Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
FDA Approves Drug Cocktail To Treat Mesothelioma
Fox News: Drug Combo To Treat Mesothelioma Approved By FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday announced approval for a drug combo to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma, a cancer associated with inhalation of asbestos fibers. According to the federal agency, Opdivo (nivolumab) along with Yervoy (ipilimumab) marks the first regimen approved for mesothelioma in 16 years. (Rivas, 10/5)
Stat: Bristol Myers Squibb To Buy MyoKardia For $13 Billion
Bristol Myers Squibb said that it will purchase MyoKardia, an 8-year-old developer of an experimental heart drug, for $13.1 billion in cash. The deal price, at $225 per MyoKardia share, represents a 61% premium to the closing price of MyoKardia shares on Friday. (Herper, 10/5)
Stat: FDA Issues Rare Emergency Authorization For AI Tool For Covid-19 Care
In less than a year, the pandemic has spurred the development of countless artificial intelligence models designed to aid in the diagnosis of Covid-19 and spot early warning signs of severe illness among those infected. But so far, only a few have received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration. That scarcity is a sign of the newness of these tools — as well as the murkiness of the regulatory landscape at a time when unapproved algorithms are being widely tested and rolled out in the clinic. (Robbins, 10/5)
