Portfolio News

GRAIL to Present New Data at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting

GRAIL has announced that new data for its investigational multi-cancer early detection blood test will be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Virtual Annual Meeting. These new data evaluate the performance of GRAIL’s test in symptomatic participants with suspicion of cancer. Today, the majority of deadly cancers do not have screening tests that are recommended by guidelines, and as a result, most cancers aren’t detected util they have progressed to late stages when chances of survival are much lower. There is a great...

These Telemental Health Apps Are Making Therapy More Accessible Than Ever

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused even the calmest people to be anxious. The nonprofit Mental Health America reports that it has seen a 12 to 19 percent increase in screening for generalized anxiety disorders since February. “Traditionally, men express more worry about employment and finances, and COVID-19 is extra hard because there’s such a lack of control and security about the future,” Mental Health America Chief Program Officer Theresa Nguyen, LCSW, told Men’s Journal. In men, depression and anxiety often manifests as anger, aggression, risky behavior, or...

Here’s What Causes Stress Acne—and 8 Products That Can Help

Women have gone for weeks working from home and not needing to wear makeup. So what gives with the acne breakouts? It didn’t make sense until PureWow talked with a couple of dermatologists and found out it’s most likely due to stress acne. According to Sara Perkins, MD, a dermatologist with Hims & Hers, it all comes down to hormones. “Stress-related hormones can increase both oil production and inflammation of the skin, leading to clogged pores and red, itchy blemishes,” she said. “We know that stress has...

Aledade Raises $64 Million Series C on Nationwide Growth of Value-Based Care Network

Aledade announced that it has closed a $64 million Series C funding round following the continued growth of its national network of physician-led accountable care organizations (ACOs). New investor OMERS Growth Equity led the round, which included strategic investors Echo Health Ventures and California Medical Association, and returning investors Meritech Capital and GV (formerly known as Google Ventures). “When we started Aledade nearly six years ago, we believed that value-based care was the only path forward for our health care system and a sustainable business model...

Facebook will send warnings to users who encounter COVID-19 misinformation, Apple Maps to surface testing centers and more digital health news briefs

In its latest round of digital health news briefs, Mobi Health News shared the results of Mercom’s quarterly digital health VC funding report for Q1, which, like Rock Health and Mobi Health News itself, declared the first quarter of 2020 to be a record breaker. The Mercom report tallied 142 deals from 433 investors that comprised $3.6 billion in investments, a 79 percent increase over Q1 2019.  The Rock Health report stated that $3.1 billion had been invested over 107 deals, and Mobi Health News tracked...