Diabetes News: Implantable Blood Glucose Monitor Sensor, Texas A&M Research

Prospects For Better Diabetes Self-monitoring Based On Texas A&M Research: Implantable sensor that monitors blood sugar levels ***Full Press release follows. SOURCE: Texas A&M University COLLEGE STATION, Texas, Nov. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An implantable sensor that allows diabetics to monitor their blood-sugar levels more effectively is a step closer to reality, thanks to a researcher at Texas A&M University who is developing technology aimed at enabling these sensors to remain functional in the body for an extended period of time. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120502/DC99584LOGO) Melissa Grunlan, associate professor in the university's Department of Biomedical Engineering, is developing a "self-cleaning" membrane that envelops an implanted glucose sensor, shielding it from the body's immune response that would otherwise render it nonfunctional. Grunlan's work is detailed in the scientific journal Soft Matter, and she has received a $1.5 million-grant from the National Institutes of Health to continue her research aimed at overcoming a significant obstacle in the development of an implantable glucose sensor known as "biofouling." Biofouling, she explains, occurs when an implanted sensor is rendered nonfunctional because of the human body's immune response that is triggered by a foreign object like a sensor. During this response, proteins and cells adhere and accumulate onto the surface of the sensor in an attempt to seal it off from the rest of the body. These adhered proteins and cells act as a physical barrier to inhibit glucose diffusion to the sensor so that the sensor is no longer capable of accurately measuring glucose levels, Grunlan explains. Typically, biofouling can make the sensor useless in days to a week, necessitating removal and implantation of new sensor at a rate that is not feasible, Grunlan adds. But Grunlan's work could overcome this challenge and pave the way for a long-term, implanted glucose sensor that would provide marked improvement over the traditional finger-prick method used for decades. "Typically, physicians recommend that diabetic patients do a finger-prick test at least three times a day to measure their blood sugar levels, and many patients, particularly younger patients, don't comply with this," Grunlan says. "Even with multiple tests per day, this provides discontinuous and insufficient data. Given that blood-sugar levels can change significantly even within an hour, keeping track of blood sugars is currently a guessing game. "This is not how blood sugars should be monitored. Individuals need to be continuously aware of blood sugars that are too high or too low so that they can take immediate steps to correct it. Otherwise, short-term and eventually long-term complications – with some being very serious and even fatal - can arise from poorly managed blood sugar levels." With that in mind, scientists hope to develop an implanted glucose-sensing device that would provide continuous measurement of blood sugar and even alert an individual to dangerously high or low levels. In order to do that, the biofouling issue must be resolved– and that's where Grunlan's technology comes in. While previous attempts at producing protective sensor membranes have focused on making the membrane surface less adhesive to cells, Grunlan has opted to create a "self-cleaning" membrane that periodically "shakes off" the cells by repeated contraction and re-expansion. "Rather than attempt to produce a membrane that never allows these cells to attach to itself, we are accepting that fact that these cells and proteins are going to attach and begin to biofoul our sensor, and knowing this, we're creating a membrane that can regularly clean itself when this happens and before glucose diffusion is compromised," Grunlan says. Made from a material called a hydrogel (the same general type of material from which contact lenses are made), Grunlan's self-cleaning membrane is thermoresponsive, meaning it contracts and expands in response to changes in temperature. When the sensor is implanted, the membrane is swollen and expanded, allowing glucose to diffuse to the sensor, Grunlan explains. By increasing the temperature slightly above body temperature, the membrane rapidly contracts as it deswells with loss of water. When this occurs, proteins and cells are unable to withstand the dimensional change of the membrane, so they get dislodged from the surface, she adds. When the heat is removed, the membrane returns to its expanded state. This heating/cooling process can be repeated until the membrane is cleaned, Grunlan notes. Once back to its expanded state, the clean membrane can maintain sufficient glucose diffusion, allowing the sensor to function properly, she says. "The big-picture idea is to take our membrane and wrap it around a sensor," Grunlan says. "The sensor would then be implanted in the subcutaneous tissue just below the wrist, possibly delivered with a needle. A person would wear a device that looks similar to a watch but in reality would be a glucose meter that reads the information from the implanted sensor and tells the person what his or her blood sugar levels are. The meter device also would periodically give off a slight degree of heat that would trigger the sensor's membrane to self-clean." While early indications of the membrane's effectiveness have been promising, further work on the membrane is under way, Grunlan notes. Because the sensor cannot function properly when the membrane is in a collapsed state, the entire cleaning process needs to occur quickly so that glucose measurements can resume, she says. Her goal, she says, is to create a membrane that initiates and completes successful self-cleaning in less than five minutes. In addition, Grunlan is working to create a more mechanically robust membrane that can withstand greater amounts of force that occur during implantation and removal of the device as well as forces from daily activities. "An estimated 300 million people suffer from diabetes; it can lead to serious secondary health issues, and it ranks among the top five causes of death in the United States," Grunlan notes. "Our membrane technology would allow implantable sensors to function inside the human body and provide continuous measurement so that diabetics can better adjust and maintain proper blood-sugar levels and reduce complications related to diabetes." About Research at Texas A&M University: As one of the world's leading research institutions, Texas A&M is in the vanguard in making significant contributions to the storehouse of knowledge, including that of science and technology. Research conducted at Texas A&M represents an annual investment of more than $700 million. That research creates new knowledge that provides basic, fundamental and applied contributions resulting in many cases in economic benefits to the state, nation and world. More news about Texas A&M University, go to http://tamutimes.tamu.edu/ Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tamu/ SOURCE Texas A&M University  (Note to editors: A video illustrating this story is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1l23H_Rdfg&list=PLG0CWry7JAMDnYG0gL5lLJLoF-Wrd08nZ&index=1&feature=plcp) CONTACT: Melissa Grunlan, Associate Professor, +1-979-845-2406, mgrunlan@tamu.edu or Ryan A. Garcia, +1-979-847-5833, ryan.garcia99@tamu.edu. Web Site: http://tamutimes.tamu.edu

VC News: Hello Health Raises $11.5M

Hello Health Raises $11.5M from First Generation Capital, Inc. and Others to Meet Market Demands for Free Revenue Generating EHR Platform

Additional Funding Helps Bring New Revenue Streams to Independent Practitioners at No Cost.

Full press release follows.

SOURCE: Hello Health

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)—(Nov. 26, 2012)

Hello Health®, the leader in revenue-generating “electronic health revenue” (EHR) and patient management technology, today announced the closing of an $11.5M round of financing to support increased demand for the company’s EHR platform. As physicians struggle to maintain their primary care practices, Hello Health offers a channel for transparent communications and the opportunity for providers to develop independent revenue streams making this the first electronic health revenue system available. Furthermore, the entire Hello Health platform is available to physicians free of charge. Today’s round, along with a $10M funding round in late 2011, brings the company to more than $20M raised in the last year. First Generation Capital Inc., as lead investor, financed $10M of the round.

Hello Health will use this money to support the expansion of its platform for increased physician revenue opportunities and to develop strategic partnerships. The notion that physicians are all wealthy is a challenge providers must overcome if they want to remain independent. More and more physicians are selling their practices to hospitals, simply because they can no longer afford to provide excellent clinical care and run a profitable business. In most cases, physicians and medical office managers are tasked with understanding all of the business functions of the office in addition to their primary responsibilities as providers of patient care.

“Independent physicians are beginning to test alternative business models,” said Ian Ihnatowycz, president and chief executive officer of First Generation Capital Inc. “Research estimates one in three independent physicians will aim for higher yields by adopting subscription-based care models, and this trend will increase 100 percent annually for the next three years.”

“We continue to hear from our physicians that many of the quality services they provide are actually driving their practices out of business,” said Nathanial Findlay, founder and chief executive officer of Myca® and Hello Health. “Hello Health is committed to helping ensure the local, independent physician can stay in business and deliver the quality care that their patients value, for the long-term.”

About Hello Health Inc.:

New York City-based Hello Health Inc. is dedicated to transforming primary care by connecting patients and physicians through technology. The company’s revenue generating platform and technology integrates an electronic health record, practice management capabilities and a patient health portal on a single, secure platform. Hello Health is free to primary care practices and generates incremental revenue through a patient subscription model. A subsidiary of Myca Health Inc., Hello Health collaborates with leading organizations who offer complementary and strategic solutions that connect patients and physicians. Learn more at www.hellohealth.com.

Hello Health® and Myca® are registered trademarks of Myca Health Incorporated.

Contact:

Hello Health

Steven Ferguson, 418-655-8558

sferguson@hellohealth.com

or

Racepoint Group

Amanda Griffith/Lindsay LeCain, 617-624-3200

hellohealth@racepointgroup.com

Seeking SAE-AS NYC B2B, Consumer or Tech PR - Generalist

TITLE:  Senior Account Executive/Account Supervisor

REPORTS TO:  Managing Director

AGENCY: Lane PR, www.lanepr.com

LOCATION: NYC

SECTOR(s): B2B, Consumer, and/or Technology

TO APPLY: email resume to our recruiter, Deb Kaufman, at Deborah@healthcare-recruiting.com

This staff member is directly responsible as a Team Manager/Team Leader for the overall quality of work on multiple client accounts.  S/he possess a broad range of proven client  service and people relationship skills, and is dedicated to ensuring the agency provides the highest quality services to clients.  S/he is responsible for meeting client objectives within budget and provides input to the management team on agency matters.  S/he also assures the growth and success of team members and upholds the core values of LANE.

SKILLS

Client services:  Provides strategic long-range counsel to clients, using a broad understanding of their business and all facets of marketing communications to advance the scope of work. Is viewed as the go-to person and a trusted advisor for the senior client.   Takes responsibility for all budget issues related to accounts, including profitability.

Media relations:  Trains, supervises and directs team members in the development and retention of solid relationships with a broad range of media.  Generates plans for media outreach and strategy.  Manages senior level media relationships with a range of media, and continually expands the network.   Pitches top-tier contacts and regularly place stories.  Trains and coaches company spokesperson on working with the media.  

Digital Media:  Demonstrates a solid understanding of digital media practices.  Successfully advises clients and implements effective strategies that shape the online conversation to achieve business goals. Is skilled at data analysis and able to articulate plans based on findings.

Content Development:  Trains teams on methods of writing, pitching and presenting.  Is viewed as an exceptional writer, editor and overall communicator.   Writes media strategy plans, all press materials, editorials and contributed articles, speeches and position papers. 

Research:  Oversees PR research and information gathering to support client initiatives.   Uses data analysis and methods to inform clients and teams.  Can facilitate focus groups and survey methods. Actively pursues business and industry knowledge via reading and personal interest to proactively support clients.

Administrative:  Demonstrates superior organization skills.  Completes time accounting efficiently.  Is accountable for all budget issues and manpower planning for accounts.  Conscientiously manages agency resources.  Ensures growth opportunities are identified.  Responds in a timely manner to requests for information. 

Leadership/team building:  Is dedicated to building effective relationships with clients and staff.  Exhibits consistent, thoughtful, example setting behavior on a daily basis. Effectively delegates tasks and trains teams resulting in solid work.  Is widely trusted and viewed as a problem solver.  Negotiates on behalf of the agency.  Actively participates in agency leadership opportunities. 

New business:  Consistently generates new business leads.  Leads the proposal process, reporting and follow-up.  Is a member of the Business Development Team.

MEASURABLES

Productivity:  Achieves 70% chargeability

Portfolio Management: Manages a client portfolio of $55,000 per month in billing. 

Salary Range:  Salary ranges are administered commensurate with experience

Education:

Bachelors degree in marketing, communications or related field is required, an advanced degree preferred

Experience:

·      TITLE DOE. SAE: 3-5 years; for AS 5-7 years. Prior PR agency experience required.

·      Comprehensive understanding of, and experience in, developing and executing successful PR/media relations, social media and integrated communications strategies and tactics

·      Experience in: B2B, finance, consumer and/or tech PR preferred

·      Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, verbal and written

·      Superior organizational skills and attention to detail

·      Must be able to multi-task and manage multiple projects at a time

·      Demonstrated capability in budget development and management, able to “roll up your sleeves” and perform tactical assignments (writing and media relations/pitching) as well as operate strategically – i.e., delegating assignments and supervising a team

Clinical Trial News, ProFibrix Passes Halfway Mark of Patient Enrollment in Pivotal Phase III

ProFibrix Passes Halfway Mark of Patient Enrollment in Pivotal Phase III with FibrocapsTM and Successfully Concludes Safety Review Assessment.

Full press release follows.

SOURCE: ProFibrix B.V., www.profibrix.com

LEIDEN, The Netherlands & SEATTLE, 08:15 EST 8 Nov 2012 -- ProFibrix B.V., a leader in the development of innovative bioactive products to stop bleeding (hemostasis), today announced that the company has enrolled already more than half of the patients in its pivotal Phase III clinical trial with Fibrocaps (FINISH-3). In addition, it successfully concluded a meeting of the Data Monitoring Committee (DMC), an independent expert panel overseeing patient safety and treatment efficacy.

FINISH-3 is a multicenter, randomized, single-blind, controlled Phase III trial of Fibrocaps in a total of 672 surgical patients with mild to moderate surgical bleeding. The main objectives of the study are to demonstrate superior efficacy of Fibrocaps vs. gelatin sponge within each of four surgical indications, and to confirm the overall safety results from the Phase II Fibrocaps trials. Fibrocaps is slated to be launched in 2014.

Jan Ohrstrom, Chief Executive Officer of ProFibrix said: “The pace of enrolment in our Phase III study is proof of the commitment and strong endorsement of our principal investigators. We are also very pleased with passing the DMC review. We remain firmly on track for regulatory filings in the U.S. and EU in 2013. Based on the product’s unique properties, and the overwhelmingly positive feedback we are receiving from the surgical community, we believe Fibrocaps should be able to capture a substantial share of the topical hemostat market, which is currently at US$ 1 billion and growing.”

About Fibrocaps

Fibrocaps is a mixture of two essential blood clotting proteins, fibrinogen and thrombin, formulated as a unique dry powder topical fibrin sealant, which is being developed to stop bleeding during or after surgery. Fibrocaps is clearly differentiated from existing liquid fibrin sealants and hemostats: it is ready for immediate use, and is stable at room temperature.

About the FINISH-3 trial

FINISH-3 is a prospective, randomized (2:1), single-blind, controlled, pivotal Phase III trial of Fibrocaps vs. active control in 672 subjects undergoing spinal (n=168), liver (n=168), vascular (n=168) and soft tissue surgery (n=168). The study will be conducted at 65 sites across Europe and the U.S. Estimated completion will be in second quarter 2013.

For more details on the study, please go to http://clinicaltrials.gov.

About ProFibrix

ProFibrix (www.profibrix.com) was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Leiden, The Netherlands, with a subsidiary in Seattle, WA, USA. The company leverages its expertise in fibrinogen technology to develop and bring to market innovative products for the hemostasis and regenerative medicine markets. Human fibrinogen plays a pivotal role in blood clotting and tissue healing. ProFibrix is led by a team with extensive commercial, clinical and scientific experience in the hemostasis field.

Contacts

ProFibrix
 Jan Öhrström, MD, CEO
 +31 63 1774 620
 j.ohrstrom@profibrix.com
or


Capricorn One
 Hans Herklots 
+41 79 598 7149
 capricorn1@bluewin.ch

Health Care PR Career Opp-Nashville TN or Santa Barbara, Calif.

ReviveHealth, the 11th largest independent health care PR/integrated communications agency in the US, is seeking a Team Leader [account supervisor, senior account supervisor; account director]. Details are below.

POSITION:  Account Supervisor (AS)/Senior Account Supervisor (SAS), Account Director (AD)

SECTOR:  Health Care [Health Services and/or Health Technology preferred]

AGENCY:  ReviveHealth, www.thinkrevivehealth.com

LOCATION:  Nashville, TN or Santa Barbara, CA [Note: relocation available for qualified out-of-area candidates!]

YEARS EXPERIENCE: Title DOE.

Ÿ  AS -    5-7 years

Ÿ  SAS -  6-8 years

Ÿ  AD -   7-10 years

REPORTS TO:  VP/SVP/CAO

TO APPLY: Email resume & cover letter (to contain salary history for current employer and prior 1-2 employers) to Deb Kaufman, Recruiter at deborah@healthcare-recruiting.com

THE POSITION

The Account Supervisor/Senior Account Supervisor/Account Director (AS/SAS/AD) serves as the day-in and day-out steward of the agency-client relationship. The AS/SAS/AD manages account planning, budgeting, implementation and reporting. The AS/SAS/AD is responsible for managing/directing the account team toward on-time and on-strategy completion of program deliverables and commitments. The AS/SAS/AD serves as the account team’s daily go-to person on operational direction, tactical challenges, priority alignment, and client relations support.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

Charged with daily overall account management planning and implementation, the AS/SAS/AD is responsible for:

·      Daily client/team counseling

·      Daily team supervision

·      Daily client reporting/communications

·      Review/editing of client documents

·      Program development and implementation against objectives and strategies

·      Team mentoring and professional development

·      Monthly/weekly staff power planning/tracking including timely communications to Controller/CFO, CAO, and supervisor

·      Helping maintain quality, on-time deliverables within budget

·      Budget development/monitoring/tracking

·      Identifying opportunities for continuous quality improvements

·      Implementing program measurement tools

·      Identifying opportunities to grow client’s business

·      Participating in new business development, as appropriate

·      Executing other tasks as assigned/needed

THE ESSENTIALS

Education:

Bachelors degree in marketing, communications or related field is required, an advanced degree preferred

Experience:

·      TITLLE DOE. AS: 5-7 years; for SAS 6-8 years; for AD 7-10 years of progressively responsible health care PA/PR agency or equivalent experience. Prior PR agency experience required.

·      Comprehensive understanding of, and experience in, developing and executing successful integrated communications strategies and tactics, including PR/media relations, online marketing and social media programs; and knowledge of monitoring and analytical tools with an ability synthesize data

·      Experience in health services and/or health technology preferred

·      Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, verbal and written

·      Superior organizational skills and attention to detail

·      Must be able to multi-task and manage multiple projects at a time

·      Demonstrated capability in budget development and management, delegating assignments and supervising a team

·      Passion for wellness and healthy lifestyle preferred

The Qualities and Attributes You Need to Succeed:

-       A drive to win and a focus on results

-       A love of PR and issues management

-       An “addiction” to quality thinking and performance

-       A commitment to personal mastery

-       An attitude of team abundance and a sense of humor

-       A genuine care for others

-       A habit of being truthful even when it hurts

THE FIRM

ReviveHealth is a strategic communication firm specializing in Health Services, Health Technology, and Healthy Living. Named “New Agency of the Year” in 2010 by Holmes Report and “Best Agency to Work For” in 2011 and in 2012, ReviveHealth is the 11th largest health care PR firm in the country. ReviveHealth also recently received an Honorable Mention for PR Week’s Boutique Agency of the Year for 2011 and Holmes Report Boutique Agency of the Year. The firm’s clients include major hospitals and health care systems, academic medical centers, physician organizations, health care industry associations, health technology companies, and wellness and population health companies. ReviveHealth has offices in Nashville, Tennessee, and Santa Barbara, California, and can be found on the web at www.thinkrevivehealth.com