$100 million crowdfunded investment platform and more health tech news.

Hello GIANT community member!

Hello and welcome to the health-tech innovation newsletter from GIANT Health.
In this week's newsletter we say thank you to Michael Seres, a pioneer and we round up the latest health and technology news.

If you are developing an accessible and inclusive health tech application, innovation or service we would l ove to hear from you.

We're a global community of over 177,000 people working passionately to improve the health and well-being of people around the world.

As always we look forward to hearing from you and take care.

Barry Shrier, Founder, GIANT Health
@Barry_HealthTec
+44 7776 132 517

PS: GIANT Health is hiring. view our latest roles here

1. Farewell

Farewell Michael; and thanks for your enormous legacy: patient-centered healthcare.

Millions, if not 100s of millions, of people around the world are better off because of Michael Seres. Not necessarily because they had cancer, like Michael did.

Not only because they may have Crohn’s disease, like Michael did…

But more because they were happily the beneficiaries of his powerful, passionate, and impactful commitment to what healthcare needs loads more of: a patient-centered focus.

Our dear friend and a beloved, leading member of the global health-tech innovation community, Michael Seres, very sadly passed this past Saturday. May he forever rest in peace.

He was a champion of the patient’s perspective and patient-lead medicine. However obvious that might seem - that Health Care is about the patient - this is hugely not the case in many circumstances around the globe. His TEDx NHS talk below gives you a glimpse of why he was a gift to the world and why he will be sorely missed by the health and technology community.

Thank you Michael

11 Health is the organisation and community founded by Michael. His family will continue to carry out his inspiring work.

Click here to read the rest of Barry's farewell and celebration of Michael Seres

Click here to read the piece from Shafi Ahmed

Click here to read the piece from Marie Ennis-Connor

What is the most under-utilised resource in healthcare? - Michael Seres' TedXNHS Talk on how he hacked his own health. He then shared his learnings with a global community to enhance the positive outcomes of the medicines and care he received.

2. Health Tech Headlines - News 🗞

Survey says that 6 in 10 would download NHS contact tracing app
It has been suggested that the delay in the release of the app may lead to an increase in health inequalities, as some may end up at greater risk than others of COVID-19. Once it is release 62% of people claimed they would be likely to download the app. However, the health foundation survey also revealed a 'digital divide' with regards to occupation, educational level and age.
Read more here.

Trial drones to deliver COVID-19 testing kits in Highlands
NHS Highland have commissioned Skysports to partner with them and use their drones to deliver essentials required to fight the pandemic. The initial two week trial will include delivery of PPE and test kits to the beautiful, yet remote, Isle of Mull.
Read more here.

Covid-19 test kits available immediately

Do you know of anyone who is concerned that they might have the Covid-19 virus, and they want to be tested? Or anyone who wants to travel and needs an "all clear"?
GIANT Health has partnered with National Health and Medical Service (NHMS) to give you access to the Covid-19 swab test for a new price of £139. This is the lowest test price in the whole of the UK.

In addition to this we would like to offer our GIANT Health community the ability to purchase the test with at £10 discount if they use the code: "GIANT" at checkout.

3. Funding News 🗞

Global $100M Pandemic fund - OurCrowd
The global, crowdfunded, venture-investment platform (headquartered in Israel) will create an innovation fund. The three main areas of focus will be: prevention and containment, treatment and healing and continuity and disruption mitigation. The fund will invest in new startups and pre-exisitng companies tackling the pandemic.

Read more here.

Shorla Pharma an Irish pharmaceutical company raises $8.3 million for women's and paediatric cancer
The Irish Pharma company raised $8.3 million in series A funding. The round was led by Seroba life sciences and funding will support the advancement of the product pipeline. Established by Sharon Cunnignham and Orlaith Ryan in 2018 the company develops oncology drugs for women and children.
Read more here.

4. Digital Divide in Health and Technology

The 'digital divide' has become increasingly prominent in light of the recent pandemic, especially in countries with significant ageing populations.

At Giant Health some questions we have been asking include:
How do we engage those that are not as digitally savvy?
What innovative apps, technologies and services do this already?
How may we ensure we are delivering accessible health tech for all?

If you have developed or are engaged in a digitally inclusive health technology app or service we would love to hear from you.

Drop us a line

Reasons to be cheerful, Part 3:

A child has been given the worlds first drone-delivered vaccine in Vanuatu. A registered nurse, Miriam Nampil vaccinates the child with a BCG vaccine to prevent tuberculosis and Hepatitis B.

Are you a female founder?
Come and join us on the 1st and 2nd December at GIANT Health's main event!

GIANT Health is passionate about encouraging diversity in health and technology. For a limited period of time we are offering discounted tickets for our "5000 women".

GIANT Health is the global HealthTech innovation community, now over 177,000 people.

Get in touch to discuss partnership opportunities.

Barry Shrier, Founder, GIANT Health
@Barry_HealthTec | +44 7776 132 517

PS: If you're recruiting, looking for a hospital trial partner, in fundraising mode, looking for a job...please get in touch and we'll be happy to support you in this newsletter.

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GIANT would like to thank our sponsors for their support, you guys are great!

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