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Recently, pharmaceutical giant Lilly shared its phase 3 trial results for donanemab, an innovative antibody treatment for Alzheimer’s, in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Donanemab works by eliminating beta amyloid, a protein associated with the progression of this neurodegenerative disease. The study revealed that the drug reduced the progression of Alzheimer’s by approximately 35% compared to a placebo, with the greatest benefits observed in the early stages of the disease. Interestingly, this finding coincides with the FDA’s recent approval of lecanemab, a competing Alzheimer’s drug marketed as Lequembi by Biogen and Eisai. Lecanemab also demonstrated a modest decline in the progression of the disease during clinical trials. However, both drugs have significant side effects, including potentially fatal brain swelling, necessitating careful consideration of the risks and benefits by healthcare professionals. One notable advantage of Lilly’s donanemab is that patients who were switched to a placebo after their brain plaques were removed continued to experience a deceleration in cognitive decline. This suggests that donanemab may not require continuous administration. Lilly has already submitted an application for full FDA approval of donanemab, with a decision expected later this year.
This AI Chatbot is Transforming Healthcare: Join the Revolution
Seeking medical advice online can often lead to unwarranted concerns, as you might think your headache indicates a brain tumor when it’s more likely just a simple headache. Luckily, Allon Bloch, co-founder and CEO of K Health, has developed an intelligent remedy for the notorious “Dr. Google.” Using an AI-powered chatbot, K Health digests your symptoms and medical history, analyzing data from millions of patients to suggest a potential medical condition based on comparisons with similar individuals. Bloch aspires to replicate the expertise of the best doctors worldwide. K Health recently secured a remarkable $59 million investment, along with a strategic partnership with Cedars-Sinai, one of California’s largest hospitals. Discover more about this groundbreaking technology here.
Pipeline & Deal Updates
RSV: AstraZeneca’s monoclonal antibody treatment Beyfortus has received FDA approval as a preventive measure against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the leading cause of hospitalizations in infants under one year old.
Birth Control: For the first time ever, the FDA has approved an over-the-counter daily birth control pill. This significant advancement comes amidst a heightened discussion about contraception following the Supreme Court’s landmark decision last summer to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Unmet Needs: Flagship Pioneering and Pfizer have established a joint development deal, pledging an initial investment of $50 million each for a collaborative program focusing on ten single-asset programs that target current unmet medical needs. This agreement could potentially result in milestone payments of up to $7 billion, in addition to royalties for developed drugs.
Dental Supply: Torch Dental, an all-in-one supplier for dentist offices, has secured a $28 million series B funding round led by Health Velocity Capital. The capital injection will support business expansion and create more opportunities for customers.
Musculoskeletal Injuries: IncludeHealth, a company specializing in digital solutions for musculoskeletal issue treatment, has received a $1.5 million funding boost from the U.S. Air Force to further advance its innovative treatments.
Early-Stage Biotech: Westlake Village Partners has launched a $450 million third fund aimed at incubating and growing early-stage biotech companies in the Los Angeles region.
Startup Raises $32 Million to Combat Cancer Recurrence Post-Surgery
Traditional treatment for localized tumors involves surgical removal, but this method is not foolproof, as tumors can regrow. Surge Therapeutics, based in Cambridge, is revolutionizing cancer treatment with its hydrogel immunotherapy, which is applied during surgery to minimize the chances of cancer recurrence. The company recently secured $32 million in a series B funding round led by Bioluminescence Ventures, with participation from Piedmont Capital, KdT Ventures, and other firms. Learn more about Surge Therapeutics and its groundbreaking approach here.
Other Healthcare News
A new study suggests that the heart-healthy benefits of exercising for a total of 150 minutes per week remain consistent, regardless of how the exercise is distributed across days. This means that even individuals who engage in longer, less frequent exercise sessions (such as weekend warriors) can experience the same benefits as those who exercise in shorter, more frequent spurts.
Johnson & Johnson has authorized Stop TB Partnership, a nonprofit organization based in Switzerland, to distribute a generic version of its tuberculosis drug SIRTURO in low- and middle-income countries.
A study analyzing 57 different sports supplements revealed that 89% of these products had inaccurate labels indicating the quantities of their ingredients, while 12% of them contained FDA-prohibited substances.
The Covid-19 pandemic has shed light on an intriguing pattern: rates of suicide and suicide attempts among teenagers were at their lowest when schools were closed, suggesting that mental health in children and teenagers deteriorates while school is in session.
Norovirus, commonly known as the “stomach flu,” has seen a spike in cases aboard cruise ships for the first time in over a decade. Experts attribute this increase to relaxed travel restrictions and a surge in the number of cruise passengers following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite rising costs, health insurers UnitedHealthGroup and Elevance Health reported increased profits during the second quarter of this year.
Additional Articles Worth Reading
– Bill Gates invests in a secret startup focused on limitless clean energy (Forbes)
– Turkish TikTok accounts hacked leading up to presidential election (Forbes)
– AI technology monitors driving behavior and alerts law enforcement of criminal activity (Forbes)
In Other News:
– The Rev. Steve Pieters, known for his influential work on AIDS, passes away at 70 (Religion News)
– Investigation reveals the unethical profit-driven practices of doctors and healthcare giants in connection with the loss of patients’ limbs (The New York Times)
– Eli Lilly emerges as one of pharma’s greatest success stories with savvy investment decisions (Stat)
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Jessica Irvine is a tech enthusiast specializing in gadgets. From smart home devices to cutting-edge electronics, Jessica explores the world of consumer tech, offering readers comprehensive reviews, hands-on experiences, and expert insights into the coolest and most innovative gadgets on the market.
