that the hospital prefers its self-developed appointment registration platform. For the hospital, this serves as an effective promotional window, allowing it to subtly promote its brand characteristics, core specialties, and service philosophy through its proprietary platform.
Additionally,Sony Acquires Motion-Sensing Company SoftKinetic.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Sony announced on its official blog on October 8 that it had acquired Softkinetic Systems SA, a Belgian motion-sensing technology company founded in 2007 and focused on the research and development of motion-sensing technologies.
The company currently holds a proprietary imaging sensing technology known as “TOF (time-of-flight).” This technology measures the distance between the camera and the subject using near-infrared light emitted by sensors, and generates three-dimensional contour images of objects, thereby enabling faster and more precise autofocus.
Sony’s move is not only aimed at promoting VR but also at preparing for future development—the highly promising motion-sensing technology market. Motion-sensing technology will gradually see widespread application and become the next entry point into the consumer market. This represents a new way forward for Sony, which has been posting losses in recent years.
In addition to the industry giants showcasing their high-difficulty maneuvers, official authorities have also weighed in.
The National Development and Reform Commission stated that a unified national government data open portal will be established by 2018, promoting the centralized aggregation of government and public sector data resources and their unified release to the public, thereby achieving one-stop access to government data resources for society.
According to a relevant official from the National Development and Reform Commission, priority will be given to opening up government data in fields such as credit, transportation, healthcare, public health, employment, social security, geography, culture, education, science and technology, environment, finance, statistics, and meteorology—areas closely related to livelihood protection services—to the public.
To ensure the security and accuracy of public data, relevant laws and regulations will be established and improved, the Regulations on the Disclosure of Government Information will be revised and perfected without delay, and a national coordination, development, and oversight mechanism for big data will be established.
Guangdong Province Plans to Establish 20 Online Hospitals Within Six Years.
The People’s Government of Guangdong Province issued the “Guangdong Province ‘Internet Plus’ Action Plan (2015–2020).” The Plan indicates that, in the healthcare sector, Guangdong Province intends to establish ten pilot online hospitals by the end of 2017, with the number of pilots reaching 20 by the end of 2020.
According to National Business Daily, Guangdong’s first online hospital was launched as early as last October and has been operating on a trial basis for nearly a year. Over the past year, the Guangdong Provincial Online Hospital—jointly established by the Second People’s Hospital of Guangdong Province, Shenzhen Youdeyi Technology Co., Ltd., and dozens of chain pharmacies across Guangdong Province—has signed contracts with the top 20 chain pharmaceutical enterprises in China. It has set up consultation points in all 21 prefecture-level cities and 120 counties and districts of Guangdong Province, with a total of 1,500 consultation points established, 1,000 of which are operational and staffed by trained personnel. The hospital currently employs approximately 50 general practitioners and specialists at or above the attending physician level, along with a reserve pool of 400 physicians.
Nevertheless, the rollout of online hospitals has lagged behind expectations. The chairman of a pharmaceutical e-commerce company, who requested anonymity, stated that as an emerging industry, both traditional healthcare institutions and technology-driven internet companies must undergo extensive exploration in this field. Currently, online hospitals merely enhance the efficiency of existing models, with their impact on overall healthcare reform remaining limited.
Finally, a brief message is attached:
Second-child concept stocks buck the trend, with David Medical, Beingmate, and Helen Piano hitting their daily upper limits.
According to media reports, relevant authorities are studying the full relaxation of the two-child policy, which is expected to become a key issue in the 13th Five-Year Plan.
Regarding news that policy adjustments are expected to be advanced, experts believe that fully lifting the two-child policy will bring significant benefits in addressing the current issue of population aging in Chinese society and unleashing the demographic dividend.
Analysts point out that relaxing the two-child policy, coupled with improvements in supporting measures, would form a powerful “policy combination” to unleash substantial reform dividends. Over the next 5–10 years, China is expected to experience a baby boom of moderate scale. This will not only help alleviate the long-term pressure on elderly care in an aging society and strengthen consumption-driven economic growth, but also foster the service sector, create numerous job opportunities, and facilitate economic transformation and upgrading.
Netizens' whimsical replies:
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Healthcare Reform
★ National Health and Family Planning Commission: Medical Liability Insurance to Achieve 100% Coverage in Tertiary Hospitals
Last week, the National Health and Family Planning Commission, in conjunction with the Supreme People's Court, provincial public security departments, and other agencies, issued the “Opinions on Deepening the ‘Safe Hospital’ Initiative and Safeguarding Medical Order in Accordance with the Law.” The document calls for fundamental improvements in medical order through measures such as conducting screenings for hidden risks in doctor-patient conflicts and strengthening people’s mediation of medical disputes.
The “Opinions” propose that by 2015, the insurance participation rate for tertiary public hospitals nationwide should reach 100%, and that for secondary public hospitals should exceed 90%; by 2020, medical liability insurance should cover all public hospitals and more than 80% of primary healthcare institutions across China.
★ State Council Issues First-Ever Document Supporting O2O
Recently, the General Office of the State Council issued the “Opinions on Promoting Online-Offline Interaction to Accelerate Innovative Development and Transformation and Upgrading of Commerce and Circulation.” The Opinions state that next-generation information technologies, such as mobile internet, are accelerating their development, giving rise to a continuous stream of technology-driven business model innovations. Online-offline interaction has become one of the most dynamic forms of economic activity. Vigorously developing online-offline interaction is of great significance for promoting the transformation of brick-and-mortar stores, fostering business model innovation, enhancing new drivers of economic growth, and supporting mass entrepreneurship and innovation.
The Opinion proposes supporting and encouraging innovative online-offline interactions to stimulate the vitality of physical commerce, improving the modern market system, and introducing corresponding policy measures for support.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Commerce, the O2O market size reached RMB 304.94 billion in the first half of this year, representing a year-on-year growth of up to 80%. Given the current economic landscape characterized by sluggish development in the physical commerce and circulation sector, promoting the integrated development of online and offline channels is imperative.
★ National Health and Family Planning Commission: The tiered diagnosis and treatment system will be fully established within five years
A relevant official from the National Health and Family Planning Commission stated that the tiered diagnosis and treatment system will be gradually improved within two years, and by 2020, a comprehensive model featuring initial consultation at primary care facilities, two-way referrals, triage of acute and chronic conditions, and coordinated care between different levels of medical institutions will be fully established.
In summary, the implementation follows a two-step approach: achieving initial results through gradual improvement over two years, and reaching maturity and stabilization through comprehensive enhancement over five years. By 2017, the policy framework for tiered diagnosis and treatment will be gradually improved. A basic mechanism for division of labor and collaboration among medical and health institutions will be established, high-quality medical resources will be effectively decentralized to lower levels, and the volume of diagnoses and treatments at primary care facilities will increase significantly. By 2020, a tiered diagnosis and treatment model featuring initial consultation at primary care facilities, two-way referrals, triage between acute and chronic conditions, and coordinated care across different levels of healthcare institutions will be firmly established.
★ Central Government Allocates RMB 11.1 Billion in Subsidies to Support Public Hospital Reform
The Department of Social Security under the Ministry of Finance revealed on the 8th that the central government had allocated 11.124 billion yuan in subsidy funds in 2015 to support the reform of public hospitals.
First, subsidy funds totaling 5.931 billion yuan were allocated at a standard of 3 million yuan per county to support the comprehensive rollout of the reform of county-level public hospitals.
Second, subsidy funds totaling RMB 1.32 billion were allocated at a standard of RMB 20 million as a one-time grant per pilot city, to support the comprehensive reform pilots of public hospitals in 66 cities of the third batch, thereby expanding the number of pilot cities to 100.
Third, subsidy funds totaling RMB 273 million were allocated to the districts under the jurisdiction of 100 pilot cities, at a standard of RMB 1 million per district, to support secondary and lower-tier hospitals in carrying out pilot reforms for comprehensive public hospital reform.
Fourth, RMB 3.6 billion in subsidy funds for standardized residency training were allocated at a per capita annual rate of RMB 30,000, supporting 120,000 trainees in participating in standardized residency training.
Data
- The global compression therapy market will be valued at $6.22 billion in 2021
According to a recent report by GlobalData, the global compression therapy market is projected to reach $6.22 billion in 2021. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during this period is 7.13%, indicating robust growth momentum.
Furthermore, in terms of geography, the growth trend of the global compression therapy market is mainly concentrated in 10 key markets: the United States, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Brazil, China, and India. This growth is primarily driven by the aging global population and the increasing prevalence of diseases such as diabetes.
- Fitbit Led the Pack with $21.6 Million in Advertising Spending Last Year
According to a recent report from Kantar Media, Fitbit had the highest advertising expenditure among all wearable device manufacturers last year, with total ad spending reaching $21.6 million.
Garmin and Samsung were not far behind. Garmin spent $18.7 million, while Samsung also spent $11.6 million. In sharp contrast to these three deep-pocketed players, other competitors reduced their spending in this area—Nike spent $3.2 million, Google $3.1 million, Jaybird $1.8 million, and Timex $1.7 million.
None of the other companies on this list spent more than $1 million on advertising for their wearable devices in 2014. Listed in descending order, these companies include Microsoft, LG, Qualcomm, Misfit, Withings, Jawbone, Adidas, Spire, and OM.
The report points out that the market is highly concentrated, as Fitbit, Garmin, and Samsung account for 75% of advertising expenditure.
- 83% of Apple Watch Users Report Improvements in Overall Health and Fitness
According to research by Wristly, 83% of Apple Watch users reported improvements in their overall health and fitness. More specifically, 59% of respondents noted “some” positive changes, while 24% reported “significant” improvements in their physical fitness and health. Importantly, only 17% of respondents indicated that they had not observed any changes in their physical condition.
Wristly categorizes Apple Watch users into two groups: those whose primary purpose is fitness, and those who use the device for any other purpose. Among the first group, 31% reported noticing significant changes in their physical condition, while 58% told Wristly that they had experienced some changes in their overall health and fitness. Furthermore, among the second group, 72% of users believed that their health status had undergone some or substantial changes.
The Wristly study also revealed that among all Apple Watch users, 39% reported an increase in their level of physical activity after purchasing the device. Of these, 7% extended their workout duration, while 18% indicated that certain aspects of their exercise routines had improved.
New Technologies
◆ UK Says Functional MRI Can Predict Depression Relapse
Researchers from King’s College London and the University of Manchester conducted functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans on 64 patients with major depressive disorder who were in remission, to investigate changes in their brains. Following the scans, the researchers monitored these patients for 14 months, during which 27 patients experienced a relapse of depression.
To further validate the findings, researchers subjected another group of 39 individuals to this imaging scan. None of them had a personal or family history of major depressive disorder. The results showed no strong correlation between these two brain regions in this cohort either.
According to the researchers, by leveraging the aforementioned brain characteristics, they can predict whether patients with depression in recovery will experience a relapse, with an accuracy rate of approximately 75%.
This study has been published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry.
◆ Simple Blood Test Can Predict Heart Attacks
Scientists at the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom have discovered that protein levels in the blood can indicate whether a patient is at risk of suffering a fatal heart attack. They stated that by simply testing cardiac troponin levels, patients can be discharged immediately, thereby saving substantial costs. Low troponin levels suggest a low likelihood of a heart attack.
◆ Electronic Bandage: Accelerating Wound Healing by Using Electrical Stimulation of Blood Vessels
A team of bioelectronics researchers from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom recently discovered that human wounds heal faster under electrical stimulation, paving the way for the development of electronic bandages.
In a survey of 40 volunteers, participants were divided into two groups: one group used conventional bandages and relied on natural healing, while the other group used electronic bandages that delivered electrical pulse stimulation.
Two weeks later, the bandages were removed from both groups of participants simultaneously. The actual results demonstrated that the group using electronic bandages exhibited significantly faster healing rates and greater reduction in wound surface area. Electrical stimulation markedly increased blood flow around the wounds, thereby accelerating the healing process.
◆ Japanese research team develops technology for efficient collection of blood cancer cells
A research team from Nagoya University in Japan announced on the 9th that they have developed a new technology capable of efficiently screening and collecting circulating tumor cells (CTCs) present in trace amounts in the blood of cancer patients. This technology works by injecting collected blood samples into densely packed arrays of silicone micropillars to isolate CTCs, which are then collected individually. Since the number of isolated CTCs can be determined within approximately one hour, this method is expected to be applied in the future for assessing the efficacy of anticancer drugs and enabling early detection of cancer metastasis.
◆ Patch-Based Microneedle Vaccine: Painless and Self-Administered
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States have developed a tattoo-like vaccine patch that embeds multilayer polymer films into the epidermis via microneedles, enabling sustained release of the encapsulated vaccine.
Multiple arrays of microneedles are distributed on the surface of the vaccine patch. Each microneedle has a diameter of 250 micrometers, approximately 2.5 times the thickness of a human hair, and a height of 650 micrometers. The surface of the microneedles is coated with multilayer polymer films embedding genetic vaccines. When the “tattoo-like patch” is applied to the skin, the microneedles penetrate approximately 0.5 millimeters into the epidermis. This depth does not reach nerve endings or blood vessels, thereby causing no pain and offering greater safety compared to subcutaneous injection. After remaining in place for several minutes, the patch is removed, leaving the polymer film coatings from the microneedles within the epidermis. These coatings begin to degrade, releasing the vaccine continuously over several days to weeks. Hmm! In the future,
Capital
