Roundup: ANDHealth receives $14M in gov’t funding, Zhongchao launches ovarian cancer patient management platform and more briefs
Australian digital health backer ANDHealth scores $14M in government funding
ANDHealth, a digital health commercialisation organisation in Australia, has secured A$19.75 million ($14.3 million) in government funding to support its programme for small and medium enterprises. It received the funding under the federal government’s Medical Research Future Fund – Early Stage Translation and Commercialisation Support programme.
In a press statement, the group said its new fund will usher in the expansion of its ANDHealth+ programme that supports up to 25 high-growth potential SMEs, which are picked via a competitive process.
According to ANDHealth CEO Bronwyn Le Grice, Australian digital health firms have only raised a median capital amount of approximately A$250,000 presently.
Under the programme, the organisation is providing up to A$1 million in investment, along with a dedicated support team, access to a c-suite industry advisory panel and specialised services from pre-vetted suppliers.
“This programme will be transformational in providing investment of up to $1 (million) per company, alongside substantial support and expertise to accelerate the scale-up of these life-changing technologies,” she said.
The ANDHealth+ programme has supported companies using technologies such as computing platforms, connectivity, software and sensors to treat, diagnose, cure, mitigate and prevent diseases and other conditions.
The organisation targets to open competitive applications for its expanded ANDHealth+ programme in September.
Zhongchao tapped for ovarian cancer patient management in China
Chinese healthcare platform provider Zhongchao through its subsidiary Shanghai Zhongxin Medical Technology Co. has provided a patient management system to support the treatment of ovarian cancer patients in China.
The Zeyoulexiang Patient Assistance Project, which is managed by independent charity group Bethune Charitable Foundation, is using the Zhongchao platform to provide assistance to female patients taking the anti-cancer medication Niraparib.
Through the patient management system, patients can record, track and view various indications of their bodies and disease during medication. They can also receive early warnings of potential disease progression to manage adverse reactions and psychological problems during medication and improve their adherence to treatment and treatment safety.
There is also a follow-up feature in the system that enables doctors to deliver one-on-one medication guidance and lifestyle advice to patients to ensure correct drugs usage and response to adverse reactions.
The said project involves a network of more than 350 hospitals, 40 pharmacies and around 1,000 physicians. It is also jointly supported and assisted by the Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Obstetrics Gynecology Hospital, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing Cancer Hospital, Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University and Red House Hospital. So far, the project has assisted over 5,000 ovarian cancer patients.
Zhongchao is entering the ovarian cancer market, which value is expected to reach $6.7 billion over the next decade, according to a forecast by GlobalData. In China, over 50,000 new ovarian cancer cases and above 30,000 deaths were recorded in 2018.
Myanmar-based digital health platform to offer free online health consultations
HOPE Telecare, a digital health platform in Myanmar, will be offering free virtual medical consultations in the duration of the country’s lockdown.
In a statement, the company is seeking volunteer doctors to participate in its free telemedicine service.
While it did not provide a date for the free service launch, HOPE Telecare said the telehealth service will be offered to the public via Facebook Messenger and the HOPE mobile app.
Myanmar’s capital Yangon has been placed under lockdown since July due to mounting COVID-19 infections. Reported cases in the country were around 384,000 with nearly 15,000 deaths, as of late.
HOPE Telecare is a joint venture by Burmese IT company Blue Ocean Investment, co-founder Saw Mra Aung and Malaysian telemedicine platform DOC2US of Heydoc International.
mWell to launch virtual medical mission
Filipino mobile health and wellness app mWell by Metro Pacific Health Tech is launching its nationwide medical mission on 28-29 August.
On the said dates, the company will be providing its app users and patients free doctor consultations, waiving booking and doctor fees. In a statement, mWell is inviting doctors and clinics across the country to join its nationwide event.
mWell is providing mobile app-based services, including professional consultations, medical diagnosis, care and treatment plans, as well as personalised fitness, nutrition and wellness programmes and parenting solutions.
It also runs e-pharmacy services by local pharmacy South Star Drug and offers more than 3,000 health and wellness products.