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Vertex to stop developing new painkiller as solo treatment after mid-stage study setback

Vertex to stop developing new painkiller as solo treatment after mid-stage study setback

Reuters8 hours ago
Aug 4 (Reuters) - Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX.O), opens new tab said on Monday it will not continue development of its experimental non-opioid painkiller as a solo treatment after it failed to meet the main goal of a mid-stage trial.
The next-generation drug, called VX-993, was found to be generally safe when tested in patients who had a bunion surgery, with most side effects being mild to moderate and no serious problems linked to the painkiller, the company said.
Wall Street analysts and investors have been eagerly awaiting the results of this trial that would help Vertex expand beyond its non-opioid Journavx, bolstering its pain drug treatments.
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Officials issue warning after E.coli outbreak is linked to RFK Jr's favorite drink
Officials issue warning after E.coli outbreak is linked to RFK Jr's favorite drink

Daily Mail​

time19 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Officials issue warning after E.coli outbreak is linked to RFK Jr's favorite drink

Florida is experiencing an outbreak linked to raw milk, a favorite of Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr and followers of his Make America Healthy Again movement. State health officials have reported 21 illnesses linked to Campylobacter and E. coli linked to unpasteurized milk. The pasteurization process involves heating milk to about 145 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes, which kills pathogens like E. coli, but raw milk skips this process. Seven people have been hospitalized due to drinking raw milk contaminated with harmful bacteria from a specific farm in Northeast or Central Florida, but officials did not disclose which one. 'Sanitation practices in this farm are of particular concern due to the number of cases,' the health department said. According to the health department, infections from Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and Campylobacter can lead to symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. In more serious cases, especially in children, these infections can result in kidney failure. In Florida, raw milk is legally sold only as pet or animal feed, not for human consumption, which reduces the ability to enforce strict sanitation standards. Labels on containers are required to clearly state that the milk is intended for animal use only. Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr has said he exclusively drinks raw milk. Supporters of the raw milk movement with the Make America Healthy Again push have celebrated his past statements about wanting to tackle the issue of making raw milk legal and more widely available nationwide during his tenure at the agency. Among the 21 cases of Campylobacter and E. coli in Florida, six were children under 10. Seven of the 21 people affected have been hospitalized but no deaths have been reported as of Monday. 'Floridians are encouraged to use this information to make informed decisions about their health and sources of raw milk should they choose to consume it,' the health department said. Sales of raw milk are illegal in eight states, while others, such as Florida, allow it with clear distinctions, such as making it for pet use only or available only on farm stands. Raw milk has garnered a cult-like following among conservatives, who believe each individual should decide what they drink regardless of risk. Since taking office, Kennedy's FDA paused a quality control program that evaluates labs testing raw milk intended for pasteurization, citing staffing cuts at the health department dating back to the Trump administration. Despite the pause, store-bought milk remains safe due to strict testing by state and federal agencies and the dairy industry Many believe the pasteurization process, which involves heating the milk and nothing else, strips it of much of its nutritional value, despite scientific evidence stating otherwise. Additionally, there are no beneficial bacteria in raw milk, according to the FDA, but it does hose a myriad of dangerous pathogens, including Salmonella, Listeria, and Staphylococcus. Since pasteurization of milk became routine about a century ago, the US has seen 'greatly reduced milk-borne illnesses,' according to the CDC. Illness still occurs, though. Between 1987 and 2010, raw milk and raw milk products caused 133 illness outbreaks, some of which were deadly, according to the FDA. Some wellness influencers claim that drinking raw milk may help alleviate allergies and illnesses, but these claims lack evidence. Sales of raw cow's milk are surging in the US, yet states have varying regulations on raw milk, with only a few allowing retail sales in stores and others allowing sales only at farms.

Indian equity benchmarks open muted as investors assess Trump's tariff threat
Indian equity benchmarks open muted as investors assess Trump's tariff threat

Reuters

time19 minutes ago

  • Reuters

Indian equity benchmarks open muted as investors assess Trump's tariff threat

Aug 5 (Reuters) - India's equity benchmarks opened little changed on Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his threat of harsh tariffs on goods from India over its Russian oil purchases. The Nifty 50 (.NSEI), opens new tab fell 0.01% to 24,720.25 points and the BSE Sensex (.BSESN), opens new tab lost 0.09% to 80,946.43 as of 9:15 a.m. IST. Trump on Monday threatened to raise tariffs on goods from India over its Russian oil purchases, while New Delhi called his attack "unjustified" and vowed to protect its economic interests, deepening the trade rift between the two countries. Analysts said the ongoing trade rift has hit the market sentiment, and expect the benchmarks to be rangebound until there is clarity over U.S. tariffs. Nine of the 16 major sectors logged gains at the open. The broader smallcaps (.NIFSMCP100), opens new tab and midcaps (.NIFMDCP100), opens new tab were flat.

Tyson Foods boosts revenue forecast as chicken sales rise
Tyson Foods boosts revenue forecast as chicken sales rise

Reuters

time42 minutes ago

  • Reuters

Tyson Foods boosts revenue forecast as chicken sales rise

Aug 4 (Reuters) - Tyson Foods (TSN.N), opens new tab raised its annual revenue forecast and reported better-than-expected quarterly earnings on Monday as consumers' increased appetite for chicken helped offset steep losses in its beef business. Shares rallied 4% after dropping on Friday to their lowest level since February 14 amid pressure from a nationwide cattle shortage. The herd dwindled to its smallest size on record this summer after a years-long drought dried up pastures used for grazing, forcing meat companies like Tyson to pay more to buy cattle to slaughter. Tight supplies also drove beef prices to record highs this year in a blow to consumers. However, Tyson benefited in the quarter that ended on June 28 from increased sales volumes and prices for its chicken. Chicken remains a more affordable protein compared to beef and pork, CFRA analyst Arun Sundaram said. Quarterly profit margins jumped for Tyson's chicken business, along with its pork and prepared foods units, compared to a year earlier. "The only soft spot in our business is the beef segment," CEO Donnie King said. Tyson expects fiscal 2025 revenue to grow 2% to 3%, compared with its prior forecast of flat-to-up 1%. The company raised its annual income outlook for the chicken business to between $1.3 billion and $1.4 billion from its previous forecast of $1 billion to $1.3 billion. Its beef business is now expected to lose $375 million to $475 million, though, compared with a previous estimate of $200 million to $400 million in losses. King said ranchers likely started the process of rebuilding the cattle herd by keeping female cows, known as heifers, on farms for breeding. Supplies will remain tight because it takes roughly two years to raise full-grown cattle. Tyson reduced processing line speeds at beef plants due to low supplies in the meantime, said Brady Stewart, who oversees the company's beef business. "We like that strategy moving forward," he said. Quarterly volumes in Tyson's beef business fell 3.1%, but sales grew 6.9% as prices jumped 10%. The segment had an adjusted operating loss of $151 million, including a goodwill impairment charge of $343 million. That compared with losses of $69 million a year earlier. Quarterly chicken sales rose 3.5%, with volumes up 2.4%. Tyson permanently closed U.S. chicken plants that employed thousands of workers in recent years to increase efficiency. "Tyson's portfolio is leaning heavily on chicken," said Alex Jarombek, senior analyst for research firm Consumer Edge. The company's total quarterly net sales increased 4% to $13.88 billion, beating analysts' estimate of $13.56 billion, according to LSEG data. Tyson posted adjusted earnings per share of 91 cents, above the estimate for 78 cents.

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