Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Progress In Opioid Vaccines, Genetically Targeted Leukemia Drugs
Fox News: Opioid Vaccine In The Works, Could Be 'Game Changer For Addiction,' Researcher Says
Research is underway to develop a twice-per-year vaccine that may help people overcome opioid addiction. The vaccine, which is being funded in part by a $25 million grant from the National Institutes of Health Helping to End Addiction Long-term Initiative (HEAL), targets fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid estimated to be 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. "This could be a game changer for addiction," Therese Kosten, professor of psychology at the University of Houston, said, according to a news release posted on EurekAlert.org. (Hein, 4/20)
Stat: Syndax Pharma Drug Shows Remissions In Leukemia Patients
Syndax Pharmaceuticals said Tuesday that its genetically targeted cancer drug induced complete remissions in patients with advanced leukemia, although questions may linger about a heart-related side effect that limited dosing. The Syndax drug, a once-daily pill called SNDX-5613, belongs to an emerging class of so-called menin inhibitors that have the potential to become effective treatments for certain types of genetically defined leukemia that do not respond well to currently approved medicines. These drugs work by blocking the interaction of two proteins that prevents bone marrow cells from developing or differentiating into healthy cells. (Feuerstein, 4/20)
Reuters: Fujifilm Starts New Late-Phase Trial Of Avigan In Japan For COVID-19 Patients
Fujifilm Holdings Corp said on Wednesday it started a new phase III trial in Japan of its Avigan drug for COVID-19, reviving hopes for a home-grown treatment for the virus. Domestic approval for the antiviral drug to treat the coronavirus was dealt a setback in December after a health ministry panel said that trial data was inconclusive. Fujifilm has over the years pivoted from its traditional camera and office solutions businesses to health care. (4/21)
Stat: Beam Unveils New CRISPR Base Editing Tool To Target Sickle Cell
Right now, trillions of donut-shaped red blood cells are whizzing through your arteries, ferrying oxygen from your lungs to the tips of your fingers and toes and everywhere in between. But if you’re one of the millions of people around the world who have sickle cell disease, this constant shuttle is constantly getting disrupted. (Molteni, 4/20)
