Tue.Dec 12, 2023

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STAT+: Humana used algorithm in ‘fraudulent scheme’ to deny care to Medicare Advantage patients, lawsuit alleges

STAT

Medicare Advantage beneficiaries on Tuesday filed a class-action lawsuit alleging that the health insurance giant Humana illegally used an algorithm to prematurely cut off payment for rehabilitation care after patients suffered serious illnesses and injuries. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Western Kentucky, argues Humana’s reliance on the algorithm, known as nH Predict, was part of a fraudulent scheme to reap a windfall by systematically denying claims to desperately ill people

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Bristol Myers’ commercial chief on the industry’s ‘seismic’ changes over 27 years and what’s coming next

PharmaVoice

Adam Lenkowsky’s unique vantage point on the major transformations shaping BMS and the industry as a whole.

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Boston’s mobile clinics offer model of health care that meets patients where they are

STAT

BOSTON — Chongcan Zhu, an 83-year-old longtime resident of Boston, lives alone — but she doesn’t feel a sense of isolation when it comes to receiving health care. That’s thanks to the van that comes straight to the senior residential community where she lives, providing services to people dealing with conditions like high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes, and substance use disorders.

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Tome Biosciences debuts with $213M and a new way to edit the genome

BioPharma Dive

Based on the work of MIT scientists, the well-funded startup is developing ways to insert large sizes of genetic material anywhere in the genome without damaging or breaking DNA.

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From Diagnosis to Delivery: How AI is Revolutionizing the Patient Experience

Speaker: Simran Kaur, Founder & CEO at Tattva Health Inc.

The healthcare landscape is being revolutionized by AI and cutting-edge digital technologies, reshaping how patients receive care and interact with providers. In this webinar led by Simran Kaur, we will explore how AI-driven solutions are enhancing patient communication, improving care quality, and empowering preventive and predictive medicine. You'll also learn how AI is streamlining healthcare processes, helping providers offer more efficient, personalized care and enabling faster, data-driven

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Methadone clinics spar with addiction doctors on bill that would widen access

STAT

Lawmakers on Tuesday will debate an addiction medicine proposal that would have been considered unthinkable just years ago: giving a select group of doctors the power to prescribe methadone directly to patients. With no end in sight to the deadly U.S. drug overdose crisis, which claims nearly 110,000 lives a year, many advocates have zeroed in on methadone as a potential game changer.

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NK cell immunotherapy: what’s next in clinical development?

European Pharmaceutical Review

Yannis Morel, Executive Vice President of product portfolio strategy and business development of Innate Pharma SA, offers insight on engineering antibodies to develop antibody-based NK cell therapeutics. He discusses why NK cell therapy’s ability to generate ‘synthetic immunity’ in the body means this modality holds potential as an anti-cancer treatment.

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Five Ways Preceptors May Integrate Generative Artificial Intelligence Programs Into Pharmacy Education Learning Experiences

ID Stewardship

In this article a clinical pharmacist discusses ways that preceptors may integrate generative artificial intelligence programs into pharmacy education for student and resident learning experiences. Authored By: Timothy P. Gauthier, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCIDP Generative artificial intelligence was NOT used to create this text. Although, maybe it would be better if I had used it!

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Opinion: New sickle cell disease CRISPR treatments can’t make up for the shortage of adult hematologists

STAT

After decades of limited progress in the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD), both patients and physicians are on the verge of monumental change. On Friday, the Food and Drug Administration approved Vertex/CRISPR Therapeutics’ Casgevy and Bluebird Bio’s Lyfgenia, the first one-time gene therapies that will treat the underlying cause of SCD rather than just the symptoms.

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FTC, in unusual move, leads Sanofi to terminate a drug research deal

BioPharma Dive

Just before clearing Pfizer’s buyout of Seagen, the regulator threatened to block Sanofi’s licensing deal with Maze Therapeutics, a challenge the biotech called ‘‘unprecedented.

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STAT+: Bone marrow transplant advance could widen use of this less buzzy cure for sickle cell disease

STAT

SAN DIEGO — The sickle cell community has for the past few days been buzzing with news of the first-ever approved gene therapies for the devastating disease. Meanwhile, researchers at the American Society of Hematology meeting on Tuesday are reporting advances in a less expensive and more established strategy proven to cure patients: bone marrow transplant.

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Why Every Small Business Needs an HCM Solution: A Comprehensive Guide

Managing HR tasks like payroll, compliance, and employee data can overwhelm small businesses. That’s where a Human Capital Management (HCM) solution comes in. Our eBook, Why Every Small Business Needs an HCM Solution: A Comprehensive Guide , shows how an HCM system automates tedious processes, ensuring your business stays compliant and efficient. You’ll learn how to simplify payroll, eliminate costly errors, and empower your employees with self-service tools.

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Construction starts on $400m biosimilars production centre in Slovenia

European Pharmaceutical Review

The first stage of construction has officially begun on Lek Pharmaceuticals’ new biologics and biosimilars production centre in Lendava, north eastern Slovenia. Representing the largest foreign direct investment in Slovenia, the launch of the $400 million centre was attended by key Slovenian representatives, including the Prime Minister, Robert Golob.

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Opinion: It’s time to rethink the Medicare annual wellness visit

STAT

In 2011, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services created the annual wellness visit (AWV), a new visit type with no cost to Medicare patients, better reimbursement to primary care practices, and higher assigned credit for clinicians’ work. The visit takes about 30 minutes and includes a questionnaire covering home safety, falls risk, and ability to perform activities of daily living, along with a survey of recommended preventive services and depression and dementia screening.

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FDA approves first cell-based gene therapies for sickle cell disease

European Pharmaceutical Review

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two landmark cell-based gene therapies for treatment of inherited blood disorder sickle cell disease. Casgevy (exagamglogene autotemcel) a cell-based gene therapy, is approved for the treatment of sickle cell disease in patients 12 years of age and older with recurrent vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs).

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STAT+: Maze CEO ‘personally disappointed’ in Sanofi decision to terminate partnership

STAT

When Sanofi terminated its partnership with Maze Therapeutics this week to develop an experimental drug for Pompe disease, Maze CEO Jason Coloma did not learn the news in a conference call with the French pharma giant or even an email. He found out when Sanofi issued a public statement. Responding to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s move to block the licensing deal, Sanofi said it disagreed with the agency’s action, but determined that fighting it in court was “not in the

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Best Practices to Streamline Compensation Management: A Foundation for Growth

Speaker: Joe Sharpe and James Carlson

Payroll optimization can be one of the most time-consuming and complex factors of small business management. Yet, organizations that crack the code on streamlining employee compensation often discover innovative avenues for growth. With the right strategies in place, outsourcing and streamlining payroll processes can result in substantial time and resource savings.

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Remote Reliance: The Rise of Oncology Home Care

PharmExec

While hurdles remain, home healthcare could deliver better patient-centered cancer care—providing improved outcomes, enhanced quality of life, and reduced strain on resources.

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STAT+: A targeted therapy shows it can offer a ‘last, great chance’ for some acute leukemia patients

STAT

SAN DIEGO — One of the toughest subtypes of acute leukemia involves a genetic alteration in the KMT2A gene. Many cancers with this genetic alteration end up relapsing or don’t respond to treatment, but new data presented at the annual American Society of Hematology meeting offer hope of a new targeted therapy for these patients. The study, called the Phase 2 Augment-101 trial, tested Syndax’s revumenib in patients with relapsed or refractory leukemia with these KMT2A genetic

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Clearing Away the Clutter: Implementing Value-Based Contracting in Pharma

PharmExec

Experts gauge whether the needle is finally moving on the effective structuring of outcomes centered payment agreements—from operational, technology, and acceptance standpoints.

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STAT+: Late-stage trial supports broader use of Darzalex, blockbuster J&J multiple myeloma drug

STAT

SAN DIEGO — Johnson & Johnson’s multiple myeloma therapy, Darzalex, is already a blockbuster. Now results from a late-stage trial announced Tuesday during this year’s meeting of the American Society of Hematology offer evidence to support broader use of the drug. In the Phase 3 trial, known as Perseus, newly diagnosed patients about to receive an infusion of their own blood stem cells were randomly assigned a standard three-drug treatment or the same cocktail with the ad

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Enhance Healthcare Efficiency With Top Payroll & HCM Services

Running a healthcare facility requires precision and care, not just for patients but also for your staff. Our guide, "A Buyer’s Guide to Payroll & HCM Services," helps healthcare providers choose the best provider. Efficient payroll management ensures timely, accurate payments, critical for maintaining staff morale and trust. Compliance support helps navigate complex healthcare regulations and avoid costly fines.

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Babies born early have an increased risk of developmental disorders

Pharma Times

Around 240 million children worldwide are living with these types of disorders - News - PharmaTimes

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STAT+: Pharmalittle: Sanofi scraps rare-disease drug deal under FTC pressure; patients regain weight after stopping Lilly’s Zepbound

STAT

Top of the morning to you. And a fine one it is. Lots of sunshine and clear blue skies are once again enveloping the Pharmalot campus, where the official mascots are bounding about the grounds in search of creatures and the leaves are still fluttering off tree branches. As for us, we are as busy as ever hunting and gathering items of interest. We trust you have your own hectic agendas.

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Supervision proposals could benefit less than half of pharmacists

The Pharmacist

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has predicted that proposed legislative changes to supervision could free up time for between 29% and 40% of pharmacists. And it could save the community pharmacy sector anywhere between £15m and £150m, documents released last week suggested. In an impact assessment, the DHSC said that cost and […] The post Supervision proposals could benefit less than half of pharmacists appeared first on The Pharmacist.

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Morning Rounds: Can you take GLP-1 drugs during pregnancy?

STAT

Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world everyday. Sign up for our Morning Rounds newsletter here. Buongiorno! We’re now officially in this year’s home stretch. For me, that means I am flying home to Italy (with Tuna — please send any and all tips for long flights with spicy little dogs) at the end of this week.

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Position Your Pharmacy for Expansion

Speaker: Chris Antypas and Josh Halladay

Access to limited distribution drugs and payer contracts are key to pharmacy expansion. But how do you prepare your operations to take the next step? Meaningful data: Collect and share clinical data regarding outcomes, utilization, and more Reporting: Limited distribution models require efficient tracking and reporting systems Workflows: Align workflows with specific pharma and payer contractual requirements For in-depth, expert insights on pharmacy expansion, watch this webinar from Inovalon.

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Sterling Accuris acquires Vaibhav Analytical Services, expands into pharma and analytical testing

Express Pharma

Sterling Accuris Diagnostics, a chain of pathology laboratories has announced the acquisition of Ahmedabad-based Vaibhav Analytical Services, a provider of analytical testing services, including pharma/drug testing. With this acquisition, Sterling Accuris has expanded its range of services offered to fields such as pharma analytical testing. Established in 1999, Vaibhav Analytical Services is a service provider to the pharma industries with expertise in pharma analysis, a critical aspect of drug

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Tome Biosciences goes public today in another biotech megaround

STAT

Want to stay on top of the science and politics driving biotech today?  Sign up  to get our biotech newsletter in your inbox. Hello, everyone. Damian here with an introduction to an emerging VC with a famous name, an escalation from the FTC, and the latest biotech megaround.

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HIV pathology data now reaching investigators within hours thanks to Proscia software

Outsourcing Pharma

The AIDS and Cancer Specimen (ACSR), a biorepository of specimens collected from persons living with HIV (PLWH) has today (December 12) announced it is using software from Proscia that can provide near real-time access to pathology data to investigators around the world.

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Sanofi’s $140 mn investment in Aqemia will accelerate drug discovery through AI: GlobalData

Express Pharma

In a new move that underscores the pharmaceutical industry’s commitment to harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) for drug discovery, Sanofi has recently entered into a $140 million multi-year research collaboration with French pharmatech company Aqemia. The collaboration is poised to help reshape the landscape of drug development and improve the way new therapeutic compounds are identified and optimised, says GlobalData.

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5 Reasons to Upgrade Your Pharmacy Management Software

Are you still using workarounds to manage your daily operations? To achieve peak performance, it's time to explore other options for specialty and infusion pharmacy software. Streamline pharmacy operations and improve clinical performance with automated processing, real-time data exchange, and electronic decision support. Download this helpful infographic to: Drive efficiency and patient adherence from referral receipt to delivery and ongoing care – all with our Pharmacy Cloud.

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AstraZeneca to acquire Icosavax

World Pharma News

AstraZeneca has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Icosavax, Inc. (NASDAQ: ICVX), a US-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing differentiated, high-potential vaccines using an innovative, protein virus-like particle (VLP) platform. The proposed acquisition will build on AstraZeneca's expertise in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), strengthening AstraZeneca's Vaccines & Immune Therapies late-stage pipeline with Icosavax's lead investigational vaccine c

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PharmaKure partners with Malaysian university in a bid to predict neurological diseases

Outsourcing Pharma

Clinical-stage pharma company, PharmaKure which develops precision medicine for Alzheimerâs Disease and other neurological diseases has announced a collaboration agreement with one of the largest comprehensive universities in Malaysia.

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Choosing the Right Omega-3 Supplement: WellPure 1300 EC

Welltopia Pharmacy

In our quest for optimal health and wellness, it's important to pay attention to the nutrients our bodies need.

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Trade & Channel Strategies 2023: An Interview with Cheryl Allen of Curatio Scientia

Pharmaceutical Commerce

Founding Partner of Curatio Scientia speaks on her upcoming panel at Trade & Channel Strategies 2023.

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Government ‘currently finalising’ hub and spoke consultation response

The Pharmacist

The government’s response to its consultation into hub and spoke dispensing is currently being finalised and will be published ‘as soon as possible’, pharmacy minister Dame Andrea Leadsom has said. But in response, community pharmacy chain Rowlands Pharmacy warned the government’s ongoing ‘dithering and delay’ on the issue was exacerbating financial instability in the sector. […] The post Government ‘currently finalising’ hub and spoke consultation response appeared first on The Pharmacist