Voice Beyond Words

👋🏼 Healthcare Innovators ❤️

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🌐 Healthcare | News

FDA Moves to Ban Controversial Soda Ingredient BVO Amidst Health Concerns

In a significant move, the FDA has proposed revoking the registration of brominated vegetable oil (BVO), a once commonly used emulsifying agent in citrus-flavored sodas, citing recent toxicology studies raising safety concerns. BVO has long been suspected of accumulating in fat tissues and interfering with thyroid function due to its bromine content. While banned in many countries, including India and Japan, and outlawed in California since 2022, the FDA's stance on BVO has evolved over the decades, culminating in this proposed ban. Major soda companies like PepsiCo and Coca-Cola have already phased out BVO from their products, reflecting a broader shift towards safer alternatives. This proposed ban signals a proactive approach by the FDA in safeguarding public health, with potential implications for future food additive regulations. Read More

Breakthrough Trial: Parkinson's Drug Shows Promise in Clearing Disease Markers

In a groundbreaking development, a novel therapy designed to target toxic protein clumps associated with Parkinson's disease has demonstrated significant potential in early clinical trials. Developed by US biotechnology company Vaxxinity, the immunotherapy candidate UB-312 has shown promise in reducing concentrations of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) in cerebrospinal fluid, marking a significant advancement in the treatment of Parkinson's. While awaiting publication and peer review of trial results, company officials express optimism about the therapy's transformative potential, offering hope for improved outcomes and disease modification in Parkinson's care. As research progresses, this breakthrough offers renewed hope for the millions affected by this debilitating neurodegenerative disorder. Read More

New Study Reveals Optimal Daily Step Count to Combat Sedentary Lifestyles

A groundbreaking study challenges the conventional wisdom of 10,000 daily steps, shedding light on the optimal number needed to counteract sedentary behavior. Led by an international team of researchers, the study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, analyzed data from over 70,000 participants to uncover a key finding: regardless of sedentary time, accumulating between 9,000 and 10,000 steps per day significantly lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. The research underscores the importance of movement in mitigating health risks associated with prolonged sitting, offering a tailored approach to physical activity that could benefit individuals with diverse lifestyles and activity levels. Read More

Breakthrough in Skin Research: 3D-Printed Skin Model

Researchers at the University of Oregon and L’Oréal have developed a sophisticated bioengineered skin model using a novel 3D printing technique. The artificial skin closely mimics human skin, with two layers separated by a membrane. It accelerates growth, allowing cultivation in just 18 days, making it practical for commercial lab testing, particularly in skincare. The model's potential extends to diabetic foot ulcers, burn patient skin grafts, and various biomedical applications. With FDA-approved materials, real-world applications are promising, offering significant advancements in skin research and treatment. Original Study - Read More

💰  Healthcare | Startups

Houston Cardiology Tech Startup Acquired by Private Equity, Eyes Expansion

In a significant move, Houston-based health tech startup CardioOne has been acquired by a New York private equity firm, WindRose Health Investors. The acquisition, with terms undisclosed, brings up to $100 million in additional capital to fuel CardioOne's growth initiatives. Founded just last year, CardioOne specializes in a physician enablement platform tailored for independent cardiologists. Dr. Jasen Gundersen, CEO and co-founder of CardioOne, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with WindRose, highlighting the potential to further support independent cardiologists and develop solutions aligning with value-based care (VBC) models. With a successful track record in navigating transitions to VBC arrangements, WindRose's involvement is expected to propel CardioOne's expansion efforts. Following a recent $8 million seed funding round and key partnerships across multiple states, CardioOne is poised for accelerated growth as it leverages its tech-enabled offerings to meet the evolving needs of the cardiology market. Read More

 🚀 YC Launches

TrueClaim - Healthcare Cost Savings Automation. TrueClaim automates healthcare cost savings for self-insured companies using AI and data analytics. By analyzing medical claims and price transparency data, TrueClaim identifies billing errors and savings opportunities, saving companies an average of 10.96% in healthcare expenses. Co-founded by Barbora and Bobby, TrueClaim aims to revolutionize how companies manage healthcare spending, offering a cost recovery service with a 3x ROI guarantee. Read More

Oma Care - Empowering Family Caregivers for Financial Compensation. Oma Care is revolutionizing the caregiving landscape by providing technical infrastructure to train and pay the 53 million family caregivers in the US. Founded by Arianna and James, Oma Care addresses the critical need for financial support for family caregivers who provide 65% of patient care. By leveraging AI technology, Oma Care streamlines Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements, offers free training, and simplifies program enrollment. With a vision to transform healthcare delivery, Oma Care aims to empower caregivers while reducing costs and improving patient outcomes. Read More

🧠 Healthcare | AI | Tech

Oracle Set to Revolutionize Clinical Documentation with AI-Backed Assistant

Oracle is gearing up to launch its generative artificial intelligence-powered clinical assistant in the upcoming quarter, aiming to streamline patient visits and alleviate documentation burdens for providers. The move comes amidst fierce competition in the AI-driven healthcare market, with tech giants like Google and Microsoft vying for dominance in the space. Despite entering a crowded arena, Oracle's clinical assistant promises robust functionality, including automated transcription of patient encounters and intelligent suggestions for providers. With the backing of Cerner, a major EHR vendor, Oracle aims to deliver seamless integration and EHR-agnostic solutions to healthcare providers. The upcoming launch underscores Oracle's commitment to leveraging AI to transform healthcare workflows and enhance patient care delivery. Read More

SafeGuard Surgical's Biodegradable Stent Earns "Breakthrough" Status from FDA

SafeGuard Surgical's LeakGuardTM, a biodegradable stent, earns FDA's "Breakthrough" designation, a rare honor. Dr. Scott Kelley's creation promises to revolutionize surgeries, with Series A funding led by Tom Pepin and NFL star Jameis Winston's early backing. COO Jill Kelley sees this as a validation of their commitment to innovation and patient care, signaling a transformative era in healthcare. Read More

CodaMetrix Secures $40M for Hospital Revenue Solutions

Healthcare billing tech provider CodaMetrix raises $40 million in Series B funding, led by Transformation Capital, with existing investors SignalFire and Frist Cressey Ventures participating. This follows their $55 million Series A funding last February and will support R&D efforts and hiring of 50 new employees. Todd Cozzens from Transformation Capital joins CodaMetrix's board.

CodaMetrix's tools streamline revenue cycle management by using machine learning and natural language processing to convert clinical notes into billing codes. With over 200 health system partnerships, CodaMetrix aims to enhance efficiency and accuracy in medical billing. While profitability is not immediate, the company focuses on growth and expanding into new specialty areas. Read More

AI-Assisted Wearable Device Enables Speech Without Vocal Cords

Bioengineers at UCLA have developed a groundbreaking wearable device that adheres to the neck, translating laryngeal muscle movements into audible speech with the assistance of AI. This innovative technology, detailed in Nature Communications, offers hope for those with voice disorders due to vocal cord issues, including those recovering from laryngeal cancer surgeries. The device, just over 1 square inch in size, utilizes a self-powered sensing component and an actuation component to detect muscle movements and convert them into speech signals with nearly 95% accuracy. Designed to be flexible and non-invasive, the device offers a promising solution for communication assistance during treatment and recovery periods for voice disorders. Further advancements aim to expand the device's vocabulary and test it in individuals with speech impairments.

🗣️ Healthcare | Events | Conferences | March | April

March 18-20: Fierce Trial Master File Summit (Savannah, GA)

March 21: STAT 2024 Breakthrough Summit East (NYC & virtual)

March 25-28: American College of Healthcare Executives Congress on Healthcare Leadership (Chicago, IL)

April 4-5: Community Oncology Conference (Orlando)

April 8-11: Becker’s Hospital Review: 14th Annual Meeting (Chicago) Virtual April 16-18

April 9-12: Business Group on Health 2024 Annual Conference (Tucson, Arizona)

April 10-12: National Association of ACOs Spring Conference (Baltimore)

April 12-15: Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) Converge Conference (San Diego)

April 14-16: American Hospital Association Annual Meeting (Washington, D.C.)

April 16-17: 24th Annual Employee Health Care Conference (New York City)

April 17: HealthTech Hang Deep Work Day (San Francisco, CA)

April 18: HealthTech Hang Helpful (and Happy) Hour (San Francisco, CA)

April 23-26: National Association of Healthcare Access Management Annual Conference (Dallas)

April 25-27: MGMA Focus | Financial Conference (San Diego)

That’s all for this week.
The Pulse Disruption Team