We’re seeing history being made with the development of innovative solutions for COVID-19 virus -these will have wide-reaching and long-term impact, changing how drugs and vaccines are developed,” Dr. Kennedy says

LOS ANGELES (PRWEB)
June 08, 2020

The development of a vaccine to counteract the novel coronavirus causing COVID-19 is still in preliminary stages, but already there’s hope. Early data from drug maker Moderna suggests their newest candidate vaccine prompts an immune response by stimulating the body to produce neutralizing antibodies.(1) In the past, this type of antibody was shown to protect against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), another coronavirus similar to the virus causing COVID-19.(2) “Currently, there is a lot of pressure on the pharmaceutical industry to accelerate vaccines and treatments that will not only improve hospital capacity but save lives and prevent the virus altogether,” says Dr. Lisa Kennedy, the chief health economist of Innopiphany. “We’re seeing history being made with the development of innovative solutions for COVID-19 virus -these will have wide-reaching and long-term impact, changing how drugs and vaccines are developed.”

The good news is that we’re seeing an unprecedented acceleration of treatments and vaccines exactly when we most need it. Generally, vaccine development takes an average of five years, but current efforts could produce a historical first compressing this time to 12-18 months.(6) This accelerated pace is thanks to the persistent efforts of people working in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medicine.

It is anticipated that an effective vaccine could arrive on the market as early as September 2020.(3) For drug makers, it’s a race against time—current estimates place the number of deaths related to COVID-19 at more than 100,000.(4) By early August 2020, that number could reach as high as 135,000.(8)

While some states are experiencing declines in COVID-19 cases, other areas that have already been hard hit by the pandemic could expect to see considerable increases in diagnoses in the coming months.(4) Many health experts anticipate a “Round 2” of the pandemic later this year that could be even worse than the initial outbreak.

“COVID-19 has been devastating in hot spots like Italy and New York, and this could be much more infectious than we think,” Dr. Kennedy says. “Often compared to flu, we are rapidly seeing that COVID-19 is like a year’s worth of flu cases in one week that continues every week.”

Part of preparing for this possible resurgence in cases is the development of a vaccine—however, this process takes time. Vaccine development differs slightly from company to company, but all drug makers must follow the same regulatory process set forth by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Preclinical research lays the groundwork for candidate vaccines, and any promising compounds may be tested using animal models. If the candidate vaccine passes this phase, the company developing the product moves on to clinical trials, which are completed over five distinct phases.(7)

A Phase 1 study using Moderna’s candidate vaccine has already been completed, with eight patients developing neutralizing antibodies at 100 micrograms of vaccine or less. Because of these results, the FDA has already authorized a Phase 2 clinical trial for the same product.(1)

Other pharmaceutical giants, like Pfizer, Sanofi, and GlaxoSmithKline, are also collaborating with biotechnology companies in the hunt for a vaccine. However, these products may not be widely available until 2021.(3)

Drug makers must also determine the standard effective dose at which a new vaccine will work without causing any harm to the person receiving it. This is especially important for vulnerable patient populations, such as senior citizens, since their immune systems may not respond well to vaccination.

Another consideration to note with the development of a COVID-19 vaccine is the impact it will make on society beyond the aspect of healthcare. Dr. Kennedy notes that this economic impact on GDP in Q2 ranges from -20-40%, with some indicating a growth of around 10% in Q3 and Q4 of 2020. The problem, according to Dr. Kennedy, is that there really won’t be a clear view of the economic damage this has had until around July with the effects of stimulus wearing off and greater opening of the economy.

“These estimates may not account for knock effects on consumer spending and more sustained impacts on employment. Some estimate more than $1 trillion in economic impact per month from the virus,” Dr. Kennedy says.

Taking all of this into account, she says the societal value of a viable vaccine in opening the economy “is worth trillions”. Efforts to price this should consider this value while equally balancing this with appropriate patient access. And while there is so much still unknown about the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine, Dr. Kennedy says one thing is for certain: “What we can say is that the value of a vaccine is almost incalculable.”

About Innopiphany:

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Innopiphany is a Life Sciences consulting firm which specializes in Market Strategy, Forecasting, Market Access, Health Economics Outcomes Research (HEOR), and Healthcare Policy. All services are supported by advanced analytics, including data mining, data blending, natural language processing, predictive analytics, and data visualizations. The company has generated $150 million in new healthcare business in 30 countries for its clients. Innopiphany has achieved 100 percent repeat business from its clients through its rapid, on-time project delivery. For more information, visit http://www.innopiphany.com.

1.    @HelenBranswell, Helen Branswell, et al. “Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine Generates Immune Response, Early Data Show.” STAT, 18 May 2020, statnews.com/2020/05/18/early-data-show-moderna-covid-19-vaccine-generates-immune-response/.

2.    “COVID-19, MERS & SARS.” National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/covid-19.

3.    “5 Biotech Stocks in Focus as Race for Coronavirus Vaccine Heats Up.” Yahoo! Finance, Yahoo!, 19 May 2020, finance.yahoo.com/news/5-biotech-stocks-focus-race-120312524.html.

4.    “COVID-19 Forecasts.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14 May 2020, cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/forecasting-us.html.

5.    Gates, Bill. “What You Need to Know about the COVID-19 Vaccine.” Gatesnotes.com, gatesnotes.com/Health/What-you-need-to-know-about-the-COVID-19-vaccine.

6.    “National Comprehensive Cancer Network.” Phases of Clinical Trials, nccn.org/patients/resources/clinical_trials/phases.aspx.

7.    Pattidomm. “Projection Estimates 135,000 US Deaths by August; Testing Expanded for Fujifilm Flu Drug.” CNBC, CNBC, 5 May 2020, cnbc.com/2020/05/04/coronavirus-latest-updates.html.

8.    “Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Create Distrust of Vaccinations.” PNHP, pnhp.org/news/pharmaceutical-manufacturers-create-distrust-of-vaccinations/.

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There are no less than 100 different manufacturers in the game racing to develop a viable vaccine, some already working through or having completed human trials,” says Steve Treff

GAINESVILLE, Ga. (PRWEB)
June 08, 2020

It is no secret Americans are generally distrustful of the pharmaceutical industry. However, with the outbreak of COVID-19, many look to Big Pharma to find effective methods of combating the virus. MC-Rx—a full-service pharmacy benefit manager (PBM)—suggests it’s worth noting that, despite their reputation, drug manufacturers have truly stepped up when it comes to vaccine development and research into other therapies that could help patients survive. “There are no less than 100 different manufacturers in the game racing to develop a viable vaccine, some already working through or having completed human trials,” says Steve Treff, tenured veteran of the pharmacy benefit manager industry and president of one of MC-Rx’s lines of business.

Stories from all across the industry show just how far Big Pharma is willing to go to help protect American lives. Gilead, the company that developed the antiviral drug remdesivir, has already pledged 1.5 million doses of the drug at no cost to COVID-19 patients.(1) Other companies—such as Johnson and Johnson, Pfizer, and AbbVie—have donated over a combined $125 million for COVID-19 disaster relief.(1) Astra Zeneca has partnered with Oxford BioMedica to develop and market vaccines, potentially by the end of the year(4). Even the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is partnering with pharma companies to expand drug manufacturing for needed medications during the global pandemic.(2)

All this is occurring despite the wealth of misinformation coming from mainstream media sources and other so-called “experts,” like those on social media platforms. Treff reminds consumers that amidst COVID-19: “Take what you read at face value as development of vaccine candidates continues to progress at ‘warp speed’. We all want a vaccine as soon as possible, but knowing how that vaccine will work with people taking insulin, heart medications, and using inhalers is critical to patient safety.”

While there is no joint committee of industry experts currently overseeing development, it is not stopping pharmaceutical companies from working together to boost the industry’s response. Several companies, such as Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, and Merck are collaborating by sharing their proprietary compound libraries.(3) When promising compounds are identified, these companies then move those products through the different phases of clinical testing. All share the same goal: to find a vaccine or other treatment that works best for everyone, not just for one patient at a time.

“While pointing fingers over skyrocketing drug prices has long been a topic of bitter discussion and division in the industry, this is a rare time where manufacturers seem to be working to find a cure rather than continuing to increase prices on critical medications,” Treff says.

About MC-Rx:

MC-Rx is a full-service pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) with corporate offices in Gainesville, Georgia and Caguas, Puerto Rico, focusing on transparency, best-in-class service, and offering clients “lowest net cost.” MC-Rx was formed by combining two URAC- accredited, world class PBM’s – ProCare Pharmacy Benefit Manager and mc-21. The ProCare companies were founded in 1988 with the vision of providing innovative computer software systems and services to various sectors of the healthcare industry.

ProCare processed their first pharmacy claim in 1994 using their proprietary, internally developed and managed systems, and expanded in 1998 to full-service pharmacy benefit management through the acquisition of NextGen PBM. Today, the ProCare companies also include two affiliated mail-order and specialty pharmacies, ProCare PharmacyCare, and are one of only four PBM providers that own all of their component systems. MC-Rx now provides comprehensive, industry-leading service to clients in Puerto Rico and the U.S. For more information, visit http://www.mc-rx.com.

1.    LaMattina, John, et al. “Big Pharma Could Boost Its Reputation with Its Covid-19 Response.” STAT, 29 Apr. 2020, statnews.com/2020/04/30/big-pharma-improve-reputation-covid-19-response/.

2.    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “HHS, Industry Partners Expand U.S.-Based Pharmaceutical Manufacturing for COVID-19 Response.” HHS.gov, US Department of Health and Human Services, 19 May 2020, hhs.gov/about/news/2020/05/19/hhs-industry-partners-expand-us-based-pharmaceutical-manufacturing-covid-19-response.html.

3.    Taylor, Nick Paul. “Big Pharma Companies Join Forces for Fightback against COVID-19.” FierceBiotech, 27 Mar. 2020, fiercebiotech.com/biotech/big-pharma-companies-join-forces-for-fightback-against-covid-19.

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At WellSky, we know that providers across post-acute and community care are facing unprecedented challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing regulation, provider consolidation, and value-based reimbursement

LOS ANGELES (PRWEB)
June 08, 2020

MedTech Breakthrough, an independent market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies, and products in the global health and medical technology market, today announced that WellSky®, a leading global health and community care technology company, has been selected as the winner of its “Best Predictive Analytics Solution” award for the WellSky CareInsights™ platform in the fourth annual MedTech Breakthrough Awards program.

WellSky delivers software and services designed to anticipate the needs of both care providers and their patients, delivering powerful insights and intelligent software solutions that empower providers to deliver exceptional care and focus on improving outcomes for the people they care for.

WellSky CareInsights™ equips post-acute care providers with the real-time insights and predictive analytics that help improve outcomes for people across a range of care settings. From predicting patients’ risk of rehospitalization to gauging the likelihood of mortality and revocations, this analytics solution helps providers anticipate and prevent adverse outcomes and enhance the quality of care they deliver.

“At WellSky, we know that providers across post-acute and community care are facing unprecedented challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing regulation, provider consolidation, and value-based reimbursement. All of these factors are dramatically changing industry landscapes,” said Bill Miller, CEO of WellSky. “That’s why WellSky is building powerful technology to stay ahead and stay prepared for changes that affect our clients’ ability to deliver vital care. This 2020 MedTech Breakthrough Award clearly demonstrates WellSky’s continued commitment to innovation, and we’re proud to earn this recognition as we prioritize our clients’ success.”

The mission of the MedTech Breakthrough Awards is to honor excellence and recognize the innovation, hard work and success in a range of health and medical technology categories, including Robotics, Clinical Administration, Telehealth, Patient Engagement, Electronic Health Records (EHR), mHealth, Medical Devices, Medical Data and many more. This year’s program attracted more than 3,750 nominations from over 15 different countries throughout the world.

“Predictive analytics are increasingly important for providers as health care continues to shift from fee-for-service payment models to value-based care,” said James Johnson, managing director, MedTech Breakthrough. “WellSky is firmly positioned at the forefront in this field, helping post-acute care providers succeed by delivering the advanced technology and data analytics needed to proactively manage their patient populations, thrive in value-based care environments, and maximize efficiencies. We are thrilled to recognize them with our ‘Best Predictive Analytics Solution’ award for their incredibly versatile WellSky CareInsights solutions that break through in the crowded digital health and medical technology landscape.”

WellSky Home Health CareInsights is an enhanced predictive analytics solution bringing both population-level and patient-level intelligence directly to clinicians when and where they need it. This innovative technology is powered by algorithms based on historical data from more than 7 million home health patient episodes. For hospice settings, WellSky Hospice CareInsights employs machine-learning technology that harnesses key data — including real-time clinical, symptomatic, and psychosocial data — designed to help hospices keep people comfortable in their homes, reduce the likelihood of revocations, and help ensure that patients are surrounded by their family and caregivers at the appropriate time.

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About MedTech Breakthrough

Part of Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the MedTech Breakthrough Awards program is an independent program devoted to honoring excellence in medical and health related technology companies, products, services and people. The MedTech Breakthrough Awards provide a platform for public recognition around the achievements of breakthrough health and medical companies and products in categories that include Patient Engagement, mHealth, Health & Fitness, Clinical Administration, Healthcare IoT, Medical Data, Healthcare Cybersecurity and more. For more information visit MedTechBreakthrough.com.

About WellSky®

WellSky is a technology company advancing human wellness worldwide. Our software and professional services address the continuum of health and social care — helping businesses, organizations, and communities solve tough challenges, improve collaboration for growth, and achieve better outcomes through predictive insights that only WellSky solutions can provide. WellSky is leading the movement for smarter, whole-person care with a visionary approach that addresses individuals’ unique health and social circumstances. A portfolio company of TPG Capital, WellSky serves more than 14,000 client sites around the world — including the largest hospital systems, blood banks and labs, home health and hospice franchises, government agencies, and human services organizations. Informed by 40 years of providing software and expertise, WellSky anticipates providers’ needs and innovates relentlessly to help people thrive. Our purpose is to empower care heroes with technology for good, so that together, we can realize care’s potential and maintain a healthy, flourishing world. For more information, visit WellSky.com.

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Doctor Aaron Blight, Founder of Caregiving Kinetics

His vast experience as a CMS leader and home care agency owner make him uniquely qualified to understand the plight of our caregiving spouses and partners.

BERRYVILLE, Va. (PRWEB)
June 08, 2020

Aaron Blight, Ed.D., founder of global consulting firm Caregiving Kinetics, has been named a member of Well Spouse Association’s Honorary Board. International speaker, writer, and adjunct professor at Shenandoah University, Dr. Blight formerly served as a national healthcare policy leader at the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Bob Mastrogiovanni, Well Spouse Association President, expressed his positive outlook on Dr. Blight joining the honorary board. “His vast experience as a CMS leader and home care agency owner make him uniquely qualified to understand the plight of our caregiving spouses and partners. His background and education give him the ability to be a commentator who can analyze the caregiving experience academically and do it with the empathy of one who has been there. Caregiving for an ill spouse or partner has special challenges because of the intimate nature of the spousal relationship and he understands those relationships better than anyone. We look to the future with optimism because our relationship with Dr. Aaron Blight. “

Well Spouse® Association is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization that advocates for and addresses the needs of individuals caring for a chronically ill and/or disabled spouse/partner. The organization advocates on behalf of spousal caregivers, and promotes initiatives to help caregiving spouses cope with the emotional and financial stresses associated with chronic illness and/or disability. Well Spouse also coordinates a national network of support for caregiving partners, including a calendar of peer-to-peer support groups, a mentor program, and an online forum on which spousal caregivers can share coping skills and encouragement.

“After so many years developing healthcare policy, I thought I knew something about caregiving,” said Dr. Blight. “But it wasn’t until my wife’s mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor that I really began to understand the scope and significance of caregiving on a personal level. The experience was so profound that it prompted me to redirect my career path in hopes of using that knowledge to better serve people facing the same challenges as Jessica and I had.”

“Through Caregiving Kinetics, I’ve also had the opportunity to learn more about the caregiving experience from a spouse’s point of view,” continued Dr. Blight. “Caring for a partner who is going through a steady cognitive or physical decline is a unique challenge, and associations like Well Spouse are invaluable to the caregiving spouse.” Dr. Blight discusses the concerns of spousal caregivers in his forthcoming book to be released later this year.

As a member of Well Spouse’s Honorary Board, Dr. Blight will help promote the association’s resources and programs among spousal caregivers and other members of the caregiving community.

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Drs. Joel Rosenlicht and Ryaz Ansari, Oral Surgeons in West Hartford, CT, Offer Oral Pathology Exams

We strive to provide great care to our patients using the most technologically advanced procedures and equipment that is out there in oral surgery.

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (PRWEB)
June 08, 2020

Patients seeking to protect their oral and overall health can now visit the oral and maxillofacial surgeons at JawFixers for diagnosis and treatment of oral lesions or oral cancer in West Hartford, CT. The experienced oral surgeons are adept at diagnosing cancers of the mouth, neck and head and treat precancerous and cancerous oral lesions through modern laser dentistry. By identifying and treating oral cancer or lesions early, patients have the best chance of beating the disease and living a routine and normal lifestyle.

“One of the great things about being an oral surgeon is that we can do so many different things on patients, including oral pathology,” said Joel Rosenlicht. “We strive to provide great care to our patients using the most technologically advanced procedures and equipment that is out there in oral surgery.”

Routine oral pathology screenings are important to identify oral cancer or other problem oral lesions early, when they are most treatable. Drs. Rosenlicht and Ryaz Ansari are skilled at diagnosing and treating abnormal, precancerous and cancerous lesions in the head, neck and mouth. There are many factors that can contribute to the development of oral cancer or lesions, including tobacco and alcohol use, genetics, prolonged UV exposure, long-term denture irritation and HPV.

For those who are most susceptible to or who have a family history of oral cancer or lesions, Drs. Rosenlicht and Ansari encourage them to perform monthly screens at home or at the practice. The oral surgeons teach patients the basic steps on how to self-identify potential problems while at home in front of a well-lit mirror. Symptoms of oral cancer are:

• Red or white patches in the mouth or on skin
• Area of discoloration
• Raised or thickened skin
• Recurring bleeding or itching
• Sores, lumps or bumps
• Difficulty swallowing or sore throat

At the JawFixers’ practice, with locations in both West Hartford, CT and Manchester, CT, the oral surgeons offer advanced laser treatments to help patients fight oral pathology. These lasers can take gentle biopsies as well as remove oral lesions or suspicious tissues.

Choosing an oral surgeon for oral pathology concerns often leads to successful treatment of what could be a life-threatening condition. By identifying the problem early, Drs. Rosenlicht and Ansari can help treat the problem area in a minimally invasive manner. Considered experts in the area of the head, neck and face, oral surgeons are also skilled at the removal of lesions in these sensitive areas.

Those interested in receiving a diagnosis for oral cancer in West Hartford, CT or Manchester, CT are encouraged to contact the oral surgeons by visiting http://www.jawfixers.com, or by calling 860-649-2272 for their Manchester, CT office or 860-232-4606 for their West Hartford, CT practice.

About the Oral Surgeons

The board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons at JawFixers are skilled specialists offering leading-edge and minimally invasive care at their two practice locations in Manchester, CT and West Hartford, CT. With over 40 years of experience, Dr. Joel Rosenlicht is an esteemed author and lecturer and has developed techniques to further his field. Dr. Ryaz Ansari brings a passion for technology and oral surgery with extensive experience in implant therapy and dentoalveolar surgery. Using advanced imaging, Yomi® robotic-assisted technology and EXPAREL® for opioid-free pain management, this team strives to provide the best care and experience possible for their patients. To learn more about this practice, Drs. Rosenlicht and Ansari, or their services, visit http://www.jawfixers.com or call 860-649-2272 for their Manchester, CT office or 860-232-4606 for their West Hartford, CT practice.

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