Exciting (NON-Covid19) news flash from the world of (digital) diagnostics from market access, policy, product launches, start-ups and industry trends perspectives
New Products, Partnerships, Discoveries
1. FDA approves first liquid biopsy/NGS test for lung cancer
Guardant360 also identified more patients with G7 mutations versus tissue genotyping due to insufficient tissue sample.
2. FDA approves liquid biopsy from Foundation Medicine
The test is approved for patients with any solid tumour and as a companion diagnostic for those who may benefit from certain lung and prostate cancer therapies.
3. Renalytix AI and AstraZeneca partner for precision medicine strategies
Renalytix AI’s in vitro diagnostic platform KidneyIntelX will be used to evaluate outcomes for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its complications to start with.
4. Verily, Google’s health-focused sister company, is getting into insurance
What will the tech giant bring to the game?
5. Troponin Enhances Risk-Stratification in Heart Disease Patients
The biomarker reclassified 12% of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease patients into a more appropriate risk group.
Policy and Regulatory
1. MedTech Europe beats drum for virtual audits, IVDR delay
An interview with MedTech Europe’s regulatory lead Oliver Bisazza
Some inspiration from Queensland Australia, which is starting project to assess current levels of digital health maturity in the region.
3. Many Older Adults 'Overscreened' for Cancer
Stopping reimbursement for age-inappropriate screening and using more evidence to guide age-appropriate screening were proposed as measures
Mergers and Acquisitions
1. Livongo's President Dr. Jennifer Schneider talks potential in Livongo and Teladoc merger
The major chronic care platform teams up with a telehealth one in a whopping $18.5 billion merger. Patients with elevated symptoms can be directed effectively to telehealth consults with underlying information on changes to be made.
2. Siemens Healthineers to acquire Varian for $16.4 billion
The acquisition is expected to help Siemens enter cancer research and therapeutics markets.