2020 has been a bit of a year, to say the least. It has also, though, been a year of invention, opportunity, and possibility for life science innovators. As the new year begins, we are looking ahead to four key megatrends that we expect to shape the landscape in the...
Is China a 300 Million or 1.4 Billion Healthcare Population Market?
A reflection on the 2019 capability development progress report of the county hospitals in China The Veranex (formerly Boston Healthcare Associates) China team has been developing a series of newsletters highlighting the Chinese government’s efforts to cut prices of...
NCCN 2021 Conference Highlights: Elevating Racial Equity in Cancer Care
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) 2021 Annual Conference convened virtually March 18-20, drawing attendees from more than 40 countries to discuss updates to NCCN’s Oncology Clinical Practice Guidelines, new and emerging therapies, best practices in...
How Policy is Driving Digital Health in Germany
Several recent national-level policy changes highlight an accelerating digital transformation of healthcare in Germany, building on the Digital Healthcare Act (DVG) of 2020. In January 2021, the German Federal Government passed the draft of a law that aims to now...
Consumable vs. Instrument, the Creative Tension in Diagnostics Technology
By Juan F. Roman You know how the diagnostics industry relies on the “razor blade” model: give the instrument for free and make the profit with the consumable. The gross profit in consumables is often more than 90% and absorbs the expensive cost of developing the...
Selling the Science Is a Must to Secure Research Funding
If you cannot sell the science, it is like it was not discovered (#provocativeoverstatement) “Gut science” became a thing during the last decade. I remember when a colleague told me at a medical conference (AACC) how healthy gut bacteria had the potential to improve...
Provider and Patient Preference Studies: Demonstrating Product Demand for Drugs, Medical Devices, and Diagnostics
Pharmaceutical manufacturers, medical device companies, and advanced diagnostic manufacturers are increasingly incorporating patients’ and providers’ perspectives and preferences into the clinical development process to deliver products with high levels of...
China Payment Reform: 2020 Update
The pilot of implementing a diagnosis related group (DRG) payment model to inpatient hospital care, a major initiative of China’s ongoing healthcare reform, started in 2019. Veranex has been vigilant in tracking this strategic topic given the implications on the...
Escalated DRG Payment Model Pilot in China Expected to Pose a Genuine Threat to Innovators
As a critical element of accelerating the healthcare payment reform, the pilot of Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) in 30 major cities across China was officially announced in June by state administrations including National Healthcare Security Administration (the...
China Aims to Complete Transition to DRG Payment Model for Inpatient Care by 2024
In November 2021, the Chinese government announced its 3-year (2022-2024) payment reform plan with the end goal to fully implement a diagnosis related group (DRG) payment model for inpatient care. Under the government’s 3-year plan, a specific target of 70% of...