3M (NYSE:MMM) announced that it filed a legal action in federal court alleging that a seller on Amazon inflated prices of fake, defective and damaged N95 masks. N95 masks have been in high demand as the COVID-19 pandemic roars on. In April, the U.S. Defense Dept. awarded a $76 million contract to 3M to produce the respirators […]
3M sues Florida company for alleged mask price-gouging
3M (NYSE:MMM) has sued a Florida company for allegedly trying to sell tens of millions of the company’s N95 respirators to the federal government at inflated prices. The lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida alleges that Orlando-based Geftico LLC twice attempted to fraudulently sell the “likely nonexistent” respirators at […]
Could Alexa help fight coronavirus?
The Amazon Echo smart home device may inadvertently prove to be a useful tool battling the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Among the many features of the smart speaker device, and those on the market that are similar to it, are capabilities as a public health tool. According to a column in The New York Times, these […]
Report: Comcast to join home-health-monitoring fray
Comcast (NSDQ:CMCSA) is reportedly preparing to jump into the in-home health-monitoring market. The company will begin conducting pilot tests later this year and intends to launch a health monitoring device in 2020, according to a report by CNBC. Targeted toward seniors and people with disabilities, the device would use ambient sensors to determine whether they’re making extra […]
‘Berkmorgazon’ health play Haven COO Stoddard steps away | Personnel Moves – May 17, 2019
Healthcare joint venture Haven, started by Amazon (NSDQ:AMZN), Berkshire Hathaway and J.P. Morgan, has lost its COO Jack Stoddard at just nine months post-hiring, according to a CNBC report. The former digital health general manager for Comcast told the news channel that he is departing the healthcare play due to personal reasons, including the distance between […]
Report: Amazon’s Alexa is now HIPAA compliant
Amazon‘s (NSDQ:AMZN) Alexa is now HIPAA compliant, according to a recent CNBC report. The Seattle-based tech giant’s voice assistant is now cleared to work with hospitals and healthcare providers using protected health data and personal information, according to the report. Despite the clearance, the device still can’t be used to aid an individual connect with […]
“Berkmorgazon” health play branded as Haven
The healthcare joint venture started by Amazon (NSDQ:AMZN), Berkshire Hathaway and J.P. Morgan has officially launched under the name Haven. Haven will aim to be an “advocate for the patient and an ally to anyone,” and will look to improve the healthcare system by improving access to care, aiding in navigation through the system and making medical […]
Ex-Optum VP defeats injunction bid in non-compete suit, moves to arbitration
A U.S. Federal Judge last Friday rejected a motion seeking to block a former Optum VP from joining the newly formed healthcare venture between Amazon (NSDQ:AMZN), Berkshire Hathaway and J.P. Morgan Chase, according to court documents. Optum, an IT-based health services unit of UnitedHealth Group, filed a suit against former VP David Smith last month accusing […]
3M names CEO Roman as board chair | Personnel Moves – February 7, 2019
3M (NYSE:MMM) said yesterday that its board of directors nominated CEO Mike Roman as its new chairperson, with current exec chair Inge Thulin announcing their intention to retire. The move is slated to take effect following the St. Paul, Minn.-based company’s annual meeting of shareholders on May 14. “Under Inge’s leadership, 3M evolved into a more […]
UnitedHealth Group’s Optum sues VP who left for Amazon venture
UnitedHealth Group’s Optum IT-based health services unit has sued former VP David Smith, claiming that he misappropriated trade secrets before leaving to join a new healthcare venture supported by Amazon. Smith’s lawyers are seeking to move the case to arbitration. The complaint, filed Jan. 16 in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, accuses Smith of printing out […]
Gerresheimer taps Metzner as CFO | Personnel Moves – December 14, 2018
Gerresheimer said late last month that it tapped Dr. Bernd Metzner as its new chief financial officer, set to take position at the latest by July 1 next year. Prior to joining the Dusseldorf-based company, Metzner acted as CFO at Ströer, a position he took up in June 2014. He also held positions at Bayer […]
