logo
Trump's Medicaid freeze, Ozempic for kidney disease, and 23andMe for sale: Pharma news roundup

Trump's Medicaid freeze, Ozempic for kidney disease, and 23andMe for sale: Pharma news roundup

Yahoo31-01-2025

President Donald Trump's move to freeze federal funding for a massive number of government programs impacted Medicaid payment systems across the country, briefly locking 72 million Americans out of their health insurance Tuesday. Novo Nordisk said this week that its diabetes drug Ozempic was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the first GLP-1 treatment for chronic kidney disease. 23andMe (ME), the company that popularized consumer genetic testing, announced this week that it is once again exploring 'strategic alternatives,' which could include a potential sale of the company.
Check out those stories and more pharmaceutical news highlights from this week.
The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) said on Wednesday that it would seek 'greater transparency' in drug price negotiations under President Donald Trump's administration. The statement follows criticism from the pharmaceutical industry regarding the program. 'As the second cycle begins under the Trump Administration, CMS is committed to incorporating lessons learned to date from the program and to considering opportunities to bring greater transparency in the Negotiation Program,' the agency said in a statement.
Read More
23andMe, the company that popularized consumer genetic testing, announced Tuesday that it is once again exploring 'strategic alternatives,' which could include a potential sale of the company or a restructuring. In a press release on Tuesday, the company said it needs additional liquidity to fund its operations and that 'management has determined that there is substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.'
Read More
Novo Nordisk (NVO) announced today that its blockbuster drug Ozempic was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the first GLP-1 treatment for chronic kidney disease among people with type 2 diabetes. The popular diabetes drug can now be used to reduce the risk of kidney disease worsening, kidney failure, and death due to heart disease in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
Read More
President Donald Trump's move to freeze federal funding for a massive number of government programs seems to have impacted Medicaid payment systems across the country, potentially locking 72 million Americans out of their health insurance. Several lawmakers took to social media on Tuesday afternoon to confirm that their state's Medicaid payment systems have been shut off. 'The White House is aware of the Medicaid website portal outage. We have confirmed no payments have been affected — they are still being processed and sent,' White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt wrote in a post on X on Tuesday.
Read More
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump's nominee for health secretary, reportedly expressed openness to seizing drug patents of high-priced drugs as a way to lower prices. Politico reports that Kennedy indicated during a closed-door meeting with Senate Finance Committee staffers that he would consider adopting a proposal championed by progressive lawmakers like Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. The outlet cited three unnamed sources familiar with the exchange.
Read More
The millennial-targeted telehealth company Hims & Hers (HIMS) is spending big bucks on its first-ever Super Bowl commercial to hawk its affordable weight-loss treatments. With Super Bowl ads reportedly costing about $7 million for a 30-second spot this year, Hims & Hers likely spent about $14 million for its one-minute commercial.
Read More
Pharmaceutical companies have already raised the price of over 800 brand-name prescription drugs this year. The increases apply to list prices before accounting for insurance, rebates to pharmacy benefit managers, or other discounts. This year's increases reflect a significant increase from Dec. 29 of last year, when drugmakers had shared plans to raise prices on just over 140 brands. More price hikes are also expected to be announced through the end of January, historically the busiest month for drugmakers to make increases.
Read More
LinkedIn (MSFT) co-founder and venture capitalist Reid Hoffman on Monday launched an AI startup aimed at discovering new treatments for cancer. Manas AI will use a proprietary AI-driven platform to help speed up the drug discovery process, from identifying potential drug candidates with 'paradigm-shifting speed and accuracy' all the way to clinical trials, Hoffman said in a press release. The company is initially focusing on treatments for breast cancer, prostate cancer, and lymphoma. Eventually, it intends to target other autoimmune diseases and rare conditions.
Read More
For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Pharmazz Inc. Secures $25 Million Strategic Equity Investment from Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
Pharmazz Inc. Secures $25 Million Strategic Equity Investment from Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Yahoo

time38 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Pharmazz Inc. Secures $25 Million Strategic Equity Investment from Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Funding supports pivotal Phase 3 trial for sovateltide, a potential first-in-class therapy that could transform the treatment of acute cerebral ischemic stroke WILLOWBROOK, Ill., June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pharmazz, Inc. ("Pharmazz" or the "Company"), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for unmet medical needs in critical care and neurology, has announced a $25 million equity investment from Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (Reuters: Bloomberg: SUNP IN, NSE: SUNPHARMA, BSE: 524715, "Sun Pharma" and includes its subsidiaries and/or associate companies), one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. This strategic investment brings Sun Pharma's total commitment in Pharmazz to $40 million (including a previous $15 million equity investment). 'We believe sovateltide has the potential to redefine the treatment of ischemic stroke, which has not seen a new FDA approved non-thrombolytic therapy in over 30 years. This investment means we are now fully funded to complete our pivotal Phase 3 study and execute on our mission to make this first in class therapy available to stroke patients,' said Emeritus Prof. Anil Gulati, CEO and Founder of Pharmazz. 'We deeply value Sun Pharma's continued partnership, which strengthens our ability to bring our therapies to patients worldwide.' The new funding will provide Pharmazz with the capital required to complete the pivotal U.S. Phase 3 clinical trial of sovateltide (known as Tycamzzi® and Tyvalzi™ in international markets), its lead drug candidate for treating acute cerebral ischemic stroke. Dr. Neil Marwah, President of Pharmazz, added, 'This investment gives us the operational runway to execute a complex, multi-country clinical trial and scale the company responsibly as we prepare for a potential public offering. We are thrilled to strengthen our partnership with Sun Pharma, whose continued support reflects deep confidence in our platform and our ability to execute.' Phase 3 Trial of Sovateltide for Stroke Covered by Special Protocol Assessment Sovateltide is a first-in-class endothelin-B receptor agonist to treat acute cerebral ischemic stroke that can be administered up to 24 hours after the onset of symptoms. Pharmazz has received agreement from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) for the study design and statistical analysis plan of its Phase 3 clinical trial of sovateltide for the treatment of acute cerebral ischemic stroke patients. Pharmazz is initiating the Phase 3 RESPECT-ETB ( ID: NCT05691244) trial at 65 sites in the US, Germany, Spain, and the UK, designed to enroll 514 stroke patients. The primary endpoint is the proportion of patients demonstrating functional independence post-stroke, defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0–2 at 90 days after stroke onset. Commercially Approved in India: Early Validation from 60,000+ patients Sovateltide was approved in 2023 in India and marketed by Sun Pharma under the brand name Tyvalzi™, offering compelling proof of concept for global commercialization. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial conducted in 158 cerebral ischemic stroke patients conducted in India, the product was shown to be well tolerated and effective in improving neurological outcomes when administered within 24 hours of stroke symptoms. Patients on Sovateltide were 22.7% more likely to achieve functional independence at 90 days (as measured by mRS score 0–2; p=0.0045) Sovateltide delivered a 17.1% higher rate of favorable National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores (p=0.0024) The ordinal shift in mRS and NIHSS score between control and sovateltide groups was favorable towards sovateltide across the entire range. Results represent the first statistically significant clinical data in stroke in 30 years, since the introduction of alteplase (tPA) Over 60,000 patients treated to date since commercial launch in India Targeting a Multibillion-Dollar Market with a Broader Therapeutic Window Stroke remains one of the leading causes of disability and death globally, with over 7 million ischemic strokes annually. Today, fewer than 15% of patients receive approved interventions, largely due to their narrow treatment window and strict eligibility criteria. Sovateltide's 24-hour dosing window and broader eligibility could expand access—particularly for underserved populations—and position it as a major advance in acute stroke care. If successful in Phase 3 and subsequently approved, sovateltide has strong commercial potential and is expected to be a foundational product in the Pharmazz emerging neurology franchise. About Sovateltide Sovateltide is a first-in-class drug to treat acute cerebral ischemic stroke, a condition in which the loss of blood supply to the brain prevents brain tissue from receiving oxygen and nutrients, resulting in potential brain damage, neurological deficits, or death. Sovateltide is unique because its action site is the neural progenitor cells. Sovateltide promotes neurovascular remodeling by forming new neurons (neurogenesis) and blood vessels (angiogenesis). Sovateltide also protects neural mitochondria and enhances their biogenesis. About Pharmazz, Inc. Pharmazz is a privately held company developing novel products in critical care medicine. Pharmazz, Inc. obtained marketing authorization for two of its first-in-class drug molecules, centhaquine and sovateltide, for hypovolemic shock and ischemic stroke, respectively, in India. In addition, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two phase III INDs for centhaquine as an agent for hypovolemic shock and sovateltide for cerebral ischemic stroke. Additional information may be found on the Company's website, About Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (CIN - L24230GJ1993PLC019050): Sun Pharma is the world's leading specialty generics company with a presence in specialty, generics and consumer healthcare products. It is the largest pharmaceutical company in India and is a leading generic company in the U.S. and global emerging markets. Sun Pharma's high-growth global specialty portfolio spans innovative products in dermatology, ophthalmology, and oncodermatology and accounts for over 18% of company sales. The company's vertically integrated operations deliver high-quality medicines, trusted by physicians and consumers in over 100 countries. Its manufacturing facilities are spread across six continents. Sun Pharma is proud of its multicultural workforce drawn from over 50 nations. For further information, please visit Disclaimer: Statements in this "Document" describing the Company's objectives, projections, estimates, expectations, plans or predictions, or industry conditions or events may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations. Actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect developments or circumstances that arise or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated developments/circumstances after the date hereof. Contacts: Pharmazz, Inc. Investors Kabir Marwah MediaShruti Gulati Tel +1 630 780 6087 Tel +1 630 780 6087 E mail E mail produjo un error al recuperar la información Inicia sesión para acceder a tu portafolio Se produjo un error al recuperar la información Se produjo un error al recuperar la información Se produjo un error al recuperar la información Se produjo un error al recuperar la información

RFK Jr.'s Policies Shouldn't Surprise Anyone
RFK Jr.'s Policies Shouldn't Surprise Anyone

Bloomberg

time39 minutes ago

  • Bloomberg

RFK Jr.'s Policies Shouldn't Surprise Anyone

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision to oust the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's entire panel of outside vaccine advisers is at once utterly shocking and entirely predictable. Every new action by the secretary of Health and Human Services seems more impudent than the last — all in service of undermining confidence in some of our most reliable public health tools. The magnitude of his dismissal of all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) — an independent panel of experts that makes recommendations on vaccine deployment in the US — is unlikely to register with the public. After all, this is a wonky committee that only fleetingly entered the public consciousness during the Covid-19 pandemic, when everyone anxiously awaited its verdicts on the first vaccines. But Americans will feel the effects of Kennedy's decision in their everyday lives — and it will happen sooner rather than later.

Research cuts pose ‘existential threat' to academic medicine and put nation's health at risk, new report says
Research cuts pose ‘existential threat' to academic medicine and put nation's health at risk, new report says

Yahoo

time44 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Research cuts pose ‘existential threat' to academic medicine and put nation's health at risk, new report says

Federal research funding cuts pose an 'existential threat' to academic medicine that will have repercussions for patient care in the US, according to a new report from the Association of American Medical Colleges, highlighting what it calls significant damage already done to the nation. The association, which represents 172 MD-granting US and Canadian medical schools and more than 490 teaching hospitals and health systems, noted in Wednesday's report that proposals in the House GOP tax and spending cuts bill could lead to a loss of health insurance for 11 million people enrolled in Medicaid or Affordable Care Act coverage and jeopardize loans for half of medical students. This is the first time in recent history when all three missions of academic medicine – research, education and patient care – are threatened, said Heather Pierce, the association's senior director for science policy. Typically, she said, when one is under fire, the others can compensate to ensure that health care is not compromised. 'This is the first time that all the missions of academic medicine simultaneously face these threats from our federal partners,' Pierce said. Should this trend continue, Pierce said, the United States will probably face a physician shortage, stagnation in scientific progress and a decline in the quality of medical care. Academic health systems, which include medical schools and teaching hospitals, educate future physicians and investigate complex medical cases, treating the sickest patients. The new report says these institutions are also twice as likely as other hospitals to provide clinical services such as trauma centers, organ transplant centers, birthing rooms and substance use disorder care. The report says patients treated at major teaching hospitals – where future health care professionals receive practical hands-on training – have up to 20% higher odds of survival than those treated at non-teaching hospitals. Funding cuts to these institutions have effects that trickle down to patients nationwide. The report noted that academic health systems conduct the majority of research funded by the US National Institutes of Health, and complex patient care is made possible only through extensive medical research. As of June, more than 1,100 NIH grants have been terminated since the beginning of the second Trump administration, according to the report. These include at least 160 clinical trials to study HIV/AIDS, cancer, mental health conditions, substance abuse and chronic disease. Although not all clinical trials involve life-saving treatments, for some people who have diseases that have no established therapies, trials may be their only option. 'We've made terrific progress in many diseases, but there are many diseases where we have a long way to go to be able to offer a newly developed treatment that we know can improve or lengthen their lives,' Pierce said. 'With those diseases, in many cases, the only way to try to move forward is with what scientists think are the very best potential treatments for those diseases.' Some of the clinical trials were terminated before their conclusion, which is unethical, she said. 'Halting a clinical trial before it ends at any point, even if all of the patients who are in the clinical trial finish their treatment, before data analysis has been done, before the results are released, renders that clinical trial less useful and less ethical,' she said. Patients take on the risk of uncertainty when they join clinical trials, not knowing whether the treatment will be effective. 'If we never know the outcome, all of that time, all those patients launching everything that they did to bring science forward has been wasted. In some cases, it could be years of progress.' The report notes that research funding has made crucial contributions to life-saving care. For example, the NIH funded the development of the first artificial heart valve with the first successful replacement at the NIH Clinical Center in 1960. Today, more than 100,000 heart valve replacements are performed each year. And a study also found that NIH funding contributed to research associated with every new drug approved from 2010 to 2019. Each year, medical schools and teaching hospitals that are members of the Association of American Medical Colleges train about 77,000 residents nationwide, making these institutions the primary producers of primary care and specialty physicians. Medicare offsets a portion of the costs for the majority of trainees, and teaching hospitals fully cover the cost of training for the rest of the residents. The proposed elimination of federal student aid programs and changing eligibility requirements for loan forgiveness would affect nearly half of all medical students, the new report says. Should investment not increase, the association predicts that the nation will face a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. As federal partnerships with research institutions continue to falter and immigration restrictions become more strict, the United States is becoming a less attractive place for students to pursue science, Pierce said. The nation has benefited from their longstanding global medical and scientific approach, she said. 'There is information being shared between countries, people being trained all over the world,' Pierce said. 'The United States has always been the place where people want to come, trained to be scientists and trained to be physicians, and we have benefited from that.' Nearly half of US graduate students in STEM fields are from other countries. If the United States is not seen as a place that will collaborate with and welcome international scholars, students and researchers will leave, Pierce said. She emphasizes that what makes US innovation unique is that research comes 'with not the support but the full partnership of the federal government.' A weakening of this partnership will make it 'harder for the United States to stay as the driver of innovation and science progress,' Pierce said. A physician shortage coupled with declining research investment leads to the suffering of patient care, she said. 'When the research stops, progress stops,' Pierce said. 'Scientific progress toward more treatment, towards more cures, towards a better quality of life, is all dependent on this ecosystem [of academic medicine] that is more intertwined than I think anyone realized.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store