Wed.May 22, 2024

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Michigan reports a human case of bird flu, the nation’s second linked to H5N1 outbreak in dairy cows

STAT

A second human case of bird flu infection linked to the current H5N1 outbreak in dairy cows has been detected, in a farm worker who had exposure to infected cows, Michigan state health authorities announced on Wednesday. In a statement , health officials said the individual had mild symptoms and has recovered. Evidence to date suggests this is a sporadic infection, with no signs of ongoing spread, the statement said.

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Pfizer and Lilly are elbowing into the direct-to-consumer market. Will it work?

PharmaVoice

Direct-to-consumer platforms offer consumers an online path to sourcing popular medications, but some therapeutic areas may be better suited for the business model.

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UnitedHealth argues algorithm lawsuit should be dismissed because patients didn’t spend years appealing denials

STAT

UnitedHealth Group should be released from a lawsuit that alleges its algorithm-based technology prematurely cut off care to its Medicare Advantage members, the company said in court filings this week, because patients and their families did not finish Medicare’s appeals process. “Plaintiffs have failed to exhaust the exclusive administrative appeal process set by the Medicare Act,” UnitedHealth’s lawyers argued.

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Drug shortages, cost concerns and iffy access — how DTC and telehealth could even the playing field

PharmaVoice

Companies like UpScriptHealth led the charge with online prescriptions decades ago, and now the industry is catching on to solve some of healthcare’s most pressing issues.

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From Diagnosis to Delivery: How AI is Revolutionizing the Patient Experience

Speaker: Simran Kaur, Founder & CEO at Tattva Health Inc.

The healthcare landscape is being revolutionized by AI and cutting-edge digital technologies, reshaping how patients receive care and interact with providers. In this webinar led by Simran Kaur, we will explore how AI-driven solutions are enhancing patient communication, improving care quality, and empowering preventive and predictive medicine. You'll also learn how AI is streamlining healthcare processes, helping providers offer more efficient, personalized care and enabling faster, data-driven

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Wastewater testing specifically for bird flu virus will scale up nationally in coming weeks

STAT

Less than a month ago, researchers reported for the first time the ability to scan wastewater for signs of the H5 influenza virus currently sickening dairy cows in at least nine states across the U.S. That technology is now at the threshold of real-world use. WastewaterSCAN, an infectious disease-tracking sewage surveillance network led by Stanford University and Emory University in partnership with Verily Life Sciences, has begun scaling up H5-specific testing of samples from all of its 190 sit

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Menopause care needs all of our attention

The Pharmacist

There are many reasons why pharmacists should be leading providers of menopause advice and care in primary care – not least for their personal wellbeing – suggests pharmacist and menopause lead at NHS England, Bukky Ayoade As pharmacists, we are gatekeepers of healthcare, entrusted with the wellbeing of our patients. However, amid our commitment to […] The post Menopause care needs all of our attention appeared first on The Pharmacist.

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More Trending

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Tony Blair Institute weighs in on use of NHS patient data

pharmaphorum

A think tank set up by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has called for the formation of a public-private trust that could oversee the sharing of anonymised patient data with trusted researchers.

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STAT+: Cue Health, Covid-19 testing company, is shutting down

STAT

In an abrupt change of course from plans earlier in the month, at-home test maker Cue Health is laying off all of its employees and shutting down as of Friday, May 24. The company, which grew to prominence during the Covid-19 pandemic as the maker of one of the only molecular at-home tests for the virus, has been teetering on the edge of insolvency for months.

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GSK’s twice-yearly asthma drug clears two phase 3 trials

pharmaphorum

GSK’s follow-up to its severe asthma therapy Nucala has shown its value in a pair of phase 3 trials, reducing exacerbations compared to placebo with dosing once every six months. The company says new IL-5 inhibitor depemokimab (formerly GSK3511294) has the potential to become the first ultra-long-acting biologic for severe asthma with a six-monthly dosing schedule.

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STAT+: Cytokinetics sells Royalty Pharma a share of its heart drug for up to $575 million, lowering hopes of a buyout

STAT

Cytokinetics, a drugmaker that is expected to soon launch a promising new heart therapy called aficamten, said Wednesday that it had agreed to pay biotech firm Royalty Pharma a higher royalty on the medicine in return for up to $575 million, which will be used to fund the marketing of the drug and Cytokinetics’ ongoing research and development efforts.

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Why Every Small Business Needs an HCM Solution: A Comprehensive Guide

Managing HR tasks like payroll, compliance, and employee data can overwhelm small businesses. That’s where a Human Capital Management (HCM) solution comes in. Our eBook, Why Every Small Business Needs an HCM Solution: A Comprehensive Guide , shows how an HCM system automates tedious processes, ensuring your business stays compliant and efficient. You’ll learn how to simplify payroll, eliminate costly errors, and empower your employees with self-service tools.

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NICE and the controversy over a ‘clinically distinct disease’ designation

pharmaphorum

The debate rages on as NICE considers a 'clinically distinct disease' classification. Learn how this decision could reshape the STA process and patient treatment options.

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Off-label treatment for alcohol use disorder is linked to slower liver decline, study suggests

STAT

WASHINGTON — There are three FDA-approved drugs for treating alcohol use disorder. But a different medication, one frequently used off-label for the condition, could provide greater benefit to patients with alcohol-associated liver disease, a new study suggests.  The data, presented this week as an abstract at Digestive Disease Week in D.C., suggest anti-seizure gabapentinoids might be a simple and effective treatment for slowing the progression of alcohol-associated liver disease.

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US senators accuse pharma firms of abusing patent system

pharmaphorum

Lawmakers across the political divide have accused the pharma industry of abusing the patent system to keep the prices of their products as high as possible.

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STAT+: Biogen joins immunology wave with $1.15 billion acquisition

STAT

Biogen is joining the industry’s fervor over immune and inflammatory disease drug development with a new acquisition. The Cambridge, Mass., drugmaker announced Wednesday that it will acquire Human Immunology Biosciences , or HI-Bio, for $1.15 billion and up to $650 million in additional payments if certain milestones are met. HI-Bio, which is based in San Francisco, is developing therapies for immune-mediated diseases like primary membranous nephropathy and IgA nephropathy, both of which

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Best Practices to Streamline Compensation Management: A Foundation for Growth

Speaker: Joe Sharpe and James Carlson

Payroll optimization can be one of the most time-consuming and complex factors of small business management. Yet, organizations that crack the code on streamlining employee compensation often discover innovative avenues for growth. With the right strategies in place, outsourcing and streamlining payroll processes can result in substantial time and resource savings.

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European Commission grants first-of-a-kind biosimilar approval

European Pharmaceutical Review

The European Commission (EC) has approved the first and only biosimilar versions of the reference medicines Xgeva ® and Prolia ® in Europe. Sandoz shared that Wyost ® (denosumab) is approved for treating cancer-related bone disease. Jubbonti ® (denosumab) is authorised as an osteoporosis treatment. The decision by the EC “is a major step in advancing the Sandoz growth strategy”, the company asserted.

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STAT+: New antiviral works against coronaviruses in mice, but human testing will have to wait

STAT

During the Covid-19 pandemic, vaccines were the main line of defense. Startlingly effective shots quickly helped immunize a large portion of the population — at least initially, and in high-income countries. Antiviral treatments were not as impactful. Remdesivir requires transfusions, which made it difficult to access; Paxlovid is easier to obtain, but has more unpleasant side effects, and carries the risk of rebound.

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RPS announces results of national pharmacy board elections

The Pharmacist

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has unveiled the newly elected members to its three national pharmacy boards. Candidates elected to the eight substantive places on the English Pharmacy Board were: Claire Anderson (three-year term) Martin Astbury (three-year term) Steve Churton (two-year term) Ciara Duffy (three-year term) Sue Ladds (three-year term) Mike Maguire (two-year term) Tase […] The post RPS announces results of national pharmacy board elections appeared first on The Pharmac

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Opinion: Digital health: a case of mistaken identity

STAT

History and literature are replete with cautionary tales on the dangers of pretending to be someone — or something — you aren’t. Many digital health companies failed to heed the lesson, and the results have been predictable. Technology has upended virtually every known industry and customer experience, health care included. Sadly, health care is at or near the bottom when it comes to providing users with good experiences.

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Enhance Healthcare Efficiency With Top Payroll & HCM Services

Running a healthcare facility requires precision and care, not just for patients but also for your staff. Our guide, "A Buyer’s Guide to Payroll & HCM Services," helps healthcare providers choose the best provider. Efficient payroll management ensures timely, accurate payments, critical for maintaining staff morale and trust. Compliance support helps navigate complex healthcare regulations and avoid costly fines.

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Click buys Better assets to speed its digital obesity drive

pharmaphorum

Digital health firm Click Therapeutics has bought the assets of Better Therapeutics to speed up development of a prescription digital therapeutic for obesity

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STAT+: Eyeing GLP-1 opportunity, Click buys assets of Better Therapeutics

STAT

Digital therapeutics company Click Therapeutics announced Wednesday it will acquire the assets of Better Therapeutics, developer of a software-based treatment for diabetes. Click, which did not disclose how much it is paying for the assets, hopes to adapt Better’s tech for use alongside GLP-1 medications. Better Therapeutics announced in March that it was delisting from the Nasdaq stock exchange and shutting down operations as it sought strategic alternatives.

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New ‘plug and play’ system to offer novel way of delivering vaccines and treatments

Pharma Times

The nanocage technology combines both mRNA and traditional virus-based vaccines to create virus-like efficacious vaccines

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Opinion: What clinical real-world data can deliver

STAT

Thanks to new regulatory frameworks like the Food and Drug Administration’s Breakthrough Therapy designation , drugs are coming to market faster than ever. A 2024 analysis of drugs included in this program showed they had 23% shorter clinical development timelines than those that were not part of the program, with no negative effects on their safety profiles.

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Position Your Pharmacy for Expansion

Speaker: Chris Antypas and Josh Halladay

Access to limited distribution drugs and payer contracts are key to pharmacy expansion. But how do you prepare your operations to take the next step? Meaningful data: Collect and share clinical data regarding outcomes, utilization, and more Reporting: Limited distribution models require efficient tracking and reporting systems Workflows: Align workflows with specific pharma and payer contractual requirements For in-depth, expert insights on pharmacy expansion, watch this webinar from Inovalon.

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Bristol Myers Squibb Plans 10-Year Strategy to Expand Access to Medications

PharmaTech

The company is collaborating with the Access to Oncology Medicines Coalition to expand patient access to immuno-oncology therapy Opdivo.

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STAT+: FDA poised to publish guidelines for clinical trial diversity

STAT

The Food and Drug Administration is poised to tell drug and medical device makers how to better include people of color in the clinical trials that test whether products work and are safe, an agency official said Wednesday. Those guidelines are five months late. To ensure that drugs work for everyone, they must be tested on a representative sample of people.

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No nitrosamines: How parenteral packaging is evolving to meet today’s E&L challenges

Pharmaceutical Technology

As the nitrosamine scandal continues, we explore the advancements in parenteral packaging materials that are reducing the risk of this contaminant in modern injectables.

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Maryland takes first steps to cap drug costs

STAT

Want to stay on top of the science and politics driving biotech today?  Sign up  to get our biotech newsletter in your inbox. Good morning. About a month ago, when I first started writing this newsletter, I shared the devastating news that the famed rat hole here in Chicago  was being removed. But as summer approaches, it appears there now may be a new animal-shaped indentation for us all to obsess over — the  Chicago cicada hole.

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5 Reasons to Upgrade Your Pharmacy Management Software

Are you still using workarounds to manage your daily operations? To achieve peak performance, it's time to explore other options for specialty and infusion pharmacy software. Streamline pharmacy operations and improve clinical performance with automated processing, real-time data exchange, and electronic decision support. Download this helpful infographic to: Drive efficiency and patient adherence from referral receipt to delivery and ongoing care – all with our Pharmacy Cloud.

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European authorities recognised for leading medicine regulatory oversight

European Pharmaceutical Review

A total of 33 regulatory authorities have been granted designation as World Health Organization ( WHO ) Listed Authorities under the WLA framework. The agencies holding this status have been approved and validated as compliant and committed to upholding the “highest level of regulatory standards and practices for quality, safety and efficacy of medicines and vaccines ”.

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STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re watching a ban compounded versions of GLP-1s, a Biogen acquisition, and more

STAT

Good morning from San Diego. This is Jonathan Wosen, West Coast biotech and life sciences reporter, filling in for Ed Silverman while he’s away from the Pharmalittle campus. I’m not a coffee drinker, but who needs caffeine when you’ve got the raw adrenaline rush of drug industry news to jolt you awake? If you don’t believe me, just read these items.

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UK lung cancer study demonstrates further evidence on importance of CT screening

Pharma Times

Currently the third most common cancer in the UK, lung cancer affects 40,000 people annually

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Listen: A conversation with researcher Kevin Esvelt on the urgency of improving biosecurity measures

STAT

If you ask a chatbot how to cause a pandemic, it will suggest the 1918 influenza virus, according to researcher Kevin Esvelt. It will even tell you where to find the gene sequences online and where to purchase the genetic components. Esvelt is a biologist and MIT professor whose work has included altering the genes of mice to prevent the spread of Lyme disease.

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Immune checkpoint enhancer biotech AltruBio raises $225m

pharmaphorum

Immune checkpoint enhancer biotech AltruBio raises $225m to support phase 2 trials of its PSGL-1-targeted drug for ulcerative colitis