VB Weekly Report 0907: 'Medical Disturbance Criminalized' with Maximum Seven-Year Sentence
▌Events & Perspectives
Last week, while the entire nation was engrossed in watching the grand military parade, a small group of people flooded their WeChat Moments with posts about another individual. This person was not Wang Feng, but Zhang Haipeng.
You may not have heard of this name, but you are likely familiar with the writer “Feng Tang.”
The reason he dominated headlines in the medical community is that, on September 1,CITIC Capital Holdings Limited’s Private Equity Division has appointed Mr. Feng Caizi as Senior Managing Director to lead healthcare investments.Make no mistake—he is no latecomer to the field. With eight years of training at Peking Union Medical College, a tenure at McKinsey & Company, and prior service as CEO of China Resources Healthcare, his career trajectory has earned him the reputation of an “inspirational icon.”
So, what medical investment values are attracting Feng Caizi in this comeback? Let’s first review the tracking of a healthcare hotspot from last week, which may offer some insights.
First, let’s examine the herd behavior observed last week.
Sanofi Partners with Google Life Sciences to Improve Clinical Care and Outcomes for Patients with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
This collaboration will leverage Sanofi’s leadership in diabetes medications and devices, combined with Google’s expertise in data analytics, miniaturized electronics, and low-power chips, to develop new tools and care interventions that integrate previously siloed components of diabetes management. The aim is to explore ways to improve diabetes care. These siloed components include health metrics (such as blood glucose and HbA1c levels), patient-reported information, medication regimens, and sensor-based devices, among others.
U.S.-based DynoSense Partners with Nanjing Jiukang Cloud to Focus on Chronic Disease Management.
Recently, DynoSense, the developer of the world’s first integrated multifunctional health scanner, announced a partnership with Nanjing Jiukang Cloud Health Technology Co., Ltd. (JKOM Cloud Health Technology Co.) to bring its electronic health solutions to the Chinese market.
DynoSense’s technology, named Dyno, currently monitors five basic vital signs (electrocardiogram, photoplethysmography, pneumography, blood pressure variations, and core body temperature) as well as other key health indicators. Notably, DynoSense’s multifunctional mobile scanning device can capture 33 key health metrics from a single user activity within 60 seconds. The collected data can be securely uploaded to the company’s cloud computing platform for further analysis and processing, with involvement from medical experts.
In fact, the two companies have a long-standing relationship. In August of this year, Nanjing Jiukang Cloud Health Technology Co., Ltd. participated in DynoSense’s $9.4 million financing round.
Philips Partners with the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine to Promote Digital and Intelligent Management of Electrocardiography.
The “Frontier Forum on ECG Diagnosis and Management,” co-hosted by the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and Philips Healthcare, was held in Hangzhou. Dozens of hospitals, including Tongji Hospital affiliated with Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan and Suzhou Municipal Hospital, attended the forum to discuss “digital management of new store inspections.”
Meanwhile, the Philips TraceMasterVue ECG Management System was officially launched at the forum after a year of debugging and localized development adaptation at The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine. Furthermore, both parties will deepen their strategic cooperation to accelerate the standardization of critical value management for ECG data at the hospital, thereby improving the management of critically ill patients and enhancing emergency care efficiency.
Another highlight worth watching is,The U.S. Department of Defense “stars in” the research and development of wearable device-related technologies.
It is jointly funded by the U.S. Department of Defense and the private sector to establish a new R&D institution in Silicon Valley focused on flexible hybrid electronics technology, which can be applied to wearable devices in the future. This technology enables electronic chips and sensors to be embedded or printed onto bendable, stretchable flexible materials. In addition to its applications in wearable devices, it holds promising prospects for medical monitoring equipment and even military applications.
The U.S. Department of Defense has announced that it will invest $75 million in the agency over the next five years. Meanwhile, a consortium named the Flexible Electronics Technology Consortium, based in Silicon Valley, will provide more than $90 million. This consortium comprises 162 members, including technology companies, research institutions, universities, local governments, and non-profit organizations.
New Product Launches: Three Key Products to Be Promoted
First,Samsung Unveils SleepSense, a Sleep Tracker, at IFA
Placed under the mattress, it can monitor users’ sleep patterns, automatically tracking, analyzing, and providing recommendations. It is paired with Samsung’s mobile SmartThings app. According to Samsung, the device can also control smart home appliances via SmartThings; for instance, when SleepSense detects that the user has fallen asleep, it automatically turns off the TV, dims the lights, and reduces air conditioning. Conversely, it performs the opposite actions when the user wakes up.
Second,Runtastic, the fitness app developer recently acquired by Adidas, also unveiled a sports-tracking smartwatch—the Runtastic Moment—at the conference.
Like other wrist-worn smart devices, the Runtastic Moment watch incorporates a suite of sensors for step counting, activity timing, calorie expenditure tracking, and sleep monitoring. Furthermore, its water resistance rating extends to 300 feet (approximately 91 meters), making it suitable for wear during swimming. Another key selling point of the watch is its battery life; a single coin-cell battery can power the Runtastic watch for up to six months.
By the way, the Runtastic Moment is available in two versions at different price points: the “Fun” and “Basic” versions are priced at $130, while the Elite and Classic versions are priced at $180.
Next,China’s First Wholesale and Procurement Platform for Health and Wellness Products Officially Launches.
Following the launch of the beta version on June 30 and the public beta version on July 30 this year, Guoyu Pharmaceutical Online officially released its formal version on August 31. This marks the official commencement of an internet-based procurement model for general health products, enabling independent pharmacies, chain pharmacies, and medical institutions of all sizes across China to purchase such products online.
According to VCBeat, to facilitate the smooth rollout of online transactions for general health products, Guoyu Pharmaceutical Online has entered into strategic partnerships with third-party payment and pharmaceutical logistics providers, including Bank of China and SF Express. In addition, the platform is currently in a free registration period, with nearly 2,000 enterprises already onboarded. It is projected to achieve RMB 1 billion in sales turnover by 2016 and capture 10–15% of the e-commerce wholesale market share by 2020.
The last item,iKang Guobin Initiates Privatization.
Last week, Zhang Ligang, Chairman and CEO of iKang, issued an open letter to iKang Group’s employees, customers, and partners. In the letter, he announced that on the evening of August 31, he and FountainVest Partners formally submitted a proposal to the Board of Directors of iKang Group to take the company private.
In an open letter, Zhang Ligang stated that the decision to go private was driven entirely by strategic planning. He announced that iKang would integrate various preventive and medical services—including health check-ups, disease screening, dental care, private physician services, expatriate medical care, anti-aging treatments, and vaccinations—through its mobile health platform. By positioning this mobile platform as the single entry point for all services, iKang aims to establish a comprehensive health management ecosystem.
Yet no one working in this field can escape one thing—advertising. Case in point: the new Advertising Law has come into effect again.
The newly revised Advertising Law of the People's Republic of China has officially come into effect as of September 1.This marks the first revision of the Advertising Law in the 20 years since its implementation. The new Advertising Law stipulates that no individual may serve as an endorser for drug advertisements, and such advertisements must prominently display contraindications and adverse reactions. Meanwhile, radio stations, television stations, newspaper and audio-visual publishing units, and providers of internet information services are prohibited from disguising advertisements for drugs, medical devices, medical services, or health foods as content introducing health and wellness knowledge. Nevertheless, clever copywriters have found it “so easy” to create advertisements that do not violate the Advertising Law. For example:
Alright, the future ad slogan will be: “Just buy it; anything more would violate the Advertising Law.”
▌VCBeat Exclusive
A Look at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Internet Initiatives
Go Away, Mr. Tumor—Opportunities for Internet Healthcare in Specialized Disease Areas
Liu Yun of Guanghe and Jiang Yanye of Honghui Discuss Internet Healthcare: Vertical, Focused, and with Barriers
A Major Public Test! Can Wrist-Worn Heart Rate Monitors from Adidas and Others Truly Achieve Perfect Accuracy?
[Case Study] Analyzing the Wearables Market Landscape Through the Fitbit vs. Apple Watch Rivalry
Big Data: This Class of Drugs for Treating Heartburn May Increase the Risk of Heart Attack
Why Venture Capitalist Bryan Roberts Doesn’t Invest in Wearable Devices?
KPMG: Who Is Threatening the Security of Medical Data, and How Can It Be Resolved?
Four Strategies for Hospital Digital Marketing in 2016
Smart Elderly Care! Never Get Lost!
Sunshine Women and Children: Exploring the “O+O” Model in the Field of Women’s and Children’s Health
[Cardiovascular Series Report 6] FT-Health: Creating a Personal Doctor for the Average Person
[Cardiovascular Series Report 7] Micro Heart Baiyuan: Entering Chronic Disease Management Through ECG Monitoring Devices
Interpretation of Trending English Terms in Internet Healthcare:Digital Hospital
▌Healthcare Reform
Notice of Hunan Province on Issuing the "Several Policies (Trial) for Promoting the Application of Gene Testing Technology in Hunan Province"
On August 28, 2015, the People’s Government of Hunan Province issued the Notice on the “Several Policies (Trial) for Promoting the Application of Gene Testing Technology in Hunan Province.” To accelerate the development and widespread adoption of gene testing technology in Hainan Province, the notice proposed 12 policy measures, including carrying out and promoting genetic disease gene testing through government procurement, launching pilot programs for gene testing, vigorously promoting personalized medicine, and incorporating the costs of certain gene tests into medical insurance coverage.
National Health and Family Planning Commission Releases “Technical Guidelines for the Generation and Dissemination of Health Science Popularization Information (Trial)”
The General Office of the National Health and Family Planning Commission recently released the Technical Guidelines for the Generation and Dissemination of Health Science Popularization Information (Trial), providing technical guidance for health and family planning institutions at all levels in carrying out the generation and dissemination of health science popularization information.
The Guidelines state that health science popularization information refers to content primarily based on scientific and technical knowledge, concepts, methods, and skills in the field of health, presented and disseminated in a manner that is easily understood, accepted, and engaged with by the public. The Guidelines elaborate on the principles, requirements, processes, and precautions for the generation and dissemination of health science popularization information from three aspects: information generation, information dissemination, and effectiveness evaluation.
“Criminalization of Medical Disturbances” Carries a Maximum Sentence of Seven Years
Recently, the 16th Session of the Standing Committee of the 12th National People’s Congress voted to pass the Ninth Amendment to the Criminal Law, amending Article 290, Paragraph 1 to read: “Whoever gathers a crowd to disturb social order, where the circumstances are serious and work, production, business operations, teaching, scientific research, or medical services are thereby disrupted, causing serious losses, shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not less than three years but not more than seven years if they are the ringleaders; other active participants shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than three years, criminal detention, public surveillance, or deprivation of political rights.” This signifies the formal enactment of the criminalization of “medical disturbances.”
However, whether it can fundamentally improve the doctor-patient relationship remains a subject of intense debate.
▌Data
GVR Expects the Global mHealth Market Size to Exceed $49.1 Billion in 2020
According to the latest research report released by U.S. market research firm Grand View Research, the global mobile health market is projected to exceed $49.1 billion by 2020. The report states that disease monitoring services will continue to dominate and represent the fastest-growing segment within the mobile health market.
Additionally, the GVR report also includes the following key points:
- Chronic disease management has become the largest segment of condition monitoring services, with higher demand in the North American and European markets. In 2012, post-acute care services accounted for 19.5% of the total revenue from condition monitoring services.
- In 2012, mobile operators accounted for 50% of the mobile health market. These operators generated revenue by providing standalone elderly care solutions.
- Globally, the North American market holds the most dominant position, with its 2012 revenue accounting for 34% of the total global mobile healthcare services revenue.
- Given the promising prospects of the mobile health market, it has attracted mobile carriers, device vendors, healthcare service providers, and content providers to enter the space.
U.S. Adults’ Heart Age Is on Average 7 Years Older Than Their Chronological Age
According to the “Vital Signs” report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the hearts of American adults are, on average, seven years older than their chronological age. Statistics show that one in every two adult men has a heart age at least five years greater than his actual age, while two in every five adult women have a heart age at least five years greater than their actual age. On average, the heart age of American adults is seven years older than their chronological age.
The report also points out that hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and diabetes are common causes of premature cardiac aging, but these factors can be improved through control. Regardless of individuals’ chronological age, making practical lifestyle changes can reduce heart age, thereby lowering the risk of heart disease or stroke.
UK Survey Suggests Midlife Overweight May Accelerate Dementia
A research report published last week in the UK journal Molecular Psychiatry stated that being overweight at age 50 may lead to an earlier onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers selected more than 1,300 Americans as study subjects and tracked their body mass index (BMI)—calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters—for an average period of approximately 14 years.
The results indicate that for each one-unit increase in body mass index, the onset of Alzheimer’s disease occurs approximately 6.5 months earlier.
The Gap in Life Expectancy Between Men and Women Is Gradually Narrowing
Data from the UK Office for National Statistics indicate that men’s average life expectancy is increasing, and the gender gap in life expectancy is gradually narrowing. Research points out that while the average life expectancy for men in England and Wales continues to rise and is approaching the levels seen in Iceland, Japan, and Australia, the average life expectancy for women in England and Wales ranks second to last globally, ahead only of the United States.
Research data indicate that although female infants born in developed countries still have a longer life expectancy than male infants, the rate of increase in average life expectancy for women has been slower than that for men since the 1980s.
The Primary Reason for the Rapidly Narrowing Gender Gap in Life Expectancy Is the Double Burden of Work and Family Life Borne by Women. Over the past 50 years, the surge in the number of women entering the workforce has led to increased stress among women, as well as a rise in smoking and alcohol consumption, thereby jeopardizing their health. Meanwhile, men’s average life expectancy has been gradually increasing due to advancements in medical care, declines in smoking and heavy drinking rates, and a reduction in hazardous occupations such as underground coal mining and high-altitude work.
▌New Technologies
Scientists Develop Microchip: Wirelessly Controls Motor Nerves in Mice
Researchers have developed an LED chip capable of remotely controlling mice to move in circles by using light to stimulate motor neurons in the animals’ brains. The related paper has been published in Nature Methods. This device is considered a game-changer for neuroscientists working in the field of optogenetics. Due to its miniature size, implantability, and elimination of the need for thick wires attached to the mouse brain, it enables researchers to observe more “natural” daily behaviors in mice.
Treatment for Obesity May Be Effective Against Alzheimer’s Disease
Foreign media report that researchers have recently discovered that the accumulation of fatty acids in the brain may play a significant role in the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. According to United Press International, the new findings also support the theory that Alzheimer’s is a metabolic brain disorder, analogous to obesity and diabetes, which are classified as peripheral metabolic diseases. Researchers state that treatments for obesity may also be effective for Alzheimer’s disease.
▌Capital
