AdventHealth is partnering with precision-medicine manufacturer Panaceutics to test an innovative solution to the problem of medication adherence, focusing on patients with cardiovascular disease.

According to the American Heart Association, research shows that 24 percent of patients who suffer a heart attack do not fill their medications within seven days of discharge, and 34 percent of heart attack patients with multiple prescriptions stop taking at least one of them within one month of discharge. Lack of medical adherence is a factor in patients’ quality of life and contributes to the rising cost of health care.

But with Panaceutics’ proprietary compounding technology, rather than remembering to take a handful of pills, patients would have the option of taking their medications in a single,   personalized, edible dose.

Panaceutics, which is based in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina and has business ties in Orlando, this month signed an agreement with AdventHealth’s Cardiovascular Institute. The agreement is a first step in exploring how to bring this innovation to AdventHealth’s patients.

“We are focused on the cardiovascular space because it’s such a large population, and we believe our automation technology will allow us to personalize and get benefit out of generic compounds,” said Pharmaceutics Chief Science Officer and co-founder L. Staton Noel III. “Our goal will be to show that with our method, adherence improves significantly. And when adherence is improved, outcomes go up for patients.”

"Panaceutics is very excited to be partnering with [AdventHealth] to develop the next generation of personalized medical therapies, which are tailored to the individual’s characteristics and provide a simple way for patients to remain adherent to their treatment," Noel added.

Janis Moysey, Director of Alliance Innovation Development for AdventHealth, said the Panaceutics agreement is an important step in advancing AdventHealth’s mission to find innovative solutions to pressing health-care challenges.

“We’re proud to partner with Panaceutics in addressing the medication adherence challenge,” Moysey said. “Innovation and partnerships are essential to making a difference in health care today, and in delivering value to our customers.”

Dr. Duane Davis, director of the Cardiovascular Institute at AdventHealth, said he looked forward to exploring the options offered by Panaceutics’ technology.

“Medical adherence is a persistent challenge for us and our patients,” said Davis. “We welcome opportunities to help patients better follow their regimens during the healing process.”

For media inquiries only, contact AdventHealth External Communications at 407-303-5950 or email CFDExternalComm@AdventHealth.com.