In brief: Inogen buy, UPitt grant, telehealth decrease

GOLETA, Calif. - Inogen has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Physio-Assist SAS, a privately held company based in France that makes a technology-enabled airway clearance device called Simeox, for $32 million. 

Simeox has been cleared under CE mark in the EU and is currently being sold in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. 

“This acquisition aligns with our strategy to diversify our portfolio to globally improve patient lives through respiratory care,” said Nabil Shabshab, president and CEO of Inogen. “Simeox imminently expands our product offering in EMEA, and potentially in the U.S. to serve COPD and other chronic disease patients who suffer from bronchiectasis with an innovative, non-invasive and next generation airway clearance solution. We believe this is a compelling transaction, as it expands our addressable market opportunity, enhances our long-term growth and profitability, and is expected to generate an attractive return on investment.” 

Inogen will pay approximately $32 million in cash net of debt payable at closing, plus potential future cash performance-based milestone payments based on achievement of goals related to the clearance of the device by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The total consideration, if all milestones are achieved, is up to $45 million. The amount of the performance-based milestones may also be adjusted net of related development costs. 

The deal will leverage Inogen’s commercial infrastructure and capabilities, as well as potentially provide access to a large growing bronchiectasis market opportunity, with 400,000 to 490,000 patients in the U.S., upon regulatory clearance. 

“I am very excited about Physio-Assist becoming a part of the Inogen organization and view this as a significant milestone in the journey to scale the Simeox differentiated product offerings globally in service of bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis patients with unmet needs,” said Adrien Mithalal, CEO of Physio-Assist. 

NCPA announces keynote speakers 

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association has announced the two keynote speakers for its 2023 Annual Convention, including Pete Lovatt, PhD, a cognitive psychologist who co-founded the Movement in Practice Academy. 

The two keynote speakers for the convention, which takes place Oct. 14-17 in Orlando, Fla., are: 

Peter Lovatt, PhD, is a cognitive psychologist who will speak during the First General Session on Sunday, Oct. 15. He co-founded the Movement in Practice Academy, which provides education in the psychology of movement and dance. Lovatt was a university lecturer for more than 25 years, teaching and conducting research at several higher education institutions in the United Kingdom, from Cambridge University to the Royal Ballet School. He set up the first Dance Psychology Lab in 2008, where he studied how movement changes how people think, feel and solve problems and how it changes social interaction and increases pro-social behavior. 

Marty Makary, MD, MPH, is a New York Times bestselling author and a gastrointestinal surgeon at Johns Hopkins. He will speak during the Second General Session on Monday, Oct. 16. Makary advocates for healthy food and lifestyle medicine and speaks frequently on the future of health care and what it means for everyday Americans, business leaders, and health care professionals. Makary is a frequent medical expert on NBC and FOX News and writes for The Wall Street Journal and USA Today. His current research focuses on the appropriateness of medical care, health care costs, drug prices, and low-income populations. 

To learn about and register for NCPA’s 2023 Annual Convention, click here. More information will be added as it becomes available.  

UPitt receives grant, launches fellowship 

PITTSBURGH – The University of Pittsburgh Rehabilitation Science and Technology Department has received a five-year grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research to support clinicians with post-doctoral fellowships to advance their careers in assistive technology practice, research and policy. The program is called Career Advancement in Assistive Technology Practice, Research & Policy (CAT-PRep). “Other than pursuing a PhD, most clinicians get very little training on how to do research, especially studies that are meaningful to inform practice and policy,” said Mark Schmeler, occupational therapist and co-director of CAT-PReP. “This fellowship is geared to immersing clinicians in a service where research is integrated alongside practice.” UPitt will award up to five, 24-month fellowships, with an annual salary of $55,000 plus benefits. Ideal candidates will have a terminal doctorate in a clinical field such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech language pathology, audiology, medicine or rehabilitation engineering. For more information and an application, go here.

Tandem Mobi gets FDA approval 

SAN DIEGO – Tandem Diabetes Care has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance for the Tandem Mobi insulin pump for people with diabetes age 6 and up. The Tandem Mobi is fully controllable from a mobile app. “Testing the limits of pump miniaturization, Tandem Mobi joins the t:slim X2 pump in our family of insulin delivery solutions bringing new options in wearability, the flexibility to disconnect, and full phone control,” said John Sheridan, president and CEO. “Through this expansion, we are delivering on our commitment to bring greater choice, along with the proven benefits of Tandem’s technology, to more people living with diabetes.” The Tandem Mobi features a 200-unit insulin cartridge and an on-pump button that provides an alternative option to phone control for bolusing insulin. Additional features include multiple wear options, detachable infusion sets, automated insulin delivery and mobile app control. A limited release of Tandem Mobi is expected to start in late 2023 with full commercial availability planned in early 2024.  

Eitan Medical launches cloud-based management platform 

NETANYA, Israel – Eitan Medical, a global provider of advanced infusion therapy and drug delivery solutions, has launched Eitan Insights, a new cloud-based infusion management system designed to meet the unique needs of home and specialty infusions. Sapphire with its new universal plug and play cellular accessory Sapphire Connect and Avoset with the AvosetGo app are now within reach, connecting and transmitting infusion treatment data to Eitan Insights. Eitan Insights has already been awarded the "Best New Technology Solution – Drug Delivery" designation from MedTech Breakthrough, an independent organization that recognizes the top companies and solutions in the global health and medical technology market. "We are honored that our device platform and its accompanying technology has been designated as the Best New Technology Solution in the 2023 MedTech Breakthrough Awards Program,” said Shaul Eitan, CEO. “This confirms that Eitan Medical is set for sustainable growth with a focus on a strong innovation roadmap that will redefine the drug delivery market. We look forward to continuing to push the boundaries of healthcare technology." 

Attn: Grace receives $2M to boost further growth 

BOSTON – Attn: Grace, a female-founded company that designs high-performing, skin-safe incontinence products for women, has received $2 million in new funding to fuel further growth. Led by For Later, the oversubscribed round also saw participation from Flybridge, as well as existing investors, including Kapor Capital, Portfolia, Ingeborg Investments, and Commonwealth. “We hear stories from our customers every day about the difference our products are making in their day-to-day routines and, ultimately, in their overall quality of life,” said Alex Fennell, co-founder of Attn: Grace. “We’re incredibly excited to continue driving our mission forward and increasing access to solutions that don’t force women to compromise on comfort, performance or their larger values.” The announcement comes on the heels of Attn: Grace's launch in May in nearly 1,600 Walmart Supercenters nationwide, as well as on Walmart.com and Target.com. Attn: Grace says it excludes the almost 1,700 chemicals that have been banned or restricted from use in personal care products by the European Union, many of them still used in conventional care products sold in the U.S. 

Matia Mobility taps Karen Roy to lead sales, Ambassador Program 

SALT LAKE CITY - Matia Mobility has named Karen Roy as its new regional sales director and head of its Ambassador Program. A passionate advocate for the disabled community and a paraplegic herself, Roy will be spearheading the company's new Ambassador Program, aimed at sharing inspiring stories of Matia Mobility users overcoming adversity and becoming leaders in their respective communities and fields. "We are thrilled to welcome Karen to our team,” said Steven Boal, Matia Mobility CEO. “Her personal journey, combined with her deep understanding of the unique needs and challenges faced by wheelchair users, will bring an invaluable perspective to our sales and outreach initiatives. Karen's unparalleled experience and relentless passion make her the ideal candidate to lead our Southeast Sales Region and our new Ambassador Program." Over the next several months, in addition to Roy, Matia Mobility will profile the stories of its inaugural team of ambassadors and their unique stories: 1st Lt. James Brown, MD; Griffin Kingkiner, medical school student; Staci Stuart, board member at the Forks Senior Center, owner of Stirling Books & Brew and president of Blue Development Construction; and Bill Winchester, former captain of the Reno Fire Department. 

Tracker: Telehealth decreased in April 

NEW YORK – National telehealth utilization decreased from 5.6% of medical claim lines in March to 5.3% in April, according to FAIR Health's Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker. In April, telehealth utilization also decreased in all four U.S. census regions—the Midwest (4.7%), Northeast (6.3%), South (6.8%) and West (6.4%). The data represent the privately insured population, including Medicare Advantage, and exclude Medicare Fee-for-Service and Medicaid. The top telehealth diagnosis nationally and in every region was mental health condition, with 68.4% of claim lines. Other top diagnoses are acute respiratory diseases and infections, urinary tract infections, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. "We welcome sharing these varying windows into telehealth utilization as it continues to evolve,” said FAIR Health President Robin Gelburd, president. “This is one of the many ways we pursue our health care transparency mission." FAIR Health is a national, independent nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing transparency to health care costs and health insurance information through data products, consumer resources and health systems research support.