HCA Healthcare Data Breach Affects 11 Million Patients

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HCA Healthcare, one of the nation’s largest health systems, said it was hit by a data breach affecting around 11 million patients. The company said hackers stole 27 million rows of data from an “external storage location” but it had not detected “any malicious activity” on HCA’s networks or systems. HCA said stolen information including patient names, addresses, birthdays and appointments was posted on an online forum. The company said the stolen data does not include specifics about healthcare conditions and treatment, credit card information or social security numbers. Patients whose data was exposed will be notified via letter “in the coming weeks,” the company said.

In a survey released this week by health data startup Health Gorilla, 95 percent of U.S. patients said they were concerned about a potential data breach or leak of their medical records. Forty-two percent of the 1,200 people surveyed said they were “moderately concerned,” while 28% were “extremely concerned” and 25% were “slightly concerned.”

Thanks to Forbes HBCU Scholar India Rice for her help with today’s newsletter.

Illumina Fined $476 Million For Acquiring Cancer Test Maker Grail Without EU Approval

U.S. biotech firm Illumina was hit with a record antitrust fine of $476 million by the European Union for failing to secure regulatory approval for its $7.1 billion deal to acquire cancer-screening test company Grail. The move comes after both the European Commission and U.S. Federal Trade Commission ruled against the acquisition saying it would harm competition. Illumina is appealing both rulings.

Pipeline & Deal Updates

Drug Discovery: Utah-based Recursion Pharmaceuticals announced a $50 million PIPE investment from chipmaker Nvidia with an aim to refine its chemistry-based AI models for drug discovery.

AI Research Center: New York-based hospital system Northwell Health has received a $10 million gift from Scott Rechler, CEO and chairman of real estate firm RXR, and his wife Debby, to create a new health outcomes research center that will use data and artificial intelligence to tackle health disparities.

Primary Care Tech: Fold Health, a startup that offers software tools to help primary care practices enter into value-based care arrangements, has raised $6 million led by Iron Pillar.

MedTech: Paris-based Sonio, a medtech company developing AI software to improve fetal ultrasounds, has raised a $14 million Series A round led by Cross Border Impact Ventures and the Elaia funds. The startup will use the funds to begin commercial development in the U.S. market and adapt the tech for portable ultrasounds.

Chronic Disease: Eureka Health, which is developing a platform for chronic disease patients to connect with each other and find out the latest information about treatments, emerged out of stealth with a $7 million seed funding round led by Khosla ventures.

FDA Grants Full Approval For Alzheimer’s Drug, Despite Concerns

The Food and Drug Administration granted full approval for Biogen and Eisai’s anti-Alzheimer’s drug lecanemab, the first of its kind to slow Alzheimer’s Disease, though experts have expressed concern over severe and potentially fatal side effects of the drug. The drug, marketed as Leqembi, costs $26,500 per year before insurance.

Other Healthcare News

The National Weather Service has placed nearly 110 million Americans under extreme heat advisories as record breaking temperatures continue.

The White House announced a plan this week to tackle drug overdoses linked to the powerful animal tranquilizer xylazine.

Norvo Nordisk weight loss and diabetes drugs Ozempic, Wegovy and Saxenda under investigation by the European Union for possibly causing suicidal ideation, though the drug manufacturer denies a connection.

CVS Health’s Caremark pharmacy benefit management division and drug discount app GoodRx have partnered to lower out-of-pocket prescription costs for commercially insured customers.