Today's Healthcare Pulse
FDA greenlights durvalumab combo for high‑risk bladder cancer
The FDA approved durvalumab (Imfinzi) combined with Bacillus Calmette‑Guerin for BCG‑naïve, high‑risk non‑muscle invasive bladder cancer. The POTOMAC trial enrolled 1,018 patients and showed a 32% reduction in disease recurrence risk (hazard ratio 0.68, p=0.015). Durvalumab is given at 1,500 mg IV every four weeks for up to 13 cycles.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Apogee Therapeutics raises $1.3B royalty financing
A Single Dose of Psilocybin Outperforms Nicotine Patches for Quitting Smoking
A Johns Hopkins pilot trial found that a single, weight‑adjusted dose of psilocybin combined with cognitive‑behavioral counseling helped 40% of smokers remain abstinent for six months, far surpassing the 10% quit rate achieved with standard nicotine patches. The psychedelic group also showed higher point‑prevalence abstinence and smoked roughly half as many cigarettes post‑treatment. Researchers reported no serious safety issues, though the study was unblinded and involved a relatively homogenous sample. The findings suggest a potentially transformative, low‑frequency pharmacotherapy for tobacco addiction.
Multiple GLP-1 Drugs Linked to Lower AFib Risk
A retrospective analysis of 13,034 patients who started GLP‑1 receptor agonist therapy between 2020 and 2024 found a significant reduction in atrial fibrillation (AFib) incidence compared with a propensity‑matched cohort of over 385,000 untreated individuals. The benefit persisted regardless of...
VVARDIS Announces Investment From Apollo —Achieves Unicorn Status
vVARDIS Holding AG announced a strategic minority investment from Apollo‑managed funds, propelling the Swiss dental‑med tech firm into unicorn status with a valuation north of $1 billion. The capital will finance the next phase of global commercial expansion for its Curodont™...
What Dentistry Is Teaching Healthcare About Operational AI
Artificial intelligence is moving from isolated pilots to core operations across healthcare, but fragmented systems are turning speed into inconsistency. Dentistry, with its tighter reimbursement cycles and integrated workflows, is serving as an early proving ground for operational AI that...
What’s the Data on Delayed Cord Clamping?
Delayed cord clamping (DCC) is now endorsed by ACOG, recommending a 30‑60‑second wait before cutting the umbilical cord for virtually all newborns. In preterm infants, a 2023 Lancet meta‑analysis of about 3,000 babies found DCC cuts mortality by roughly 30%,...
UK Doctors Should Not Speak in the Public Domain of Their Concerns About Political Persons.
A recent BMJ rapid response argues that UK‑registered doctors are prohibited by the General Medical Council’s Good Medical Practice from publicly speculating on the mental health of identifiable political figures. The letter stresses that diagnostic commentary requires a therapeutic relationship,...
With Ultrasound on a Chip, Butterfly Network Aims for Global Reach
Butterfly Network, under CEO Joe DeVivo, is scaling its chip‑based handheld ultrasound priced around $4,000 to make imaging affordable and portable worldwide. The device replaces costly cart‑based machines ($30,000‑$200,000) with a probe containing 9,000 sensors and AI‑enhanced modes, and the...
Cellular Rejuvenation Has the Potential to Reverse Aging
Researchers have identified a natural cellular rejuvenation process that resets embryonic cells to a youthful state within two weeks, effectively erasing parental age markers. Over the past two decades, labs have revived skin cells from 90‑year‑olds and rejuvenated diseased mice,...
Innovator Spotlight: PocDoc
UK health‑tech firm PocDoc, founded in 2020, has secured more than £10 million (≈$12.7 million) in investment to expand its smartphone‑based Healthy Heart Check, a point‑of‑care test that delivers cholesterol, BMI and ten‑year cardiovascular risk in ten minutes. The funding, led by...
FDA Clears Subcutaneous Anifrolumab Autoinjector for Moderate to Severe SLE
The FDA has cleared AstraZeneca’s subcutaneous anifrolumab autoinjector (Saphnelo) for adults with moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on standard therapy. The new formulation mirrors the approved intravenous product but allows weekly self‑administration at home. Approval rests on the...
Dignio Investment Signals Remote Care International Expansion
Summa Equity, through its Fund III vehicle, has invested in Norwegian health‑tech firm Dignio to accelerate the company’s remote‑care platform. Dignio provides an integrated digital solution that combines remote patient monitoring, telehealth visits, and automated medication dispensing for home‑based care....
How Recent Changes in ‘Patient-Matched’ Technology Are Reshaping the Future of Surgical Care
Advances in CT, MRI and AI-driven modeling are enabling patient‑matched medical devices that are designed around each individual's anatomy rather than using standard sizes. These bespoke implants and surgical guides improve anatomical concordance, cut intra‑operative adjustments, and can shorten procedure...
WHOOP’s $575 Million Raise Signals the Global Interest in Health Wearables
WHOOP announced a $575 million Series G round that lifts its valuation to $10.1 billion, nearly triple its 2021 level. The capital, led by Collaborative Fund and joined by investors such as Qatar Investment Authority, Mubadala, Abbott and the Mayo Clinic, will fund...
FDA Priority Review Advances Nipocalimab for Adults With Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
The FDA has granted priority review to Johnson & Johnson’s nipocalimab‑aahu (IMAAVY) for adults with warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA), a rare disease lacking any approved U.S. therapy. The designation compresses the review clock to roughly six months, marking the...
The New Human Blood Type That Only 3 People on Earth Have—And the Hunt for the 4th
Researchers in Thailand identified a previously unknown human blood type, designated B(A), found in only three individuals. The type results from a four‑gene mutation that produces mostly B antigens with trace A antigens, adding to the 48 known types for...
Illinois Grants $100,000 to Expand Lurie Children’s Resilience Schools Program
Lurie Children’s Hospital’s Resilience‑Supportive Schools Illinois program secured a $100,000 grant from Molina Healthcare’s MolinaCares Accord. The funding will accelerate teacher training and preparation for the state‑mandated student mental‑health screenings slated for the 2027‑2028 school year.
Wash. Health Department Installs Free 24/7 Narcan Dispenser Outside Firehouse
Grant County Fire District 7 in Soap Lake, Washington installed a free 24/7 Narcan dispenser outside its station, funded by a Grant County Health District grant. The device lets bystanders administer naloxone within minutes, dramatically improving survival odds before firefighters arrive....
You Can’t Close the Minority Health Gap While Ignoring Fathers
National Minority Health Month spotlights chronic disease prevention, yet Black and Brown fathers remain largely invisible in the conversation. Data from the Office of Minority Health reveal that Black men have a life expectancy of 70.3 years—four years below the...
Pilot Study Finds 300 Mg NMN Cuts Post‑Exercise Inflammation in Young Men
Researchers in Taiwan reported that a six‑day regimen of 300 mg NMN lowered key inflammatory cytokines in young men after intense blood‑flow‑restriction resistance training. The crossover trial suggests NMN could become a targeted supplement for athletes and biohackers seeking faster recovery.
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re Reading About a Lilly Deal, an Intellia CRISPR Rare-Disease Treatment, and More
Intellia Therapeutics reported that a single dose of its CRISPR‑based therapy lonvo‑z dramatically reduced swelling attacks in hereditary angioedema patients during a Phase 3 trial, positioning it for a rolling FDA submission as the potential second approved CRISPR drug. The treatment...
Fragments vs DsbA: Towards a Chemical Probe
Researchers targeting the bacterial oxidoreductase DsbA—a key virulence factor—have advanced fragment‑based efforts toward a chemical probe. Initial screens identified fragments binding a shallow groove and a hidden cryptic pocket, but affinities were modest (~150 µM). By designing molecules that extend beyond...
85% of Patients Want Alzheimer’s Blood Test, Doctors Remain Skeptical
A recent Chicago‑area survey of nearly 600 adults found 85% would take a blood test for Alzheimer’s risk if their doctor recommended it. Physicians, however, warn the tests lack proven benefit for asymptomatic patients, highlighting a growing gap between patient...
FDA Review Sought for Subcutaneous Risankizumab Induction in Crohn Disease
AbbVie has filed a supplemental NDA with the FDA to add subcutaneous (SC) risankizumab induction for adults with moderate‑to‑severe Crohn disease. The request relies on the phase 3 AFFIRM trial, which enrolled 289 patients—65% of whom had failed prior advanced therapies—and...
AI's Punctuated Leap Reshapes Healthcare, Says Surgeon
A review: INTELLIGENT—The Evolution of AI Transforming Healthcare by @ShafiAhmed5 📖The Man Suits the Title There's something rather autobiographical about this book. The title suits the author as much as the subject. I've known Shafi for over a decade. We've argued...
Inflation Spike Ahead, Then Value‑Based Care Delivers Benefits
In the Short Term (0–2 years) I agree we will see an inflationary spike. However, after this, I’d expect to see more value-based care contracts coming into play that will yield real benefit #health #healthcare #AI https://t.co/XcVTG2FSRf
80% of UK Mental‑Health Nurses Say Workloads Unmanageable, Sparking Calls for Digital Solutions
A Royal College of Nursing poll reveals four‑fifths of specialist mental‑health nurses in the UK consider their workload unmanageable, with caseloads up 38% while staffing grew only 15%. The findings have ignited urgent calls for digital workflow tools, AI triage...
ERAS Pan‑Ras Data Released; RVMD Alleges Patent Infringement
$ERAS pan-Ras data update this afternoon after market close. also, $RVMD sent Erasca a letter claiming ERAS-0015 violates certain RevMed patents. https://t.co/QTmyUhT89n
Practicing Today for Tomorrow’s Emergencies – WHO Convenes Countries and Partners to Simulate Response to Major Disease Outbreak
The World Health Organization concluded Exercise Polaris II, a two‑day high‑level simulation that modeled a fictional bacterial pandemic. The drill brought together 26 countries, 600 health‑emergency experts and more than 25 partner agencies to activate emergency coordination structures, share data and...
VITAS Banks on Length of Stay, Referral Mix Management
VITAS Healthcare eliminated its Medicare cap liability in Florida by shifting admissions toward hospital referrals, which generate shorter stays. In Q1 2026 the company posted $420 million in revenue, a 3.1% year‑over‑year increase, with admissions up 6.9% and average daily census...
FDA Clears Tandem Control-IQ+ for Type 1 Diabetes During Pregnancy: First AID System to Earn Indication
The FDA has cleared Tandem Diabetes Care’s Control‑IQ+ system for use in pregnancies complicated by type 1 diabetes, making it the first automated insulin‑delivery (AID) platform with a pregnancy indication in the United States. The clearance covers both the t:slim X2 pump...
Wyoming Judge Halts Enforcement of New Fetal‑Heartbeat Ban
Natrona County District Judge Dan Forgey granted a temporary injunction on Friday, stopping the Human Heartbeat Act—a law that bans most abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected—from taking effect. The ruling cites probable success under Wyoming's constitutional right to...
Too Many Prescriptions, Too Many Fatal Falls
U.S. seniors are facing a surge in fatal falls, with 41,000 deaths recorded in 2023, while the proportion taking multiple prescriptions has climbed dramatically. Four in ten older adults now use five or more drugs, and more than 7.5 million are...
Federal Judge Declares RFK Jr.'s Gender‑Affirming Care Threat Unlawful, Protecting Minors' Access
U.S. District Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai in Oregon ruled that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s December 18 declaration threatening to cut Medicaid and Medicare funding for gender‑affirming care to minors was unlawful. The decision, brought by...
UnitedHealth Q1 2026 Beats Forecast, EPS $7.23, Stock Jumps 9.3%
UnitedHealth Group reported first‑quarter earnings of $7.23 per share, topping the $6.59 consensus, and revenue of $111.7 billion, exceeding expectations. The results lifted the stock 9.29% to $353.52 and prompted an upgrade to full‑year EPS guidance above $18.25.
Molina Q1 2026
Molina Healthcare posted Q1 2026 adjusted earnings per share of $2.35, topping the $2.17 consensus estimate, while operating cash flow reached $1.1 billion. All three segment medical cost ratios (MCRs) beat full‑year guidance, yet management kept the full‑year EPS target at...
Dartmouth Researchers Launch Smartphone Study to Predict Alzheimer’s Risk in Williamstown Seniors
Dartmouth Medical School researchers began a pilot study with 23 Williamstown seniors, part of a nationwide 200‑person trial, to test the RealVision smartphone app that analyzes walking, speech, eye‑tracking and smiling to flag early Alzheimer’s risk. The effort showcases big‑data...
Auxira Health and St. Luke’s University Health Network Partner to Expand Virtual Cardiology Support
St. Luke’s University Health Network has teamed with Auxira Health to embed virtual cardiology support teams within its Heart & Vascular network. The pilot launches with 24 cardiologists, each paired with nurse practitioners, medical assistants and registered nurses who handle...
Sun Pharma to Acquire Organon for $11.75 Billion, Expanding B2B Drug Portfolio
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Organon & Co. for $11.75 billion in cash, paying $14 per share. The deal will lift combined revenue to $12.4 billion, push Sun into the top three global women’s‑health players and make...
NEJM Catalyst Study Validates No Barrier’s Hybrid AI-Human Model for High-Stakes Surgical Communication
A NEJM Catalyst study at Mass General Brigham independently evaluated No Barrier’s AI‑powered medical interpretation platform alongside remote video interpretation (RVI). The research used a modified technology acceptance model with 23 Spanish‑speaking surgical patients, finding RVI preferred for emotionally sensitive...
The Hidden Costs of Supply Chain Disruptions in Healthcare
Healthcare supply chains are increasingly fragile, with regulatory hurdles, just‑in‑time inventories, and limited visibility exposing hospitals to costly disruptions. The pandemic highlighted that only about 6% of U.S. health systems can see beyond Tier 1 suppliers, leading to frequent shortages. Financial...
Shape‑shifting Wheels Enable Wheelchairs to Conquer Stairs
Shape-Shifting Wheels by KIMM Let Wheelchairs Climb Stairs and Conquer Any Terrain by @spaceandtech_ #Innovation #EmergingTech #Technology https://t.co/VuYikbOBi9
T‑cell Engagers Need Missing Design Tricks for Success
With the rise and rise of ADCs, T cell engagers have taken something of a back seat of late. What if the bigger problem is some of them may be missing a key trick? Here we highlight some design...
Post-COVID Sleep Disturbance: The Microvascular Connection
Recent studies reveal that over 75% of COVID‑19 survivors develop insomnia, a rate far exceeding the 10‑20% seen in the general population. Parallel research in cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) shows a similar triad of poor sleep, depression, and anxiety,...
NTLA's HAE Results Fall Short, Funding Needed for Weak Launch
$NTLA HAE study results were both expected and unimpressive relative to current treatments. The company will need to raise a lot of money to sell a therapy that is not going to launch well.
Radiology Staff Sue Hospital over Alleged Cancer Cluster
« Cancer cluster » among radiology professionals …. Troubling … « A hospital is being sued by one of its former rad techs, who alleges that the organization’s lack of proper safety protocols is behind a cancer “cluster” among staff. » 👇 @RadiologyBiz https://t.co/M7oeT20ylo
The Vaccine Safety Signal the Media Still Won’t Read
A peer‑reviewed paper by Joseph Fraiman and colleagues identified a serious‑adverse‑event signal in the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA Covid‑19 vaccine trials, showing harm‑to‑benefit ratios of roughly 4.4 : 1 for Pfizer and 2.4 : 1 for Moderna. The BBC’s *Everything Is Fake and Nobody...
Take a Breath, Read This Crucial Story Carefully
A LOT of people I know should take a deep breath and then, carefully and slowly, read this @HelenBranswell story. https://t.co/IRb1rO6MCd
Biosimilar T
Me writing scripts to completely control 90% of my psoriasis patients with biosimilar Taltz >2 years before $ORKA even reads out P3: https://t.co/TVaA10pHOe
CureVac Takes Moderna to Court over mRNA Vaccine Patents
CureVac has filed a lawsuit against Moderna alleging infringement of its mRNA‑stabilisation and delivery patents that underpin Spikevax. The case, backed by BioNTech after its 2025 acquisition of CureVac, seeks a share of the multibillion‑dollar revenues from COVID‑19 mRNA vaccines....
Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs And Humana In Deal To Take On Employer Drug Costs
Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drug Company has partnered with Humana’s CenterWell Pharmacy to create end‑to‑end employer prescription solutions. The deal leverages Cost Plus’s low‑price model and its SwiftyRx digital platform alongside CenterWell’s distribution network and more than 500 pharmacists. While financial terms...