Medtronic plc’s Evolut Low-Risk trial continued to show non-inferiority of transcatheter aortic valve replacement to surgical aortic valve replacement in terms of death or disabling stroke at five years in a late-breaking presentation at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session in Chicago on March 30.
When every minute matters, quickly determining which patients in the emergency department need urgent care for myocardial infarction can save lives. Researchers at the University Hospital Münster in Münster, Germany, developed a deep learning model that can detect features on electrocardiograms that more accurately identifies which patients require urgent revascularization than clinicians and provides results faster than high-sensitivity troponin lab tests.
Sanofi SA gained U.S. FDA approval for fitusiran as a first-in-class siRNA therapy for hemophilia. Branded Qfitlia, the antithrombin-lowering therapy is indicated for use as a prophylactic treatment to prevent or reduce bleeding episodes in people with hemophilia A or B, with or without inhibitors.
Vaxcyte Inc. characterized its latest phase II data with VAX-24 as positive but Wall Street wasn’t so sure about the dose-finding outcomes with the 24-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), and shares of the San Carlos, Calif.-based firm (NASDAQ:PCVX) closed March 31 at $37.76, down $31.70, or 46%.
Peter Marks’ March 28 letter giving one week’s notice of his resignation as director of the U.S. FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) is sending more ripples of uncertainty throughout the industry. Marks, who has helmed CBER for nearly a decade, blamed his departure on recently confirmed Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert Kennedy, who has made a career out of his anti-vaccine stance.
Relacorilant, a cortisol modulator from Corcept Therapeutics Inc., produced new and strong phase III results in treating platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. The company also has relacorilant in studies that could eventually lead to approval in other indications. In the near term, though, the positive data led to the company’s stock (NASDAQ:CORT) closing 109% higher at $114.22 per share on March 31.
As companies continually search for next-generation obesity prospects, one of the leaders in the disease space, Novo Nordisk A/S, has obtained an exclusive license to a preclinical-stage, first-in-class, small-molecule inhibitor of Acyl-CoA synthetase 5 (ACSL5) developed by Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Digital therapeutics coupled with drugs has the potential to transform health care and change the way patients are treated, Anthony Costello, CEO of Medidata Solutions Inc., told BioWorld. Medidata recently strengthened its partnership with Click Therapeutics Inc., following an investment from its parent company Dassault Systèmes SE, which will see the two companies working to develop new therapies to improve the experience of patients.
In a move that undoubtedly has the unspoken support of the medical device industry, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported it will revisit several rules governing emissions that affect a broad swath of industries.
Australia’s top universities are looking more to Asia for research collaborations following threats from the Trump administration to stop funding research at institutions that don’t comply with U.S. narratives.