Stock Markets
Astellas Announces Desert Oasis Healthcare as First Health System to Implement DIGITIVA™ for Heart Failure Management
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Astellas Pharma U.S., Inc. (President: Mike Petroutsas, “Astellas”) today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Desert Oasis Healthcare (DOHC), a member of Heritage Provider Network, to pilot DIGITIVA™, a non-invasive digital health solution for the management of heart failure patients. In the next few weeks, eligible patients receiving care with DOHC will begin using DIGITIVA as a new method for managing their heart health while working in partnership with their healthcare team.
DIGITIVA was designed with the goal of improving heart failure management by providing patients with the CORE 500™ Digital Stethoscope developed by Eko Health Inc. and an easy-to-use smartphone app built on the Welldoc, Inc. platform, with AI-driven personalized digital coaching, as well as educational resources from the American Heart Association. Clinicians also receive tailored patient reports assessed by a clinical review team, highlighting relevant cardioacoustic biomarkers, such as S3 sounds and EMAT (electromechanical activation time), as well as physiological parameters with the goal of enabling earlier intervention when needed.
The partnership will also gather data to evaluate the effectiveness of DIGITIVA based on key clinical measures and cost of care metrics relevant to patients, healthcare providers and the overall health care system. In addition, patients will complete the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ), which assesses their perception of heart failure symptoms, quality of life and how it impacts their physical and social function periodically throughout the partnership.
Brian Hodgkins, Pharm.D., Executive Vice President of Clinical Operations and the Heritage Provider Network ACO, Desert Oasis Healthcare
“DIGITIVA exemplifies Desert Oasis Healthcare’s commitment to exploring innovative health technologies with the potential to better the lives of both patients and providers. Placing patients at the center of their care, DIGITIVA provides enhanced heart health data tracking, automated feedback and educational resources from home, while equipping clinicians with patient-specific data potentially signaling when earlier intervention could be beneficial. Desert Oasis Healthcare is proud to be the first health system in the country to provide patients and cardiology providers with access to DIGITIVA and look forward to better understanding its potential impact.”
Patrick Keenan, DIGITIVA Program Lead, Rx+ Business Accelerator, Astellas
“Implementing DIGITIVA in a real-world setting represents a significant achievement as the first SaMD and medical device offering from Astellas in the United States. Working closely with Desert Oasis Healthcare, we look forward to demonstrating the potential of DIGITIVA to improve patient outcomes by supporting patients’ ability to take a more active role in managing their health, as well as providing clinicians with personalized information that can inform important clinical decisions.”
DIGITIVA was listed with the FDA in September 2024. For additional information, please see the DIGITIVA™ Instructions for Use here1 and the CORE 500™ Digital Stethoscope Instructions for Use here2.
About Astellas
Astellas Pharma Inc. (TYO:) is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are promoting the Focus Area Approach that is designed to identify opportunities for the continuous creation of new drugs to address diseases with high unmet medical needs by focusing on Biology and Modality. Furthermore, we are also looking beyond our foundational Rx focus to create Rx+ ® healthcare solutions that combine our expertise and knowledge with cutting-edge technology in different fields of external partners. Through these efforts, Astellas stands on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into VALUE for patients. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.astellas.com/en.
About Desert Oasis Healthcare
Formed in 1981 as one of the first medical groups in the desert communities of southern California, Desert Oasis Healthcare (DOHC) continues to advance with changes in the healthcare market. DOHC provides primary and immediate care, home health, palliative care, clinical research studies and other services to more than 60,000 members/patients living in the greater Coachella Valley and the Morongo Basin of Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The multidisciplinary and comprehensive care programs of DOHC are committed to educating individuals on preventive health care in their daily lives, reflected in the DOHC motto, “Your Health. Your Life. Our Passion.” For more information, visit www.mydohc.com.
Cautionary Notes
In this press release, statements made with respect to current plans, estimates, strategies and beliefs and other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements about the future performance of Astellas. These statements are based on management’s current assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in general economic conditions and in laws and regulations, relating to pharmaceutical markets, (ii) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (iii) delays in new product launches, (iv) the inability of Astellas to market existing and new products effectively, (v) the inability of Astellas to continue to effectively research and develop products accepted by customers in highly competitive markets, and (vi) infringements of Astellas’ intellectual property rights by third parties.
Information about pharmaceutical products (including products currently in development) which is included in this press release is not intended to constitute an advertisement or medical advice.
References:
1 DIGITIVA™ Instructions for Use: https://www.astellas.com/en/system/files/1539a14805/digitiva_instructions_for_use.pdf
2 CORE 500™ Digital Stethoscope Instructions for Use: https://ekohealth.com/ifu
Investing.com– U.S. stocks were slightly lower on Thursday, though trading volumes were thin a day after the Christmas holiday.
At of 12:58 ET (17:58 GMT), the fell 0.10%, the was down 0.1%, while the declined 0.01% or 6 points.
Jobless claims in U.S. dip to one-month low
The weekly U.S. jobless claims data released before the market opened on Thursday and saw a one-month low dip.
The Labor Department reported a decrease of 1,000 in initial applications for state unemployment benefits, bringing the seasonally adjusted figure to 219,000 for the week that ended on December 21. This figure is lower than the 224,000 claims that economists had predicted for the same week.
Meanwhile, the number of individuals receiving benefits after their first week of aid, which serves as an indication of hiring, increased by 46,000. This brought the seasonally adjusted total to 1.910 million for the week that ended on December 14, the highest since November 2021. Economists had previously anticipated the number of these continued claims to be 1.880 million.
“We do not think that this week’s data will move the needle for any of them, but more prints in line with the tone of this week’s data may motivate the doves on the Committee to speak up,” Jefferies said in a recent note.
Tech stocks flat despite Apple upgrade
The major tech giants were mostly down after the markets opened, with Apple marginally higher despite an upgrade from tech-bull Wedbush.
Apple Inc (NASDAQ:) gained 0.2% affter Wedbush raised its price target on Apple to $325 from $300 banking on transformative AI-driven iPhone upgrade cycle poised to fuel growth into 2025.
“We believe Apple is heading into a multi-year AI driven iPhone upgrade cycle that is still being underestimated by the Street,” Wedbush said in a recent note.
Crypto-related stocks slip as bitcoin skids, but KULR Technology surges on BTC purchase
Crypto-related stocks including MicroStrategy Incorporated (NASDAQ:), Coinbase Global Inc (NASDAQ:), and Riot Platforms (NASDAQ:) followed bitcoin lower as the most valuable cryptocurrency fell more than 2%.
KULR Technology jumped 30% after the space technology company bought about 217 bitcoin and detailed plans to allocate up to 90% of its excess cash to bitcoin.
XIAMEN, China – Lichen China Limited (NASDAQ:LICN), a company specializing in financial and taxation services, has announced a definitive agreement with several investors for a registered direct offering. The offering involves the sale of 20 million Class A ordinary shares, or pre-funded warrants as an alternative, at a price of $0.14 per share. This transaction is expected to yield approximately $2.8 million in gross proceeds for the company. The offering comes as the company maintains strong financial fundamentals, with InvestingPro data showing an impressive gross profit margin of 61% and a healthy current ratio of 17.55x.
The closing of the sale is anticipated on or about December 27, 2024, pending the fulfillment of customary conditions. Univest Securities, LLC is the sole placement agent for the offering, which is being conducted under an effective shelf registration statement previously filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and declared effective on March 1, 2024.
Investors can access the final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, detailing the offering’s terms, on the SEC’s website once filed. The offering is only valid in jurisdictions where it is lawful, and the securities cannot be sold in any jurisdiction where such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be illegal prior to registration or qualification under the applicable securities laws.
Lichen China, with over 18 years of experience, has established a reputation for providing professional and high-quality financial and taxation solutions in China. The company also offers education support services and software and maintenance services under the “Lichen” brand. Despite the stock’s significant decline of 89% year-to-date, InvestingPro analysis indicates the company is currently undervalued, with robust revenue growth of 25% in the last twelve months. Get access to 16 additional ProTips and comprehensive financial analysis with an InvestingPro subscription.
The company’s press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. While Lichen China believes the expectations reflected in these statements are reasonable, they caution that actual results may differ materially. Trading at a P/E ratio of 6.4x and with a market capitalization of $8.17 million, investors are encouraged to review factors that may affect the company’s future results in its registration statement and other SEC filings.
This news article is based on a press release statement from Lichen China Limited.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.
Stock Markets
2024 Year-End NAIC Designations for STACR REMIC Trust, STACR Trust, and STACR Debt Notes
MCLEAN, Va., Dec. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Freddie Mac (OTCQB: OTC:) today published on its website the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) 2024 filing year designations for certain STACR REMIC Trust, STACR Trust, and STACR Debt Notes (collectively, STACR Notes).
Overall, of the 209 reviewed STACR Notes, all have achieved NAIC 1 Designation including all A1, M1 and M2 Notes offered through 2024 STACR transactions. In addition, 10 of the 2024 NAIC 1 Designations are upgrades from their 2023 NAIC 2 Designations. The below table details the upgrades:
| CUSIP | Deal Name | 2023 Year-End NAIC Designation | 2023 Year-End NAIC Designation Modifier | 2024 Year-End NAIC Designation | 2024 Year-End NAIC Designation Modifier |
| 35564KB57 | STACR 2022-HQA2 M2B | 2 | B | 1 | E |
| 35564KB65 | STACR 2022-HQA2 M2 | 2 | A | 1 | D |
| 35564KE62 | STACR 2022-HQA3 M2B | 2 | C | 1 | F |
| 35564KE70 | STACR 2022-HQA3 M2 | 2 | B | 1 | E |
| 35564KP60 | STACR 2023-DNA1 M2B | 2 | C | 1 | E |
| 35564KP94 | STACR 2023-DNA1 M2 | 2 | A | 1 | E |
| 35564KT82 | STACR 2023-DNA2 M2B | 2 | C | 1 | E |
| 35564KU31 | STACR 2023-DNA2 M2 | 2 | A | 1 | E |
| 35564KY29 | STACR 2023-HQA1 M2B | 2 | B | 1 | E |
| 35564KY37 | STACR 2023-HQA1 M2 | 2 | A | 1 | E |
About Freddie Mac Single-Family Credit Risk Transfer
Freddie Mac’s Investment & Capital Markets Credit Risk Transfer (CRT) programs transfer credit risk away from U.S. taxpayers to global private capital via securities and (re)insurance policies, providing stability, liquidity and affordability to the U.S. housing market. The GSE Single-Family CRT market was founded when Freddie Mac issued the first STACR ® (Structured Agency Credit Risk) notes in July 2013. In November 2013, ACIS ® (Agency Credit Insurance Structure ®) was introduced. Today, the industry-leading and award-winning programs attract institutional investors and (re)insurance companies worldwide. For specific STACR and ACIS transaction data, visit Clarity Data Intelligence ®.
About Freddie Mac
Freddie Mac’s mission is to make home possible for families across the nation. We promote liquidity, stability, affordability and equity in the housing market throughout all economic cycles. Since 1970, we have helped tens of millions of families buy, rent or keep their home. Learn More: Website | Consumers | LinkedIn | Facebook| X | Instagram | YouTube
MEDIA CONTACT:
Fred Solomon
703-903-3861
Frederick_Solomon@FreddieMac.com
INVESTOR CONTACT:
Christian Valencia
571-382-4236
Source: Freddie Mac
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