Biotechnology
Chamber of Commerce asks judge to block Medicare drug price negotiations before October 1
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce seal is displayed during restoration at the headquarters in Washington, D.C. Andrew Harrer | Bloomberg | Getty Images The U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday asked a federal judge in Ohio to block Medicare’s new powers to negotiate drug prices before October 1. The motion for a preliminary injunction is […]
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Nvidia invests $50 million in biotech company Recursion for AI drug discovery
A man wearing a mask walks past a Nvidia logo in Taipei, Taiwan. Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images Chipmaker Nvidia will invest $50 million in Recursion Pharmaceuticals to speed up the development of the biotech firm’s artificial intelligence models for drug discovery, the companies said Wednesday. Recursion’s stock soared 80% following the announcement. […]
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Illumina hit with record $476 million fine for closing Grail deal without EU approval
Rafael Henrique | Lightrocket | Getty Images European Union regulators on Wednesday fined Illumina a record 432 million euros ($476 million) for closing its acquisition of cancer test developer Grail without first securing regulatory approval. The European Commission’s fine amounts to 10% of San Diego-based Illumina’s turnover, the maximum allowed under E.U. merger rules. The […]
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EU expands Wegovy, Ozempic probe over suicide risks to include other weight loss, diabetes drugs
In this photo illustration, boxes of the diabetes drug Ozempic rest on a pharmacy counter on April 17, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Mario Tama | Getty Images The European Union’s drug regulator on Tuesday said it has broadened an investigation into the risk of suicidal thoughts and self-injury among patients taking Novo Nordisk‘s Ozempic, […]
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Few patients continue weight loss drugs like Wegovy after a year — but health costs soar for all
A selection of injector pens for the Wegovy weight loss drug are shown in this photo illustration in Chicago, Illinois, March 31, 2023. Jim Vondruska | Reuters Only around one-third of patients prescribed weight loss drugs such as Novo Nordisk‘s blockbuster injection Wegovy continued to take it a year later — but total health-care costs […]
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White House unveils plan to eliminate threat of fentanyl laced with xylazine
Bags of heroin, some laced with fentanyl, are displayed before a press conference at the office of the New York Attorney General regarding a major drug bust, Sept. 23, 2016. Drew Angerer | Getty Images The Biden administration unveiled a plan Tuesday to eliminate the growing threat of fentanyl laced with xylazine, an illegal street […]
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Novavax stock spikes 20% after company snags $350 million from Canada for unused Covid shots
Nikos Pekiaridis | Nurphoto | Getty Images Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Novavax shares jump on news of a settlement payment from the Canadian government. It’s unclear how many doses of Novavax’s jab – its only commercially available product after 35 years – went unused. Under the amended agreement, Novavax will also provide Canada with […]
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Medicare will pay for Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi. What patients and doctors should know
The Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi is seen in this undated handout image obtained by Reuters on January 20, 2023. Eisai | via Reuters Medicare has agreed to pay for the Alzheimer’s treatment Leqembi, a major turning point for patients who are diagnosed with the early stages of the disease. Leqembi is the only drug on the […]
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Sales of Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi may be slow initially but could pick up in 2024
Jay Reinstein, who suffers from Alzheimer’s, receives an injection so he can have a PET scan at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC on June 20, 2023. Michael Robinson Chávez | The Washington Post | Getty Images Sales of the Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi may be slow initially due to logistical requirements but could pick […]
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FDA approves Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi, paving way for broader Medicare coverage
The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved the Alzheimer’s treatment Leqembi, a pivotal decision that is expected to expand access to the expensive drug for older Americans. Medicare has promised to start covering Leqembi, with some conditions, on the same day the FDA approves the antibody treatment. Leqembi is made by Japanese pharmaceutical company […]
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