Curated news and analysis on clinical trials, drug approvals, and medical research.
Otsuka Pharmaceutical said its U.S. subsidiary plans to acquire Transcend Therapeutics for $700 million, with up to $525 million more tied to sales milestones. The deal would add TSND-201, a methylone-based PTSD drug now moving into Phase 3 testing in the U.S.
Studies in gastroesophageal and locally advanced rectal cancers linked dynamic ctDNA monitoring to treatment response and prognosis. MRD clearance, more than 90% ctDNA declines, and early ctDNA clearance were associated with better outcomes.
Norovirus has been making its rounds again during the winter season, causing vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps that usually clear within one to three days. There is no specific medication, and hydration, bland foods and strict handwashing are the main measures recommended.
Additional phase 2 data showed alixorexton sustained improvements in disease severity, cognition and fatigue in narcolepsy type 1 through weeks 12-13. The oral orexin 2 receptor agonist was generally well tolerated, with no serious treatment-emergent adverse events reported.
Trump signed an executive order to speed FDA review of ibogaine and other psychedelic drugs and said the U.S. would dedicate $50 million to ibogaine research. The FDA is also preparing priority vouchers and steps toward the first U.S. human trials, while ibogaine remains linked to serious heart risks.
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.
Officials in Kentucky, the Carolinas and Tennessee are warning about cychlorphine, a synthetic opioid reportedly up to 10 times stronger than fentanyl. Authorities say it has been tied to overdose deaths and may require more Narcan to reverse overdoses.
A lipid nanoparticle gene-editing approach inserted a full healthy CFTR gene into human airway cells and restored 88% to 100% of normal CFTR function in lab tests. The nonviral strategy is intended as a mutation-agnostic path for cystic fibrosis.
India's rare disease treatment funding fell to Rs 32.73 crore in 2025-26 from Rs 82.87 crore a year earlier, while several Centres of Excellence reported unspent balances. In Madhya Pradesh, concerns were also raised over the absence of dedicated rare disease centres in most state-run medical colleges.
GLP-1 drugs are expanding in 2026 with oral semaglutide for weight management, rising patient use and broader commercialization. A study also found a modest increase in erectile dysfunction risk among men with Type 2 diabetes starting GLP-1 medicines, though the association weakened after stricter adjustment.
Zentalis selected a 400 mg once-daily, 5-days-on/2-days-off azenosertib regimen for Cyclin E1-positive platinum-resistant ovarian cancer after a DENALI Phase 2 interim analysis. The regimen is planned for DENALI and ASPENOVA as the company pursues a potential accelerated approval pathway.
Teva said the FDA accepted its New Drug Application for long-acting olanzapine for schizophrenia, with a decision expected later this year. The company also reported Austedo sales of $2.26 billion in 2025 and plans six biosimilar launches in 2026 and 2027.
Tacoma Police are launching DUI enforcement seven days a week, with a focus on evenings, weekends and late-night hours. The effort targets alcohol impairment, pot and “poly-drug use” and is backed by a $215,000 state grant.
Novartis is emphasizing innovative medicines across oncology, immunology, neuroscience and gene therapy. The company targets mid-single-digit sales growth through 2027 and core operating income margins above 35%.
The FDA approved acalabrutinib plus venetoclax for previously untreated CLL/SLL based on phase 3 AMPLIFY data. The fixed 14-month regimen improved progression-free survival versus chemotherapy.
A multicenter retrospective cohort study of 17 patients with type 2 diabetes and end-stage renal disease found injectable semaglutide was associated with descriptive changes in glycemic control and body weight. No cardiovascular deaths, nonfatal myocardial infarctions, or nonfatal strokes were observed during follow-up.
Neurent Medical has closed an oversubscribed €62.5 million Series C financing round for its Neuromark device for chronic rhinitis. The funding will support commercial expansion, broader evidence generation and pipeline development.
The congenital hyperinsulinism pipeline includes 4+ active companies and 4+ therapies across clinical and nonclinical stages. Zealand Pharma advanced dasiglucagon in January 2026, while RZ358 is in Phase III evaluation.
San Diego lab vacancy remains near record highs, with 31% of lab space sitting empty and asking rents falling for a 15th consecutive quarter to $5.55 per square foot. Leasing activity dropped to 223,000 square feet in the first quarter, while a handful of companies expanded or opened facilities in the market.
The largest CAR-T trial for pediatric solid tumors has opened in the US and UK, enrolling up to 60 young patients across four sites. The NexTGen study targets relapsed or refractory cancers and focuses first on safety and feasibility.
