Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
FDA Allows Early Access To Experimental Pancreatic Cancer Drug
HealthDay: Experimental Pancreatic Cancer Drug Daraxonrasib Gets FDA Green Light
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted expanded access for the use of an experimental pancreatic cancer drug, daraxonrasib. This means the drug will be available for early access to those who previously received conventional treatment for metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). A healthcare provider must request access to the medication for their patient, according to an FDA statement. (Huynh, 5/4)
More pharma and tech news —
Stat: Johnson & Johnson Advances IBD Therapy, Despite Trial Miss
A closely watched therapy developed by Johnson & Johnson failed to show a statistically meaningful improvement for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. But the company plans to advance the drug into late-stage testing, focusing on a growing subgroup of patients. (DeAngelis, 5/5)
Bloomberg: A $12 Billion US Deal Pushes India’s Sun Pharma Into Big Leagues
For Indian billionaire Dilip Shanghvi, who made his fortune selling cheap generic drugs to the world, it was clear at least more than a decade ago that a shift toward specialty treatments would be key to success in the crowded local market. Last week, his firm Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced a $12 billion deal that could be the biggest test yet in the company’s long-brewing bid to transform into an international giant. The company agreed to acquire New Jersey-based Organon & Co. in an all-cash deal that marks one of India’s largest global takeovers and challenges Shanghvi to merge a large, complex business. (Sanjay and Kalesh, 5/5)
Becker's Hospital Review: AI Is Finding Cancer Earlier. Are Systems Ready For What Comes Next?
Mayo Clinic research published April 28 showed an AI model could detect pancreatic cancer up to three years before clinical diagnosis. Projected to be the second-leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. by 2030, early diagnosis has a significant effect on survival outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients. The study from Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic adds to the larger evidence of AI’s value for cancer detection, but are health systems willing and able to scale these tools? (Gregerson, 5/4)
CNBC: Weight Loss And Hair Loss: The Growing Market From GLP-1s
A common side effect of many GLP-1 drugs is hair loss. It's creating a formerly untapped but growing market for hair treatment products. (Neelakandan, 5/2)
The Baltimore Sun: ‘I Intend To Stay On It Forever.’ Along With Rapid Weight Loss, Patients See Other Benefits And Risks Of GLP-1 Drugs
Two years ago, Jennifer Kirtley looked down at the scale and saw 328 pounds. Today, she’s looking in the mirror at a size 6. After a transformative 180-pound weight loss from weekly Wegovy shots, Kirtley says she is happy with her overall weight and health. (Goodman, 5/4)
KFF Health News: KFF Health News’ ‘An Arm and a Leg’: The Supreme Court Case That Could Slow Generic Drugs
The Supreme Court has heard a big case about “skinny labels” on generic drugs. It could shape the future of affordable prescriptions in America. The same medication can be used to treat many conditions. And each use can have its own patent, even though the drug itself never changes. When patents expire, companies can make their own generic versions — but only so long as they make it clear that it can’t be used for anything else that still has a patent. This is what’s called a “skinny label.” (Weissmann, 5/5)
Also —
The New York Times: 1,500 Beagles From Troubled Research Facility Are Getting New Homes
About 1,500 beagles in Wisconsin that have been at the center of a fierce fight waged by animal rights activists are moving to new homes. The state-licensed facility, Ridglan Farms, outside Madison, breeds the beagles for biomedical research aimed at improving veterinary medicine. Last fall, a special prosecutor found that Ridglan had performed procedures on the beagles that constituted animal mistreatment. The company has denied that it abuses animals. (Fortin, 5/4)
