Curated news and analysis on clinical trials, drug approvals, and medical research.
President Donald Trump said U.S. negotiators will meet Iran in Pakistan as Tehran says a proposed deal could be ready within days. The talks come while the Strait of Hormuz remains shut and Trump says limited strikes are possible.
The 12th Breakthrough Prizes were presented in Santa Monica, with six awards worth $3 million each. The prizes recognize research achievements in life sciences, fundamental physics and mathematics.
Studies on immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy found pretreatment biomarkers strongly predicted checkpoint inhibitor-associated autoimmune diabetes, while hyperglycemia during treatment was common and did not worsen disease progression.
Healthcare stocks were described as a defensive sector facing 2026 reimbursement headwinds, while capex rankings showed HCA Healthcare, Johnson & Johnson and Merck at the top. The sources also highlighted how capex differs across providers, device makers and drug developers.
A preclinical study in Cancer Letters found that pairing targeted treatments with CAR T-cell therapy may help control recurrence in triple-negative breast cancer. In laboratory and mouse models, the approach slowed tumor growth and reduced spread to the lungs and liver.
Cychlorphine has been detected in central Kentucky as Tennessee authorities link the synthetic opioid to 41 deaths in 11 counties in 2026. The drug is believed to be 10 times more potent than fentanyl and is not detectable by fentanyl testing strips.
UniQure shares fell sharply after FDA comments appeared to raise concerns about the invasive delivery method for Huntington's disease therapy AMT-130. The company had planned a 2026 BLA filing after Phase I/II data showed a 75% slowing of disease progression at 36 months.
Biopharma companies face a $275b patent cliff as licensing activity shifts toward China. China represented almost half of 2025 licensing activity and contributes about 30% of the global biotech pipeline.
AbbVie said Skyrizi and Rinvoq generated $26.0 billion in 2025 sales and are expected to exceed $31 billion in 2026. The company said the two immunology drugs continue to offset Humira erosion and drive top-line growth.
Rznomics said it will present interim AACR results for liver cancer candidate RZ-001 from a U.S. trial in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Tumor-shrinking responses were observed, and about 23% experienced complete disappearance of cancer cells.
Tango Therapeutics said it plans to start a pivotal 300-patient randomized vopimetostat trial in second-line pancreatic cancer this year after FDA interactions. The company also reported early combination enrollment with daraxonrasib and zoldonrasib and said more monotherapy and combination data are expected later this year.
Laurel police said four people were arrested and one more is wanted after a two-month-long drug investigation. Officers said they found heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and a .38 caliber handgun at a Laurel apartment complex home.
The 2026 Dineen Cup Championship is set after Grand Junction beat Utah 2-1 to win the Mountain Division title on April 17. Grand Junction will face P.A.L. Junior Islanders, while South Shore will open against Idaho Falls.
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.
