?? biopulse - week of 10/23/23

Welcome to??? biopulse, your weekly briefing on key trends and insights in the biopharma sector. Every week, I (Bill Gadless) probe top stories, product launches, controversies, and marketing insights. I feature pivotal industry developments, innovative marketing tech, thought leadership and regulatory shifts reshaping healthcare engagement.

?? Most of all, I do my best to get you?thinking?about these topics.

? A quote (from me):

"The Inflation Reduction Act Stifles Innovation in Rare Disease Treatments, Puts Lives at Risk

In the pursuit of broad economic relief, the Inflation Reduction Act has unintentionally throttled the lifeline of innovation in rare disease therapies. By imposing restrictions on orphan drugs, we risk silencing the undercurrents of medical progress and extinguishing the hope of countless patients awaiting life-changing treatments. Legislation should foster, not hinder, the complexities of biotech investment and research in these critical areas."

Myself

? Another quote (from someone else):

“We are now facing a massive headwind brought about by an ill-conceived drug control pricing law with consequences—some intended, some unintended—that are instead curtailing funding, further closing avenues of research and, tragically, taking away hope for many who are most in need.”

John Crowley, CEO of Amicus Therapeutics and Vice Chair of the Board of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)

?? Question for you:

Is the Inflation Reduction Act's impact on orphan drugs and rare disease therapies a blind spot in healthcare reform? How can legislation balance affordability for the many while not stifling innovation for rare conditions? Thoughts?

?? What's Pulsing?

?? Chan Zuckerberg Biohub New York Aims to Revolutionize Early Disease Detection Through Immune Cell Engineering

?? The deets: The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative has launched a new biomedical research hub in NYC, aiming to bioengineer immune cells for early disease detection and prevention. Partnering with Columbia University, Rockefeller University, and Yale University, the CZ Biohub NY will create "cellular endoscopes" that can detect diseases at their earliest stages and even resolve them before they escalate. The hub has also received $10 million in funding each from the State of New York and New York City.

??? My two cents: This is game-changing! The CZ Biohub NY isn't just aiming for incremental advances; they're swinging for the fences. Imagine a world where diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s are caught and treated before they even show symptoms. The collaboration between top-tier universities and tech is precisely the kind of disruptive innovation we need in healthcare right now.

?? Your turn: What do you think are the challenges and opportunities for integrating cutting-edge technology into the traditional medical research field? And could this approach be the future of preventative healthcare?

?? Pfizer to price Covid drug Paxlovid at $1,390 per course

?? The deets: Pfizer has set the price for a five-day course of its Covid-19 antiviral drug Paxlovid at $1,390. Initially distributed by the government for free, the drug will be sold directly to health insurers starting in 2024. Doctors and advocates have voiced concerns about the pricing strategy, fearing it may limit accessibility to the life-saving treatment.

??? My two cents: Pfizer's Paxlovid pricing strategy lands us squarely in the tension between healthcare and commerce. We've got a drug that's a proven game-changer for vulnerable populations. Yet, as demand for Covid treatments decreases, the question is: how much should life-saving treatments cost? It's a marketplace dilemma, but it's also about lives.

?? Your turn: Should companies like Pfizer offer a pricing model that's more accessible, or is the high price justified due to the drug's efficacy and development costs?

?? Apple Watch Advances in Identifying Parkinson's Disease

?? The deets: The Apple Watch is making significant strides in monitoring and predicting Parkinson's disease. The FDA has recently approved three separate apps that each track typical symptoms of the condition, like tremors and dyskinesia. Continuous health monitoring via the Apple Watch enables physicians to obtain a better overall understanding of a patient's condition compared to occasional clinical visits. The technology has been heralded as a major step forward by healthcare professionals and app developers alike.

??? My two cents: What's intriguing here is not just the Apple Watch's capacity for continuous health monitoring, but the enormous potential it has in revolutionizing the way we understand and manage chronic conditions like Parkinson's. Imagine being able to predict or better manage a disease right from your wrist—it's like the future we always read about in science fiction, but it's happening now.

?? Your turn: How do you see wearable technology like the Apple Watch changing healthcare? Do you think it can pave the way for a more personalized and immediate form of medical care?

?? Oncologists Taking Pharma Money More Likely to Prescribe Low-Value Treatments, Study Reveals

?? The deets: A study in the BMJ shows that oncologists who receive personal payments from pharmaceutical companies are more likely to prescribe low-value cancer drugs to their patients. Led by Aaron Mitchell from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the research team used CMS' Open Payments database to establish the correlation. The researchers emphasized that US doctors receive $2 billion annually in personal, non-research-related payments.

??? My two cents: Look, financial incentives can sway even the best of us, but when it involves life-altering treatments, that's a hard pill to swallow. Mitchell's study just underscores how monetary incentives from pharma companies can be a double-edged sword: driving innovation, sure, but also potentially steering physicians towards less beneficial treatment paths.

?? Your turn: What measures should be taken to eliminate or at least mitigate the influence of pharma payments on medical prescriptions? Is self-regulation among physicians enough, or do we need external oversight?

?? Mobile Stroke Units Are Game-Changers: They Boost Odds of Full Recovery

?? The deets: A study from Weill Cornell Medicine and other U.S. medical centers shows that using ambulance-based Mobile Stroke Units (MSUs) increases the likelihood of averting a stroke and achieving full recovery. Patients treated in MSUs had 18% odds of averting a stroke, compared to 11% in standard EMS care. Furthermore, 31% had early symptom resolution within 24 hours compared to 21% in hospital settings. Time is of the essence, and these MSUs deliver crucial treatment faster.

??? My two cents: Speed and efficiency aren't just buzzwords in a tech startup; they're life-savers when it comes to stroke treatment. The idea of an MSU isn't just clever; it's revolutionary. Cutting down the time between symptom onset and treatment by 37 minutes might not sound like a lot, but when it comes to brain health, it's monumental. This is more than a medical advancement; it's a societal win.

?? Your turn: Considering the time-sensitive nature of stroke treatment, how can healthcare systems better integrate Mobile Stroke Units into emergency response strategies? Should this become a new standard for stroke care, and if so, what obstacles do you foresee in its widespread adoption?

?? Zoom Conversations Versus Face-to-Face: Your Brain Notices the Difference

?? The deets: New research by Yale University indicates that human brain activity during Zoom conversations and in-person interactions isn't identical. Sophisticated imaging tools reveal that the social systems in the brain are more active during real-life encounters. Participants in face-to-face conversations showed increased neural signaling, wider pupils, and increased gaze time, suggesting heightened arousal. The study also found more coordinated neural activity between individuals conversing in person, suggesting an increase in reciprocal social cues. Overall, Zoom appears to be a less effective social communication system compared to face-to-face interactions.

??? My two cents: As we immerse ourselves in digital technologies, understanding their impact on our social and cognitive functions is vital. The study provides concrete evidence that digital is not always a perfect replacement for the real thing. When it comes to nuanced human behaviors like facial recognition and emotional understanding, the brain seems to prefer good old-fashioned face-to-face conversations. This could have implications not only for social interactions but also for professional settings where effective communication and relationship-building are crucial.

?? Your turn: Given that we've seen a massive surge in virtual meetings, what are your thoughts on these findings? How might this knowledge influence business practices, especially in sectors that rely heavily on interpersonal communication? Could understanding these neural dynamics help in the design of more emotionally resonant and effective virtual communication tools?

?? Want to Know How Long You'll Live? New 38-Question Quiz Could Have the Answer

?? The deets: Dr. Paul Savage, founder of MDLifespan Longevity Clinic, has devised a 38-question quiz that estimates your life expectancy. The quiz feeds answers into an algorithm, which then generates a 'longevity score' based on various factors like health habits, family history, and social activity. It covers lifestyle elements such as diet, exercise, alcohol intake, and even your social interactions.

??? My two cents: Savage's tool is more than just a morbidity curiosity; it's a wake-up call wrapped in an algorithm. Sure, no quiz can guarantee you'll dodge life's curveballs, but a data-driven snapshot of your health? That's something to consider. It raises the bar for personalized healthcare and nudges us to take action.

?? Your turn: Given the trend towards personalized healthcare, how do you see tools like this longevity quiz affecting the way we approach our health in the future? Would you take the quiz to learn about your estimated life expectancy? Why or why not?

?? NHS Utilizes AI Chatbot Limbic for Mental Health Referrals, Aiming to Streamline, Not Replace Therapists

?? The deets: The NHS in England is using an AI-powered chatbot, Limbic, to refer patients for mental health treatments. The chatbot has already facilitated over 220,000 referrals and claims a 93% accuracy rate in predicting eight types of mental health disorders. Developed as a "clinical assessment chatbot," Limbic aims to improve efficiency without replacing human therapists. The technology has had a measurable impact, including reducing treatment dropouts by 18% and saving over 46,000 hours for NHS services.

??? My two cents: Let's get this straight: AI in healthcare isn't about replacing the human element; it's about augmenting it. Limbic is a brilliant example of this—its core objective isn't to put therapists out of work, but to help them work more efficiently. We're talking about a tool that's helping real people, real fast. That's the kind of innovation we need in today's burdened healthcare systems.

?? Your turn: What do you think about the role of AI in mental health treatment? Can AI truly augment human capabilities without sidelining the professionals? Let's get the conversation going.

?? Moderate Wine Consumption May Actually Reduce Certain Cancer Risks

?? The deets: A recent meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Nutrition reviewed studies investigating the relationship between wine intake and cancer risk. The study covered a pool of 4,346,504 individuals, and concluded that moderate wine consumption displayed protective trends against tumors, particularly in the brain, lungs, skin, and pancreas. However, the researchers pointed out that wine intake was not uniformly defined across the studies, calling for more rigorous research.

??? My two cents: Well, here's a toast to something we all find intriguing: the health benefits of wine. Look, I'm no medical expert, but it's hard to ignore a study that suggests moderate wine consumption could be doing something right for us. It's a contentious area for sure, with research that sometimes contradicts itself. But if you ask me, it sounds like a glass of Merlot is about to become a new form of preventive medicine. Cheers to that!

?? Your turn: So what do you think about these findings? Does the potential health benefit of moderate wine consumption make you more inclined to indulge, or are you skeptical about mixing alcohol and health?

?? In Focus

In this latest episode of ???OUTCOMES, I was thrilled to have Kristin Carlson and Michelle Cangialosi unpack the evolving landscape of digital advertising strategies in the healthcare and biopharma industries:

1?? Targeting Features in LinkedIn: Discover how new AI and other functionalities are revolutionizing targeting capabilities for marketers.

2?? Clinical Trial Recruitment: Learn about the unique challenges in the U.S. market and how to navigate through them.

3?? Regulatory Maze: Gain invaluable insights into the FDA and FTC guidelines that every healthcare marketer should be aware of.

4?? Platform-Specific Strategies: Understand the role of various social media platforms in both B2B and B2C healthcare marketing.

5?? The Rise of Video Ads: Get a pulse on why video ads are showing promising engagement rates and how to leverage them effectively.