Latest headlines
Siemens Healthineers reports strong comparable revenue growth
After its admission into TecDAX, Siemens Healthineers AG posted solid growth in revenue for the third quarter: Supported by the robust increase in the Imaging segment, revenue rose by five percent on a comparable basis over the third quarter last year; in absolute figures revenue was stable at EUR 3.3 billion. Adversely affected by significantly negative currency effects, the adjusted profit margin was 16.0 percent. Adjusted profit amounted to EUR 528 million, with adjusted net income reaching EUR 334 million. Earnings per share are at EUR 0.29. Atellica Solution deliveries are being accelerated and remain on schedule with more than 560 systems delivered up to the end of the third quarter. More details on the Q3 report on the Siemens Healthineers website.
David Westgate new Chairman, President and CEO of Carestream Health
David C. Westgate has been named the new Chairman, President and CEO of Carestream Health, a provider of medical imaging systems and healthcare IT solutions. Mr. Westgate previously served as CEO of Jason Industries, Inc., where he led successful efforts to diversify the company’s portfolio while emphasizing a culture of growth and innovation. “Dave has an impressive record of success in corporate leadership roles and his vision for Carestream is clear: move the company toward long-term growth and market leadership, and drive continuous innovation across the company’s broad portfolio of products,” said Robert Le Blanc, a Senior Managing Director of Onex Corporation. Mr. Westgate replaces Kevin Hobert who had decided to leave the company and will assist with the transition.
US: Rapid rise in deaths from liver disease over the last decade
Researchers detected a rapid rise in deaths due to liver disease in the US since 2009, especially in young people, driven predominantly by alcohol use. They point out a possible correlation with the global financial crisis and subsequent economic recession in the US, which began in 2008. After the examination of death certificate data for nearly 600,000 adults, the researchers found that deaths due to cirrhosis increased by 65% (from 20,661 in 1999 to 34,174 in 2016) and deaths due to liver cancer doubled (from 5,112 in 1999 to 11,073 in 2016). Men had twice as many cirrhosis related deaths and four times as many liver cancer related deaths than women. The study can be found on the website of the British Medical Journal (BMJ).
Mobile devices are taking over healthcare
Medical device company Carestream Health has published an interesting piece about the increasing capabilities of mobile devices in healthcare. Click here to read the article on Carestream's "Everything Rad" blog.
ESHG welcomes the Council of Europe’s new protocol on genetic testing
The Council of Europe’s protocol on genetic testing for health purposes* came into force on Sunday, July 1st. The protocol, an addition to the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine, lays down rules on the conduct of genetic tests, including direct-to-consumer testing. It specifies the conditions under which tests may be carried out on persons not able to consent, with particular attention to children, and addresses privacy issues and the right to information obtained through genetic testing. It also covers counselling and screening.
The protocol enters into force thanks to its ratification by five Council of Europe member states (Norway, Montenegro, the Republic of Moldova, Slovenia and Portugal). It has also been signed by five others – the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Iceland and Luxembourg.
“At a time when genetics and genomics are advancing so rapidly, issues surrounding genetic testing take on an even greater importance than before,” says ESHG President Professor Gunnar Houge, University of Bergen, Norway. “New technologies and discoveries provide huge potential for the improvement of human health, but alongside that can go the potential for misuse. The ESHG therefore welcomes the Council of Europe protocol and believes that it will be an important factor in ensuring that genetic progress continues to be applied in the most ethical way possible to the benefit of all concerned.”
*https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2986683/pdf/ejhg200984a.pdf).
GE to spin off healthcare division
General Electric (GE) has announced it will spin off its healthcare business over the next 12 to 18 months, and sell its Baker Hughes stake over two to three years. This move is effectively breaking up the 126-year-old conglomerate which was once the most valuable U.S. corporation and a global symbol of American business power. Detailed information on the breakup can be found at Reuters.
