Healthcare - Today Stories

NEW YORK, July 22, 2019 (Newswire.com) - ​​​​​InvestAcure, PBC, honored 10 leading bioindustry scientists with the Cure Coin Award for their outstanding work developing groundbreaking scientific discoveries into lifesaving therapeutics for Alzheimer's, CTE and other related Dementias. The award reception took place on July 15, during the 2019 Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Los Angeles.  "The Cure Coin Award aims to bring public attention to the vital work of leading industry scientists developing lifesaving treatments," said Max Tokarsky, the founder and CEO of InvestAcure, a Public Benefit, Finance company building a spare-change investment platform to facilitate public investment in companies working on developing effective therapeutics for Alzheimer’s.  While govern…

Converse Pharma Group is primed for national expansion after securing a £60m combined facility from Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Secure Trust Bank Commercial Finance. Founded in 2013, the firm is a national pharmaceutical wholesaler, providing a comprehensive range of prescription drugs to over 5,500 independent pharmacies across the UK and Ireland. Operating from bases in Doncaster and Prudhoe, Converse Pharma Group currently employs 980 members of staff across its 12 sites in the UK and Ireland. Its 140 strong sales team has helped revenues increase sharply in recent years, having achieved sales of £250m in 2018 – up from £188m the previous year. The funding provided by RBS and Secure Trust Bank will enable the company to invest in new, larger depots, increasing the depth and range o…

Scientists at the University of Eastern Finland and the University of Oxford have shown that small RNA molecules occurring naturally in cells, i.e. microRNAs, are also abundant in cell nuclei. Previously, microRNAs were mainly thought to be found in cytoplasm. The scientists also discovered that microRNA concentrations in cell nuclei change as a result of hypoxia. The findings strongly suggest that microRNAs play a role in the expression of genes in the cell nucleus. This observation is crucial for the development of novel gene therapy, among other things. The study was published in Scientific Reports today. The scientists profiled the division of microRNAs in different parts of endothelial cells, discovering that a large share of microRNAs are enriched in cell nuclei. When the scientists…

Today, Galapagos announces transformational multi-billion dollar collaboration with Gilead to create a global R&D leader based in Europe, developing and commercialising breakthrough therapies to patients. Please see the press releases https://www.glpg.com/press-releases Multi-billion dollar collaboration is one of the largest ever biotech deals in Europe - $3.95 billion upfront payment, a $1.1bn equity investment by GILD, $1.1bn additional opt-in payments for two late stage products, as well as additional milestones to access early pipeline assets, and double digit royalties. Creates a global R&D leader - Collaboration will accelerate GLPG’s vision to become a top 10 global biotech company and establish global leadership in inflammation & immunology. GLPG’s enhanced financial…

Novartis, Amgen and Banner Alzheimer's Institute today announced the decision to discontinue investigation of the BACE1 inhibitor CNP520 (umibecestat) in two pivotal Phase II/III studies in the Alzheimer's Prevention Initiative Generation Program. An assessment of unblinded data during a regular pre-planned review identified worsening in some measures of cognitive function. Given these findings, the sponsors concluded that the potential benefit for participants in the studies did not outweigh the risk. John Tsai (M.D.), Head of Global Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer, said: "Novartis has a strong research focus and commitment to patients. As researchers we have to accept today's disappointing news as part of the search for innovative new treatments. We remain committed to advanci…

Commenting on the government response to the Promoting professionalism, reforming regulation consultation, Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, said: “Employees and employers will welcome steps to make the fitness to practise process quicker, fairer and effective; they will also look forward to further reform, which will allow the regulation of new roles and professions to support their full deployment to care for our patients.”

The Government will announce further details for how they will support pharmaceutical companies’ investments in the development of drugs that will treat AMR infections. The NHS will test a first-of-its-kind ‘subscription-style’ payment model that will help incentivise companies to develop new drugs needed to tackle resistant infections. The ABPI welcomes further detail on the Government’s approach. Dr Sheuli Porkess, Executive Director of Research, Medical and Innovation at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), said:“Increased resistance to antibiotics is one of the greatest threats to global health we face. “Today’s announcement is an example of how the UK can lead the world in this fight and hopefully brings us closer to fixing the problems that have hampered inv…

On June 25, 2019, AbbVie Inc. and Allergan announced that the companies have entered into a definitive transaction agreement under which AbbVie will acquire Allergan in a cash and stock transaction for a transaction equity value of approximately $63 billion, based on the closing price of AbbVie's common stock of $78.45 on June 24, 2019. Strategic Rationale: New growth platforms and leadership positions to diversify and expand revenue base: The combined company will consist of several attractive franchises with leadership positions across immunology, hematologic oncology, medical aesthetics, neuroscience, women's health, eye care and virology.  Allergan's product portfolio will be enhanced by AbbVie's commercial strength, expertise and international infrastructure. Immediate scale and en…

Responding to today’s Written Ministerial Statement regarding a 'no deal' Brexit, Niall Dickson, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: “It is good to see the government planning for the worst - but we are running out of time to eliminate the disruption of a no deal that could put patients at risk. “Around three quarters of our medicines and over half our clinical consumables come from, or via, the European Union and so it is vital that the supply chain continues to work. Medicines also go from the UK to Europe. "If there is no deal or agreement of any kind with the EU, patients in the UK and Europe would be placed at risk. To make sure they are protected we need an agreement with a transition period. "We do recognise the enormous effort that has gone into making these plans as ro…

Junior doctors are to vote on a new four-year improvement to their contract which will mean annual pay uplifts of 2 per cent and additional investment in the contract to support increased productivity and recruitment and retention.NHS Employers and the BMA have reached agreement on a set of proposals that will now be put to a referendum of the BMA’s membership (juniors) on Friday 14 June.A total of £90 million will be used to fund changes over and above the pay uplifts over the four-year year period which include: Weekend allowance uplift to ensure those working the most frequent weekends are remunerated more fairly. An enhanced rate of pay for shifts that finish after midnight and by 4am. A new nodal pay point 5: The parties propose that instead of a senior decision maker allowance, a fi…

Ingestible smart pills, 3D printed prescriptions and VR pain relief predicted by 2050 Emerging science and technology will change consumer healthcare as we know it within the next 30 years. This is according to Consumer Health Futures, a report launched today by The Future Laboratory in collaboration with international consumer healthcare company, RB. Against a backdrop of rapid environmental, socioeconomic and demographic change, the need for innovation within the consumer healthcare space is acute. With input from a panel of world-leading healthcare experts, the report analyses the trends and attitudinal shifts impacting the health and wellbeing of global consumers at every stage of their lives. Through this, it exposes the innovation requirement in consumer healthcare – and predicts how…

Sean Duggan, chief executive of the Mental Health Network, which is part of the NHS Confederation, said: "We cannot provide the level of care that people with mental health problems or learning disabilities deserve and require without the right staff, in the right numbers, in the right places. Nor can we deliver on the very welcome ambitions of the Long Term Plan. "Mental health and learning disability services have the highest levels of vacancies – recruiting and retaining these staff must be an absolute priority, so it is pleasing to see that recognised in the plan. “Our members are making impressive progress in retaining nurses but there is still a way to go and the plan should help. It is also pleasing to see lived-experience being woven into improving services. "However, in order for…

A prestigious competition that has helped innovators raise millions of pounds to take their concepts to the global marketplace is looking for 2019’s most life-changing creations. The Royal Society of Chemistry’s Emerging Technologies Competition has helped winners raise more than £32million in funding since it was launched in 2013. Backed by some of the world’s biggest companies, such as Unilever, Croda, Johnson Matthey, RSSL and Pfizer, entries are now open until 5 July for the next big success story whose mastery of the chemical sciences helped create a product that can deliver a real-world benefit for wider society. Aurora Antemir, a senior manager in the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Industry team said: “In less than a decade, the Emerging Technologies Competition has gone from being an…

New Brand Identity Sets the Stage for a New Pure-play Commercialisation Partner to the Pharmaceutical Industry Yardley, PA and London, UK – May 29, 2019 - PHS Health Solutions (PHS), a leading pharmaceutical contract commercial organisation with an exemplary 35-year track record as a trusted partner for its customers, announces that beginning today, the company will operate under the new identity of Amplity Health. The new corporate brand represents a pure-play pharmaceutical commercialisation business that integrates a family of brands including Touchpoint, PDI and Tardis Medical, offering customised and multi-channel medical, remote engagement, and sales solutions, along with strategic consulting and organisational capability development for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device,…

Greater Manchester is hosting an interactive event to kick-start a new campaign to get patients, carers and the public involved in clinical research. Be Part of Research is the new nationwide initiative from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), supported by NHS trusts across the country. A local launch is being hosted by the NIHR Clinical Research Network in Greater Manchester at Citylabs, Nelson Street, Manchester, on Friday 24 May, 10.30am to 2.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. But anyone who can’t make it can still get involved – by making a simple pledge to show their support for health and care research.* The event is an opportunity for patients, carers and the public to speak to healthcare professionals about research and see how they can get involved to help improve…

The development of the UK’s first dedicated Vaccines Manufacturing Innovation Centre (VMIC) has moved a step closer with the contract to design an advanced array of laboratory and production facilities within a ‘cleanroom wrap’ environment being awarded to WHP. The multi-disciplinary engineering company has won the design work as part of plans for the specification of versatile new cGMP suites and filling rooms for the VMIC, which is being built in the Oxford area. These units will have the capacity to meet Department of Health and Social Care requirements concerning the provision of vaccines in an infectious disease emergency. The centre, which has secured £66m of funding from UK Research and Innovation, is being developed through the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (IS…

London, United Kingdom – 14 May 2019 – AXON London today announced its intention to work towards the ‘Time to Change Employer Pledge’, a growing social movement of more than 1000 employers in England, committed to changing how we think and act about mental health in the workplace and ensure employees are supported. AXON will sign the pledge upon completion and approval of a robust action plan developed collaboratively with Time to Change, aimed at reducing stigma around mental health in the workplace. The announcement of the intention to pledge coincides with Mental Health Awareness Week (13–19 May), when AXON and sister agency Madano will have several initiatives planned each day, based on the Five Ways to Wellbeing, and will be showcasing how staff members can manage their wellbeing or…

Elucid mHealth has developed a smart pill dispensing solution called Pill Connect which will allow both trial investigators and doctors to effectively monitor medication adherence, either in clinical trials or in the community. Elucid is already in discussions with several top tier Pharmas, CROs, CMOs, and the NHS all of whom all keen to find effective ways to monitor patient adherence. The first clinical trial undertaken by a global CRO with healthy people has just been concluded. The trial showed that the system worked very well. How the system works Preparation - A patient has an app loaded onto their mobile phone (iPhone or android) which contains the pill regime – eg twice a day. Is trained how to use the app – 20 minutes - and given a Pill Connect bottle loaded with pills Patient us…

Frimley, UK, May 8, 2019 – Novartis today announced a new subgroup analysis of the Phase III EXPAND study of oral, once-daily siponimod (BAF312) in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). The results show siponimod, the first and only oral drug to delay disability progression in SPMS patients, has significant functional benefit on cognitive processing speed (CPS), the cognitive function most frequently affected by MSi,ii,[iv]. The new findings, presented at the 2019 American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting (AAN) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, show that patients treated earlier in their disease course with less cognitive impairment benefited most from siponimod treatment vs. placeboi. This suggests that earlier treatment can lead to better cognitive outcomes,…

Healthcare Campaign  Executed Across 10 Countries to Raise Awareness of the Importance of Predicting  and Preventing Osteoporosis and Bone Fracture, Particularly in Post-Menopausal  Women Thousand Oaks, Calif. (May 6, 2019) – Amgen, together with local healthcare partners in 10 countries around the  world, set on May 5, 2019, a Guinness World Record title for the most  osteoporosis screenings for an osteoporosis campaign in 24 hours. To break the existing world  record, Amgen set out to screen at least a total of 3,000  people in 10 countries around the world -- to  help them understand their risk of having osteoporosis, a medical condition  that weakens bones and makes them more likely to fracture. The campaign took  place in Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Egypt, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mexico, Saudi…