Damian bids farewell in the final edition of The Readout at STAT after 8 years of covering biotech. Meghana Keshavan will continue the newsletter. European regulators find no link between new obesity medicines and suicidal thoughts. Moderna halts plans to invest in a Kenya manufacturing site for mRNA vaccines due to insufficient demand. Vertex Pharmaceuticals…
A Botox nasal spray called Haytox is gaining popularity as a treatment for hay fever in Australia and the UK, despite a lack of clinical evidence to support its effectiveness. Claims by private cosmetic clinics hail Haytox as a breakthrough for chronic rhinitis, offering relief for several months without discomfort. However, the treatment has not…
A study published in The Lancet Neurology showed that subcutaneous infusion of ND0612, a levodopa-carbidopa solution, increases on time without troublesome dyskinesia in Parkinson’s disease patients. The study, involving 381 participants, found that compared to oral levodopa-carbidopa, subcutaneous ND0612 provided an additional 1.72 hours of on time without troublesome dyskinesia. Other outcomes, such as daily…
Researchers have developed a microfluidic device to improve the separation of tumor cells and clusters from malignant effusions, aiding in cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring. This technology enables the high-throughput, continuous-flow separation of single tumor cells, tumor cell clusters, and white blood cells. Understanding tumor clusters’ role in metastasis is crucial, and traditional techniques often…
Maria Davis-Pierre, a licensed mental health therapist, was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at age 38 after years of attributing her symptoms to ADHD. She experienced exhaustion, depression, and fatigue common in adults on the spectrum. Many adults with autism spend their lives masking their symptoms, leading to burnout. Seeking a diagnosis in adulthood is…
A recent survey of 204 US oncologists revealed ethical concerns about using artificial intelligence (AI) in cancer treatment decision-making. Most oncologists supported patient consent for AI use and believed they should be able to explain AI-based clinical decision models. However, few felt patients needed to understand AI models. When AI recommended a different treatment than…
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important, but often leads to falling into the trap of diet culture, which glorifies thinness and promotes restrictive eating habits. This can result in negative body image, disordered eating patterns, guilt, and shame. To combat these harmful effects, intuitive eating is recommended. Intuitive eating involves listening to your body’s cues,…
AstraZeneca was told by the CDSCO panel to submit an analysis of clinical data specific to the Asian and Indian population regarding their drug Durvalumab. The panel emphasized the importance of understanding how the drug affects these populations to ensure its safety and efficacy. By analyzing this data, AstraZeneca can provide more targeted and personalized…
Novartis is expanding its presence in prostate cancer with the acquisition of the small molecule drug ARV-766 from Arvinas for $150 million upfront, with the potential for up to $1 billion more based on milestones. ARV-766 targets disease-causing proteins for disposal by the cell’s built-in system. The drug has shown promise in targeting androgen receptor…
Dr. Chris Luke discusses his evolving views on politicians, influenced by his childhood experiences and the political figures of his time. He recalls his dislike for Nixon and Thatcher, yet softens towards politicians as he ages. He highlights the modern challenge of social media toxicity towards politicians, urging them to address real issues in healthcare….
