Shares of Gilead Sciences Inc. were dented April 23 after reports surfaced that its antiviral drug, remdesivir, failed to improve the condition of patients with COVID-19.

Two phase III studies in China testing Gilead Sciences Inc.’s antiviral drug, remdesivir, in patients with COVID-19 infection have been halted after Chinese authorities reported a lack of eligible patients. Other studies, including trials sponsored by the Foster City, Calif.-based company, remain ongoing.

Two phase III studies in China testing Gilead Sciences Inc.’s antiviral drug, remdesivir, in patients with COVID-19 infection have been halted after Chinese authorities reported a lack of eligible patients. Other studies, including trials sponsored by the Foster City, Calif.-based company, remain ongoing.

News of a partial FDA clinical hold for pediatric patients after safety reports from an ongoing trial testing palovarotene in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) identified cases of early growth plate closure sent shares of Ipsen SA (Paris:IPN) falling 13.6% Friday.

Nearly a month ahead of the PDUFA date, red blood cell maturation drug luspatercept cleared the FDA for treating anemia in adults with beta-thalassemia who require regular red blood cell (RBC) transfusions. Branded Reblozyl, the drug, developed in a collaboration between Celgene Corp. and Acceleron Pharma Inc., is expected to be available in one week following approval.

It's been a busy September for Ardelyx Inc. so far. Less than two weeks after the Fremont, Calif-based company reported promising pivotal data for tenapanor in chronic kidney disease patients with hyperphosphatemia, the sodium hydrogen exchanger 2 (NHE3) inhibitor won FDA approval for use in irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C).

The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and the health care sector was inevitable. The advent of machine-learning and deep-learning technologies capable of analyzing and synthesizing massive amounts of data with algorithms designed to mimic human-level decision-making seems a natural fit for an industry in dire need of greater efficiency.

PHILADELPHIA – Compared to oncology, chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and dementia represent much more substantial costs to the overall U.S. health care system, yet investment and R&D innovation in those areas has been on a steady decline over the past decade or so, according to research compiled by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO).

Tocagen Inc.'s disclosure that the independent data monitoring board for its ongoing phase III trial in recurrent high-grade glioma (HGG) recommended the study continue without modification following a planned interim analysis drew mixed reactions from analysts and sent shares of the San Diego-based company (NASDAQ:TOCA) falling 38% Wednesday.