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Lucira Health Announces Expanded Partnership with Switch Health to Increase Canadians' Access to At-Home Molecular COVID-19 Tests

Lucira Health | December 27, 2021

Lucira Health, Inc., a medical technology company focused on the development and commercialization of transformative and innovative infectious disease test kits, announced a new agreement with Switch Health Solutions Inc. ("Switch Health") to increase Canadians' access to at-home molecular COVID-19 tests as Omicron cases surge. Lucira will provide more than 2 million at-home COVID-19 test kits in 2022 as part of the deal.

"As Omicron cases surge around the world, the need for better testing solutions has never been more apparent. Only Lucira's tests provide a PCR-quality test result in 30 minutes, wherever you are, from a simple, single-use kit. Making these tests more available is critical to help slow the spread of COVID-19."

Erik Engelson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lucira

Switch Health is a Canadian healthcare company dedicated to providing better decentralized patient care. Switch Health has quickly become a leader in COVID-19 testing on-site at its Switch Health Clinics and at-home through its remote telehealth service and in-person visits.

"Switch Health's ability to be a Canadian health care leader in decentralized diagnostics is in large part due to the innovative technologies we make available to everyday Canadians," added Marc Thomson, Chief Operating Officer at Switch Health. "Lucira has been an instrumental partner in helping Switch Health achieve that in the COVID-19 era. Together, we are removing barriers to get Canadians safely back to work and reunited with their loved ones."

Last month, Lucira announced confirmation that its COVID-19 Check-It (OTC) and All-In-One (Rx) molecular self-test kits' can detect 100% of Omicron variant genome sequences analyzed, including the "stealth variant." Lucira assays target viral sequence regions unaffected by the spike protein mutations found in Omicron, Delta, and other variants of concern, allowing it to maintain its accuracy in the face of an evolving virus.

Lucira has received Interim Order authorization from Health Canada to sell and distribute its COVID-19 test kits for at-home self-testing in Canada.

LUCIRA™ CHECK IT Test Kit

The Lucira™ Check-It (OTC) and All-in-One (Rx) test kits are Nucleic-Acid Amplification Tests (referred to as NAAT). The tests fit in the palm of your hand, extract genetic material from the virus and amplify it, similar to PCR lab tests, to detect the presence of virus earlier and more accurately than antigen tests. The test uses an approach called reverse transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP). It was designed and tested extensively for individuals to use independently and does not require a physician's prescription or supervised assistance. There is no additional equipment to purchase, such as a reader or instrument.

Each Lucira test kit contains everything needed to run one COVID-19 test. Users get the test device, two AA batteries, sample vial, swab and simple instructions. The batteries are inserted into the device and the sample vial is placed in the test unit. The user then opens the test swab packet and rotates the swab five times in each nostril. The swab is then stirred in the sample vial, which is then gently pressed into the test unit to start the test. The "ready" light will blink until a "positive" or "negative" green light is illuminated within 30 minutes. In the US, Lucira also offers a free LUCI Pass™ digital verified test result back to a user's phone. LUCI Pass is accessed via text and does not require downloading an app. There is also an opt-in for public health reporting for users who wish to transmit their results to the relevant public health authorities.

In clinical trials, 100% of users successfully performed the test at home in about two minutes using Lucira's easy-to-use 'swab, stir and detect' Check-It test kit.

In a Community Trial setting, Lucira™ Check-It results were compared with the Hologic Panther Fusion, considered a high-sensitivity molecular test due to its low Limit of Detection ("LOD"). Lucira's accuracy was 98%, correctly detecting 385 out of 394 positive and negative samples in comparison to the Hologic Panther Fusion, excluding ten samples with very low levels of virus (those with very high PCR cycle thresholds of 37.5 or greater) that possibly no longer represented active infection. Comparative positive results agreed 97% of the time among this sample, and negative results agreed 98% of the time.

About Lucira Health

Lucira is a medical technology company focused on the development and commercialization of transformative and innovative infectious disease test kits. Lucira's testing platform produces lab quality molecular testing in a single-use, consumer-friendly, palm-size test kit powered by two AA batteries. Lucira designed its test kits to provide accurate, reliable, and on-the-spot molecular test results anywhere and at any time. The Lucira™ Check-It COVID-19 Test Kit (OTC) and Lucira™ COVID-19 All-In-One Test Kit (Rx) are designed to provide a clinically relevant COVID-19 result within 30 minutes from sample collection. 

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Capital Rx Launches Rx Reverse in Partnership with Virta Health to Combat Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity

PRNewswire | July 18, 2023

Capital Rx, the health technology company changing the way prescription drugs are priced and patients are cared for, and type 2 diabetes (T2D) reversal leader Virta Health have partnered to introduce Rx Reverse. Available to all of Capital Rx's customers, Rx Reverse is a high-touch, provider-led, integrated clinical program designed to help members reverse T2D and fight obesity without costly medications. The problem is clear: 37+ million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes, and over 90% of them have T2D (including one-third of the population over 65 years old).1 At the same time, the prevalence of obesity is over 40% of the U.S. population2 and is expected to reach nearly 50% by 2030.3 During a June 15, 2023 webinar, Rethinking Obesity Strategies: The Rise of GLP-1 Drugs and Lifestyle Programs for Weight Loss, Virta revealed new survey data highlighting that diabetes and obesity are the #1 and #2 concerns of health plan leaders in 2023 because of rising costs and downstream health impact. The launch of Rx Reverse comes as demand for GLP-1 drugs approved for diabetes and weight loss is rising rapidly, and employers and health plan leaders focus on managing the cost of diabetes and obesity. Rx Reverse combines Capital Rx's tech-enabled pharmacy benefit management (PBM) service model, powered by JUDI®, and Virta's solution – personalized nutrition therapy, physician-led deprescription, remote monitoring, and one-on-one coaching – to help health plans reduce costs and improve members' health. "Leveraging JUDI, our proprietary next-generation claim adjudication platform for Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial plans, we have the ability to seamlessly connect with vendors like Virta, sharing actionable member information efficiently in real-time, and providing the connectivity plan members need to improve their overall health," said Sara Izadi, PharmD, Senior Vice President of Pharmacy at Capital Rx. "Our Single-Ledger Model™, coupled with JUDI's capabilities, enables us to partner with Virta on a solution focused on deprescribing and health equity." Virta reports lowering HbA1c for patients by 1.3% on average after one year, and 60% of patients enrolled one year attained an HbA1c below 6.5% without using diabetes medications other than metformin. Moreover, patients experience an average of 12% body weight loss at two years. And like Capital Rx, which saves payers 10% - 30% in the first year, on average, after switching from a traditional PBM model, Virta emphasizes positive financial outcomes, including demonstrating an estimated $503 per engaged member per month gross savings for T2D reversal participants. Three Rx Reverse options are available for plan sponsors to choose from Type 2 Diabetes Reversal: Helps plan members achieve lower blood sugar – often to sub-diabetes levels <6.5 A1c – and clinically significant weight loss alongside safe deprescription of diabetes medication. Provider-Led Weight Loss: Helps plan members without diabetes who are considered overweight (BMI ≥ 25) or obese (BMI ≥ 30) achieve clinically significant weight loss. Type 2 Diabetes Reversal & Provider-Led Weight Loss "The rapidly rising utilization and cost of obesity and diabetes drugs is putting extreme pressure on healthcare payers," said Kevin Kumler, President at Virta Health. "Capital Rx's tech-forward, value-based approach – a needed evolution from the traditional PBM model – aligns both incentives and systems to help payers control drug costs while members get healthier." About Virta Health Virta Health is the leader in type 2 diabetes reversal and is creating a new standard in medical care for people living with type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or obesity. The company's virtual approach combines personalized nutrition therapy with continuous provider-led support to empower members to eliminate medications, lose weight, and take back their lives. Virta has earned the trust of the nation's largest organizations, including Humana, AutoZone, and Blue Shield of California, delivering industry-leading cost savings of over $6,000 per member per year while putting our fees at risk based on health outcomes. About Capital Rx Capital Rx is a healthcare technology company changing the way prescription drugs are priced and patients are cared for in America. As a Certified B Corp™, Capital Rx is executing its mission through a Single-Ledger Model™, the industry's first ethical framework for drug pricing. The company's cloud-native enterprise pharmacy platform, JUDI®, connects every aspect of the pharmacy ecosystem, servicing over 2.4 million members for Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial plans.

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AmeriPro Health expands to Kentucky and Indiana with acquisition of AMR's operations

prnewswire | August 07, 2023

AmeriPro Health, a leading provider of patient logistics and last-mile healthcare delivery services, has acquired American Medical Response, Inc.'s (AMR) operations in Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky, and New Albany, Indiana. As a result of the acquisition, AmeriPro Health now provides these three markets, which include UofL Health, University of Louisville Athletics and UK HealthCare, with its customizable suite of patient-centric 911, inter-facility medical transportation, critical care and advanced life support (ALS) services. "We're thrilled to bring AmeriPro's innovative last-mile services to Lexington, Louisville and New Albany," says Suhas Uppalapati, CEO of AmeriPro Health. "AmeriPro is steadfast in our commitment to revolutionize patient logistics. We aim to provide members of these communities - and blue-chip institutional partners such as UK HealthCare and UofL Health, along with other local hospitals, health plans and employers - with unmatched patient health services." This news follows AmeriPro's 2022 acquisition of CareMed, an ambulance service provider in Mississippi and Tennessee, and Ambulance Service, Inc., a longstanding Jacksonville, Florida-based EMS provider, in 2019. Established in 2018 with 10 ambulances in the Metro Atlanta area, AmeriPro Health has rapidly grown to 800+ employees with operations across six states. About AmeriPro Health AmeriPro Health encompasses a diverse range of healthcare companies devoted to optimizing patient logistics and last-mile healthcare delivery. Our extensive portfolio comprises emergency and critical care services, non-emergency medical transportation, patient coordination and personalized home-based care solutions, providing a seamless patient care journey. By covering the complete spectrum of patient care, we ensure enhanced patient outcomes, more efficient healthcare processes and timely, location-appropriate access to care. At AmeriPro Health, we provide an adaptable suite of patient-centric, value-driven services, tailored to meet the needs of communities, health systems, health plans and employers. As a pioneer in last-mile healthcare, our strength lies in our capacity to anticipate future needs, swiftly adapt and deliver on the evolving demands of our clients.

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Johnson and Johnson Embraces New Era with Enhanced Visual Identity

Johnson and Johnson | September 15, 2023

Johnson and Johnson's brand identity communicates the company's bold healthcare innovation while staying true to its global patient care. Leveraging advanced medicine and technology, the company proactively tackles complex diseases with more innovative, less invasive, and personalized solutions. The company plans to gradually implement the new logo, colors, and font across all its materials, product packaging, and branding assets. Johnson and Johnson is currently revitalizing its brand and consolidating its MedTech and pharmaceutical segments under the unified name of Johnson and Johnson, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to healthcare innovation and addressing the most challenging health issues. The announcement signifies a pivotal moment in Johnson and Johnson's evolution as the company harnesses its extensive knowledge of innovative medicine and cutting-edge medical technology. This strategic move aims to proactively address, treat, and ultimately find cures for intricate diseases while simultaneously ushering in solutions characterized by heightened intelligence, reduced invasiveness, and greater personalization, marking a significant stride toward reshaping the future of healthcare. The company's two major segments will become more closely associated with the Johnson and Johnson brand. Over time, Janssen, the company's pharmaceutical part, will assume the name Johnson and Johnson Innovative Medicine, while the medical technology segment will retain the Johnson and Johnson MedTech designation. The pharmaceuticals segment leads the way in advancing healthcare, pioneering treatments to reshape the future of well-being. Johnson and Johnson Innovative Medicine combines a compassionate scientific approach to effectively confront the most complex diseases in oncology, immunology, neuroscience, cardiovascular, pulmonary hypertension, and retina to develop future medications. Simultaneously, the medical technology segment dedicates itself to addressing the most pressing healthcare challenges through innovations at the nexus of biology and technology. Vanessa Broadhurst, Executive Vice President of Global Corporate Affairs, stated, Our Johnson and Johnson brand identity communicates our bold approach to innovation in healthcare while staying true to the care we have for our patients around the world. [Source: Business Wire] The updated Johnson and Johnson logo, featuring letters drawn in a single stroke for added contrast and a sense of unexpectedness, embraces both long and short versions, with the 'J&J' abbreviation gaining prominence, especially in digital contexts. The color palette leans toward a refreshed and contemporary red, symbolizing the company's agility in responding to health challenges and evolving with the times. The revamped ampersand now signifies global recognition, openness, and the connections that breathe life into the brand's purpose. In terms of art direction, elements such as illustration and photography have undergone careful curation to evoke energy, optimism, and inclusivity, presenting a distinctive approach within the healthcare domain.

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Capital Rx Launches Rx Reverse in Partnership with Virta Health to Combat Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity

PRNewswire | July 18, 2023

Capital Rx, the health technology company changing the way prescription drugs are priced and patients are cared for, and type 2 diabetes (T2D) reversal leader Virta Health have partnered to introduce Rx Reverse. Available to all of Capital Rx's customers, Rx Reverse is a high-touch, provider-led, integrated clinical program designed to help members reverse T2D and fight obesity without costly medications. The problem is clear: 37+ million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes, and over 90% of them have T2D (including one-third of the population over 65 years old).1 At the same time, the prevalence of obesity is over 40% of the U.S. population2 and is expected to reach nearly 50% by 2030.3 During a June 15, 2023 webinar, Rethinking Obesity Strategies: The Rise of GLP-1 Drugs and Lifestyle Programs for Weight Loss, Virta revealed new survey data highlighting that diabetes and obesity are the #1 and #2 concerns of health plan leaders in 2023 because of rising costs and downstream health impact. The launch of Rx Reverse comes as demand for GLP-1 drugs approved for diabetes and weight loss is rising rapidly, and employers and health plan leaders focus on managing the cost of diabetes and obesity. Rx Reverse combines Capital Rx's tech-enabled pharmacy benefit management (PBM) service model, powered by JUDI®, and Virta's solution – personalized nutrition therapy, physician-led deprescription, remote monitoring, and one-on-one coaching – to help health plans reduce costs and improve members' health. "Leveraging JUDI, our proprietary next-generation claim adjudication platform for Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial plans, we have the ability to seamlessly connect with vendors like Virta, sharing actionable member information efficiently in real-time, and providing the connectivity plan members need to improve their overall health," said Sara Izadi, PharmD, Senior Vice President of Pharmacy at Capital Rx. "Our Single-Ledger Model™, coupled with JUDI's capabilities, enables us to partner with Virta on a solution focused on deprescribing and health equity." Virta reports lowering HbA1c for patients by 1.3% on average after one year, and 60% of patients enrolled one year attained an HbA1c below 6.5% without using diabetes medications other than metformin. Moreover, patients experience an average of 12% body weight loss at two years. And like Capital Rx, which saves payers 10% - 30% in the first year, on average, after switching from a traditional PBM model, Virta emphasizes positive financial outcomes, including demonstrating an estimated $503 per engaged member per month gross savings for T2D reversal participants. Three Rx Reverse options are available for plan sponsors to choose from Type 2 Diabetes Reversal: Helps plan members achieve lower blood sugar – often to sub-diabetes levels <6.5 A1c – and clinically significant weight loss alongside safe deprescription of diabetes medication. Provider-Led Weight Loss: Helps plan members without diabetes who are considered overweight (BMI ≥ 25) or obese (BMI ≥ 30) achieve clinically significant weight loss. Type 2 Diabetes Reversal & Provider-Led Weight Loss "The rapidly rising utilization and cost of obesity and diabetes drugs is putting extreme pressure on healthcare payers," said Kevin Kumler, President at Virta Health. "Capital Rx's tech-forward, value-based approach – a needed evolution from the traditional PBM model – aligns both incentives and systems to help payers control drug costs while members get healthier." About Virta Health Virta Health is the leader in type 2 diabetes reversal and is creating a new standard in medical care for people living with type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or obesity. The company's virtual approach combines personalized nutrition therapy with continuous provider-led support to empower members to eliminate medications, lose weight, and take back their lives. Virta has earned the trust of the nation's largest organizations, including Humana, AutoZone, and Blue Shield of California, delivering industry-leading cost savings of over $6,000 per member per year while putting our fees at risk based on health outcomes. About Capital Rx Capital Rx is a healthcare technology company changing the way prescription drugs are priced and patients are cared for in America. As a Certified B Corp™, Capital Rx is executing its mission through a Single-Ledger Model™, the industry's first ethical framework for drug pricing. The company's cloud-native enterprise pharmacy platform, JUDI®, connects every aspect of the pharmacy ecosystem, servicing over 2.4 million members for Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial plans.

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AmeriPro Health expands to Kentucky and Indiana with acquisition of AMR's operations

prnewswire | August 07, 2023

AmeriPro Health, a leading provider of patient logistics and last-mile healthcare delivery services, has acquired American Medical Response, Inc.'s (AMR) operations in Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky, and New Albany, Indiana. As a result of the acquisition, AmeriPro Health now provides these three markets, which include UofL Health, University of Louisville Athletics and UK HealthCare, with its customizable suite of patient-centric 911, inter-facility medical transportation, critical care and advanced life support (ALS) services. "We're thrilled to bring AmeriPro's innovative last-mile services to Lexington, Louisville and New Albany," says Suhas Uppalapati, CEO of AmeriPro Health. "AmeriPro is steadfast in our commitment to revolutionize patient logistics. We aim to provide members of these communities - and blue-chip institutional partners such as UK HealthCare and UofL Health, along with other local hospitals, health plans and employers - with unmatched patient health services." This news follows AmeriPro's 2022 acquisition of CareMed, an ambulance service provider in Mississippi and Tennessee, and Ambulance Service, Inc., a longstanding Jacksonville, Florida-based EMS provider, in 2019. Established in 2018 with 10 ambulances in the Metro Atlanta area, AmeriPro Health has rapidly grown to 800+ employees with operations across six states. About AmeriPro Health AmeriPro Health encompasses a diverse range of healthcare companies devoted to optimizing patient logistics and last-mile healthcare delivery. Our extensive portfolio comprises emergency and critical care services, non-emergency medical transportation, patient coordination and personalized home-based care solutions, providing a seamless patient care journey. By covering the complete spectrum of patient care, we ensure enhanced patient outcomes, more efficient healthcare processes and timely, location-appropriate access to care. At AmeriPro Health, we provide an adaptable suite of patient-centric, value-driven services, tailored to meet the needs of communities, health systems, health plans and employers. As a pioneer in last-mile healthcare, our strength lies in our capacity to anticipate future needs, swiftly adapt and deliver on the evolving demands of our clients.

Read More

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Johnson and Johnson Embraces New Era with Enhanced Visual Identity

Johnson and Johnson | September 15, 2023

Johnson and Johnson's brand identity communicates the company's bold healthcare innovation while staying true to its global patient care. Leveraging advanced medicine and technology, the company proactively tackles complex diseases with more innovative, less invasive, and personalized solutions. The company plans to gradually implement the new logo, colors, and font across all its materials, product packaging, and branding assets. Johnson and Johnson is currently revitalizing its brand and consolidating its MedTech and pharmaceutical segments under the unified name of Johnson and Johnson, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to healthcare innovation and addressing the most challenging health issues. The announcement signifies a pivotal moment in Johnson and Johnson's evolution as the company harnesses its extensive knowledge of innovative medicine and cutting-edge medical technology. This strategic move aims to proactively address, treat, and ultimately find cures for intricate diseases while simultaneously ushering in solutions characterized by heightened intelligence, reduced invasiveness, and greater personalization, marking a significant stride toward reshaping the future of healthcare. The company's two major segments will become more closely associated with the Johnson and Johnson brand. Over time, Janssen, the company's pharmaceutical part, will assume the name Johnson and Johnson Innovative Medicine, while the medical technology segment will retain the Johnson and Johnson MedTech designation. The pharmaceuticals segment leads the way in advancing healthcare, pioneering treatments to reshape the future of well-being. Johnson and Johnson Innovative Medicine combines a compassionate scientific approach to effectively confront the most complex diseases in oncology, immunology, neuroscience, cardiovascular, pulmonary hypertension, and retina to develop future medications. Simultaneously, the medical technology segment dedicates itself to addressing the most pressing healthcare challenges through innovations at the nexus of biology and technology. Vanessa Broadhurst, Executive Vice President of Global Corporate Affairs, stated, Our Johnson and Johnson brand identity communicates our bold approach to innovation in healthcare while staying true to the care we have for our patients around the world. [Source: Business Wire] The updated Johnson and Johnson logo, featuring letters drawn in a single stroke for added contrast and a sense of unexpectedness, embraces both long and short versions, with the 'J&J' abbreviation gaining prominence, especially in digital contexts. The color palette leans toward a refreshed and contemporary red, symbolizing the company's agility in responding to health challenges and evolving with the times. The revamped ampersand now signifies global recognition, openness, and the connections that breathe life into the brand's purpose. In terms of art direction, elements such as illustration and photography have undergone careful curation to evoke energy, optimism, and inclusivity, presenting a distinctive approach within the healthcare domain.

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