Healthcare News Roundup for December 13, 2023:

AI & Data:

Open-source healthcare AI platform: HealthSage AI launched an open-source platform for developers to build trusted and transparent #healthcare AI applications.

AI tackles cardiovascular disease: Roche partnered with Ibex and AWS to develop AI tools for cardiovascular risk assessment and early intervention.

New framework for AI in healthcare : Experts proposed a framework considering medical knowledge, practices, and values for responsible AI in healthcare.

Telehealth & Virtual Care:

Report suggests slow adoption of #AI and #valuebasedcare: Despite the potential, both areas lack widespread implementation in digital health.

Doctor Anywhere raises $41M : The telehealth platform plans to integrate generative AI (GenAI) capabilities for personalized healthcare recommendations.

NCQA launches virtual care accreditation pilot : This pilot project aims to establish quality and patient safety standards in virtual care delivery.

Other Innovations:

Promising advancements: Deep brain stimulation shows potential for treating traumatic brain injuries, while a medication combo improves progression-free survival in mantle cell lymphoma.

Cancer prevention: A new study suggests "Baby Tam " may be effective and tolerable for breast cancer prevention. However, concerns remain about access to guideline-based care for inflammatory breast cancer patients.

Consumers optimistic about #GenAI in healthcare: A survey found 71% of consumers believe GenAI can revolutionize healthcare, particularly in diagnosis and treatment.

Fundings

Bicara Therapeutics , a Cambridge, MA-based startup operational for three years and focusing on developing antibodies targeting tumors, successfully secured $165 million in a Series C funding round. Braidwell and TPG jointly led this round and saw further contributions from Deerfield, Fairmount, and Aisling Capital .

ARTBIO , a startup established two years ago and located in Cambridge, MA, focuses on developing three radiopharmaceuticals, including one targeting #prostatecancer. The company has recently secured a $90 million Series A funding round, co-led by Third Rock Ventures and an undisclosed healthcare fund, with additional investments from F-Prime Capital and Omega Funds .

Shinobi Therapeutics , a new startup based in San Francisco and Kyoto, focuses on creating immune evasive iPSC-derived cell therapies. Founded in the current year, the company has successfully raised $51 million in a Series A funding round. The round was co-led by EQT Life Sciences , F-Prime Capital , and Eight Roads Ventures Japan. It included Astellas Venture Management, Fast Track Initiative , JIC Venture Growth Investments, and D3 Llc participation.

ANTABIO , a French company with 14 years of experience, recently secured $26.9 million in a Series B funding round. This round included investments from new backers AMR Action Fund and EIC Fund, alongside continued support from previous investors such as 法国巴黎银行 , Relyens Innovation Santé/Turenne Capital, and IRDI Capital Investment. The company plans to allocate these funds towards advancing the clinical development of MEM-ANT3310, their innovative antibacterial combination currently undergoing phase 1 trials.

Zafrens , a startup based in San Diego and established two years ago, known for its platform that can simultaneously test multiple drugs, has successfully raised $23 million . Prime Movers Lab led this funding round and saw additional investments from BlueYard Capital , KOFA Healthcare, and Global Brains. #drugdevelopment #drugdiscovery

Orchid , a San Francisco-based startup established four years ago, specializing in offering genome screening for embryos to consumers, has successfully raised $12 million . This funding round includes Prometheus Fund , Starbloom Capital, Refactor , pebblebed , Day One Ventures , and Conviction Capital .

InpharmD , an Atlanta-based startup established five years ago specializing in aiding hospitals and clinicians with literature searches, has successfully raised a $6 million seed funding round. This round was led by 645 Ventures and included contributions from additional investors such as Atlanta Ventures , Y?Combinator , Qlarant Capital, and SF ELC.

Cathera Inc , a Paris-based company established thirteen years ago, specializing in developing a brain implant that employs #ultrasound technology to penetrate the blood-brain barrier for #drugdelivery, has successfully raised $4.9 million in a Series B funding round. This investment round was led by Unorthodox Ventures , along with continued backing from earlier investors such as Supernova Invest , SAINT-GENYS , and Bouscas Med.