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
Circuit Response to Neuromodulation Characterized with Simultaneous Deep Brain Stimulation and Precision Neuroimaging in Humans
Researchers used a 3‑T MRI‑compatible deep brain stimulation system to record extensive functional MRI data from 14 Parkinson’s disease patients over a year. Each participant completed 11.7 hours of fMRI across seven stimulation conditions at five longitudinal visits, alongside structural and diffusion imaging. The study found that DBS restores connectivity in the somatocognitive action network and produces distinct responses in primary motor and globus pallidus circuits. Resting‑state cortical connectivity measured before stimulation predicted individual motor outcomes, and the full dataset has been shared publicly.
Barinthus Biotherapeutics PLC (BRNS) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Insmed reported a strong Q4 2025, highlighted by Brinsupri’s first full‑quarter US revenue of $144.6 million, surpassing internal benchmarks. Management set 2026 guidance of at least $1 billion for Brinsupri and projected total company revenue to more than double 2025 levels, driven...
![[Therapeutics] Pyruvate Kinase Activators in Hereditary Haemolytic Anaemias: Current Evidence and Clinical Potential](https://hixhlmpcokxhartfkpyi.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/images/thumbnails/8c90dd45d33f73eeff78aead96a79a6a.webp)
[Therapeutics] Pyruvate Kinase Activators in Hereditary Haemolytic Anaemias: Current Evidence and Clinical Potential
Hereditary hemolytic anemias affect millions worldwide and have few disease‑modifying options. Oral pyruvate kinase activators, especially mitapivat, increase glycolytic ATP production, correcting a common metabolic defect in red cells. Clinical trials have shown efficacy in pyruvate kinase deficiency, sickle cell...
Functionalized Nanoparticles Could Open the Door to Swallowable Insulin Pills
Researchers have grafted the permeation enhancer 1‑phenylpiperazine onto safe silica nanoparticles, creating a hybrid that boosts intestinal insulin absorption while eliminating toxicity. In obese, insulin‑resistant mice, oral insulin delivered with these functionalized particles lowered blood glucose for 8‑10 hours, outperforming...
Women’s Health: Share the Stories Medicine Ignored
Medicine evolves when someone documents what the system missed. Women’s biology has been waiting for that documentation for a long time. So I’m curious: Where did medicine miss your story? • Were your symptoms dismissed as stress or anxiety? • Were you offered antidepressants before...
![Heat Therapy Activates Proteins that Repair Cells and Protect the Heart [PODCAST]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://kevinmd.com/wp-content/uploads/Design-4-scaled.jpg)
Heat Therapy Activates Proteins that Repair Cells and Protect the Heart [PODCAST]
Physician‑researcher Dr. Khushali Jhaveri examined the health claims surrounding infrared saunas, noting that most data derive from Finnish‑style sauna studies. A 20‑year Finnish cohort of 2,300 men showed 22‑40% lower risks of cardiac death, coronary mortality, and all‑cause mortality with...
Interpretive Restraint After a Well Conducted Negative Trial
A multicentre, double‑blind, placebo‑controlled trial gave women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) 4,000 IU vitamin D daily for up to 90 days before IVF. The regimen raised serum 25‑hydroxyvitamin D levels but did not increase live‑birth rates after the first embryo...
Dr. Oz: CMS Getting a Technological Reboot
CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz announced a comprehensive modernization of the agency’s billing platform to keep pace with the evolving digital health ecosystem. The initiative focuses on integrating advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to streamline claim processing and enhance fraud...
San Francisco Receives $100 Million Proposition 1 Windfall to Expand Treatment Beds
San Francisco will receive roughly $100 million from California’s Proposition 1 bond to expand psychiatric and addiction treatment capacity. The money will finance 50 sub‑acute and six acute psychiatric beds at UCSF Hyde Hospital, 44 beds on Treasure Island, and a new...
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Jaynie Seal to Host SKY NEWS Series on Australia’s Regional Health Services
Sky News Australia is launching a new special‑report series, *State of Health*, hosted by regional correspondent Jaynie Seal. The program travels across regional Australia to examine infrastructure, workforce and access challenges confronting hospitals and clinics serving nearly 10 million people. The...
600 Workers Reach Labor Deal with Kaiser
The International Union of Operating Engineers reached a tentative contract with Kaiser Permanente covering about 600 maintenance workers across Southern California, the Mid‑Atlantic and Colorado. The agreement, involving IUOE Locals 501, 99 and 1, provides a 21.5% wage increase over...
Vanderbilt Health President, CEO to Retire
Jeff Balser, MD, PhD, will retire on Dec. 31 after 17 years as president and CEO of Vanderbilt Health and dean of Vanderbilt University’s School of Medicine. During his tenure the system grew from a four‑hospital, $2.3 billion revenue network to...
Lawmakers Introduce Bill To Reject Companionship Exemption
Congress introduced the Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act, aiming to repeal the longstanding companionship exemption that excludes many home care workers from minimum wage and overtime protections under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The bill, sponsored by Rep....
Hospital Margins Take a Dive
U.S. hospitals entered 2026 with operating margins at a 12‑month low, slipping to –0.6% for health systems and a 3.1‑point decline for individual hospitals. Patient demand and revenue growth slowed, especially in inpatient and emergency settings, while expense growth outpaced...
3 Healthcare Roles Bucking Hiring Trends for Younger Workers
A Stanford study using ADP payroll data finds that workers aged 22‑25 in occupations most exposed to generative AI saw a 16% relative employment decline, while older workers in the same roles remained stable. By contrast, younger workers in healthcare...
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results and Operational Highlights
Tonix Pharmaceuticals announced FDA approval and U.S. launch of TONMYA, the first new fibromyalgia drug in over 15 years, in August 2025 with commercial availability beginning November 17, 2025. The company reported fourth‑quarter product revenue of $5.4 million and full‑year revenue...
Data Breach at NYC Health + Hospitals Partner Exposes Info of 5,086 Patients
A data breach at NADAP, a care‑management partner of NYC Health + Hospitals, exposed protected health information for 5,086 patients. The unauthorized access occurred around Nov. 26, 2025 and was discovered on Jan. 10, 2026, with the health system notified...
MSU Health Care’s CMO on the Biggest Barrier to Sustained Quality Improvement
MSU Health Care’s new chief medical officer, Dr. Mark Smith, says clinician burnout and disengagement are the biggest barriers to sustained quality and safety improvements. He emphasizes that addressing workforce wellness, building a culture of trust, and reducing administrative burdens...
FDA Requests Removal of Suicidal Behavior and Ideation Warning From Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist (GLP-1 RA) Medications
The FDA has asked manufacturers to strip the suicidal ideation and behavior warning from the labeling of three GLP‑1 receptor agonists—Saxenda, Wegovy and Zepbound—used for weight loss. A comprehensive safety review, including a meta‑analysis of 91 placebo‑controlled trials involving 107,910...
FDA to Recommend Additional, Earlier MRI Monitoring for Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease Taking Leqembi (Lecanemab)
The FDA is adding an earlier MRI requirement before the third Leqembi infusion to catch amyloid‑related imaging abnormalities with edema (ARIA‑E) sooner. An analysis of pharmacovigilance data revealed 101 serious ARIA‑E cases, including six deaths, many occurring before the fifth...
The 9 Laws of Health Care Quality: Why Metrics Miss the Point
Constantine Ioannou, MD, argues that health‑care quality programs have become dominated by paperwork and metrics, sidelining clinical judgment and patient narratives. He outlines nine “laws” illustrating how excessive forms, compliance‑driven interventions, and the creation of new checklists after adverse events...
Apixaban Bests Rivaroxaban in New DOAC Comparison
A head‑to‑head trial (COBRRA) of 2,700 acute VTE patients found apixaban significantly lowers bleeding risk compared with rivaroxaban, while maintaining similar efficacy in preventing recurrent clots. Patients received standard dosing regimens for three months, with apixaban showing a 3.3% composite...
After Firings, Funding Cuts and a Shooting, Can a Demoralized CDC Workforce Recover?
After a wave of firings that cut roughly 3,000 positions—about a quarter of its staff—and ongoing funding reductions, the CDC remains leaderless, with Dr. Jay Bhattacharya named interim director while also overseeing the NIH. The agency also grapples with the...
CMS Guidance Reinforces Roles of Organ Procurement Organizations and Hospitals in Organ Procurement, Transplantation
On March 11, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued new guidance clarifying the distinct roles of organ procurement organizations (OPOs) and hospitals in the organ donation process. The directive emphasizes that end‑of‑life decisions remain between patients’ families and attending...
Jefferies Paints WVE Data as Win‑win‑win; Bear Sees Combo Role
Doing some reading ahead of the next wave of $WVE INHBE "body composition" 🙄 data, smirking at the Jefferies analyst set up, which basically frames 6-month data as a win-win-win for the stock price. His "bear case" "Bear case would still...
Massachusetts Tops Overall but Lags in Senior Care
I think it's interesting that Massachusetts is No 1 here overall, but ranks near the bottom on several measures of care for adults age 65 and older, including preventable hospitalizations and hospital readmissions. #aging #healthyaging https://t.co/gvWBQt2IBZ
MACPAC Recommends Increase in Wage Transparency for Home- and Community-Based Service Workers
The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) released its March 2026 report to Congress, recommending that states disclose hourly wages for home‑ and community‑based service (HCBS) workers. The proposal aims to give states clearer data for setting effective HCBS...
Qualified Health Secures $100M Series A Funding
Scoop: Qualified Health, a health care AI evaluation and implementation startup, is raising around $100M in Series A funds from investors including NEA and SignalFire, sources tell me. https://t.co/F3fDXuYWTo
Omada Simplifies Cardiometabolic Care in the GLP‑1 Era
The GLP-1 era demands smart decisions on access, cost, and outcomes—now. At Omada, we're simplifying cardiometabolic care for a new era with over a decade of between-visit care innovation guiding us. Learn more: https://t.co/7r5KAZbx7f https://t.co/k7Sc7JloKZ
Medical Technology Company Stryker Disrupted Globally by Cyberattack
Stryker, a leading medical‑technology supplier, announced a cyberattack on March 11 that compromised its Microsoft environment, though no ransomware or malware was detected. The breach disrupted the company’s global operations and prompted immediate containment efforts. Stryker is coordinating with hospital networks...
Congressional Advisers Urge Curbing Medicare Advantage Costs
Congressional advisers call to rein in Medicare Advantage spending amid industry pressure https://t.co/15NkEfHtqV via @bobjherman @statnews
Evotec's Horizon Plan: Site Closures and Retentions
12March: Which sites is @Evotec shutting down as part of its latest restructuring effort--and which sites will the company keep open? Read about $EVT / $EVO's "Horizon" initiative in my latest for @GENbio: https://t.co/owxn9Far1Y
Nurse Practitioners Are Rushing in to Fill the Gaps in US Health Care
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are rapidly expanding their role in U.S. health care as physician shortages persist. The NP workforce has surged from roughly 44,000 in 1999 to about 400,000 today, and more than half of the states now grant them...
Marketing Must Join Healthcare Operations Early, Not Last
If marketing only gets called after the portal launches and the job posts go live… you’re already too late. Sean Fitzpatrick explains why healthcare marketing should be an operations partner—not a finishing touch.👇 https://t.co/7OCnGd7vE8 @overit #HospitalMarketingLeaders
Choosing the Right Med Spa Platform Boosts Bookings and Growth
The right med spa platform can improve bookings, streamline ops, and support growth across multiple locations. Here’s how today’s top platforms stack up: https://t.co/KqeNCzTGNM #Meevo @AestheticsPro2 @mangomint @Vagaro #medspa #HITSM
New York Department of Health Issues Updated Guidance on Wage Parity Compliance Forms and Certification Submission Dates
On March 9, 2026 the New York Department of Health released updated guidance clarifying wage‑parity compliance deadlines for home‑care providers through 2025 and beyond. The guidance fixes previous uncertainty by setting firm LS300 reporting dates for 2025 (May 31, 2026) and establishing annual LS301 audit...
Closing the 9-Year Gap: A New Biomarker Targets the Diagnostic Delay in Axial Spondyloarthritis
Axial spondyloarthritis affects about 1.4% of adults but patients wait an average of nine years for diagnosis in North America, far longer than rheumatoid arthritis. Augurex has introduced SPINEstat, an anti‑14‑3‑η multiplex blood test that can distinguish inflammatory back pain...
Medline Expands Distribution with New Texas Center
Medline announced a new 1.2‑million‑square‑foot distribution center in Midlothian, Texas, slated to become operational in the second quarter of 2027. The facility adds to the company’s network of 45 centers and marks its second hub in the Dallas‑Fort Worth market. Equipped...
Workshop Uses Astronaut Medical Emergencies to Rethink Value-Based Care
At HIMSS 2026, a workshop asked participants to redesign value‑based care using astronaut medical emergencies as a test case. Three teams examined vision loss, mental‑health crisis, and a blood‑clot scenario, scoring outcomes on mission success, compromise, strain, or failure. The...
Patients 50 Years and Older Satisfied with ACL Reconstruction
A recent AAOS presentation revealed that patients aged 50 and older experience high satisfaction after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, with 91.5% meeting expectations. The NYU Langone Health retrospective study of 155 cases reported a 7.1% graft‑failure rate and a...
Advantages with Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy
Unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) lumbar discectomy combines endoscopic visualization with separate instrument access, offering wider maneuverability and enhanced ergonomics compared with traditional microdiscectomy. The technique reduces tissue trauma, infection risk, and postoperative pain, often enabling same‑day discharge for eligible patients....
Prior Authorization May Reduce Access to Important Heart Failure Drugs
A new JACC: Advances study finds prior‑authorization requirements hinder access to guideline‑recommended heart‑failure drugs, affecting 12.2% of ARNI and 14.3% of SGLT2i prescriptions. The barriers are disproportionately faced by younger, Black and Hispanic patients with non‑Medicare insurance. Authorization delays extend...
Healthcare AI's Rapid Evolution Shapes Doctor Training
The healthcare AI landscape gets more dynamic and interesting each day. My conversation with @royperlis, Harvard/MGH prof and AI editor @JAMA_current, on where the field is today, implications for doctors and med education, and more. https://t.co/RFGoldtuXa
Genetic Tests Come Under Scrutiny in Trump Administration’s Fraud Crackdown
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a request for information (RFI) seeking public input on new regulatory tools to combat fraud in laboratory testing, especially genetic and molecular diagnostics. Genetic tests now represent 43% of Medicare...
Pharmaceutical Executive Daily: Senate Democrats Seeking Information on MFN Pharma Deals
Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Ron Wyden, have sent letters to eleven pharmaceutical companies demanding details on their most‑favored‑nation (MFN) agreements and whether those prices generate real savings for Medicaid, with a March 23 response deadline. The inquiry follows earlier requests...
Electronic Registration and Listing Compliance Program
The FDA’s Electronic Registration and Listing Compliance Program (eDRLS) safeguards the accuracy of drug registration and listing data that underpin inspections, electronic prescribing, and reimbursement systems. While automated validation rules catch many errors, the program also employs manual surveillance to...
Slime Robots Poised to Transform MedTech and Manufacturing
#WhatsNext? Slime #Robots. Could be responsible for advances in #MedTech #Healthcare and #Manufacturing and more. #Robotics https://t.co/kuuATvv0Bo
New Cancer Interception Strategy Regresses Pancreatic Precancers
🆕 @ScienceMagazine An exciting new approach vs pancreatic cancer: "cancer interception" Considered ubiquitous, the pancreas in healthy adults has hundreds of PanINs of microscopic premalignant cancer that can be regressed in the experimental model https://t.co/erVtthSMjS https://t.co/2xHIYdIPrx
Teens with ADHD Face Higher Risks of Anxiety and Depression
A University of Edinburgh longitudinal study of over 5,000 UK adolescents found that teens with ADHD face markedly higher rates of anxiety (≈25%) and depression (≈40%). The analysis identified low self‑esteem and parental mental‑health problems as the strongest mediators linking...