Curated news and analysis on clinical trials, drug approvals, and medical research.
Alliance launches Phase III trial for stage I NSCLC immunotherapy; Allarity starts Phase 2 SCLC trial. Phase I NSCLC trial sites consolidate at top U.S. sites, prompting FDA representation concerns.
The US FTC is challenging a court ruling involving Johnson & Johnson's patent acquisition for Stelara, arguing it could weaken antitrust enforcement in pharma. Separately, Turkey's Court of Cassation ruled that patent holders who file infringement actions and send warning letters to third parties are exercising lawful patent rights, dismissing an unfair competition claim by a generic company.
Sanofi announces leadership transition with CEO departure and interim appointment, while reporting key regulatory milestones including FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation for venglustat and expanded Dupixent approvals. The company advances an observational RSV study in Australia and outlines strategic initiatives in AI drug discovery and potential consumer healthcare spin-off.
University of Alberta researchers have identified the protease GlpG as a new drug target for antibiotic-resistant E. coli, which causes hundreds of thousands of UTI deaths annually. Inhibiting GlpG prevented bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation in laboratory studies. The discovery addresses a global health emergency as antimicrobial resistance projections show it could cause cancer-level deaths by 2050.
Novartis has announced three separate partnership deals worth over $5 billion combined with Antares Therapeutics, Orionis Biosciences, and Unnatural Products. The agreements target undruggable cancers, molecular glue drugs, and cardiovascular therapies respectively using each partner's proprietary platforms.
A phase 3 trial shows that the oral drug enlicitide reduces LDL cholesterol by 60% compared to placebo, according to results published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Sponsored by Merck & Co., the trial involved 2,909 participants with atherosclerosis or at risk. If approved, enlicitide could help lower heart attack and stroke risk.
HHS launches broad initiative to boost US clinical trials amid global competition with China. FDA introduces real-time clinical trial monitoring and expedited programs. NIH Long COVID trials set to begin enrolling participants in summer 2026.
Multiple new studies highlight key factors affecting children's health and development. Research shows maternal cardiovascular health during pregnancy significantly impacts child developmental delays, with poor heart health increasing risk by 62%. A separate study found family finances and neighborhood opportunities account for about 16% of variability in children's brain function, while parental concern about illness proved highly accurate for detecting serious conditions in children.
Brazilian researchers developed a CT-based biomarker called VMD that combines visceral fat and muscle radiodensity to predict gastric cancer prognosis, with patient survival ranging from 13.8 to 58.5 months. The global PET imaging market is projected to grow to $1.4 billion by 2032 as cancer cases rise globally. Neuroendocrine tumor research is advancing with new funding and studies on Hedgehog signaling pathways.
A multicenter EFFORT Trial published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases found that 7-day high-dose primaquine and single-dose tafenoquine significantly reduced P. vivax malaria recurrence compared to the standard 14-day low-dose primaquine regimen. The trial, conducted across Ethiopia, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Cambodia, supports WHO guidelines and potential geographic expansion of tafenoquine use.
A case report describes eight-and-a-half syndrome in a 71-year-old man with hypertension and ischemic heart disease who presented with acute neurological deficits. MRI revealed an acute pontine infarction causing the characteristic triad of horizontal gaze palsy, internuclear ophthalmoplegia, and facial weakness.
The bladder cancer therapeutics market is expanding with recent FDA approvals including INLEXZO for NMIBC and a KEYTRUDA-Padvev combination for MIBC, while the NMIBC market reached approximately USD 3 billion in 2025 across seven major markets. Ferring reported record revenues exceeding €2.5 billion in 2025, driven by Adstiladrin as its second major growth driver. A robust pipeline of emerging therapies is expected to further transform the market through 2036.
Police in Portland, Maine, issued a public safety alert after 7 suspected overdoses in under 20 hours, while Huntington, WV, police seized over 900 fentanyl-laced tablets disguised as cartoon characters. Both departments warned of dangerous fentanyl contamination in the drug supply.
New rankings from WIPR and IAM Patent 1000 recognize top US patent firms and lawyers, highlighting expertise in pharmaceutical litigation, tech disputes, and strategic portfolio management amid shifting PTAB procedures and rising NPE campaigns in life sciences.
British Columbia has approved the $3-billion expansion of the Red Chris copper-gold mine, a key step for Newmont's final investment decision later this year. The project will extend the mine's life by over a decade and increase Canada's annual copper production by more than 15%.
The Fonds pour l'Innovation et le Futur de Genève (FIF) has awarded funding to six Geneva-based startups across two rounds, including Backbone, Crìa Technologies, Scenario X, Flottando, Axy, and Nose Switzerland, supporting innovations in AI, quantum computing, fleet management, and life sciences.
Multiple studies confirm high effectiveness of key antimalarial drugs in Indonesia, Ethiopia, and for malaria prevention in HIV-positive pregnancies. Research shows DHA-PPQ, artemether-lumefantrine, and other treatments remain well-tolerated with no delayed parasite clearance. Findings support continued use of current treatment policies while emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring.
A phase IIb trial demonstrated that low-dose IL-2 therapy produced dose-dependent improvements in SLE patients, with 69.7% achieving SRI-4 response at the highest dose versus 23.5% on placebo. A separate systematic review found IL-17 inhibitors remain potential SLE treatment options, though efficacy data are limited.
Swissmedic has authorized three orphan drugs for rare diseases: Breyanzi for mantle cell lymphoma, Alhemo for haemophilia A and B, and Ekterly for hereditary angioedema. The decisions include a new indication extension for Breyanzi, an expanded indication for Alhemo, and the initial authorization of Ekterly as part of a joint international regulatory initiative.
Regeneron announced FDA and EMA review acceptance for cemdisiran in generalized myasthenia gravis and FDA priority review acceptance for garetosmab in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. The garetosmab BLA is supported by Phase 3 OPTIMA trial data showing 94% and 90% reductions in new bone lesions.
