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Medicare Startup Chapter Secures $75M, Hits $1.5B Valuation
Chapter, a Medicare advisory startup co-founded by Vivek Ramaswamy, raised $75 million, pushing its valuation to $1.5 billion. Known for prioritizing client needs over insurer profits, the company draws bipartisan leadership, including Donna Shalala. Backed by investors like Peter Thiel and JD Vance, Chapter continues to reshape Medicare plan guidance for seniors.
Read more on newsbytes
Isomorphic Labs Secures $600M for AI Drug Innovation
Alphabet’s Isomorphic Labs raised $600 million in its first funding round, led by Thrive Capital and Google Ventures, to advance its AI-driven drug discovery mission: “solving all disease.” Founded by Demis Hassabis, the London-based lab behind the Nobel-winning AlphaFold plans to boost research and expand its team with this investment.
Read more on nypost
Willow Acquires Elvie Amid Femtech Market Challenges
Willow, known for its wearable breast pumps, is acquiring UK-based Elvie as the femtech market faces consolidation. Elvie, once valued at $241M, struggled financially despite raising $186M. Willow aims to build a broader platform in the $60B women’s health industry, tackling market saturation, funding challenges, and the complexities of scaling hardware startups.
Read more on TechCrunch
India’s Healthcare Boom Draws $30B in Investments
India’s healthcare sector is thriving, with over $30 billion in deals from 2022-2024, led by a $6 billion hospital investment surge in 2024. Big mergers, like Aster DM’s $5 billion deal, and AI innovations are driving growth, though rural access gaps and bed shortages remain challenges, per Grant Thornton’s report.
Read more on YourStory
Future Family’s IVF Insurance Guarantees a Baby or Refunds Your Investment
Future Family, a startup based in San Francisco, has introduced Orange Shield, an IVF insurance product backed by Munich Re Ventures, which includes a money-back guarantee. For an initial payment of $3,000 and monthly installments of $999 for five months, it provides coverage for up to $50,000 in IVF expenses. If couples do not achieve success after two cycles, they receive a refund, helping to alleviate the financial and emotional stress associated with IVF.
Read more on TechCrunch
Newmi Care: Transforming Women’s Healthcare with Accessible and Holistic Solutions
Diagnosed with breast cancer twice, Aditi Mittal and her husband Sanchit Agarwal founded Newmi Care in 2022 to address gaps in women’s healthcare. The femtech platform offers retail services like advanced screenings and consultations, operates 10 women’s health clinics in Delhi-NCR, and collaborates with corporate giants like American Express and Deloitte. Newmi also provides tailored OPD insurance products for women, including maternity, hormonal, and cancer care. With funding from USAID and $1.5M in seed capital, Newmi serves over 60,000 women, aiming to expand to 100 clinics by 2026 and provide accessible, holistic healthcare for over a million women.
Read more on YourStory.
Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) Outbreak in China Raises Global Concerns
China is currently experiencing a significant surge in Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections, particularly affecting children under 14. This uptick has led to overcrowded hospitals and heightened public anxiety, reminiscent of the early days of the COVID-19
What is HMPV?
HMPV is a respiratory virus that typically causes symptoms similar to the common cold, such as cough, fever, and nasal congestion. In vulnerable populations—including young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems—it can lead to more severe conditions like bronchitis or pneumonia.First identified in 2001, there is currently no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for HMPV; management focuses on alleviating symptoms.
Current Situation in China
Recent reports indicate that hospitals in northern China are overwhelmed with patients exhibiting respiratory symptoms. While social media images depict crowded medical facilities, officials have not confirmed whether these cases are solely due to HMPV or other seasonal illnesses. The Chinese government has acknowledged the rise in infections but maintains that the situation is under control, advising the public to adhere to standard health precautions.
International Response
Neighboring countries and global health organizations are closely monitoring the situation. In India, two infants have tested positive for HMPV, though officials state there is no direct link to the cases in China. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has noted an increase in HMPV cases domestically but emphasizes that current levels are consistent with pre-pandemic trends and do not warrant significant concern.
Expert Opinions
Health experts advise against panic, noting that HMPV is a known virus with established treatment protocols focusing on symptom management. They recommend standard preventive measures such as regular handwashing, wearing masks in crowded places, and seeking medical attention if severe symptoms develop. Ongoing research aims to develop vaccines and more effective treatments for HMPV.
While the surge in HMPV cases in China has understandably raised global concerns, health authorities emphasize that this is not a novel virus and does not pose the same threat level as COVID-19. Maintaining public health measures and staying informed through credible sources are key to managing the situation effectively.
Read more on Nytimes, timesofindia, independent
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