// Biotech and Pharma Therapeutics
Ozempic’s popularity leads to shortages for people with Type 2 diabetes
July 10, 2024 / Ozempic Shortage / Type 2 Diabetes / GLP-1 Drugs / Weight Loss
The off-label use of Ozempic for weight loss has led to shortages for Type 2 diabetes patients. This shortage affects other GLP-1 drugs like Trulicity, impacting diabetes management and leading to serious health risks.
Free medical school tuition unlikely to have a major impact on the U.S. health care system
July 10, 2024 / Johns Hopkins University / Healthcare / Medical School Tuition
Free medical school tuition, as seen at Johns Hopkins University, may not significantly impact the U.S. healthcare system. Experts believe it won’t address physician shortages or reduce healthcare costs despite alleviating student debt for many medical students.
Carilion Clinic Selects Ensemble Health to Outsource Revenue Cycle Operations
July 10, 2024 / Carilion Clinic / Healthcare / Patient Experience
Carilion Clinic has chosen Ensemble Health Partners to manage its revenue cycle operations, aiming to enhance financial performance and patient experiences through Ensemble’s proven RCM expertise.
Alnylam Could Challenge Pfizer in ATTR-CM But Experts Want Full Data
July 10, 2024 / Amvuttra / Phase III Trial Results / Pfizer
Alnylam’s Amvuttra shows promising Phase III trial results in ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy, reducing all-cause mortality and recurrent cardiovascular events. Experts await full data to assess its potential to compete with Pfizer’s established Vyndamax.
AstraZeneca appoints WPP as one of its primary oncology network partners
July 10, 2024 / AstraZeneca / Oncology / WPP Partnership / Cancer
AstraZeneca has appointed WPP as a primary oncology network partner to support global and U.S. advertising for its cancer medicines, aiming to leverage creative expertise and innovative solutions to eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
// 4th Industrial Revolution
Empara Launches AI Virtual Assistant for Navigating Benefits
July 10, 2024 / AI / Virtual Assistant / Healthcare / Empara
Empara has launched Em, an AI virtual assistant designed to simplify navigating health benefits, improve member experience, and enhance service provider efficiency. Em provides personalized, intuitive assistance and integrates seamlessly with existing systems.
Cybersecurity Resilience in Healthcare Can Save Lives
July 10, 2024 / Healthcare / Cybersecurity / Ransomware Attacks
Increasing cyberattacks on healthcare systems endanger patient care and financial stability. Enhancing cybersecurity resilience with endpoint security, network segmentation, and enhanced authorization can mitigate risks and ensure critical healthcare services remain operational.
Weight-loss drugs could become a test case for AI
July 9, 2024 / AI / Weight-loss Drug / GLP-1 Personalized Care / Obesity
The convergence of AI and weight-loss drugs, particularly GLP-1s like Ozempic and Wegovy, offers potential for personalized care and improved treatment management. AI’s ability to analyze data can help address obesity and related conditions effectively.
How Tech Improves Workflow Efficiency In Pharmacies
July 9, 2024 / Pharmacy Workflow / Telepharmacy / Mobile Health
Technology is transforming pharmacies by improving workflow efficiency through automated dispensing systems, pharmacy management software, e-prescribing services, telepharmacy, and mobile health apps, resulting in better patient care, reduced errors, and streamlined operations.
3 aspects of cancer care ripe for AI augmentation
July 8, 2024 / AI / Cancer Care / Oncologist / Clinical Trials
AI augmentation in cancer care is focused on treatment decisions, radiographic response assessment, and clinical trial identification. Ethical considerations include explainable AI, patient consent, and safeguarding against AI bias, highlighting the need for structured AI education for oncologists.
// Business & Markets
Avesi Partners Closes $1.35B Fund for Healthcare and Business Services Investments
July 9, 2024 / Avesi Partners Fund / Healthcare / Investments
Avesi Partners closed a $1.35 billion fund to invest in lower-middle market healthcare and business services. The firm offers capital, expertise, and resources to help family-owned and privately held businesses achieve growth and long-term success.
Amylyx to rebuild pipeline with $35m Phase III ready GLP-1RA acquisition
July 10, 2024 / Amylyx / Eiger BioPharmaceuticals / Hyperinsulinemic
Amylyx Pharmaceuticals acquired Phase III ready GLP-1RA avexitide from bankrupt Eiger BioPharmaceuticals for $35.1 million to rebuild its pipeline. The Phase III trial for hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia starts in 2025, with results expected in 2026.
VC Firm Flagship Raises $3.6B to Create, Support 25 ‘Breakthrough’ Companies
July 10, 2024 / Flagship Pioneering Fundraising / Life Sciences / AI / Drug Discovery / Startup
Flagship Pioneering raised $3.6 billion to create and support around 25 new “”breakthrough”” companies in AI, human health, and sustainability. The funds will enhance drug discovery and development processes, leveraging generative AI for unprecedented impact.
Evotec and Pfizer Collaborate to Advance Drug Discovery in France
July 10, 2024 / Evotec / Pfizer / Drug Discovery / Metabolic Diseases
Evotec and Pfizer have entered a multi-year collaboration to advance drug discovery for metabolic and infectious diseases in France. Research will be conducted at Evotec’s French sites, with Evotec receiving funding, potential milestones, and royalties.
J&J agrees to slash Sirturo price in South Africa, prompting authorities to end antitrust probe
July 9, 2024 / Johnson & Johnson / South Africa / Tuberculosis Drug / Partnership
Johnson & Johnson will reduce the price of its tuberculosis drug Sirturo in South Africa by 40%, leading South African authorities to drop their antitrust probe. This follows J&J’s commitment to non-enforcement of Sirturo patents in 134 low- and middle-income countries.
// Legal & Regulatory
HHS Proposes HTI-2 Rule to Enhance Healthcare Data Sharing and Interoperability
July 10, 2024 / Healthcare / Public Health / Data Exchange / Healthcare Providers
HHS has proposed the HTI-2 rule to enhance healthcare data sharing and interoperability, focusing on seamless data exchange among patients, providers, payers, and public health authorities. Key aspects include improved public health response, value-based care, and enhanced security measures.
Addressing behavioral health resources and costs in Ohio
July 10, 2024 / Ohio / Healthcare / Miami University / Rural Health / Mental Health
Ohio faces a behavioral healthcare shortage. Alera Health’s population management tools will help integrate mental healthcare. Miami University has allocated $1 million to support future behavioral health practitioners in rural areas, addressing the high need for these services.
FDA Approves Atopic Dermatitis Label Expansion for Arcutis’ Zoryve Cream
July 10, 2024 / FDA / Approval Zoryve / Arcutis Biotherapeutics
The FDA has approved Arcutis’ Zoryve cream for treating mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in adults and children aged six and older. This expands Zoryve’s indications, previously approved for plaque psoriasis, targeting a large U.S. market.
US Government Files Appeal in High-Stakes HIV PrEP Patent Battle Against Gilead
July 9, 2024 / HIV PrEP patent dispute / Biden Administration / Lawsuit
The U.S. government is appealing a 2023 jury decision favoring Gilead in an HIV PrEP patent dispute. The jury ruled Gilead did not infringe on patents for Truvada and Descovy and found the patents invalid. The appeal challenges this invalidity ruling.
Court Losses Mount For Pharma In Legal Bid To Block Medicare Drug Price Negotiations
July 8, 2024 / Medicare / Drug Price Negotiations / Inflation Reduction Act / Boehringer Ingelheim Lawsuit
The pharmaceutical industry’s efforts to block Medicare drug price negotiations under the Inflation Reduction Act faced a fifth consecutive legal defeat, with a federal judge in Connecticut ruling against Boehringer Ingelheim. Previous rulings also denied challenges from Bristol Myers Squibb and Janssen Pharmaceuticals.
// Research & Development
After withdrawing ALS drug, Amylyx CEOs take lessons to rebuild the pipeline
July 10, 2024 / Amylyx Pharma / GLP-1 Receptor Antagonist / Avexitide Acquisition
Amylyx Pharmaceuticals is rebuilding its pipeline by acquiring avexitide, a Phase III-ready GLP-1 receptor antagonist, for $35 million to treat post-bariatric hypoglycemia and congenital hyperinsulinism. This follows the withdrawal of its ALS drug Relyvrio due to trial failures.
Targeted oncology firm hits the mark with Phase II win
July 9, 2024 / Cancer / MTAP-Deletion Cancer / Precision Oncology
IDEAYA Biosciences announced promising Phase II data for IDE397, a MAT2A inhibitor for bladder cancer and NSCLC with MTAP-deletion, raising shares by 15%. This addresses a significant unmet need as no FDA-approved therapies exist for this patient group.
Novo’s Ozempic, Wegovy linked to potential eye problem? Not so fast, analysts say
July 8, 2024 / Novo Nordisk / Ozempic Eye Problems / Wegovy / Diabetes
A study suggests a possible link between Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide, found in Ozempic and Wegovy, and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), but analysts caution against jumping to conclusions. Larger studies are needed to confirm any causal relationship.
Women Still Underrepresented in Medical Device Clinical Trials
July 8, 2024 / Women’s Health / Clinical Trials / Medical Devices / Gender Representation
A systematic review in JAMA Internal Medicine reveals ongoing underrepresentation of women in medical device clinical trials, with only one-third of participants being female. Cardiovascular device trials were the worst offenders, with women comprising just 29%.
NewAmsterdam Pharma enrols all subjects in trial of cardiovascular disease therapy
July 9, 2024 / NewAmsterdam Pharma / Clinical Trials /
NewAmsterdam Pharma has completed enrollment for a Phase III trial evaluating a combination therapy of obicetrapib and ezetimibe for treating heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in 407 patients with inadequately controlled LDL-C levels.
// Politics
House Speaker Plans to Vote, Pass BIOSECURE Act into Law This Year
July 9, 2024 / Biosecure Act / Mike Johnson / Legislation / China / Data Security
House Speaker Mike Johnson plans to vote on and pass the BIOSECURE Act, aiming to halt federal contracts with Chinese biotech companies to protect Americans’ healthcare data. The bill targets companies like WuXi AppTec and impacts U.S. biotech collaborations with China.
Biden’s health AI leads depart CHAI roles
July 9, 2024 / Health AI / AI Regulation / CHAI
Micky Tripathi and Troy Tazbaz, key leaders in health AI, have stepped down from the Coalition for Health AI (CHAI) amid concerns from Republican lawmakers about CHAI’s influence and diversity. Their departure follows significant progress in developing AI standards and frameworks.
House Speaker Plans to Vote, Pass BIOSECURE Act into Law This Year
July 9, 2024 / House Speaker / Biosecure Act / Legislation
House Speaker Mike Johnson announced plans to vote on the BIOSECURE Act, targeting Chinese biotech firms to protect U.S. healthcare data. The Act aims to halt federal contracts with these companies, with the goal of passing the legislation by year-end.
US government appeals Gilead’s trial win in Truvada, Descovy patent fight
July 9, 2024 / Gilead Patent Appeal / Litigation / US Department of Justice Appeal / CDC Patent Infringement
The U.S. Department of Justice appealed Gilead’s May 2023 court victory regarding patents for HIV prevention drugs Truvada and Descovy. The appeal challenges the earlier ruling that Gilead did not infringe on CDC patents and declared them invalid.
Drugmakers are losing crucial friends on Capitol Hill
July 9, 2024 / Bob Menendez / Drug Pricing / Andy Kim / Legislation
Pharmaceutical companies risk losing a key ally, Sen. Bob Menendez, amid bribery charges and an uncertain re-election. His potential successor, Rep. Andy Kim, rejects corporate PAC funds and supports more aggressive drug pricing reforms.