Also known as: Nice, NICE
The UK MHRA approved oral semaglutide (Wegovy) as the first GLP-1 weight loss tablet on 11 June 2026. A new report links high-dose tirzepatide to anhedonia, and data show bariatric surgery declining sharply as GLP-1 use surges.
The European Medicines Agency is enforcing clinical trial transparency and has launched a new vaccine information initiative, while a coalition of health professionals warns of suboptimal vaccination coverage across Europe. An analysis also shows that only a portion of EMA-approved medicines are available to NHS patients in England after additional assessments.
OS Therapies achieved FDA, MHRA, EMA and TGA alignment on the Phase 3 design for OST-HER2 in osteosarcoma. The confirmatory trial must start before BLA grant and is expected in Q3 2026.
A breakthrough ovarian cancer drug, mirvetuximab soravtansine, is now available on the NHS, offering extended survival and improved quality of life. The 'biological missile' therapy targets cancer cells directly, reducing side-effects compared to standard chemotherapy. Up to 400 patients in England could benefit each year.
NICE updates type 2 diabetes guidance in England, recommending earlier use of SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists. Separately, a study finds SGLT2 inhibitors improve survival in Takotsubo syndrome patients.
EMA has initiated a rolling review of OS Therapies' OST-HER2 for preventing recurrence in fully resected pulmonary metastatic osteosarcoma. A potential conditional marketing authorization decision is expected in Q4 2026, with a confirmatory Phase 3 trial planned for Q3 2026 in Australia.
The UK is offering £20 million through Innovate UK to develop medicines, devices and digital tools for drug and alcohol addiction. Awards range up to £10 million for late-stage projects and up to £1.5 million for earlier-stage innovations, with applications closing on 6 May 2026.
A review of 17 studies involving 20,342 patients found anti-amyloid Alzheimer’s drugs had “trivial” effects after 18 months and increased the risk of brain swelling and bleeding. A separate PET study suggested ARIA-E may mark brain regions with greater amyloid plaque reduction.
NICE has upheld appeals to review its guidance on Alzheimer's drugs lecanemab and donanemab, sending the decision back to committee. The manufacturers argued NICE failed to account for the treatments' wider impact on unpaid carers. This comes amid broader challenges in neurodegenerative disease research following recent high-profile clinical trial failures.
New NICE guidance recommends offering SGLT-2 inhibitors earlier in type 2 diabetes treatment, potentially preventing 17,000 deaths over three years while saving the NHS £560 million through generic medicines.
