Current medical news and unique business news for anyone who cares about healthcare.
Race to the $1,000 genome. In Wednesday’s issue of Nature, researchers claim to have successfully developed low-cost human DNA sequencing with a machine called the Ion Torrent. The team says they used their semiconductor-based sequencing machine to decode the complete genome of Gordon Moore, a co-founder of Intel and the man behind Moore’s Law. Jonathan Rothberg, the inventor, claims he could achieve the $1,000 genome by 2013. (Manufacturers are racing to make a machine that can decode a genome for $1,000, because many believe that is point where it could become a traditional part of medical practice.) But how accurate is the genome sequence?
Bristol-Meyers deal flow. Bristol-Meyers Squibb will pay up to $475 million to acquire San Diego-based Amira Pharmaceuticals, whose flagship product is a drug for pulmonary fibrosis, a disease that damages the lungs. The drug is currently being prepped for second-stage clinical trials.
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
FDA warns about Multaq. Regulators in the U.S. and Europe issued safety alerts Thursday regarding the Sanofi heart drug Multaq. A recent study of the drug, which was approved by the FDA two years ago for the treatment of irregular heart rhythms, showed that long-term patients with irregular heart rhythms were twice as likely to die when taking the drug.
Risky healthcare. The number of medical errors and infections linked to healthcare has climbed so high that, statistically, going to the hospital is more dangerous than flying, according to the World Health Organisation. “It shows that health care generally worldwide still has a long way to go,” says Liam Donaldson, WHO’s envoy for patient safety.
Pfizer FB hacked. Pfizer shut down its Facebook page Tuesday night after unauthorized content was posted by a group of U.K. hackers called The Script Kiddies. No word on what the “unauthorized content” was, but the page has since been put back up.
