NOVEMBER-DECEMBER , 2021 | THE HEALTH

ACCORDING TO Change Healthcare ’ s Nov 3 earnings statement , UnitedHealth Group and Change Healthcare have changed the timeline of their US $ 13 billion merger agreement . Change and UnitedHealth agreed on Nov 1 not to complete their merger until Feb 22 , 2022 , unless they receive formal notice from the Department of Justice before the DOJ ’ s inquiry is completed .

The transaction is also subject to the DOJ ’ s potential inability to obtain certain requested data . Change ’ s data analytics skills would be combined with UnitedHealth ’ s OptumInsight . Certain groups , like the American Hospital Association ( AHA ), have objected to the deal , claiming that it will decrease competition in selling healthcare information

IMPULSE Dynamics , a global medical device company dedicated to improving people ’ s lives with heart failure , announced on Nov 2 , the first implantation of a patient in China with its innovative Optimizer system delivering CCM therapy .

The successful implant technique was carried out by cardiologist Dr Hua Wei of the renowned Fuwai Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences .

Dr Wei shared : “ We are currently relying on medication only for the treatment of heart failure . If medication doesn ’ t work , then we don ’ t have a better solution .

We now have a new option — CCM therapy — for these patients with narrow QRS heart failure .

A NEW rapid screening test for glaucoma could help advance early detection of the disease , a leading cause of irreversible blindness .

Developed by a research team of engineers and ophthalmologists led by RMIT University in Melbourne , Australia , the test uses infra-red sensors to monitor eye movement and produce accurate results within seconds .

About 80 million people worldwide have glaucoma , with more than 111 million expected to be living with the disease by 2040 . The loss of sight is usually gradual and 50 per cent of people with glaucoma do not know they have it .

Currently , glaucoma is diagnosed through a 30-minute eye pressure test delivered by an ophthalmologist . The new technology services to hospitals and other healthcare providers .

After receiving a letter from the AHA , the DOJ requested additional information from both Change and UnitedHealth Group . According to Change ’ s earnings statement , both Change and UnitedHealth Group have certified substantial compliance with the second request for information .

The business stated : “ The

For most patients with heart failure , I think the implant performed today has a significant meaning for the future .”

The Optimiser , harnessing advanced engineering , delivers CCM therapy — the company ’ s proprietary technology — to the heart .

Impulse Dynamics has pioneered CCM therapy to significantly improve heart contraction , allowing more oxygen-rich blood to be pushed throughout the body .

The Optimizer delivers precisely timed electrical pulses to the heart during the absolute refractory period of the beating cycle , immediately after the heart

AI-powered test takes just 10 seconds to show a risk of glaucoma , making it ideal for use in a national screening program .

Lead researcher Professor Dinesh Kumar , RMIT , said early detection , diagnosis and treatment could help prevent blindness , making screening faster and more accessible were critical .

“ This research will allow a non-contact , easy-to-use and lowcost test that can be performed routinely at general clinics ,” he said .

“ It could also promote a community-wide screening program , reaching people who might not otherwise seek treatment until it ’ s too late .”

The pioneering technology differentiates between glaucoma parties have been cooperating with the DOJ and will continue to do so .”

OptumInsight and Change Healthcare announced their intention to merge on Jan 5 .

Under the terms of the deal , UnitedHealth Group would buy all of the outstanding shares of Change Healthcare common stock for US $ 25.75 in cash through a wholly owned subsidiary . Following the DOJ ’ s investigation of the merger , Change and UnitedHealth Group received a request for additional information and documentary evidence on March 24 .

On Aug 7 , the firms reached a timetable agreed with the DOJ , agreeing not to complete the merger 120 days after both parties certified substantial compliance with the DOJ ’ s second request .

contracts .

This breakthrough device improves the quality of life for heart failure patients no longer benefit from a medication meant to manage symptoms and slow the progression of their condition .

“ Following years of collaboration between accomplished Chinese clinicians and our local team to obtain market authorisation , we are happy to be offering the breakthrough technology of CCM therapy to Chinese patients and their families to restore their quality of life and help them regain hope ,” said Simos Kedikoglou , CEO of Impulse Dynamics .

and healthy eyes by analysing changes in pupil size . In the study published in IEEE Access , pupils were measured 60 times per second using a low-cost commercial eye tracker .

Under ambient light conditions , patients looked at a computer screen while custom software measured and analysed specific changes in their pupil size . The software then compared the results against existing samples of glaucoma and healthy eyes to determine the risk of glaucoma . Dr Quoc Cuong Ngo , RMIT , said the new tech was faster and better than any similar AI-based approach . “ Our software can measure how the pupil adjusts to ambient light and capture minuscule changes in the shape and size of the pupil ,” he said .

European Wellness collaborates with Heidelberg University Germany

EUROPEAN Wellness Academy ( EWA ), the educational arm of European Wellness Biomedical Group ( EWG ), has signed an agreement to carry out joint scientific research on the efficacy of peptides , cell therapy , exosomes and cell reprogramming for rejuvenation in premature murine aging models .

EWA was represented by its Group Chairman , Prof Dr Mike Chan , while Heidelberg University was represented by its Commercial Managing Director , Katrin Erk and its Head of Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology III , Prof Dr Thomas Skutella .

The cutting-edge therapeutics used for the studies include precursor ( progenitor ) stem cells ( PSC ), precursor cells ( Frozen Organo Crygenics ( FOC )), Mito Organelle ( MO ), Nano Organo Peptides ( NOP ) and exosomes . Their studies include in vitro experiments concentrating on the effects of the products on the aging of somatic cells and cellular senescence , which is known to contribute to disease onset and progression .

Investigated exosomes include neuronal stem cells ( NSCs ), mesenchymal stem cells ( MSCs ), cardiomyocytes , kidney progenitors and hepatocytes . EWA and Heidelberg University will also conduct in vivo experiments to demonstrate both safety and efficacy of the therapeutics , whereby the proof of effectivity will be recorded in the life span , histopathological and molecular criteria of neurodegeneration including Alzheimer / dementia , and system degeneration disorders including those affecting the immune system , skin , cardio , lung , kidney , liver , stomach / intestine / gut , eye , and muscular dystrophy .

Adagene establishes collaboration with Nivolumab in Singapore

ADAGENE Inc ( Adagene ), the National University Cancer Institute , Singapore ( NCIS ) at the National University Hospital in Singapore , National Cancer Centre Singapore ( NCCS ), and the Singapore Translational Cancer Consortium ( STCC ), announced on Oct 28 the initiation of a Phase 1b / 2 clinical trial of the anti-CD137 agonist antibody , ADG106 , in combination with the anti- PD-1 antibody , Nivolumab .

The trial will be led by Prof Goh Boon Cher , Senior Consultant , Department of Haematology- Oncology and Deputy Director ( Research ) at NCIS , Assoc Prof Daniel Tan , Head of the Division of Clinical Trials and Epidemiological Sciences and Senior Consultant , Division of Medical Oncology , NCCS .

Both Prof Goh and Assoc Prof Tan lead the STCC ’ s Cancer Clinical Trials & Investigational Medicine Unit that brings together centres in Singapore for scaled up capacity , efficiency and expertise in conducting cancer clinical trials .

Adagene is developing ADG106 for the treatment of advanced solid tumours and non- Hodgkin ’ s lymphoma . The phase 1b / 2 trial will evaluate this novel combination in advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer ( NSCLC ) patients who have progressed on prior therapies .

Professor Goh commented : “ NSCLC is the most prevalent type of lung cancer , which is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide .

“ Despite recent progress , most patients will progress after receiving the newest generation of immunotherapy and immune checkpoint treatments .

“ ADG106 has been shown to enhance the activity of T-cells based on pre-clinical data , including evidence of synergistic effect with anti- PD-1 agents in a refractory NSCLC tumour model .” — The Health