This week in M&A. Imprivata, a tech company providing identity and authentication tools designed specifically for healthcare, has acquired GroundControl Solutions, inc., which is known for its automated enterprise mobile device management software. Imprivata anticipates that the purchase of this new tech will augment its platform with new capabilities for large and small healthcare enterprises alike.
“Due to the positive impact on productivity, cost and security, the use of shared mobile devices has significantly increased, especially in healthcare,” Aaron Freimark, CEO of GroundControl, said in a statement. “By combining forces with Imprivata, we can tap into industry-leading capabilities and resources to provide a powerful and complete identity lifecycle solution for customers around the world.”
Who's laughing about three cameras now? Apple’s latest quarterly report marked new highs for the tech company, with CEO Tim Cook announcing new all-time revenue ($91.8 billion) and earnings records during Tuesday’s investors call. Much of this came from sales of the iPhone — which saw an 8% year-over-year revenue increase ($56 billion) — although the company’s growing services business ($12.7 billion) and ever-expanding wearables segment ($10 billion) also played their fair roles.
In particular, CFO Luca Maestri highlighted to investors Apple’s increasing role as a healthcare enterprise technology solutions provider, offering Gauss Surgical and Butterfly Network as two innovative startups relying on the company’s software or devices.
“One hundred percent of Fortune 500 companies in the healthcare sector use Apple technology in areas such as patient experience, clinical communications and nursing workflows,” Maestri said, “and we're also seeing smaller companies in this sector drive innovation with our technology and apps.”
New HIV resource for PEPFAR partners. The FDA has launched a free mobile-friendly database of HIV medications that are eligible for purchase inside and out of the US. Developed as part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program, the agency’s database will provide providers, patients and procurers easier access to vetted product labelings.
“Since the database platform is interactive, users will be able to export reports and collect metrics and can readily access this information on mobile platforms, which is important because in many PEPFAR partner countries this may be the only mode of receiving such information,” the agency wrote in its announcement. “Given these numerous improvements, we anticipate that this database will be valuable to various public health stakeholders in the international HIV communities.”
Gates Foundation grant taps mobile diagnostics. Machine vision-based clinical decision support system maker VisualDx has received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that, according to the company, will bring the company’s mobile tool to remote and underserved regions. For starters, the company will be working with the foundation to develop an offline version of its DermExpert product, which will designed alongside and eventually deployed among frontline healthcare workers in Africa.
“We are thrilled to have the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to build upon our momentum and enhance diagnostic confidence in areas that need it most,” Dr. Art Papier, founder and CEO of VisualDx, said in a statement. “We look forward to the start of a global effort to narrow the international gap in care quality."
Now on Android. Today, Solv Health announced launch of its urgent care booking platform on Android devices. The app previously came to iOS in October, and according to the company has been responsible for one-third of its bookings since.
The Solv iOS and Android apps serve as a new distribution channel for our urgent care partners, giving them an additional touchpoint to engage their patients and drive loyalty,” Gemmy Tsai, head of product at Solv, said in a statement. “They’re using Solv because it makes managing healthcare easier than ever.”
