Blockchain in healthcare: The applications which are potentially ‘transformational’

Feature From South Korea to the US, governments this year have been trying to develop blockchain-based technologies to track citizens’ vaccination status whilst maintaining a respect for individual privacy. Aside from the controversies of this topic, the situation has thrust blockchain’s potential in the healthcare industry into the limelight moreso than ever before, at a time when the industry faces an increasing number of challenges.

With developed countries spending an...

7 May 2021 | Applications

TruTrace and Applied DNA Sciences collaborate on blockchain-based cannabis validation

Applied DNA Sciences (APDN) and TruTrace Technologies (TruTrace) are cooperating to create a platform that offers end-to-end traceability and transparency within the cannabis industry.

Their integrated solution combines TruTrace’s blockchain-based SaaS (software as a service), StrainSecure, with APDN’s molecular tagging system, CertainT, to deliver a secure platform that will increase supply chain visibility.

TruTrace’s software is currently used throughout global...

1 February 2021 | Blockchain

SettleMint looks to blockchain self-sovereign identity with IdentiMint

A core tenet of blockchain technologies is trust - but not just from a standpoint of having records on an immutable ledger. The concept of blockchain for digital identity - enabling 'more secure management and storage of digital identities by providing unified, interoperable, and tamper-proof infrastructure with key benefits to enterprises, users, and IoT management systems', as ConsenSys puts it - is increasingly key.

One essential part of this, from the user side, is...

25 January 2021 | Applications

NHS works with Hedera Hashgraph and Everyware to monitor Covid-19 vaccine storage

The National Health Service (NHS) is working with Hedera Hashgraph and digital asset tracking and monitoring provider Everyware to monitor cold storage equipment being used to store Covid-19 vaccines.

Certain Covid-19 vaccines, such as the vaccine developed by Pfizer which was approved for use in the UK in December, require exact cold storage for ideal efficacy. Centralised distribution centres and transportation units can store the vaccine at the recommended -70°C for up to 10...

21 January 2021 | Government

World Economic Forum muses on blockchain for ‘unique’ Covid-19 vaccine distribution challenge

The past couple of weeks have seen plenty of good news in the shape of a potential Covid-19 vaccine, from Pfizer, to Moderna, to Oxford/AstraZeneca. But efficacy updates are only the first hurdle to clear. Production, distribution and rollout - particularly noting the first two and its requirement for cold storage - remain key issues.

The World Economic Forum's (WEF) blockchain division has previously explored how distributed ledger technology could be key to an 'equitable'...

24 November 2020 | Healthcare

The role blockchain can play in the increasing world of telemedicine

The industry of virtual health appointments, otherwise known as telemedicine, is booming as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the beginning of the pandemic in the UK, GP surgeries urged patients not to come into their practice to prevent the potential spread of the virus and health secretary Matt Hancock advised that consultations should be done by telemedicine where possible.

Since then, there’s been a dramatic increase in the use of telemedicine, with a survey by the Royal...

12 November 2020 | Healthcare

PwC: Blockchain technologies could boost global economy to tune of $1.7 trillion by 2030

A new analysis from PwC estimates blockchain technologies could spark a $1.7 trillion boost in the global economy by 2030 - with the UK set to benefit to the tune of £57 billion ($72bn).

The findings come from a report which is part of a series exploring the economic impact and use cases for emerging technologies. PwC said its analysis 'showed the potential for blockchain to support organisations in how they rebuild and reconfigure their operations', particularly in the...

13 October 2020 | Banking

Tech Mahindra to run healthcare, aerospace, telecom offerings on Amazon’s managed blockchain

Technology and IT services provider Tech Mahindra is teaming up with Amazon Web Services (AWS) for blockchain offerings in aerospace, telecoms, and healthcare.

The Indian company, which is an AWS Partner Network (APN) advanced consulting partner, will offer three primary solutions through the AWS Marketplace. There will be a kit management tool for aviation and aerospace, ensuring an effective track and trace process from multi-tier suppliers; a solution for OEMs in telecoms for...

8 September 2020 | Enterprise

Health n Go Covid-19 blockchain certificate trial described as ‘encouraging’

Health n Go, a blockchain-based secure health certificate built on the TIXnGO platform, has reported 'encouraging' results of a Covid-19-focused trial in Switzerland.

The pilot, which took place in early July, saw Health n Go partner with Medisupport, a laboratory network in Switzerland, as well as railway equipment manufacturer Matisa. Matisa was chosen as the test case as the company's technicians frequently travel overseas for work, the company noted.

Each user - a...

3 September 2020 | Applications

Blockchain-focused venture firm Electric Capital raises $110m in seed and series A fund

Electric Capital, an early stage venture firm which focuses on cryptocurrencies, blockchain and fintech, has secured a $110 million (£84.1m) seed and series A fund, focused on cryptonetworks and blockchain-enabled businesses.

The company, whose bets include Coinlist, CryptoKitties and Oasis Labs among others, said the capital raised - its second fund - will go into five specific areas. These are decentralised finance (DeFi), particularly around insurance and credit scoring;...

5 August 2020 | Applications