About pharma
Pfizer, Amgen will rake in billions during ‘golden age’ for biosimilars: Analyst:”Pfizer’s global biosim sales grew 36% during the quarter to $289 million, driven largely by cancer drugs. The significance of that growth wasn’t lost on Bernstein analyst Ronny Gal. In a note to investors earlier this week, he singled out Pfizer, along with Amgen, as proof that the U.S. biosimilars industry has entered a ‘golden age.’”
The article details some of the products the companies have and the importance of biosimilars in the marketplace.
About the public’s health
Clinical Course and Molecular Viral Shedding Among Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Patients With SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Community Treatment Center in the Republic of Korea: A reminder about the infectivity of asymptomatic persons: “Many individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection remained asymptomatic for a prolonged period, and viral load was similar to that in symptomatic patients; therefore, isolation of infected persons should be performed regardless of symptoms.”
New FDA limits on arsenic levels in infant rice cereals don't adequately protect children, critics say: The content is self explanatory. Links to details are in the article. The question is: How low a level is safe?
Court sides with Trump administration effort to impose ‘public charge’ rule: “A federal appeals court on Wednesday sided with the Trump administration’s effort to implement regulations that make it harder for immigrants to seek permanent residency in the United States if they have relied on public assistance programs.
The split ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit reverses a lower-court injunction that had blocked the ‘public charge’ rule from taking effect.
The decision comes one day after a different appeals court ruled against the administration in a similar challenge brought by immigrant groups that argue the rule discourages legal immigrants from using any public benefits such as Medicaid, food stamps or housing assistance…
Despite the 4th Circuit’s decision Wednesday, the rule remains blocked for now because of a separate nationwide injunction issued by a New York judge in late July.”
‘It’s Kitchen Sink Time’: Fast, Less-Accurate Coronavirus Tests May Be Good Enough: “The best chance to rein in the sprawling outbreaks in the United States now, experts say, requires widespread adoption of less accurate tests, as long as they’re administered quickly and often enough.”
About healthcare providers
Oak Street Health goes public with $328 million offering: “Oak Street Health officially went public on Thursday with a $328 million initial public offering.
The tech-enabled, value-based care primary care start-up specifically targets Medicare-eligible patients, particularly those in underserved communities…
Backers include Humana, as well as General Atlantic and Newlight Partners.
Oak Street has 54 centers in 13 markets across eight states serving 85,000 patients with about 65% of those patients are under capitation agreements. The company has 2,300 employees including 250 primary care providers.”
Mental health startup Ginger lands $50M backed by Cigna, Kaiser Permanente:”The round, led by Advance Venture Partners and Bessemer Venture Partners, included participation from Cigna Ventures and existing investor Jeff Weiner, executive chairman of LinkedIn, as well as Kaiser Permanente Ventures.
The startup, which delivers evidence-based behavioral health coaching, therapy and psychiatry right from a smartphone, has raised more than $120 million to date.”