Company news

Malicious software used to hack into Anthem Inc.’s computers and steal 78.8 million patient records bears a striking resemblance to malware attributed to Chinese hackers, according to a Virginia-based security firm, ThreatConnect. The chief information officer of ThreatConnect told the Washington Post that the same malicious software was used to target a small U.S. defense contractor earlier this year and has been confirmed by the FBI as originating in China. The FBI also suspects the Anthem hack originated in China, according to an earlier report by the Washington Post. Since announcing the hack on Feb. 4, Indianapolis-based Anthem has been hit with more than 50 class-action lawsuits. The hack exposed Social Security numbers and other personal data—but not financial or medical information, Anthem says. The patient records stolen included more than 60 million current and former Anthem customers, according to Bloomberg News, with the balance belonging to other health insurance plans but residing in states where Anthem processes medical claims for those other health plans. According to Modern Healthcare magazine, 42 non-Anthem health insurance plans had customer data exposed during the hack.

West Lafayette-based Endocyte Inc. burned through $8.1 million, or 19 cents per share, in the fourth quarter as it worked to move three different cancer drugs through human testing. The West Lafayette-based drug discovery firm said Monday it expects to report results from a Phase 2 clinical trial of its drug vintafolide in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer by the second or third quarter. Also, the company is advancing drugs for non-small-cell lung cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and recurrent prostate cancer. Endocyte still had $206.8 million at the end of last year to finance its research.

24 Hour Dental Care has seen 550 patients since opening on Dec. 15 on Virginia Avenue in the Villaggio condominium building. The all-day, all-night operation is an offshoot of Dr. Shirley Ferreira’s Midwest Oral Health practice and is unlike anything else in the state, according to the Indiana Dental Association. Ferreira predicts first-year revenue of $2 million and is now planning a second location, at East 81st Street and Shadeland Avenue. If all goes well, other locations, possibly outside the state, could be in the offing. The practice’s range of services includes more pressing procedures such as extractions, implants and root canals for those who may not have a dentist or simply are unable to visit one during the day.

The Indiana Orthopaedic Hospital will now be known as OrthoIndy Hospital, to make it clear that the physician-owned hospital is part of the OrthoIndy practice of orthopedic surgeons. OrthoIndy said surveys among Indianapolis-area consumers revealed significant confusion about whether OrthoIndy and the hospital were part of the same organization. “We hope the name change will increase the public’s understanding that OrthoIndy Hospital is owned and operated by OrthoIndy physicians,” said OrthoIndy CEO Jane Keller.