// Biotech and Pharma Therapeutics
Prioritizing CKD Screening Guidelines is Imperative to Combat Global Health Crisis
February 12, 2025 / CKD Screening Guidelines / Chronic Kidney Disease Detection / SGLT2 Inhibitors / Kidney Health / GLP-1 Receptor
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) remains underdiagnosed, with delayed detection leading to severe complications. Advocates urge the USPSTF to establish CKD screening guidelines to enable early intervention, improve outcomes, and integrate newer treatments like SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Health insurer Vitality is first to offer UK members weight-loss jabs
February 12, 2025 / GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs / Vitality Obesity Treatment / Wegovy Mounjaro / Health Insurance Weight Loss
Vitality is the first UK insurer to offer discounted GLP-1 weight-loss injections (Wegovy, Mounjaro) for eligible members. These drugs aid weight loss and reduce health risks like cardiovascular disease. The initiative supports obesity management alongside dietitian coaching and lifestyle incentives.
Vertex lays out plan to increase access and launch non-opioid pain reliever Journavx
February 11, 2025 / Journavx non-opioid pain relief / Vertex Pain Management Drug / Opioid Alternative Medication / Hospital Pain Treatment Options
Vertex is launching Journavx, a non-opioid pain reliever, to expand pain management options and reduce opioid dependence. The company is securing pharmacy agreements and advocating for policy support to enhance access, particularly through Medicare and hospital adoption.
How pharma and health ads performed at Super Bowl 59
February 10, 2025 / Super Bowl / Pfizer Cancer Awareness Ad / Him & Hers / GLP-1 / Novartis Breast Cancer Campaign
Pharma ads at Super Bowl LIX focused on patient engagement and health awareness. Pfizer’s cancer ad was widely praised, Hims & Hers’ obesity medication ad sparked controversy, and Novartis’ breast cancer awareness ad took a bold, attention-grabbing approach.
In the crowded cardio space, it’s David vs. Goliath for small biotechs
February 11, 2024 / Cardiovascular / GLP-1 Heart Disease Treatment / Merck Cardiometabolic Pipeline
Tourmaline Bio’s pacibekitug, an IL-6 inhibitor, is being developed for cardiovascular disease by targeting inflammation. Competing with big pharma, it offers less frequent dosing than Novo Nordisk’s ziltivekimab and leverages GLP-1 data to de-risk its approach.
// 4th Industrial Revolution
AI screened 50,000 eyes to create retinal maps
February 11, 2025 / AI Retinal Imaging / Retinal Thickness Biomarker / Eye Scan Disease Detection / Ai Healthcare
AI analyzed 50,000 retinal images to create high-resolution maps linking retinal thickness to diseases like multiple sclerosis and metabolic disorders. This study highlights the potential of retinal imaging as a non-invasive biomarker for diagnosing and tracking systemic diseases.
AI Scribes Have Proven Their Value — Where Do They Go from Here?
February 11, 2025 / AI Medical Scribe Technology / Ambient Documentation Healthcare / Clinician Burnout / EMR Automation with AI / AI in Medical Billing
AI-powered ambient documentation tools reduce clinician burnout by streamlining note-taking and improving physician-patient interactions. Future advancements may enhance data retrieval, decision-making, and back-end functions like billing and claims processing, increasing efficiency across healthcare systems.
Oklahoma DOH replaces public health surveillance system with Conduent’s platform
February 11, 2025 / Oklahoma Disease Surveillance System / Conduent Maven Public Health / Outbreak Management / Public Health Data Analytics
Oklahoma’s Department of Health is replacing its legacy surveillance system with Conduent’s AI-enabled Maven platform to enhance disease monitoring and outbreak management. The cloud-based system supports real-time tracking of infectious diseases, improving public health response and decision-making.
OneStep and Yardi Partner to Bring AI-Powered Motion Analysis to Senior Living Communities
February 11, 2025 / AI Gait Analysis Senior Care / Fall Prevention Technology / OneStep Yardi / Partnership
OneStep and Yardi have partnered to integrate AI-powered motion analysis into senior living communities. This smartphone-based technology enables real-time gait monitoring, fall prevention, and proactive care, enhancing mobility and safety while supporting value-based care models through Yardi EHR integration.
Two biotech companies claim they use AI to design drugs from scratch. Do they?
February 11, 2025 / AI Drug Discovery Debate / Absci AI Drug Development / Machine Learning in Pharma
Absci and Generate Biomedicines claim to design drugs using AI, but analysis suggests their compounds are modified versions of existing drugs. The report highlights how AI’s role in drug discovery is often overstated, potentially misleading non-experts in biotech.
// Business & Markets
Biogen enlists Royalty for pursuit of lupus crown, securing $250M to fund phase 3 program
February 12, 2025 / Biogen Lupus Drug Litifilimab / SLE and CLE Treatment / Royalty Pharma Biogen Deal / Clinical Trials
Biogen secured $250M from Royalty Pharma to fund phase 3 trials of litifilimab, an anti-BDCA2 antibody for systemic and cutaneous lupus. With unmet needs in CLE and SLE, Biogen aims for regulatory filings between 2027-2029 while managing R&D costs.
Third Harmonic and Inventiva slash workforces
February 12, 2025 / Third Harmonic Layoffs / Inventiva Workforce Reduction / KIT Inhibitor Drug Development
Third Harmonic Bio and Inventiva are cutting their workforces by 50% to conserve cash and focus on single clinical programs. Both biotechs are halting early-stage research, with Third Harmonic prioritizing its KIT inhibitor for inflammatory diseases.
Gilead Sciences Beats Q4 EPS Forecast
February 11, 2025 / Gilead Q4 Earnings 2024 / HIV Drug Market Growth / Trodelvy Oncology Sales / R&D Investment
Gilead Sciences exceeded Q4 earnings forecasts, driven by strong HIV and oncology sales, particularly Biktarvy and Trodelvy. Despite declining Veklury sales and higher R&D costs, Gilead is investing in innovation, with lenacapavir expected to launch in 2025.
Novartis to boost cardio pipeline with Anthos Therapeutics buy
February 11, 2025 / Novartis Anthos Acquisition / Atrial Fibrillatioin Stroke Prevention / Cardiovascular Drug Development
Novartis is acquiring Anthos Therapeutics, securing rights to abelacimab, an anticoagulant in phase III trials for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation and cancer-associated thrombosis. The deal aligns with Novartis’ cardiovascular growth strategy, expanding its thrombosis treatment pipeline.
Elon Musk consortium launches $97.4B takeover bid for OpenAI
February 11, 2025 / Elon Musk / Open AI Takeover / AI in Healthcare / Innovation / Project Stargate / Medical AI / Moderna / Partnership
Elon Musk’s consortium has launched a $97.4B bid for OpenAI, which is expanding its AI applications in healthcare. OpenAI’s Project Stargate aims to accelerate disease cures, while partnerships with Moderna and others enhance AI-driven medical research and diagnostics.
// Legal & Regulatory
Amid takeover talk, SpringWorks scores FDA nod for rare genetic disease treatment Gomekli
February 12, 2025 / Gomekli NF1 Treatment / SpringWorks / FDA Approval / Merck KGaA / Rare Disease Drug Approval
SpringWorks secured FDA approval for Gomekli (mirdametinib) to treat neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) with plexiform neurofibromas (PNs), marking the first therapy for adults. The approval strengthens SpringWorks’ portfolio amid Merck KGaA’s takeover discussions.
Amlenetug receives FDA Fast Track Designation
February 12, 2025 / Amlenetug / FDA / Multiple System Atrophy Treatment / Clinical Trial / Phase 3 MASCOT Trial MSA
Lundbeck’s amlenetug, a monoclonal antibody targeting α-synuclein, received FDA Fast Track Designation for multiple system atrophy (MSA). Following promising phase 2 AMULET trial results, the phase 3 MASCOT study aims to further evaluate its efficacy and safety.
Biohaven Just Hurdled An FDA Setback — And Its Moving Lines
February 11, 2025 / Biohaven Troriluzole FDA Review / troriluzole clinical trial results / SCA Disease Progression Slowdown
The FDA has accepted Biohaven’s troriluzole for priority review as a potential treatment for spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) after new real-world evidence showed it slows disease progression by 50-70%. A decision is expected in Q3 2025.
Linvoseltamab BLA Accepted for FDA Review for the Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma
February 11, 2025 / Linvoseltamab FDA Review / Regeneron LINKER-MM1 trial / Bispecific Antibody Cancer Therapy
The FDA accepted Regeneron’s Biologics License Application (BLA) for linvoseltamab, a BCMAxCD3 bispecific antibody for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM). Backed by the LINKER-MM1 trial, a decision is expected by July 10, 2025.
BridgeBio wins EU approval for Beyonttra for ATTR-CM
February 11, 2025 / Beyonttra ATTR-CM Approval / BridgeBio Transthyretin Stabilizer / Bayer Beyonttra
The European Commission has approved Beyonttra (acoramidis) for transthyretin amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). The BridgeBio-developed oral TTR stabilizer showed improved survival and reduced hospitalizations. Bayer will handle commercialization, with a 2025 EU launch planned.
// Research & Development
Two-year Bimzelx data demonstrate sustained disease control in HS
February 12, 2025 / Bimzelx Hidradenitis Suppurativa Data / HS Treatment / Clinical Trials
Two-year Bimzelx (bimekizumab) data from the BE HEARD trials show sustained disease control in moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). 83.4% remained flare-free, and 86.9% maintained HiSCR75 response, highlighting its long-term efficacy and durability.
Single Dose of Broadly Neutralizing Antibody Protects Macaques from H5N1 Influenza
February 11, 2025 / H5N1 Antibody Treatment / Avian Influenza Pandemic Prevention / AstraZeneca
NIH researchers found that a single dose of the broadly neutralizing antibody (bnAb) MEDI8852 protected macaques from H5N1 avian influenza. Developed by AstraZeneca, the antibody provides prolonged protection, supporting its potential as a pandemic countermeasure.
NIH-Funded Clinical Trial Will Evaluate New Dengue Therapeutic
February 11, 2025 / NIH Dengue Clinical Trial / Phase 2 Dengue Therapeutics Study / AbViro AV-1 Antiviral Trial
The NIH-funded Phase 2 trial will evaluate AV-1, an investigational monoclonal antibody for dengue treatment. Conducted at Johns Hopkins and the University of Vermont, the study aims to assess AV-1’s efficacy in reducing symptoms and viral load.
Leaked Conference Article Shows Pfizer’s Positive Phase I Prostate Cancer Data
February 11, 2025 / Mevrometostat Prostate Cancer Trial / Pfizer / Cancer Treatment
A leaked ASCO article revealed Pfizer’s Phase I data showing mevrometostat reduced disease progression by 50% and mortality risk by 49% in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The EZH2 inhibitor is now in Phase III trials (MEVPRO-1 & MEVPRO-2).
New study offers hints of GLP-1 drugs’ potential in curbing alcohol cravings
February 12, 2025 / GLP-1 Drugs Alcohol Cravings / Semaglutide Alcohol Use Disorder / Tirzepatide
A small Phase 2 trial suggests semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) may reduce alcohol cravings in people with alcohol use disorder (AUD). While results are promising, larger trials—including Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly’s studies—are needed to confirm efficacy.
// Politics
Trump’s tariffs will trickle down the clinical trial chain
February 11, 2025 / Trump Tariffs Pharmaceuticals Impact / Clinical Trial Cost Increase / Biosecure Act Drug Manfacturing / Drug Supply Chain Disruption
Trump’s tariff policies on China and potential expansions to the UK, EU, and Mexico could increase drug manufacturing and clinical trial costs in the U.S. This may drive offshoring to India and Europe, disrupt supply chains, and impact trial site operations.
Trump signs order for job cuts across federal government
February 11, 2025 / Trump / Federal Job Cuts / Elon Musk / Government Efficiency / US Gov Downsizing
President Donald Trump, alongside adviser Elon Musk, signed an executive order to cut federal government jobs, aiming to reduce spending. Musk, leading the Department of Government Efficiency, acknowledged concerns over transparency but defended the downsizing initiative.
Senators Introduce Bill that would Add Work Requirements for Medicaid
February 11, 2025 / John Kennedy / Eric Schmitt / Medicaid Act / Senate
Senators John Kennedy and Eric Schmitt introduced the Jobs and Opportunities for Medicaid Act, requiring able-bodied adults without dependents to work or volunteer for 20 hours per week to keep Medicaid coverage, sparking concerns over coverage loss.
US states challenge Trump’s NIH funding cuts
February 11, 2025 / Trump NIH Funding Cuts / Cancer / Alzheimer’s Research Funding / State Lawsuit
A federal judge blocked Trump’s NIH funding cuts in 22 states, following a lawsuit arguing that the $4 billion reduction in indirect research costs would cripple studies on cancer, Alzheimer’s, and other diseases. A hearing is set for February 21.
Tariffs raise concern among generic drugmakers, as advocacy groups seek exemptions
February 7, 2025 / US Tariffs Generic Drug Impact / Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Disruption / Biosecure Act / Drug Manufacturing / Generic Drug Price Increase
The 10% U.S. tariff on Chinese imports threatens generic drug costs and supply chains, potentially causing shortages. Advocacy groups are pushing for exemptions, while companies explore onshoring and alternative suppliers to mitigate disruptions from tariffs and geopolitical risks.