Regulatory body approves POC use of Cue Health's COVID-19 test in India

Cue Health, a California-based health tech company, has recently got regulatory approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation for its COVID-19 test for professional point-of-care use in India.

The company claims its molecular-based diagnostic test provides "highly accurate, lab-quality results" that are sent directly to smartphones within 20 minutes.

The Cue Health COVID-19 test has also received a CE mark in Europe and the Interim Order authorisation from Health Canada.

Additionally, it is the first molecular-based diagnostic test for home use that was granted an emergency use authorisation by the US FDA. Along with the Cue Health Monitoring System, it was permitted for POC and over-the-counter use.

"There is an urgent, global demand for real-time, actionable and connected health data and we plan to fill that unmet need around the world. Now, with this authorisation, we can make a positive impact in India, just as we have been able to do in the United States," Cue Health Co-founder and CEO Ayub Khattak said in a statement.

Titanium Solutions acquires Irish dental software platform

New Zealand-based Titanium Solutions has bought Two-Ten Health, a dental software platform developer based in Dublin, Ireland.

In a statement, Titanium Solutions said Two-Ten Health will operate as its subsidiary. Its new management team will be formed by merging officials from both companies. Two-ten Health CEO Carl Moynihan will serve as an expert advisor during the transition.

Two-Ten Health is behind Salud, an electronic dental record software for dental schools, public health institutions, universities and private dental businesses. The software supports multiple languages and helps manage millions of patient appointments annually. It has made over 40 product integrations, including with Labtrac, Sectra and Infinitt.

Titanium Solutions, on the other hand, develops patient management software for public oral health services, dental schools, group dental practices and national defence oral health services. It claims to be a leader in enterprise solutions for electronic oral health records in New Zealand and Australia.

"Two-Ten Health will strengthen our scale and global expansion momentum. We believe that combining Two-Ten Health and Titanium Solutions brings together the world’s two most experienced teams in providing enterprise oral health solutions and creates the world’s largest specialised enterprise oral health software company," Titanium Solutions Managing Director Paul Weatherly said.

"Our combined resources will allow us to better achieve our vision of software that supports innovation in oral health service delivery and education," he added.

Smith+Nephew launches robotics platform in India

British medical technology company Smith+Nephew has brought to India its latest robotics platform, along with other tech solutions under the Real Intelligence line.

The US FDA-approved CORI Surgical System is a handheld robotics device for unicompartmental and total knee arthroplasties. It features a new camera technology that is four times faster and provides more efficient cutting compared to the company's NAVIO Surgical System. With a modular design, the system is ideal for ambulatory surgery centres and outpatient surgery.

This announcement comes a month after Smith+Nephew introduced its Real Intelligence suite of products in Australia and New Zealand.

Everest Medicines, Medbanks to create new disease management model

Hong Kong-listed biopharmaceutical firm Everest Medicines has entered into a strategic collaboration with Chinese healthcare provider Medbanks Health Technology.

According to a press statement, the companies sought to establish a new and enhanced model of disease management for oncology and other severe diseases using Medbank's online platform and dedicated patient service team. They also intended to explore innovative healthcare solutions for oncology and speciality care.

Together, the companies will also search for opportunities to gather real-world data using Medbank's database and outpatient system, work on patient education and leverage the nationwide direct-to-patient pharmacy network.

"This strategic collaboration will build a solid foundation to educate patients and healthcare providers on the availability of innovative new medicines and will enable doctors to more efficiently manage patients and their diseases, promoting the improvement of patients' health and quality of life," Everest Medicines CEO Dr Kerry Blanchard said.

Latest Indian tech incubator to house health startups in Bengaluru

Software Technology Parks of India, an organisation under the Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has unveiled its latest centre of excellence in Bengaluru, the capital city of the southern state of Karnataka.

The Atal Incubation Centre targets to incubate about 65 startups working in healthcare, IoT, information and communication technology and e-commerce over a five-year period. It was provided with a budget outlay of Rs. 20 crores ($2.68 million).

Based on a media statement, the 10,000 sq. ft. centre is equipped with "state-of-the-art" physical infrastructure, laboratories with healthcare equipment, such as ECG simulators, vital sign monitors and neurostimulators, as well as 3D printers and common office facilities.

Solve.Care joins world's largest blockchain association 

Health tech platform Solve.Care has recently joined the world's largest blockchain association, Government Blockchain Association (GBA).

The global non-profit group mainly promotes the use of blockchain technology by enabling individuals and organisations to connect, communicate and collaborate to solve public sector challenges around the world. It has over 6,000 membership across 120 cities globally.

Solve.Care's platform has been running on blockchain technology to address inefficiencies in healthcare and improve quality care. The company's membership in GBA allows it to work with a global network of experts from government agencies, research institutes and academia.

"By joining the GBA, we intend on contributing Solve.Care's expertise [in] implementing more equal and effective care to a wider, global audience. Working with a dedicated team of experts, we look forward to leveraging the value GBA offers to promote the technology we believe in, as well as contributing to the association's goals and actions," Solve.Care CEO Pradeep Goel said in a statement.