Indiana’s life sciences sector racks up annual record $257M in venture funding
The 39 companies that won venture funding represent a wide range of therapeutics, devices and health information technology.
Health Care & Life Sciences
Articles
The shrinking Pfizer vaccine allotment: An Indiana mystery wrapped in a riddle
Last week, state health officials said they expected to initially receive 55,575 doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, and had already begun vaccinating front-line health care workers. But just five days later, state officials and hospitals are keeping mum about how many doses they actually received, except to say it was fewer than expected.
Hospitals discharge patients early to free beds during pandemic
Hospitals are discharging patients several days earlier than they otherwise would, sending them home sometimes with oxygen machines, intravenous lines and powerful medicines.
Lilly starting new trial for COVID-19 antibody, potentially widening already red-hot market
Lilly said it will enroll up to 500,000 people in its latest study, with at least 5,000 people expected to receive bamlanivimab therapy. The drugmaker is partnering with health insurer UnitedHealth Group to see if the drug will help high-risk people.
Statewide pandemic numbers hit new heights in November
In every significant statistical category, November has been a record-setter for the COVID-19 pandemic in Indiana, with cases, deaths and hospitalizations far exceeding even the early months of the coronavirus outbreak.
Amid pandemic, Ascension St. Vincent parent shows dramatic swing from red ink to black
Despite the change in fortunes, Ascension signaled that it is not yet out of the woods, noting that “consumer confidence and healthcare hesitation as a result of COVID-19 continue to affect Ascension markets, to varying degrees.”
The check is in the mail from health insurers, but Hoosiers won’t get big payday
Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurers are required to spend 80% to 85% of the revenue they get from premiums on medical care. If they don’t, they have to issue rebates or credits to make up the difference.
UPDATE: Second coronavirus vaccine shows early success in U.S. tests
Moderna said its vaccine appears to be 94.5% effective, according to preliminary data from the company’s still-ongoing study.
Amid pandemic, 66 Indiana hospitals facing fines for excessive readmissions
The federal government says readmissions are often unnecessary and cost taxpayers tens of billions of dollars a year for treatments that should have been caught the first time around, or were not followed up adequately.
Is ‘twindemic’ looming? COVID-19 and flu cases could hammer hospitals
Indiana lags much of the nation in flu vaccination rates, and some public health officials say the combination of flu and coronavirus illness could overwhelm hospitals this winter.
State not releasing detailed COVID outbreak data
Other than tracking schools and long-term-care facilities, the state doesn’t post any identifying data on a website or dashboard where people can identify COVID hot spots and track their spread.
Gov. Eric Holcomb’s coronavirus stance drawing criticism
The Republican has said repeatedly that he’d be willing to take a step back in the phased-in reopening if key data indicated the pandemic was worsening. But he has never made good on that threat.
Illinois governor bans indoor dining in Chicago as virus cases surge
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot says she isn’t sure the governor’s new restrictions are targeting the right people and worries that they will adversely affect the city’s economy.
Indiana’s count of new COVID-19 cases tops 2,000 for fourth straight day
The state on Monday reported 13 more deaths due to COVID-19. The seven-day moving average for cases has reached an all-time high of 2,215.
Indiana surging with COVID-19 cases, with ‘hot spots’ all over the place
State statistics reveal a very uneven, lumpy picture for COVID-19 cases from county to county, and the picture is constantly shifting.
Panel: Life sciences sector should continue pulling in cash
A panel of experts spoke at IBJ’s Life Sciences Power Breakfast, which took place virtually Oct. 9, talked about venture capital in the life sciences sector. These are some excerpts.
Ex-Cook Group execs to launch life sciences startup in Fishers
The new company, contract drug developer INCog Biopharma, plans to build a $60 million facility and hire up to 150 workers by the end of 2024.
Health insurance premiums climbed 3% to 5% annually since 2012, survey says
It’s that time of year, when workers gather in the conference room (or through a zoom video conference) and brace for the latest news on health insurance plans.
Experts aim to predict trajectory of COVID deaths in coming months
In the absence of a crystal ball, forecasting models offer the next best thing: a rough guide for people to guess when they might get back to something resembling normalcy.
IU Health seeks to close several streets on expanded campus, feature open green space
The hospital system has filed a petition for vacation of several streets, meaning it wants to close or privatize them and fold them into the new campus.