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First, the news: Glenn Talman, now CEO TransparentThere's a new venture fund of about $100 million called . 62 Ventures. The plan, he said, is to use the new fund to invest in startups that fall outside the strict digital health focus of his famous fund. 7wire ventures. Talman's interests also include Indian startups. Talman calls India his “second home” and sees great opportunities there. 62 Ventures also invests in US-based companies, and from $1 million he aims to write checks of $10 million.The fund has already invested BridgeHealth AIa startup that aims to “simplify health and social care navigation” for people experiencing health disparities. Kyaal, a “super app” for senior citizens in India.and loop healthan Indian health insurance and integrated care company.
About Transcarent’s new AI features
Thalman's current company, Transcurrent, aims to reimagine the way self-insured employers provide health care to their workers with a smart smartphone app-based experience. Talman said the company will develop technology that connects all the healthcare services it offers, including access to digital services, in-person care, discounts on prescription drugs, and pathways for more complex needs such as surgery and cancer treatment. He said he spent more than $100 million. . In the coming months, the company plans to introduce generative AI capabilities that can answer people's health benefits, care, and other health-related questions.
On Transcarent is raising more funds
Thalman did not confirm reports that the company had raised more than $100 million in additional funding. What he told me was that he wanted to build Transcurrent into a $50 billion company that would change the industry, and that would require a lot of capital. Early in his career, before he had the money to buy what he wanted, he likened his approach to fundraising to a cocktail party.
“A long time ago, when I was handing out appetizers, I was asked to take one because I didn’t know when the tray would come back,” he said. “I was a poor, hungry young man. I took it every time, whether I needed it or not.”
About the controversial diabetes technical report
Thalman is best known as a former CEO. LivongoChronic disease management company merged with Teladoc The $18.5 billion deal reset expectations for success for digital health companies.
Naturally, he denied his recent remarks. Peterson Health Technology Institute The report analyzed data from Livongo and other digital diabetes management programs and found they were not worth the money, calling them “poorly done.”
Thalman said the report lacked sufficient input and review from outside diabetes experts and drew its conclusions based on a limited subset of studies. He said chronic disease management tools should not be evaluated on 12-month return on investment. He added that the report does not adequately assess the ability of chronic disease management tools to expand access to treatment. Also, while satisfied users' experiences were highlighted, positive users did not rate the value of their experiences.
How will the end of internet subsidies affect healthcare?
This month, a federal program that helped low-income people pay for internet service begins to wind down, potentially impacting the health care programs it made possible. In 2021, he was founded with over $14 billion in funding, affordable connectivity program We have provided subsidized internet service to approximately 23 million households. According to the survey, Federal Communications Commission72% of people receiving Internet assistance use the Internet to make medical appointments and visits.
Recognizing that broadband Internet is a potential barrier to accessing health care services, many insurance companies are making efforts to connect their members to the Internet in hopes of saving them high medical costs in the future. I continued. It is unclear how many health care companies relied on subsidies for such services, but the program announced in January Elevance Health He specifically called on ACP as a source of funding. An Elevance spokesperson did not respond to multiple requests for comment on what the future holds for the program.
Congress is expected to swoop in to fund the popular program through a proposed bill with hundreds of co-sponsors.
Rare dementia discovered through smartphone game
A new study suggests that a battery of smartphone-based tests could help identify rare forms of dementia early. Frontotemporal lobar degeneration affects an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 people in the United States and often begins at a younger age than more well-known neurodegenerative diseases. Approximately 30% of cases are associated with known genetic causes, and there is no cure for this disease, which has a variety of cognitive and motor symptoms.
Digital tools offer the opportunity to identify people with symptoms early and monitor their progression, potentially streamlining clinical trials and ultimately allowing people to access treatment if the disease is present. will do so. In the new paper, 360 participants, including controls and people in various stages of FTD, completed a series of cognitively challenging games aimed at mimicking executive function tests administered in the clinic. .
These tasks were found to be consistent with in-office assessments used to diagnose FTD and reliably identify dementia. In a fascinating wrinkle, this task was found to identify potential signs of FTD in people who are genetic carriers but do not yet have clinical symptoms.
This paper is part of a larger research effort called the ALLFTD study, which is currently underway and is also collecting audio samples and behavioral data via the app for future analysis.
Medical devices: FDA clears sepsis algorithm and more
- of food and drug administration approved a new device from abbot Intended for the treatment of tricuspid valve disease.
- FDA also approves digital stethoscope company eco health's algorithm helps doctors detect hidden heart failure.
- bio link Raised $58 million to further develop wearable patches that measure blood sugar levels. The funding was led by Alpha Wave Ventures, with participation from several other investors.
Personnel File: Amy Abernethy's new gigs and moves
- former Exactly executive amy abernethy She just joined Alphabet Life Sciences Company and took a seat on the board of directors. incitrois a self-proclaimed “drug discovery and development company that utilizes machine learning.”
- big healthFormer developer of apps to treat mental health conditions can and optum executive Yael Berman will become CEO. arun gupta has been managing the company since 2022 and continues to serve as Chairman of the Board.
what we are reading
- Will the FDA's new device regulations hold up as cyberattacks on healthcare continue?, MedTech Dive
- As AI becomes more prevalent, biopharmaceutical companies are looking to leverage AI in clinical trials.
- Shortage of behavioral health providers in Medicare and Medicaid impedes enrollees' access to care, Department of Health and Human Services.
