The Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, and JP Morgan healthcare partnership has hired Serkan Kutan as its chief technology officer. Kutan, previously the tech leader at appointment-booking platform Zocdoc, called the new role a “dream job” in a LinkedIn post. (CNBC)
Healthcare organizations can’t help but talk about all of the data they’ve gathered, as well as its potential for use in marketing programs. However, most haven’t digested or deployed this cache in a way that’s better serving their audiences. MM&M analyzes this and other problems in its Data Issue. (MM&M)
Merck is the most promising pharmaceutical stock, according to Bank of America’s Merrill Lynch unit. The bank cited the growing success of its Keytruda cancer treatment and advised investors that the company will see significant returns from the drug. (CNBC)
The most common reason people give for enrolling in medical marijuana programs is chronic pain, followed by stiffness caused by multiple sclerosis and nausea from chemotherapy. The journal Health Affairs analyzed data from 15 state-approved medical marijuana programs. (Associated Press)
GlaxoSmithKline has bought the rights to a next-generation immunotherapy from German Merck for $4.2 billion. The deal will bolster GSK’s cancer drug pipeline. Merck could be eligible for billions more in payments depending on financial milestones. (Reuters)
