// Biotech and Pharma Therapeutics
16 new obesity drugs expected to launch by 2029
September 11, 2024 / New Drugs / Obesity / GLP-1 / Market Growth / Novo Nordisk / Eli Lilly
By 2029, 16 new obesity drugs are expected to challenge Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly in the growing GLP-1 market, projected to surpass $200 billion annually by 2031.
Bayer Asset Gives Roivant Sciences’ New ‘Vant’ a Shot at Besting a United Therapeutics Lung Drug
September 10, 2024 / Pulmonary Hypertension Treatment / Roivant Sciences / Hypertension Drug
Roivant’s Pulmovant subsidiary is developing mosliciguat, a novel treatment for pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD). Early data shows significant reductions in pulmonary vascular resistance, offering a once-daily alternative to current treatments.
GSK discontinues herpes vaccine; Roivant launches new ‘vant’ around hypertension drug
September 11, 2024 / GSK / Herpes Vaccine / Clinical Trials Results
GSK halts its herpes vaccine due to Phase 2 trial inefficacy, while Roivant launches Pulmovant to advance mosliciguat, a promising pulmonary hypertension drug licensed from Bayer, into Phase 2 trials.
Bullous pemphigoid latest conquest for Dupixent
September 11, 2024 / Dupixent Bullous Pemphigoid / Trial Results / Sanofi / Inflammatory Diseases
Dupixent has demonstrated effectiveness in treating bullous pemphigoid, meeting primary and key secondary endpoints in a pivotal trial, expanding its potential beyond existing approvals in multiple inflammatory diseases.
Transgene reinforces oncology drive with new CMO and CSO
September 10, 2024 / Oncology / Immunotherapy /Clinical Developments
Transgene has appointed Dr. Emmanuelle Dochy as CMO and Maurizio Ceppi as CSO to lead its oncology-focused immunotherapy programs, with Dr. Dochy overseeing key clinical developments and data readouts.
// 4th Industrial Revolution
AI threatens to cement racial bias in clinical algorithms. Could it also chart a path forward?
September 11, 2024 / AI / Healthcare / Pulse oximeter inaccuracy
AI algorithms risk perpetuating racial bias in healthcare, as seen with inaccurate pulse oximeter readings for darker skin tones. However, researchers like Leo Celi aim to develop AI solutions that address such disparities and improve patient care.
Dermatology Practice Deploys ZeroEyes AI-Based Gun Detection
September 10, 2024 / AI / ZeroEyes Security Technollogy / Lane Dermatology Safety / Gun Violence Prevention
Lane Dermatology has implemented ZeroEyes’ AI-based gun detection system, becoming the first private healthcare practice to adopt this proactive security technology, enhancing safety by rapidly alerting law enforcement to potential threats within seconds.
Neurode wants to treat and track ADHD symptoms through a wearable headband
September 10, 2024 / ADHD / Wearable Tech / Brain Activity Tracking
Neurode developed a wearable headband that uses electrical stimulation and brain activity tracking to treat ADHD symptoms. The device offers a non-drug alternative, requiring just 20 minutes of daily use, with future potential for cognitive decline and depression.
AI-Powered chest X-Rays detect lung cancer early
September 11, 2024 / AI / Cancer Detection / Chest X-rays
AI-powered chest X-rays can detect lung nodules nearly three years before lung cancer symptoms appear, improving early diagnosis. This breakthrough was demonstrated in a study using Qure.ai’s qXR solution at Phrapokklao Hospital in Thailand.
Ubie’s AI Symptom Checker Outperforms Traditional Methods
September 10, 2024 / AI / Ubie / Healthcare / Early Detection / Patient Care
Ubie’s AI-powered Symptom Checker demonstrated 63.4% accuracy in providing correct diagnoses within the top five suggestions, outperforming traditional methods and improving patient care by assisting over 10 million users monthly with early disease detection and health education.
// Business & Markets
Mercy Terminates Contracts with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
September 10, 2024 / Mercy / Anthem Blue Cross / Missouri / Healthcare
Mercy plans to terminate contracts with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield in Missouri by January 2025 due to rising costs and administrative challenges. Mercy aims to prioritize patient care, urging affected patients to advocate for improved insurance terms.
With $3B funding round, Bain set to make more biotech bets
September 10, 2024 / Clinical Trial Investments / Bain Capital Life Sciences / Investments
Bain Capital Life Sciences (BCLS) raised $3 billion in its fourth funding round to invest in transformative biotech companies, focusing on innovative medicines and medical devices. BCLS has invested in over 70 companies, facilitating 16 regulatory approvals.
New data add to doubts about AstraZeneca, Daiichi’s Enhertu successor
September 10, 2024 / Lung Cancer / Astra Zeneca / FDA Approval / Cancer Therapy / Daiichi Sankyo
New data from a Phase 3 trial of AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s lung cancer drug datopotamab deruxtecan showed it didn’t significantly extend survival, raising doubts about its upcoming FDA approval as a second-line treatment for non-small cell lung cancer.
Lilly’s efsitora shows potential as rival to Awiqli
September 11, 2024 / Eli Lilly / Diabetes / Once-weekly Insulin / Insulin Therapy
Eli Lilly’s once-weekly insulin, efsitora alfa, demonstrated positive Phase III trial results for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, offering similar A1C reductions to daily insulin while reducing injection frequency. Results were published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
American Cancer Society and Yosemite Award $6M in Research Grants to Innovate Cancer Scientists
September 10, 2024 / Yosemite-ACS / Cancer Research Grants / AI / Oncology / Immunotherapy
The American Cancer Society and Yosemite have awarded over $6 million in research grants to advance cancer innovation, focusing on immunotherapy and AI in cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. These grants aim to accelerate breakthroughs in oncology.
// Legal & Regulatory
After FDA rejection, Sanofi and Regeneron show data that could pave way for Dupixent to treat hives condition
September 11, 2024 / Sanofi / Regeneron / Dupixent Chronic Uticaria Trial
Sanofi and Regeneron presented positive Phase 3 data for Dupixent in treating chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), showing significant reductions in itch and hive severity. This data may lead to FDA approval after a previous rejection.
AbbVie sues rival BeiGene over alleged theft of cancer therapy secrets
September 9, 2024 / AbbVie / BeiGene / Lawsuit / Cancer Therapy / Trade Secrets
AbbVie is suing BeiGene, accusing the company of stealing trade secrets to accelerate development of a competing cancer therapy, a BTK degrader. AbbVie claims former scientist Huaqing Liu disclosed proprietary information to BeiGene after joining the company.
Scotland first in UK to approve new myeloma treatment
September 11, 2024 / Scotla / Drug Approval / Myeloma Therapy
Scotland became the first UK nation to approve Tecvayli (teclistamab) for relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients who have undergone at least three prior therapies. This first-in-class bispecific antibody significantly extends life expectancy for these patients.
3 FDA approval dates to watch in the year’s final push
September 11, 2024 / FDA / Schizophrenia / COPD / Cardiomyopathy Treatment
Three key FDA approval dates to watch in late 2024 include KarXT for schizophrenia (Sept. 26), Dupixent for COPD (Sept. 27), and Acoramidis for ATTR cardiomyopathy (Nov. 29), each potentially offering significant breakthroughs in their respective disease areas.
Immunis receives FDA clearance for Phase II sarcopenic obesity therapy trial
September 11, 2024 / FDA Clearance / Immunis / Sarcopenic Obesity Therapy / GLP-1
Immunis received FDA clearance for a Phase II trial of IMMUNA, a therapy targeting sarcopenic obesity. The trial aims to improve mobility and independence, following promising Phase I/IIa results in muscle function without adverse events.
// Research & Development
How a government scientist is pushing to supersize research into ultra-processed foods
September 11, 2024 / Ultra-processed Foods / Obesity Epidemic / Health Impact / Government Research
Government scientist Kevin Hall is urging food technologists to collaborate on researching the health impacts of ultra-processed foods, which he suggests may significantly contribute to overeating and obesity in the U.S.
Obesity drug worked in children ages 6 to 12, study says, raising hopes and concerns
September 10, 2024 / Saxenda / Obesity / Pediatric Obesity / Novo Nordisk
A 56-week trial of Novo Nordisk’s obesity drug Saxenda (liraglutide) in children aged 6 to 12 showed significant BMI reduction. However, concerns arise about long-term use in young children, as BMI increased after stopping the medication.
Drugs prescribed off-label may do more harm than good
September 9, 2024 / Off-Label Drug Risk / Respiratory Disease Study / Breathlessness Support
A study from King’s College London found that off-label use of mirtazapine, an antidepressant, does not improve breathlessness in respiratory disease patients and may cause side effects. Researchers stress caution and advocate for non-pharmacological treatments in severe breathlessness care.
Viridian’s drug cuts thyroid eye disease symptoms in late-stage study
September 10, 2024 / Viridian Therapeutics / Thyroid Eye Disease Drug Trial / FDA Approval
Viridian Therapeutics’ experimental drug veligrotug significantly reduced thyroid eye disease (TED) symptoms in a late-stage trial, positioning it as a potential competitor to Amgen’s Tepezza. The drug offers the advantage of less frequent dosing, with peak sales estimated at $2 billion.
Eli Lilly releases new data on weekly insulin
September 11, 2024 / Novo Nordisk / Obesity Pill / GLP-1 / Obesity Treatment
Novo Nordisk’s experimental obesity pill, Amycretin, showed significant weight loss in a Phase 1 trial, with participants losing up to 13.1% of body weight. Targeting both amylin and GLP-1 receptors, it may reduce nausea and muscle loss compared to GLP-1 alone.
// Politics
Biosecure passes House but Senate fate uncertain
September 9, 2024 / Biosecure Act / Senate / Opposition
The Biosecure Act passed the House with a 306-81 vote but faces uncertainty in the Senate due to opposition from key Democrats, who may push for revisions or delay its consideration until the next Congress.
House backs bill restricting China role in US biotech
September 10, 2024 / Biosecure Act / China / Biosecure Impact
The U.S. House passed the Biosecure Act, restricting collaboration with five China-based biotech firms to protect the pharmaceutical supply chain. The bill faces Senate review and could increase costs for drugmakers needing to shift away from China-based partnerships.
House backs bill restricting China role in US biotech
September 10, 2024 / Supply Chain Security / Biosecure Act / China / WuXi / Collaboration Ban
The U.S. House passed the Biosecure Act, restricting collaboration with five China-based biotech firms to secure the pharmaceutical supply chain. The bill may increase costs and shift business to U.S. contractors, but faces uncertainty in the Senate.
The little-known bill that made drugs more affordable
September 10, 2024 / Hatch-Waxman Act / Drug Price Competition Law / Generic Drug Market Expansion / Affordable Medication Legislation
The 1984 Hatch-Waxman Act streamlined the approval of generic drugs, allowing research before brand-name patents expire, while extending market exclusivity for brand-name drugs by five years. This law significantly increased access to affordable generics.
New York Senator Charles Schumer talks about lower drug prices and EEE concerns during Plattsburgh visit
September 5, 2024 / Medicare / Prescription Costs / CDC / Infaltion Reduction Act / Drug Prices
Senator Charles Schumer discussed Medicare Part D’s reduced prescription drug costs, starting in 2026, during a visit to Plattsburgh. He also addressed concerns about EEE, urging the CDC and EPA to enhance coordination and vector control efforts in New York.