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Modelling shows tracking app critical to containing COVID second wave

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]While social distancing and high rates of testing remain the best ways to limit the spread, the Sax Institute researchers behind the modelling say the smartphone app could be “insurance” against reignition of the pandemic.

The modelling, published in the peer-reviewed journal Public Health Research & Practice, uses evidence on factors such as the speed and characteristics of the virus’s spread to project likely consequences for case numbers under various scenarios.

The ‘baseline’ scenario assumes a 50% monthly decline in social distancing and a 5% monthly drop in testing intensity going forward – the authors’ estimate of what was happening in May when the paper was written. Their model finds that if 61% of the population in this scenario downloaded the COVIDSafe app onto their phones, the number of infections in a second wave would be 55% lower than if there were no app.

In contrast, the current app uptake level (27%) would have a much smaller effect, resulting in only 24% fewer cases between April and December 2020, the modelling shows.

The research team, led by the Sax Institute’s Dr Danielle Currie, Senior Simulation Modeller, and Dr Michael Frommer, Senior Adviser, say the potential alternative to an effective response centred on social distancing, testing and contact tracing assisted by the app is that “restrictions on travel and social interaction…may need to be re-introduced”.

Dr Frommer said the model projections should be a clarion call for state and federal governments to redouble their efforts in promoting the app to the public as well as ensuring that any lingering technical issues are swiftly resolved.

“Testing and social distancing will exert the biggest influence on controlling the curve of the second wave, but the tracking app can play a very important role,” he said.

“At our current uptake levels, the app will help with contact tracing, but not significantly. What our work shows is that if we can push uptake to around three-fifths of the population, then it will make a huge difference. It would halve the number of people getting COVID-19 in the event of a second wave and decrease the death rate as well.”

The study involved an extensive literature review of the epidemiology of COVID-19, case-finding practices and factors that could affect the uptake of the app, and finally the development of a robust system dynamics model based on the behaviour of the virus and its interaction with social, behavioural, and policy factors, using pandemic data from Australia and across the world. The model projects the number of people infected by the virus through to the end of the year. It can be adjusted to account for different rates of testing, intensity of social distancing and uptake of the tracking app.

The modelling study is part of a special themed issue of Public Health Research & Practice on the public health lessons we are learning from the COVID pandemic.

In a Perspective article for this issue, Professor Julie Leask and Dr Claire Hooker, both of the University of Sydney, argue that better risk communication could have reduced the controversy around school closures in Australia due to the pandemic. Events leading up to the school closures created a “near perfect storm of fright factors”, they write, escalating people’s fear while reducing their trust in those working to manage the problem. The authors offer a step-by-step guide in managing communications during health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two other COVID-related articles in this issue of Public Health Research & Practice find:

In an editorial for this issue, the journal’s Editor-in-Chief Professor Don Nutbeam, Principal Senior Adviser at the Sax Institute and Professor of Public Health at the University of Sydney, writes that maintaining the fragile consensus between governments, their scientific advisers and their citizens is critical to the successful control of the virus.

“The consensus will be sustained by mutual trust built on effective communication – between scientists and policy makers, and between governments and their populations.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

MedTech industry welcomes clinical trials harmonisation

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“The medical technology industry has long advocated for national harmonisation of clinical trials and welcomes Minister Hunt’s announcement of a one-stop-shop for ethics approval,” said MTAA CEO Ian Burgess.

“Local clinical trials provide Australian patients with early access to innovative medical devices and treatments and place Australia at the forefront of global advancements of medical technology.

“An active medical device clinical trial environment in Australia will provide local expertise to support Australian start-ups and research groups, accelerating their growth and retaining capability and expertise within Australia,” Mr Burgess said.

For Australia to continue to attract the level of clinical trial activity that it has achieved over the past two decades, it is important that strategies are implemented to enhance the clinical trial environment in Australia including:

  • Reliable, predictable, unified and rapid Site Research Governance
  • A single streamlined ethical review for all studies, irrespective of whether they are conducted in private or public setting and irrespective of phase of study
  • Consistent approaches by States and Territories to support the efficient and cost-effective conduct of studies
  • Establishing an Australian Coordinating Body for Clinical Trials would provide an entity that has the mandate and resources to drive the change needed to improve Australia’s global competitiveness in attracting clinical trials.
  • Supportive and efficient regulatory pathway to transition to commercialisation and reimbursement.

“As we emerge from the COVID-19 crisis, it is more important than ever that we do everything we can to ensure the benefits of modern, innovative and reliable medical technology are delivered effectively to provide better health outcomes to the Australian community, and we welcome this announcement by Minister Hunt,” Mr Burgess concluded.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The NOTUS Ventilator Program Update

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The ventilators are being developed for the NOTUS Emergency Invasive Ventilator Program led by Melbourne-based Grey Innovation.

With the TGA audit of Grey Innovation and the two final assembly lines at Planet Innovation in Box Hill and Medmont International in Nunawading competed last week, the company is now at the point of refining the production process and bringing the line up to speed. Grey Innovation says they are on track to manufacture patient circuit and consumables locally through Fairmont Medical.

Electronics manufacturer Circuitwise Electronics, a member of the Australian consortium of companies developing the ventilators was front and centre during a ABC News broadcast that saw General Manager, Serena Ross, interviewed by the ABC at Circuitwise’s facilities where the printed circuit board assemblies were being manufactured.

The focus of the ABC’s reporting was not just on the ventilator program but also on the efforts underway to raise awareness of local manufacturing capabilities.

Speaking to the ABC’s Western Sydney reporter Kathleen Calderwood, Ms Ross said she was pleased to be able to represent a range of other companies in the electronics sector that can provide advanced manufacturing services to Australians companies looking to go #AustralianMade.

“We are just one of over 2,000 companies that put their hand up to help. In electronics, we have shown we are now competitive with Asia by investing in advanced technology and rigorous quality systems to enable manufacturing of high-reliability products like medical devices,” Ms Ross said.

“There will be many other companies in other manufacturing sectors that raised their competitiveness and now warrant a closer look from companies that have blindly assumed that they should go offshore. These companies should realise that the new #SmartMove is to manufacture in Australia.”

While restrictions around Australia are being eased, the consortium is working to help boost the national stockpile to ensure there is always a ventilator available to patients in the future.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

PRIVATE HEALTH INSURERS BACKFLIP ON COVID-19 REFUND

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Following the announcement of elective surgery bans earlier this year, the insurers made a commitment to ensure they weren’t unduly profiting from the crisis, with PHA CEO Rachel David quoted in the Australian Financial Review on April 8 as saying “if members are getting less for their money – we will address it”.

Fast forward two months, and NIB CEO Mark Fitzgibbon has said that any premium relief looks unlikely, due to the crisis peaking earlier than expected.

“Reduced hospital and ancillary activity did occur in April and into May but quickly recovered and in recent weeks we’ve seen claiming return to normal levels,” said Mr Fitzgibbon this week.

Health workers and industry players across the country, from frontline workers, to researchers and manufacturers have pulled out all the stops in recent months to help fight COVID-19.

“The entire healthcare system has pulled together in an unprecedented effort to support the Australian community through the pandemic, under the strain of enormous cost pressures,” said Ian Burgess, Medical Technology of Australia (MTAA) CEO.

“A significant number of MedTech companies have suffered reductions in revenue of up to 90% as a result of the elective surgery ban.

“This is further compounded by an increase of freight costs of up to 500% and a fall in the Aussie dollar.

“It’s time for the private health insurers to do their bit, rather than just pocketing profits off the back of a global health and economic crisis,” Mr Burgess said.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES EMPLOYEES BECOME SUPERHEROES FOR HEARTKIDS

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Super Boss Day is a fun initiative to help raise funds for HeartKids, the only national charity dedicated to supporting all infants, children, young people and adults affected by congenital and acquired heart disease. The causes of this disease remain largely unclear.

In Australia, 8 babies every day are born with congenital heart disease. Funds go to supporting our brave children who battle heart disease every day and their families who fight along-side them.

The Edwards Lifesciences Foundation has had a long-standing partnership with HeartKids as part of its commitment to making a difference in communities where Edwards’ employees live and work, and during this COVID-19 period the Foundation has been generous by doubling the contribution from its employee.

Managing Director of Edwards Lifesciences ANZ, Pat Williams said:

“At Edwards we like to have some fun on our Friday all employee video call. This week we wanted to give everyone some extra motivation, so we came dressed up as our favourite superhero and if possible, make a contribution towards a great cause.

“Our commitment to charitable giving and participation in philanthropic causes is one of the defining elements of our culture and I’m pleased that we exceeded our target.

“Locally, we’re proud that 97% of our employees undertook volunteering activities in our communities last year with an aspiration of 100% participation each year.”

CEO of HeartKids, Rob Lutter said:

“The Edwards Lifesciences Foundation has been a generous supporter of HeartKids for many years, in the form of donations, grants and support of our campaigns and events. We look forward to that ongoing partnership.”

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NEW REAL-WORLD DATA FROM MEDTRONIC GLOBAL SYMPLICITY REGISTRY SHOW RENAL DENERVATION LOWERED BLOOD PRESSURE IN PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION OUT TO THREE YEARS

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The study showed RDN led to significant and clinically meaningful reductions in blood pressure that were sustained out to three years post-procedure (17 mmHg OSBP (office systolic blood pressure)), with more patients achieving BP below 140 mmHg, while those at very high BP levels experiencing drops into lower risk BP ranges. The number of patients at the very highest BP level – greater than 180 mmHg systolic at baseline – dropped by two-thirds at three years. Additionally, the number of patients who had reported office systolic BP less than 140 mmHg – a more controlled level of BP – increased from 13 percent at baseline to 39 percent at three years. The BP drops occurred while patients were prescribed an average of four or more anti-hypertensive medications, which remained unchanged over three years. The absence of increase in medications suggest that RDN’s effect was independent of anti-hypertensive medication burden. RDN continued to show a strong safety profile at three years with an incidence of renal artery stenosis of 0.3 percent, which is within the expected range for patients with hypertension not undergoing denervation.

“In the largest real-world study of patients receiving renal denervation, we are seeing significant and clinically meaningful reductions in both office and 24-hr blood pressure sustained out to three years post-procedure, which demonstrates the durability of RDN,” said Felix Mahfoud, M.D., cardiologist at Saarland University Medical Center in Homburg, Germany, who presented the data during the meeting. “These data reinforce that RDN is a viable, complementary option with positive effects on hypertensive patients without requiring an increase in medication burden over time.”

The Global SYMPLICITY Registry is the largest study documenting the long-term safety and effectiveness of the Medtronic renal denervation systems in a real-world setting in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. To date, the registry has enrolled more than 2,860 patients treated with RDN and includes three-year follow-up for more than 2,500 patients. The data presented at PCR closely mirror a recent manuscript of GSR data published in JACC, which reported that RDN showed lasting results in a variety of high-risk patients, including those with diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), isolated systolic hypertension (ISH), or resistant hypertension.

“Following the positive SPYRAL HTN-OFF MED Pivotal data presented at ACC, these new data provide additional evidence on the safety and efficacy of renal denervation to help manage uncontrolled hypertension, with study patients experiencing meaningful blood pressure reductions out to several years,” said Dave Moeller, vice president and general manager of the Coronary and Renal Denervation business, which is part of the Cardiac and Vascular Group at Medtronic. “As the body of clinical evidence supporting renal denervation grows, we are encouraged by the outcomes observed in both controlled clinical trials and real-world practice.”

Hypertension is the single largest contributor to cardiovascular death; it dramatically increases risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney failure. The annual direct costs of hypertension are estimated at US$500 billion worldwide. It is estimated that almost 20 percent of patients are completely non-adherent to oral medications while nearly half are partially non-adherent, highlighting the need for alternative treatment options.

In addition to the Global SYMPLICITY Registry, the Medtronic SPYRAL HTN Global Clinical Program includes the SPYRAL HTN-OFF MED PIVOTAL and SPYRAL HTN-ON MED Trials, both prospectively powered, randomized, sham-controlled studies evaluating patients with uncontrolled blood pressure in the absence and presence of prescribed anti-hypertensive medications respectively.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

MedTech crucial to COVID-19 response despite significant hit to industry: new report

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The reports, available here, reveal the true impact of COVID-19 on the MedTech, biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector, an impact felt not only by local SMEs and large multinational companies, but also across the research sector, industry associations and startups.

“The impacts of COVID-19 will be felt across the MedTech industry for many years to come,” said Ian Burgess, MTAA CEO, today.

“The industry is facing significant challenges, including exponential increases in freight costs, the Aussie dollar and the ongoing impacts of the elective surgery pause.

“Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, we have seen MedTech companies come together in an unprecedented effort to support the Government’s response,” Mr Burgess said.

Through an historical collaboration with the Morrison Government, the MedTech industry successfully secured supplies of essential medical equipment, not only through the global supply chain but through a number of innovative local partnerships that were able to ramp up Australian manufacturing in a remarkably short period of time.

“The MedTech industry has been instrumental in securing essential supplies of ventilators, test kits and PPE on behalf of the Australian Government,” Mr Burgess said.

In addition to sourcing supplies of equipment through the supply chain, in what is being compared to a wartime effort, a consortium of companies was brought together to build a locally produced ventilator, in an unprecedented collaboration involving government, clinicians and manufacturers, many of whom would ordinarily be competitors.

“The efforts undertaken so far represent a significant change in our contemporary understanding of our domestic manufacturing capacity and demonstrate an untapped potential for more homegrown medtech, a potential we may never have realised without the unprecedented threat of a global pandemic,” Mr Burgess said.

“The tangible outcomes of what is coming to be known as the ‘Australia Model’ of government and industry collaboration have demonstrated the role that the MedTech can play in pandemic planning and what can be achieved when government and industry come together in a genuinely cooperative effort.”

“As an industry, we look forward to what we can continue to achieve together in order to strengthen not only Australia’s preparedness for future pandemics, but our healthcare system as a whole,” Mr Burgess concluded.

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Growing Australia’s PPE capability

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Kestrel Manufacturing is receiving $495,000 to assist in its production of filter materials used in both surgical and P2 masks.

Clets Linen is receiving $213,000 to increase its capacity to fulfil ongoing orders for disposable isolation gowns for both Australia and abroad.

Nobody Denim is receiving $400,000 to instal up to 20 new sewing machines to produce isolation gowns, while RRJ Engineering will manufacture more plastic PPE components, including hand sanitiser bottles, closures and pumps, with $392,000 in assistance.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said this support will help Australia be more self-sufficient in a crisis – as well as create new export opportunities.

“This is about more than just the here and now of the COVID-19 pandemic, this is about working with our local manufacturers to produce the supplies which will make Australia more safe and secure into the future,” Minister Andrews said.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed some gaps in our capability to produce essential medical supplies and this will go a long way to addressing that.

“This co-investment will not only develop our local manufacturing capability, it will see staff up-skilled and new opportunities created both directly and indirectly along the supply chain.

“These investments will also help industries heavily impacted by COVID-19, especially the Textiles, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) industry which employs over 31,000 Australians in manufacturing jobs.”

Kestrel Manufacturing will dedicate one of its existing meltblown machines to producing high-quality medical grade filter material that will assist other local companies like Med-Con as it ramps up its annual mask production from a couple of million a year to almost 60 million.

Kestrel Manufacturing General Manager Robert Watson said this support is “welcomed by local manufacturing businesses and clearly demonstrates the Government’s support for boosting Australian capability”.

RRJ Engineering Pty Ltd CEO Royston Kent said it “gives industry the confidence to invest in its people, facilities and to update technology”.

“Our project will be unique and will give us the opportunity to add value to our business and the local medical industry,” Mr Kent said.

The Australian Manufacturing Fund for PPE has been established to stimulate business investment in new technologies and processes in the manufacturing sector, with a focus on securing Australia’s sovereign capability.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

MEDTRONIC AND FOXCONN PARTNER TO INCREASE VENTILATOR PRODUCTION

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“No single company can meet the current demands for ventilators that are critical in the fight against COVID-19. Joining together with Foxconn immediately increases our production capacity to meet the increased demand and creates a flexible manufacturing model for us,” said Vafa Jamali, senior vice president and president of the Respiratory, Gastrointestinal and Informatics business, which is part of the Minimally Invasive Therapies Group at Medtronic. “Together, we can increase ventilator supply and help more patients and clinicians than any one company can do alone.”

“Foxconn is grateful to all front-line professionals who tirelessly work to serve others and is proud to partner with Medtronic to address this global pandemic. Foxconn’s manufacturing capabilities can bring to market life-saving medical equipment during these challenging times,” said Foo-Ming Fu, CEO of Foxconn Industrial Internet Wisconsin. “Foxconn’s flexibility to quickly react to global markets makes opportunities with partners like this possible. In the last two months, we went from zero ventilator manufacturing capabilities to a tested, qualified ventilator manufacturing cell.”

The two companies connected after Medtronic publicly shared the design specifications for the PB560 through the Medtronic ventilator open source initiative, which launched earlier this year. This effort allows global participants to evaluate options for rapid ventilator manufacturing at scale to help doctors treat patients fighting COVID-19. To date, there have been more than 200,000 registrations for the design specifications at Medtronic.com/openventilator.

To respond to global demand, if needed, Medtronic and Foxconn can increase their production capability to more than double the current Foxconn ventilator commitment.

Introduced in 2010, the PB560 is sold in more than 35 countries around the world. It is a compact, lightweight, and portable ventilator that provides airway support for both adults and children. It can be used in clinical settings and at home and provides mobile respiratory support.

Ventilators play a critical role in the management of patients with severe respiratory illness, such as COVID-19, who require assistance because they cannot breathe effectively. Without ventilation support, some patients with severe respiratory disease might not survive. By placing a patient on a ventilator, the patient’s lungs are permitted to rest and recover while the ventilator performs the functions of supplying oxygen and simulating the actions of breathing.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

We Want Your Input: MTP Workforce Skills Survey

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“The life sciences sector in Australia is a thriving growth area and one that has made and continues to make an enormous and significant contribution to our pandemic response,” said Ian Burgess, MTAA CEO.

“It is also a sector that brings together a unique mix of skillsets. I encourage your organisation to contribute to this important survey to ensure that we can plan more effectively for the future growth of our industry,” Mr Burgess said.

We are inviting managers with hiring responsibilities or an HR professional to complete this 10-15 minute online survey by 1 July 2020. The results will help us to address any gaps and drive greater sector growth across Australia. If you are not a hiring manager or an HR professional, we ask that you please forward this invitation to eligible individuals within your organisation. Responses will remain anonymous and confidential.

We recognise that due to the COVID-19 crisis, organisations are unlikely to be operating in the usual manner at this time. So, we’re asking everyone to please answer the questions assuming ‘business as usual’ – that is, based on experiences before the COVID-19 situation may have resulted in organisational or hiring changes.

After we gather this data, our project team will release the findings later in 2020, so watch this space. You only need to complete the survey once.

TAKE THE SURVEY

We hope you can take the time to complete the survey and help to grow the MTP sector for the future.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]