Industry News, Content and Resources
Abbott’s Q1 2024 Earnings: Strong Medical Device Sales Lead to Raised Financial Forecasts
Abbott Laboratories experienced a robust first quarter in 2024, driven primarily by its medical devices segment. This resulted in overall sales surpassing Wall Street forecasts and an updated, optimistic financial outlook for the year. The company reported a 2.2% increase in total sales year-over-year, reaching $10 [...]
Expansion and Enhancement of Telehealth and Teletherapy Services Post-Pandemic
The pandemic significantly highlighted the benefits of telehealth, making remote medical consultations a preferred choice for many, especially those with recurring conditions who consult regularly with their physicians. This shift in preference has persisted even after the pandemic, leading to the expansion of teletherapy services. A [...]
Biden Administration Launches Global Health Security Strategy to Combat Infectious Diseases
The Biden administration has unveiled a comprehensive plan to strengthen global health security by assisting 50 countries, predominantly in Africa and Asia, to enhance their infectious disease response capabilities. Announced amidst ongoing difficulties in solidifying a global pandemic treaty, this initiative seeks to improve testing, surveillance, [...]
Study Reveals Racial Disparities in Prostate Cancer Care
A landmark study conducted by Analysis Group has highlighted significant racial disparities in the treatment and survival of patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC). Published in Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases, the research revealed that Black patients were considerably less likely to receive novel hormonal [...]
Regeneron Launches $500M Venture Investment Arm
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals is venturing into the investment domain, allocating up to $500 million for its new venture capital division, Regeneron Ventures. The initiative, led by former company executives Jay Markowitz and Michael Aberman, aims to support a broad range of health-related companies, extending beyond drug development [...]
FDA Proposes Eliminating Biosimilars’ Interchangeability Designation
The FDA is advocating for the removal of the "interchangeability" label for biosimilars to simplify the market and eliminate confusion. The interchangeability status, established in 2009, differentiated biosimilars that could be automatically substituted at pharmacies, but it has since led to misconceptions and is deemed unnecessary [...]
House Committee Grills FDA Commissioner on Drug Shortages and Inspections
FDA Commissioner Robert Califf faced intense questioning from the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability regarding the agency's preparedness for crises and its handling of drug shortages. Committee Chairman James Comer criticized the FDA for not ensuring the safety of food and drugs and noted a [...]
European Regulators Find No Link Between GLP-1 Drugs and Suicidal Ideation
European Medicines Agency (EMA) investigations have concluded that GLP-1 class drugs, like Ozempic and Wegovy, used for weight loss and diabetes, do not cause suicidal thoughts or actions. This follows similar findings by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The EMA's review, which began after [...]
Advantages of Early Minimally Invasive Surgery for Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Abstract: Recent trials examining the efficacy of surgical evacuation for supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhages have predominantly indicated no functional benefits over medical management. This study explores whether early minimally invasive surgery could improve outcomes compared to medical management alone. Background: The study was a multicenter, randomized trial [...]
Economic Paradox: Resilient Growth Amid Persistent Inflation
The economy defies expectations with its sustained growth despite high-interest rates that traditionally dampen economic activity. Employment rates are booming, and consumer spending is robust, reflecting an optimistic public about the economy's prospects. Meanwhile, the stock market is strengthening, and recession fears are subsiding. However, inflation [...]
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Acquires Alpine Immune Sciences for $4.9 Billion
Vertex Pharmaceuticals is set to acquire Alpine Immune Sciences for $4.9 billion, expanding its portfolio into the promising field of kidney disease with Alpine’s leading drug candidate, povetacicept, to treat IgA nephropathy. The acquisition price of $65 per share is a significant premium over Alpine’s last [...]
Mtech Access are exhibiting at ISPOR in the US
Atlanta, GA, USA, May 5-8 2024: Mtech Access are delighted to announce that they will be exhibiting at the ISPOR conference in Atlanta, Georgia, USA this May 5-8. As regular attendees of ISPOR Europe, the team are excited to be attending this global conference for the [...]
Sanofi to Close Kiadis Division Amid Pipeline Prioritization
Sanofi has decided to shut down Kiadis, a natural killer (NK) cell company acquired for $357 million three and a half years ago, signaling a strategic pivot in its research and development focus. Initially bought for its promising NK cell therapies targeting acute myeloid leukemia, among [...]
Ionis Pharma Advances Olezarsen Towards Launch for Rare Disease Treatment Following Promising Trial Results
Ionis Pharma announced its progress with olezarsen, an investigational compound for treating familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS), a rare disease causing dangerously high triglyceride levels and potentially fatal pancreatitis. Following positive Phase 3 results, Ionis is preparing for a U.S. launch by year-end, pending regulatory approval. Olezarsen, [...]
FDA Approves Earlier Use of Carvykti for Multiple Myeloma Patients
The FDA has broadened the approved use of Carvykti, a CAR-T cell therapy developed by Johnson & Johnson and Legend Biotech, for treating multiple myeloma. Previously designated as a fifth-line treatment, Carvykti can now be administered to patients who have undergone at least one prior therapy. [...]