Precision Medicine

Also called personalized medicine, this evolving field makes use of an individual’s genes, lifestyle, environment and other factors to identify unique disease risks and guide treatment decision-making.
Thumbnail

DeSalvo nominated for assistant secretary of HHS

There's a good chance there will be another changing of the guard at the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT. President Obama announced his intent to nominate current chief, Karen DeSalvo, MD, MPH, MSc, to be assistant secretary for health in the Department of Health and Human Services.

Olympus retiring EndoWorks platform

Olympus Corporation of the Americas has announced that it will discontinue its EndoWorks software platform for imaging and workflow management for endoscopy. 

CXO role gaining traction

Chief experience officers are gaining traction in healthcare and are poised to lead enterprise strategies for experience improvement that align quality, safety and performance initiatives, according to findings from Vocera Communications.

FDA announces webinar, open comment period for device draft guidance

The FDA published draft guidance on April 30 that provides a framework under which to consider extrapolating existing adult clinical medical device data to evaluate a device’s performance in pediatric patients in pre-market approval applications (PMAs) and humanitarian device exemptions (HDEs). 

Thumbnail

Cancer institutes partner with IBM Watson to accelerate personalized treatment

IBM Watson Health is collaborating with more than a dozen leading cancer institutes to accelerate the ability of clinicians to identify and personalize treatment options for their patients.  

Thumbnail

United to cover telemedicine

UnitedHealthcare, the country's largest health insurer, has partnered with three telemedicine service providers to expand individuals' access and coverage for virtual care options. 

Discussions, questions for post-reform healthcare

BOSTON—We are in an era of unprecedented advanced in medical technology but it is a case of ‘the best of times and the worst of times,’ said Phillip Polakoff, MD, MPH, MEnv.Sc., national health advisor, speaking at Medical Informatics World.

Two years in, Pioneer ACOs save $384M

The Pioneer Accountable Care Model has generated more than $384 million in savings to Medicare during its first two years, according to an independent evaluation report released by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Around the web

The tirzepatide shortage that first began in 2022 has been resolved. Drug companies distributing compounded versions of the popular drug now have two to three more months to distribute their remaining supply.

The 24 members of the House Task Force on AI—12 reps from each party—have posted a 253-page report detailing their bipartisan vision for encouraging innovation while minimizing risks. 

Merck sent Hansoh Pharma, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, an upfront payment of $112 million to license a new investigational GLP-1 receptor agonist. There could be many more payments to come if certain milestones are met.