// Biotech and Pharma Therapeutics
Texas public health official predicts the measles outbreak could take a year to contain
March 18, 2025 / Texas Measles Outbreak / Vacination Rates
A measles outbreak spreading from West Texas to New Mexico and Oklahoma may take a year to contain, warned public health officials. Low vaccination uptake and increased testing are driving rising case numbers, underscoring the need for immunization efforts.
Drug shortages could surge 25% as AI reshapes specialty pharmacy: Survey
March 17, 2025 / Drug Shortages / AI in Specialty Pharmacy / GLP-1 Therapy Demand / Medication Cost Regulation
A survey predicts a 25% rise in drug shortages within five years, worsening patient access. AI is expected to streamline prior authorizations, while GLP-1 therapy demand surges and drug affordability boards expand to address rising medication costs.
The importance of time: Grifols seeks biomarkers for early diagnosis of disease
March 18, 2025 / Parkinson’s Disease Biomarkers / Early Diagnosis / Neurodegenerative Diseases / Plasma Proteomics / AI
Grifols, in partnership with the Michael J. Fox Foundation, is using plasma proteomics and AI in the Chronos-PD initiative to identify early biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease (PD). This research aims to enable early diagnosis and inform therapeutic development.
Drugmakers agree to participate in second round of price negotiations
March 16, 2025 / Medicare Drug Price Negotiations / Inflation Reduction Act Pharma / Ozempic Wegovy Price Cuts / Novo Nordisk / Pfizer / Drug Costs
Drugmakers have agreed to Medicare price negotiations for 15 high-cost drugs, including Ozempic, Wegovy, Ibrance, and Linzess, under the Inflation Reduction Act. CMS will propose new pricing by June 1, with manufacturers given 30 days to respond.
Signadori Bio springs forth from Sofinnova and Gustave Roussy
March 18, 2024 / Signadori Bio / Cancer Therapy / Cell Therapy / Oncology Biotech Startup / Cancer Immunotherapy Research
Sofinnova Partners and Gustave Roussy have launched Signadori Bio, a biotech company focused on cancer cell therapy. This initiative aims to accelerate oncology innovation, leveraging expertise from scientific founders Jean-Luc Perfettini and Nathalie Chaput.
// 4th Industrial Revolution
Generative AI in Diagnostics: Quest Partners with Google Cloud for Enhanced Data Insights
March 18, 2025 / Quest Diagnostics / AI Partnership / Google Cloud / Healthcare AI
Quest Diagnostics is partnering with Google Cloud to enhance diagnostic insights using generative AI and advanced data analytics. This collaboration aims to improve personalized healthcare, physician decision-making, and operational efficiency while maintaining data privacy and security.
Sequel Med Tech’s twiist AID System to Integrate Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus
March 18, 2025 / Twiist AID System Diabetes / Abbott FreeStyle / Automated Insulin Delivery / Type 1 Diabetes
Sequel Med Tech’s twiist™ Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) System will integrate Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus CGM, enhancing insulin dosing precision for type 1 diabetes. The system offers personalized micro-dosing, affordability, and real-time insulin measurement for improved diabetes management.
Artisight, NVIDIA, and KARL STORZ Transform “Smart ORs” with AI-driven Automation
March 18, 2025 / AI in Smart Operating Rooms / Pathway.AI / Surgical Automation
Artisight, NVIDIA, and KARL STORZ are advancing AI-powered smart operating rooms with Pathway.AI, integrating computer vision, ambient listening, and automation to improve surgical workflows, perioperative efficiency, and patient outcomes while ensuring HIPAA compliance.
GE HealthCare Launches AltiX AI.i to Enhance Cardiac Procedures
March 17, 2025 / GE HealthCare / AltiX AI / Cardiac Catheterization / Cardiovascular AI Technology
GE HealthCare’s AltiX AI.i enhances cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology (EP) procedures by integrating AI-driven workflow automation, advanced signal processing, and real-time data analysis. These innovations improve efficiency, diagnostics, and patient outcomes in cardiac care.
Nimblemind.ai Secures $2.5M for AI-Powered Data Infrastructure Platform
March 17, 2025 / Healthcare AI Data Infrastructure / Clinical Data / Medical Decision Support
Nimblemind.ai secured $2.5M to enhance its AI-powered data infrastructure, converting raw clinical data into structured insights. The platform improves decision-making, predictive analytics, and specialty-specific AI models, expanding healthcare AI adoption across the US and Asia.
// Business & Markets
DispatchHealth to Acquire Medically Home, Creating One Large Hospital-at-Home Provider
March 18, 2025 / Hospital-at-home Merger / Dispatch Health / Value-based Care Expansion
DispatchHealth will acquire Medically Home, forming the largest hospital-at-home provider, delivering high-acuity care across 50 metro areas. The merger aims to expand in-home hospital-level care, improve patient outcomes, and support value-based care models.
brain.space Secures $11M to Pioneer Generative AI Mental Modeling
March 18, 2025 / Generative AI Mental Modeling / Congnitive State AI Analysis
brain.space secured $11M to advance Generative AI Mental Modeling, using its Brain-Data-as-a-Service system and Brain GPS® technology to map cognitive and emotional states. The funding supports Large Mental Models (LMMs) for personalized, AI-driven neurotechnology applications.
Adonis and Instacart Partner to Streamline Billing for Nutrition Programs
March 18, 2025 / Instacart Health Nutrition Programs / Adonis / Revenue Cycle Technology
Adonis and Instacart partnered to streamline billing for nutrition support programs, enabling Medicaid Section 1115 and ILOS claims. This collaboration expands access to healthy foods, enhances health plan partnerships, and simplifies claims processing for Instacart Health initiatives.
Wisp, Origin partner to expand women’s healthcare access
March 18, 2025 / Wisp Origin Women’s Health Partnership / Pelvic Floor Therapy / Telehealth / Women’s Health / PCOS Treatment
Wisp and Origin have partnered to expand women’s healthcare access, integrating telehealth reproductive care with pelvic floor physical therapy. The collaboration provides holistic support for postpartum recovery, UTIs, painful sex, and hormonal health through discounted cross-service access.
Italfarmaco and Medis ink distribution deal for DMD drug
March 18, 2025 / Givinostat DMD Treatment / Duvyzat European Approval
Italfarmaco and Medis Therapeutics signed an exclusive distribution deal for givinostat (Duvyzat) to expand Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) treatment across 17 Central and Eastern European countries, pending European Commission approval.
// Legal & Regulatory
RedHill to file FDA-approved Talicia for UK marketing
March 18, 2025 / Talicia UK Approval / RedHill Biopharma Talicia / MHRA International Recognition
RedHill Biopharma plans to submit Talicia for UK marketing approval via the MHRA International Recognition Procedure, leveraging its FDA approval. Talicia, a low-dose rifabutin therapy for H. pylori, aims to address antibiotic resistance and expand global access.
IRA round 2 begins as drugmakers sign on to price negotiation process with CMS
March 18, 2025 / Medicare Drug Price Negotiations / Ozempic / Wegovy Pricing / IRA
The second round of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Medicare price negotiations has begun, with 15 high-cost drugs, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Ibrance, under review. CMS will propose prices by June 1, with negotiations concluding by November 1.
Ex-San Diego biotech company VP admits to illegally selling $1.3M worth of shares
March 12, 2025 / Acadia Pharma / Insider Trading / FDA Nuplazid Labeling Issue / Stock Fraud
Former Acadia Pharmaceuticals VP George Demos pleaded guilty to insider trading, illegally selling $1.3M in stock before negative FDA labeling news about Nuplazid (Parkinson’s psychosis drug) became public, avoiding losses. Sentencing is set for May 30, 2025.
Tempus sues competitor over AI cancer diagnostic tech
March 18, 2025 / Tempus AI Lawsuit / Cancer Diagnostics AI / Intellectual Property in Biotech / Oncology
Tempus has filed a lawsuit against a competitor, alleging intellectual property theft related to AI-powered cancer diagnostic tools. The complaint claims the rival company has a history of copying technologies, threatening innovation in AI-driven oncology diagnostics.
Purdue Pharma submits opioid lawsuit settlement plan, including up to $7 billion cash from Sacklers
March 19, 2025 / Purdue Pharma / Opioid Settlement / Sackler Family Lawsuit Payout / Oxycontin Legal Settlement / Bankruptcy Court Opioid Case
Purdue Pharma submitted a $7 billion opioid lawsuit settlement plan, with the Sackler family relinquishing ownership and contributing funds over 15 years. The deal, supporting opioid crisis abatement, allows plaintiffs to opt-in or sue independently. Approval remains pending.
// Research & Development
Visirna’s VSA001 achieves positive Phase III results in China
March 18, 2025 / Visirna VSA001 / siRNA Therapy / FDA Breakthrough / Clinical Trial
Visirna Therapeutics’ VSA001 (plozasiran) met all primary and secondary endpoints in a Phase III trial for familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) in China. The siRNA therapy has Breakthrough, Orphan Drug, and Fast Track designations from FDA and EMA.
Liver Failure-Associated Death Reported in Patient Treated With Sarepta Gene Therapy Elevidys
March 18, 2025 / Elevidys Gene Therapy Death / Sarepta DMD Treatment Safety / Acute Liver Failure / DMD Gene Therapy
A Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patient treated with Sarepta’s Elevidys gene therapy died from acute liver failure. CMV infection may have contributed. This is the first Elevidys-related fatality, raising concerns over AAV gene therapy safety in DMD treatment.
EnteroBiotix cues up larger trial of microbiome IBS therapy
March 18, 2025 / IBS Microbiome Therapy Trial / Gut Microbiota Treatment / IBS-C Clinical Trial Results
EnteroBiotix’s microbiome therapy EBX-102-02 demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in IBS with constipation (IBS-C) in a Phase 2a trial. The therapy altered gut microbiota composition with mild GI side effects, supporting its potential as a novel IBS treatment.
AstraZeneca’s $1bn hypoparathyroidism drug achieves success at Phase III
March 18, 2025 / AstraZeneca / Calypso Trial
AstraZeneca’s eneboparatide, a PTH receptor 1 agonist, met primary and key secondary endpoints in the Phase III Calypso trial for chronic hypoparathyroidism, achieving calcium level normalization and reducing reliance on vitamin D and oral calcium therapy.
Nanobiotix tweaks J&J licensing deal for phase 3 cancer drug to eke out cash
March 18, 2025 / Nanobiotix JNJ-1900 Phase III / Cancer Drug Trial / Johnson & Johnson / Oncology Partnership
Nanobiotix restructured its licensing deal with Johnson & Johnson to sustain funding for Phase III trials of its radiotherapy-activated cancer drug, JNJ-1900 (NBTXR3), in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. J&J will now cover nearly all trial costs.
// Politics
5 Million Adults Could Lose Medicaid Under Work Requirements in 2026
March 17, 2025 / Medicaid Work Requirements / Health Insurance / Loss Projections / Urban Institute Medicaid
A new Urban Institute analysis warns that 4.6 to 5.2 million adults could lose Medicaid coverage in 2026 under proposed work requirements, primarily due to policy confusion. Loss of coverage would impact access to essential chronic disease management and mental health care.
Big pharma fears best-selling drugs in crosshairs of US-EU tariff spatdoors
March 18, 2025 / US-EU Pharmaceutical Tariffs / Drug Prices / Wegovy / Keytruda / Supply Chain Disruption
Pharmaceutical companies are urging U.S. and EU officials to exclude medical goods from escalating tariff disputes, warning that import tariffs could increase drug costs for essential therapies like Wegovy and Keytruda while disrupting global drug supply chains.
It’s Dr. Oz’s turn to tout AI on the Hill
March 16, 2025 / AI Healthcare Policy / Medicare / Medicaid
During his Senate confirmation hearing, Dr. Mehmet Oz highlighted AI’s potential to improve healthcare by streamlining pre-authorization, reducing provider paperwork, and detecting unfair insurance denials. He also emphasized the need for guardrails to prevent misuse.
Genetics expert is first NIH director to leave under Trump
March 18, 2025 / Stoke Therapeutics / Liver Failure / CRISPR / Arbor Biotechnologies
Stoke Therapeutics CEO Ed Kaye is stepping down, with Ian Smith serving as interim CEO. Sarepta’s Elevidys gene therapy was linked to a Duchenne muscular dystrophy patient’s death from acute liver failure. Arbor Biotechnologies secured $73.9M for a CRISPR-based rare disease therapy trial.
How Trump’s federal healthcare funding cuts could impact Pharma
March 14, 2025 / Trump / HIH Funding Cuts / FDA Layoffs / Drug Approvals / Biomedical Research Funding
Federal healthcare funding cuts under the Trump administration could slow biomedical research, impacting drug discovery and regulatory processes. The NIH budget freeze threatens innovation, while FDA staffing cuts may delay drug approvals and deter investment in early-stage biotech.