With J&J deal to assess value of Apple watch in atrial fibrillation, tech giant fortifies its foray into healthcare
Last week Apple CEO Tim Cook said that in the future, when we all look back at his company, its greatest contribution to mankind will have been about health. And now in a significant step towards Cook’s vision, the pharma major Johnson & Johnson $JNJ has agreed to work with the Cupertino-based tech giant to test the diagnosis and outcomes of AFib patients in a clinical trial.
The latest iteration of Apple Watch drew gasps of intrigue when it was revealed the device contained a simple electrocardiogram able to detect signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib) — a common heart condition that raises the risk of stroke and is typically seen in the elderly. While the FDA signed off on the sensor — Apple has been careful to underscore that the watch can’t diagnose anything or replace a doctor.
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