In other healthcare news, AstraZeneca is acquiring Amylot Pharma and Fusion in deals worth up to $1.05 billion and approximately $2.4 billion respectively. Engrail Therapeutics raised a $157 million series B round for neurological treatments, while Tubulis raised a $138.8 million series B2 round for antibody drug conjugates. The FDA approved Madrigal Pharmaceuticals' resmetirom as the first treatment for advanced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Varda Space successfully crystallized HIV medication ritonavir in orbit, potentially enabling higher-quality drug production in space. The Environmental Protection Agency banned asbestos, and President Joe Biden signed an executive order expanding women's health research with a $200 million investment.
Key takeaways:
- Google is developing an AI-powered health coach for Fitbit, which will provide insights based on patterns in sleep schedule, exercise intensity, and changes in heart rate. However, the company emphasizes that this tool is not intended to replace doctors or provide medical advice.
- Health records company Epic is developing a suite of 60 AI tools for U.S. hospitals, including a GPT-4 powered coding assistant for medical billing, set to release in May.
- Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca is acquiring endocrine disease biotech company Amylot Pharma and radiopharmaceutical company Fusion, in deals worth up to $1.05 billion and approximately $2.4 billion respectively.
- Varda Space has successfully crystallized a form of HIV medication in orbit, suggesting potential for manufacturing key drug ingredients in space due to the microgravity environment's ability to better crystallize active pharmaceutical ingredients.