Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Pfizer Targets AstraZeneca's Antibiotics Portfolio With Latest Acquisition
The Associated Press: Pfizer On Buying Spree With AstraZeneca Antibiotics Deal
Drugmaker Pfizer Inc. is continuing its shopping spree with its fourth acquisition since the April collapse of its planned $160 billion megadeal to buy rival Allergan PLC and move its headquarters, on paper, to Allergan's base in lower-tax Ireland. In its second deal this week, New York-based Pfizer said it's buying rights to Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca PLC's portfolio of approved and experimental antibiotic and antifungal pills, a move to boost Pfizer's business in one of its priority areas. (Johnson, 8/24)
The Wall Street Journal: FDA Rejects Amgen Hormonal-Imbalance Treatment
Amgen Inc. said Wednesday that government regulators have rejected its new drug application for its therapy for a hormonal imbalance common in patients on dialysis. ... Amgen said it expects to meet with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to discuss the agency’s decision sometime later this year. The company said it was reviewing the government response but didn’t provide specifics. (Minaya, 8/24)
KQED News: Nootropics, Biohacking And Silicon Valley’s Pursuit Of Productivity
Nootropics are trending right now. A crop of new companies are selling these so-called productivity or smart pills. The major customer base is a community of “biohackers” in Silicon Valley who hope nootropics will give them an edge in work and life. (Harnett, 8/24)
