Novartis has signed a licensing deal with PTC Therapeutics for an experimental Huntington’s disease treatment, with an upfront payment of $1 billion. The agreement also includes the potential for another $1.9 billion in payments based on hitting development, regulatory, and commercial milestones. Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan stated that this deal aims to strengthen their neuroscience…
Colin Macdougall and colleagues discuss the challenges facing the UK National Health Service, citing workforce shortages and a crisis in healthcare. The NHS published a long term workforce plan in 2023 with ambitious goals to address these issues, including increasing medical school places, general practitioner training places, nursing training places, and dentistry training places. The…
New research indicates that fear of another heart attack plays a significant role in stress levels for survivors. This fear, separate from anxiety and depression, was found to contribute to increased stress levels. Factors such as age, race, alcohol use, and perceptions of their condition predicted fear of recurrence and stress. The study highlighted the…
A study led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health suggests that a higher ratio of plant-based protein to animal-based protein in the diet may reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD). The study, which looked at nearly 203,000 participants over 30 years, found that a ratio…
Groundbreaking studies on leukemia treatments and the effects of GLP-1 inhibitors on VTE risk will be presented at the ASH 2024 Annual Meeting. Research shows that adding blinatumomab to chemotherapy boosts disease-free survival in pediatric B-ALL patients, while eltrombopag is effective in treating severe pediatric ITP. Additionally, GLP-1 agonists may reduce the risk of VTE…
A new study suggests that depression may actually trigger severe menstrual cramps, with sleep deprivation worsening their severity. Dysmenorrhea, or severe period pain, affects 15% of women and can be either primary or secondary. Research found a strong link between depression and primary dysmenorrhea in both European and East Asian populations, with sleep disturbances exacerbating…
Drug development is a lengthy and costly process, taking an average of 14 years and $1-2 billion dollars to bring a new drug to market. The process involves discovering biological targets and molecules, pre-clinical testing in animals, and clinical trials on humans. Clinical trials have three phases testing safety and efficacy. Challenges include lack of…
West Cancer Center and Research Institute is using hologram technology to provide a more engaging telemedicine experience for patients. A 3-D projection of an oncologist is beamed into a room where the patient is sitting, creating a lifelike interaction. The company behind this technology, Proto Hologram, aims to enhance communication between health care professionals and…
The Biden administration is pushing for Medicare to cover obesity drugs, but also proposing changes to private Medicare plans. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are suggesting technical and policy changes to Medicare Advantage and Part D plans for 2026. More than half of Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, but issues…
Lung cancer screening using low-dose chest computed tomography (CT) can detect coronary artery calcium, a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), in patients without cardiac symptoms. A study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that 83% of patients screened for lung cancer also had coronary artery calcium, with high levels in 30% of…
A recent study published in Nature Microbiology investigated how gut transit time and pH affect variations in the human gut microbiome’s composition and metabolism. The study included 63 healthy participants and found significant variability in gut environment stability, with factors like stool moisture and pH influencing microbial composition and metabolic activity. Factors such as transit…
A study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of different initial treatments for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), comparing proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy, swallowed topical corticosteroids (tCS), elimination diets, and the biologic dupilumab. Results showed that elimination diets were the most cost-effective option from a payer perspective, while PPI therapy was more cost-effective from a societal standpoint. Dupilumab would…
The healthcare industry is facing rising global medical costs, projected to increase by 10.4% in 2025 according to the WTW Global Medical Trends Survey. This trend has been ongoing, with consecutive double-digit increases over the past few years. Insurers are struggling to keep up with rising costs due to factors such as new medical technologies,…
The top story in November discussed the impacts of CMS cuts on patient access, with an interview with an expert on the subject. FDA news also made headlines during the month. The CMS finalized cuts to the 2025 physician fee schedule, prompting concerns from the American Academy of Dermatology. The FDA approved Emrosi for rosacea…
The Biden administration is proposing Medicare and Medicaid coverage for weight loss drugs Wegovy and Zepbound, potentially costing $35 billion over a decade. Amgen’s obesity drug, MariTide, showed promising results with 20% weight loss in a Phase 2 study, leading to questions about its competitiveness. The results suggest MariTide could outperform other drugs like Wegovy…
The number of new HIV infections has decreased, but the impact on global health remains significant. In 2023, 1.3 million people acquired HIV, exceeding the target set by UNAids. Effective prevention methods like PrEp, condoms, vaginal rings, and injectables are available, but user decision-making plays a key role. A new framework called the decision cascade…
Groundbreaking research into thalamic connectivity is revolutionizing essential tremor treatment strategies, leading to more personalized and efficient deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapies. A recent study published in Brain highlights the intricate neural mechanisms involved in essential tremors, focusing on the cortical-thalamic-tremor network. By analyzing brain signals and tremor patterns, researchers identified specific connectivity patterns that…
Eating less red and processed meat may reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and lower mortality for those with the disease, according to recent studies. High red meat intake has been associated with various health risks, including T2D and overall mortality. Studies suggest that reducing processed meat intake could prevent hundreds of thousands…
Dr. Shirin Towfigh founded Hexagon Health in 2015 to address gaps in hernia care, particularly for women. She developed a textile mesh design to prevent complications in hernia repair procedures for both male and female patients. Hexagon is suing Medtronic, alleging that the medical device giant copied Dr. Towfigh’s mesh design. The lawsuit seeks financial…
In a Healio Video Perspective, Cynthia Matossian, MD, FACS, and David Evans, PhD, MBA, discuss “ad word” campaigns and the role AI may play in these campaigns. Ad word campaigns can be run on search engines like Google to place ads in response to specific keywords. AI can help determine keywords that attract patients and…
Stay updated on the latest science and politics in biotech with our newsletter. Adam Feuerstein is filling in for regular correspondents and reports that biotech companies are releasing all remaining news for the year before Thanksgiving, creating a hectic morning. The article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers, offering in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news…
Mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases are becoming more prevalent in Australia, with hundreds of types of mosquitoes posing health risks. Health authorities track mosquitoes to provide early warnings of disease risks, but citizen scientists are stepping in to help. The Mozzie Monitors program engages participants to monitor mosquito populations and contribute valuable data. By combining citizen…
The research published in Nature Communications shows that bacteria can modify their ribosomes when exposed to antibiotics, potentially leading to antibiotic resistance. Escherichia coli was studied after exposure to streptomycin and kasugamycin, which target ribosomes to prevent protein production. The study found that the bacteria developed new ribosomes lacking chemical tags where antibiotics bind, making…
Researchers have found evidence of microplastics in human brains for the first time, with 8 out of 15 brains showing the presence of synthetic polymers. Microplastics, measuring less than 5 mm, are commonly found in food packaging and water bottles. Exposure to these substances can occur through food, air, and skin absorption. While the health…
Andrea Stephany founded OncoSwab after her mother faced a 15-month delay in getting a lung cancer scan. The startup aims to develop a simpler and faster detection test using a nasal swab. Inspired by a hackathon, OncoSwab uses biomarkers in the air to detect lung cancer. Similar companies, like Breathe Biomedical, are also developing breath…
Think Surgical and b-One Ortho Corporation have collaborated on a robotic knee surgery solution. The FDA approved the Think Surgical TMINI robotic system for use with Mobio knee system implants. This collaboration allows Mobio knee system implants to be added to the TMINI miniature robotic platform. Think Surgical and b-One Ortho Corporation are excited about…
President-elect Trump has announced his picks for FDA commissioner, CDC director, and surgeon general. Marty Makary, an outspoken critic of the medical system, is nominated for FDA commissioner with a focus on addressing harmful chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Dave Welton, a physician questioning vaccine safety, is the planned nominee for CDC director with a goal to…
A study by researchers at Henry Ford Health in collaboration with WeightWatchers International found that over 40% of individuals in a weight loss program who used popular weight loss medications decreased their alcohol consumption. Medications like bupropion and naltrexone were associated with the greatest reduction in alcohol use. However, adjusting for weight loss may have…
A study examined the psychobiological responses of Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical doctors and paramedics during high-fidelity training scenarios over two weeks. The research found that emergency situations trigger stress responses that are essential for dealing with threats, but repeated exposure to emergencies can lead to burnout. The study highlights the importance of recovery periods for maintaining…
Recent studies have shown that diet plays a role in prostate cancer risk and progression. Diets like ultralow-carbohydrate, weight loss, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, and pro- and anti-inflammatory diets have been linked to affecting prostate cancer risk. Studies have shown that diets adhering to the US government’s recommendations and plant-based diets may lower the risk…
The Justice Department and several state attorneys general have filed a lawsuit to block UnitedHealth Group’s acquisition of Amedisys for $3.3 billion through Optum. The deal, which aimed to grow UHG’s presence in the home health and hospice industry, was scrutinized by the DOJ for antitrust concerns. The lawsuit alleges that the merger would eliminate…
A new survey reveals that asthma patients are facing challenges in managing their condition, with many also dealing with other health issues. The Asthma Society of Ireland is advocating for the establishment of a severe asthma registry to better understand the prevalence of severe asthma in the country. Meanwhile, research on a potential new asthma…
Physicians’ perceived control over aspects of their clinical work is linked to burnout and intentions to reduce clinical hours or leave practice. A study by Christine A. Sinsky, MD, and colleagues found that factors like team composition, patient load, and workload were independently linked to burnout. Lack of control over clinical work was associated with…
Health officials in British Columbia, Canada, have closed their investigation into how a teenager became infected with H5N1 bird flu due to lack of leads. The teen remains in serious condition but has shown signs of progress. Genetic sequencing revealed the virus is from wild birds in the Fraser Valley. Analysis showed signs of mutation…
Researchers have developed a technique to improve cell transplantation therapy for stroke or traumatic brain injury by using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived brain organoids. The study, published in Stem Cells Translational Medicine, found that treatment with the growth factor progranulin enhanced the survival and engraftment of transplanted neurons. This priming agent improved axonal extension…
3ROCKIT is a center at KIT that focuses on replacing animal testing with digital and technological solutions in healthcare. It follows a 6R principle to reduce, replace, refine, ensure robust experimental designs, register experiments, and publish negative results. Using AI and digital technologies, researchers create Virtual Human Twins for personalized medicine, simulate active ingredients and…
Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) was added to the DSM-5-TR two years ago, sparking debate over pathologizing grief and setting specific timelines. PGD is characterized by intense and disabling yearning for a deceased person lasting over a year, requiring evaluation to prevent distress, poor health, and suicide. PGD diagnosis involves specific symptoms persisting for a month,…
Halozyme has withdrawn its €2 billion offer to buy biopharmaceutical services firm Evotec after multiple requests to meet and discuss a deal were turned down. Halozyme, known for its technology for delivering biologic drugs, had been conducting diligence on the proposal for months before publicly announcing it. Despite believing in the benefits of a merger…
Specialty services have seen a significant increase in outpatient visits in Ireland, with ophthalmology being one of the top services. The Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital in Dublin managed over 14,000 patient visits last year, with nurses playing a key role in providing care. Nursing services administered almost 10,000 injections and achieved high patient…
A study comparing the application of a triple-combination gel for acne, including clindamycin phosphate, adapalene, and benzoyl peroxide, to the traditional layering technique found that the gel was more evenly applied in 100% of cases. The FDA approved this gel on Oct. 20, 2023. Dermatologist Zoe Diana Draelos stated that the triple-combination gel addresses the…
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics in the UK recommends setting guidelines for stem cell research that mimics aspects of embryonic development. They suggest not using these models to start pregnancies or making them capable of feeling pain or awareness. Current models are not advanced enough for these outcomes, but researchers are continuously improving them. The…
The new clinical guidelines recommend that combination treatment with an inhaled corticosteroid and formoterol should be the standard first-line treatment for asthma patients aged 12 and over, rather than prescribing short-acting β2 agonists like salbutamol alone. This approach, known as anti-inflammatory reliever therapy, aims to reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms to prevent hospital admissions and…
Significant progress has been made in the fight against the HIV epidemic in the last two decades, particularly in Africa where access to treatment has increased and HIV-related deaths have declined. However, there is a lack of momentum globally, threatening the strides made. Challenges include dwindling funding, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where most HIV cases…
Experts from LSHTM found that agreements made at COP29 did not fully address the impacts of climate change on health. While progress was made in integrating health into the climate agenda, significant shortcomings remained. Richer countries agreed to provide $300 billion annually to poorer countries by 2035 to tackle climate change, falling short of the…
A study involving 2830 older adults found that greater neighborhood disadvantage, exposure to air pollution, higher homicide rates, and reduced greenspace are associated with an increased risk for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Factors such as the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), fine particulate matter exposure, homicide rates, greenspace, and schooling location were linked to MCI. The…
Synapticure, a virtual care company focusing on neurodegenerative diseases, has raised $25 million in Series A funding to expand its services and partnerships. The Chicago-based company offers virtual access to neurologists, treatments, and care coordination services for diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS. The funding, led by B Capital, will be used to enhance AI-powered…
In 2023, there was a 15% decrease in new HIV diagnoses in Ireland compared to pre-pandemic years, with a total of 911 cases reported. However, almost 40% of cases were diagnosed late, with 61% of cases found in people already aware of their HIV status. The number of first-time diagnoses has been increasing since the…