June 13th Newsletter

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Startup Launches to Help Women’s Health Providers Build Independent Practices - Monarch helps OB/GYNs leave the high-burnout traditional system by giving them tools to launch and grow their own patient-centered, independent practices. The model prioritizes longer visits, full clinical control, and comprehensive women’s health services, all while physicians retain ownership. Link

First-of-its-kind technology helps man with ALS speak in real time - UC Davis researchers developed a brain-computer interface that translates brain activity into speech in real time, enabling a man with ALS to speak, modulate intonation, and sing through a synthesized voice. The system uses implanted microelectrode arrays and AI algorithms to decode neural signals with a delay of just 1/40th of a second, achieving nearly 60% intelligibility. Link

Ozempic Users May Face Higher Risk of a Serious Eye Disease - Older adults with diabetes who used GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic had a higher risk of developing wet age-related macular degeneration, a serious eye disease that can cause blindness. The risk increased with longer use, prompting experts to recommend more eye health monitoring for patients on these medications. Link

Joint Commission teams with CHAI on artificial intelligence guidance for health systems - The Joint Commission and the Coalition for Health AI are collaborating to create best practices, tools, and a certification program for safe and effective use of AI in healthcare. Initial guidance is expected in fall 2025, addressing the growing but inconsistent adoption of AI across health systems. Link

Mosanna Therapeutics Secures $80 Million for Sleep Apnea Nasal Spray - MOS118 is a nasal spray that treats obstructive sleep apnea by targeting upper airway muscles to maintain airflow during sleep. It works by addressing neurological and muscular dysfunction rather than using mechanical methods like CPAP. The funding supports Phase II development and marks a leadership transition with Dr. David Weber appointed as CEO. Link

TYBR Health Receives FDA Clearance for B3 GEL™ System - The FDA has cleared TYBR Health’s B3 GEL System, a bioresorbable gel made from natural extracellular matrix that protects healing tissues and preserves mobility after tendon, ligament, or muscle surgeries. Preclinical studies showed it reduced tissue binding and improved range of motion compared to controls. Link

hellocare.ai Enters into Collaboration with Mayo Clinic for AI Co-Innovation Project - hellocare.ai has partnered with Mayo Clinic to co-develop ambient clinical intelligence aimed at reducing hospitalizations, improving patient outcomes, and easing clinician workload. The company also announced Mayo Clinic as an investor in its $47M growth round, with its AI platform already in use across 70+ health systems for services like ambient documentation and hospital-at-home care. Link

Women, young adults, and Native people hit hard by rapid increase in alcohol liver deaths, study finds - Alcohol-related liver disease deaths have sharply increased since 2018, with the steepest rises among women, young adults, and Indigenous people. Cirrhosis deaths more than doubled overall—and tripled in women—while alcohol-associated hepatitis is now the fastest-growing reason for liver transplants in the U.S. Link

Good News: Scientists Identify New Way Cancers Sustain Themselves–and How Ginger Could Disrupt it - Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University found that EMC, a compound in ginger, disrupts cancer cell growth by blocking their ability to produce fatty acids—an essential energy source for tumor development. The study shows this disruption may expose cancer cells to detection or treatment by forcing them to rely on backup energy pathways like glycolysis. Link

RECALLS:

1.    Nationwide Recall of Zicam® Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, Zicam® Nasal AllClear Swabs, and Orajel™ Baby Teething Swabs Due to Microbial Contamination.

2.    August Egg Company Recalls Shell Eggs Because of Possible Health Risk.

3.    Cooked & Peeled Ready-To-Eat Coldwater Shrimp Meat Because of Possible Health Risk.

4.    Uneviscerated 'Salted Smoked Split Herring’ Due to Potential Clostridium Botulinum Contamination.

5.    Newport™ HT70 and Newport™ HT70 Plus Ventilators and Certain Related Newport™ Service Parts.

6.    Enoki Mushroom Due to Possible Health Risk.

7.    Dried Apricots with Undeclared Sulfites on Product Labeling Because of Possible Health Risk.