Johnson & Johnson is planning to buy robotic surgery company Auris Health for $3.4 billion. The deal would be J&J’s foray into robotics and give a boost to its lagging medical-device business. The company is developing a “connected digital ecosystem” that uses data and robotic technology to guide surgeons through procedures. (CNBC)
Mylan has launched an Advair generic at one-third the price. Advair, made by GlaxoSmithKline, treats asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The drug brought in $4.2 billion in sales for GSK in 2017. (Reuters)
Few Americans are willing to share their health data with large technology companies, according to a survey from Rock Health. Only 11% said they were willing to share their health data with a tech company such as Amazon or Facebook, a lower number than would share with government, pharma companies, and research organizations. (CNBC)
An FDA panel has recommended a new type of depression drug from J&J. The treatment contains active ingredients from ketamine, once a popular party drug, and is delivered via a nasal spray. It is the first new treatment for severe depression in several years. (New York Times)
CVS has unveiled a new store design focused on providing health services. Three new stores in Houston have more space for lab testing, clinics, wellness rooms, dieticians, and yoga. The store redesigns are part of the pharmacy’s acquisition of health insurer Aetna in a deal that closed last last year. (CNBC)
