Latest news

• Daily Brief: Andrew Witty's replacement on Accelerated Access initiative, Blincyto gains full EU approval and more

  stalled. The ex-pharma leader gave up the position to avoid any potential conflict of interest after accepting the CEO role at healthcare services firm Optum in March.

• Health insurers will test blockchain for data handling

  The healthcare payers - Humana, UnitedHealthcare and Optum - have joined forces with lab testing firm Quest Diagnostics and cost-management specialist MultiPlan to pilot the use of blockchain to “improve data quality

• Ex-GSK CEO Witty named head of pharmacy benefit firm Optum

  Former GlaxoSmithKline chief executive Andrew Witty has been named as the new head of UnitedHealth’s pharmacy benefit manager Optum. ... will now be on the other side of the fence at the helm of Optum from July 1.

• Amazon's healthcare move takes aim at US costs

  UnitedHealth, the biggest health insurer in the US, saw its stock fall 7.1% and its recently acquired health services unit Optum was also down 5%.

• Sanofi sets up diabetes joint venture with Google's Verily

  Onduo is being headed up by Joshua Riff, a medic by training who has previously held senior roles at health services company Optum, part of United Healthcare, and the Target group.