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 Tale of Three Bispecific Cities
Three bispecific antibodies targeting PD‑1 and CTLA‑4—lorigerlimab, volrustomig, and cadonilimab—illustrate divergent engineering strategies. Lorig erlimab relies on a knob‑into‑hole heterodimer, volrustomig adopts a common light chain format, and cadonilimab incorporates Fc‑silencing mutations. Their distinct designs have produced markedly different safety outcomes in early‑stage trials, highlighting how molecular architecture drives toxicity and dosing. The analysis extracts development lessons for future bispecific programs.
AIRS Medical to Showcase SwiftMR™ Live at ECR 2026
AI‑driven imaging firm AIRS Medical will showcase its SwiftMR™ MRI reconstruction platform at the 2026 European Congress of Radiology in Vienna. Attendees can bring anonymized DICOM data to Booth #AI-19 for real‑time reconstruction, demonstrating faster scans and sharper images. The...
CFG Health Launches CareLink™ — A Fully Integrated, 24/7 Telehealth Platform for Correctional Health Care
CFG Health launched CareLink, a proprietary 24/7 telehealth platform designed for correctional facilities. Built on existing security‑issued tablets, the solution delivers emergency triage, primary, behavioral, and specialty care while maintaining HIPAA compliance. The platform combines CFG’s in‑house clinicians with external...
Acupath Laboratories, Inc. Partners with Azer Scientific to Install the First AzerView Digital Pathology Scanner in the United States
Acupath Laboratories has partnered with Azer Scientific to install the first AzerView LH510 digital pathology scanner in the United States. The LH510 offers high‑resolution whole‑slide imaging and streamlined workflow features designed for clinical, academic, and reference labs. The installation marks...
Drug Trials Snapshot: HYRNUO
Bayer's HYRNUO (sevabertinib) received accelerated FDA approval on November 19, 2025 for adult patients with HER2‑mutated, non‑squamous non‑small cell lung cancer who have progressed after prior therapy. The approval is based on the single‑arm SOHO‑01 trial, which enrolled 122 patients across 78...
Sleep Tech Demand Fuels ResMed
ResMed has evolved from a cyclical device maker into a digital‑health platform anchored by sleep‑apnea therapy, cloud‑connected monitoring and recurring software services. The company posted Q2 FY2026 revenue of $1.4 billion, up 11% YoY, while gross margin climbed to 61.8% and...
How PeerSupport.io Is Helping Yukon Docs Send Referrals Using only Their Voice
PeerSupport.io, a Yukon health‑tech startup, launched CoWork, an autonomous AI browser that executes EMR and web‑based tasks through voice commands. In pilot clinics the tool can send referrals, renew prescriptions, and pull charts in under 11 seconds, delivering roughly 10.5...
Multicenter Study Shows High Local Tumor Control After Resection with GammaTile in Newly Diagnosed Brain Metastases
GT Medical Technologies released Phase IV registry data showing that GammaTile brachytherapy, implanted at the time of surgical resection, achieved 92.3% local tumor control in newly diagnosed brain metastases after a median 12.4‑month follow‑up. The study of 51 patients reported a...
New Heart Device for ‘No-Option’ Chest Pain Patients Shows Early Potential
VahatiCor’s A‑Flux Reducer System, a self‑expanding, recapturable coronary sinus device, was implanted in a first‑in‑human cohort of 12 patients with coronary microvascular dysfunction or obstructive CAD. Eleven procedures were completed without any device‑related complications, and patients experienced significant improvements in...
Shining the Light on Shadow Bundles
In February 2024 CMS unveiled “shadow bundles,” a modified BPCI‑A methodology that collects episode cost and quality data for hospitals and specialists without their explicit participation. The information is shared primarily with ACOs, MSSP participants, Medicare Advantage plans, and large...
UNC Health Unveils Rare Disease Coding Tool in Epic
UNC Health has launched the world’s first standardized rare‑disease coding tool by embedding the Mondo Disease Ontology into Epic’s EHR through the February 2026 IMO Core update. The integration adds nearly 5,000 new rare‑disease codes and revises more than 25,000...
Certification Process for Designated Medical Gases
The FDA released a draft guidance titled “Certification Process for Designated Medical Gases,” outlining how manufacturers must obtain certification and meet annual reporting requirements. The document defines qualifying products, required submission content, and FDA’s evaluation criteria. It replaces the 2015...
FAQ: Inflation Reduction Act and Medicare Drug Pricing
The Inflation Reduction Act reshapes Medicare Part D by granting CMS authority to negotiate prices for high‑cost drugs and instituting a $2,100 annual out‑of‑pocket cap for beneficiaries starting this year. The first ten drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy, will have negotiated...
Beyond BMI: Why Weight Management Must Look Inside the Body
Recent research highlights that BMI alone misclassifies up to 34% of adults, masking critical changes in muscle mass and fluid balance. Rapid weight loss driven by GLP‑1 therapies can cause substantial muscle and intracellular water loss while extracellular fluid rises,...
Evernorth Confirms Full Ownership of CarepathRx
Evernorth, Cigna’s health‑services arm, has confirmed it now fully owns CarepathRx after completing the acquisition last year. CarepathRx provides home and ambulatory infusion solutions to roughly 10% of U.S. hospitals, strengthening Evernorth’s specialty pharmacy footprint. The deal builds on a...
Wearable Rhythm & Activity Predict Inflammation‑Driven Aging
I used to teach that "aging is just wear-and-tear." A new Nature paper used 7 days of wrist-wearable data from ~62,000 adults and found your circadian rhythm patterns (amplitude + stability) and MVPA predict inflammation-linked biological aging. Low rhythm amplitude and poor...
Learned Helplessness and Self-Efficacy in Tobacco Treatment
The article explains how repeated failed quit attempts create learned helplessness among smokers, undermining their belief that effort matters. It contrasts this with self‑efficacy, a task‑specific confidence that predicts successful cessation. Pharmacotherapy combined with structured counseling can double quit rates,...
5 Things to Know About the Emerging Measles Outbreaks in the US
The United States recorded 2,280 measles cases in 2025, the highest tally since 1991, and early 2026 has already seen 910 additional cases, concentrated in South Carolina, Utah and Florida. Low MMR vaccination coverage—just 64% for a single dose—has been...
The Friday Checkout: ShopRite’s Integrated Approach to GLP-1s
ShopRite, part of Wakefern Food Corp., has introduced a limited‑time "Wellness Your Way" starter kit for customers beginning GLP‑1 therapy. The kit bundles medication samples, coupons and a dietitian‑crafted wellness guide, explicitly tying the chain’s pharmacy and grocery divisions. The...
3D Bioprinted Corneal Implants May Ease Donor Tissue Shortage
Precise Bio successfully implanted PB-001, the world’s first 3D‑bioprinted, cell‑based corneal graft, in a legally blind patient during a phase‑1 trial. The implant combines human endothelial cells with a transparent collagen scaffold, replicating the properties of donor tissue. By using...
Cure Parkinson’s Expands Its Research Committee and Welcomes New Interns
Cure Parkinson’s has expanded its Research Committee by adding eight new members from leading UK and European institutions, spanning neurology, bioinformatics, pharmacology and more. The charity also welcomed three early‑career researchers as interns, extending the programme beyond the UK to...
Technology-Enabled Service Improves Maternal Mental Health
A randomized trial of 642 first‑time mothers showed that Baby2Home, a technology‑enabled postpartum service, significantly lowered stress, depression and anxiety scores while boosting overall health, relationship satisfaction and self‑efficacy. The digital platform combined educational content, infant‑care trackers, symptom monitoring and...
Managing Migraines and Diabetes? Theranica Proves Migraine Wearable Is Safe to Use with CGMs
Theranica published a peer‑reviewed study confirming that its Nerivio Remote Electrical Neuromodulation (REN) wearable can be used concurrently with leading continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems without compromising data accuracy. The trial involved 21 adults with diabetes, testing Abbott FreeStyle Libre...
Where the Patient Experience Is Heading – And 3 Ways Healthcare Providers Can Meet That Moment
Telehealth surged from 15% to 86% of physicians between 2019 and 2021, and a 2024 survey shows 94% of patients would repeat virtual visits. This shift has turned remote care into a baseline expectation. AI is now poised to deepen...
Handl Health Raises $14.2M to Optimize Employer-Sponsored Health Plans
Handl Health announced a $14.2 million Series A round led by Arthur Ventures, aimed at scaling its unified health‑plan platform for brokers, carriers, and TPAs. The solution aggregates pricing, utilization, benefit, and quality data to let employers model and continuously...
NHS "Isn't Delivering Equitable Care for Rare Diseases"
Genetic Alliance UK’s equity report warns the NHS is falling short for the 3.5 million Britons living with rare diseases. A quarter of patients wait three years for a diagnosis, only 5 % of conditions have approved treatments, and just 10 % of...
The Truth About Ketamine: An Anesthesiologist Explains Drug Safety
Anesthesiologist Jim Ellwood explains that ketamine, like propofol and fentanyl, is safe when administered by trained professionals but becomes dangerous in unregulated settings. He contrasts high‑profile overdose headlines with the controlled, low‑dose protocols used for anesthesia and emerging mental‑health treatments....
AI Accurately Spots Medical Disorder From Privacy-Conscious Hand Images
Kobe University researchers have created an AI model that diagnoses acromegaly from photographs of the back of the hand and a clenched fist, achieving higher sensitivity and specificity than seasoned endocrinologists. The system was trained on over 11,000 images contributed...
FDB Vela Integrates With Photon Health Digital Prescription Marketplace
First Databank’s cloud‑native ePrescribing network, FDB Vela, has integrated with Photon Health’s digital prescription marketplace. The partnership combines FDB Vela’s HITRUST‑certified, redundant cloud infrastructure with Photon’s consumer‑focused platform that lets patients compare pharmacy options by price, location and availability before...
Preparing and Supporting the Next Generation of Health Care Leaders
The American Hospital Association’s Next Generation Leaders Fellowship has launched its 2025‑2026 cohort, selecting 34 emerging health‑care leaders from across the nation. The 12‑month program pairs each fellow with an executive mentor and culminates in a capstone project aimed at...
Minnesota's Autism Service Use Soars—Cause Unclear
Dramatic increase in autism program utilization in Minnesota. Is this a true increase in autism rates or some other reporting/diagnosis factor or just fraud? Are other states seeing this? (This is not a political question).
Smart Hospitals Reduce Admin, Bring Clinicians Closer
"Smart” doesn’t mean distant. The smartest hospital ecosystems actually bring clinicians closer to patients by reducing administrative burden. Insights from Jeff Fallon at eVideon: https://t.co/x7o1COnGIe @eVideon @TigerConnect #SmartHospitals #HITsm https://t.co/PVVG70mbKN
How Cerec Crown Technology Works in Cary NC Dental Offices
CEREC crown technology lets Cary, NC dental offices design, mill, and place a custom ceramic crown in a single visit using digital scans and CAD/CAM software. The workflow eliminates traditional impressions, reduces chair time, and delivers a precise, aesthetic restoration....
Comparing Lorigerlimab, Volrustomig, Cadonilimab: Design Lessons
An intriguing tale of three cities. How do the PD1xCTLA4 bispecific agents lorigerlimab, volrustomig, and cadonilimab stack up when it comes to design and performance? Some useful and pointed lessons here for biotech execs: https://t.co/xaSW15Fvdl https://t.co/dhXbiI3N6v
Atrium Launches to Tackle Rare Heart Diseases with RNA
Atrium spins out of Avidity, aiming to target rare heart diseases with RNA https://t.co/xLp2oQDHGy $RNA $NVS #startups
A New Antibody Treatment For Breast Cancer
A year-long trastuzumab emtansine (T‑DM1) regimen showed 98% three‑year invasive‑disease‑free survival in early‑stage HER2‑positive breast cancer, comparable to standard paclitaxel‑plus‑trastuzumab. The ATEMPT trial of nearly 500 patients found similar overall survival but markedly lower neuropathy and hair loss with T‑DM1,...
De Novo Proteins Expected in Clinics Within Two Years
“The era of de novo proteins is coming a lot faster than probably people recognize,” Generate's CEO Mike Nally tells me. “I think within the next year or two you’ll start seeing de novo designs enter the clinic.” https://t.co/u3WQcDD3jL
Hospitals Now Demand Deep Integration of Virtual Care
Hospitals aren’t asking IF they need virtual care anymore — they’re asking how deeply it integrates. Insightful take from @_artisight's Jay Lyonett at #ViVE2026. 👉 https://t.co/ckEzNYH8oS
Boehringer Wins Speedy Lung Cancer Approval Under Commissioner’s Priority Program
The FDA granted accelerated approval to Boehringer Ingelheim’s oral HER2 kinase inhibitor Hernexeos six weeks after the company filed its application, marking the second approval under the new Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher (CNPV) program. The decision expands Hernexeos use to...
Study Finds Inconsistent Patient Safety in ChatGPT Health
An important study just came out that is the first to evaluate patient safety when it comes to ChatGPT Health. Millions of people are using LLMs every week to triage health conditions, but this new study has found concerning inconsistencies. https://t.co/etjthA2olM
Smartphone AI Beats Endocrinologists in Acromegaly Diagnosis
AI is helping to make the diagnosis of rare diseases. A new multicenter study in Japan showed smartphone AI diagnosis of acromegaly via hands was better than experienced endocrinologists https://t.co/qBiazetToV https://t.co/dSZpJ2us84
E-Biking Boosts Health, Physical Activity Levels, Study Finds
A University of Otago pilot gave 26 Māori and Pacific participants e‑bikes, training and support, revealing notable improvements in mental wellbeing and management of chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma. Interviews conducted over 12 months showed participants valued...
Former Surgeon General Urges Senate Reject Unqualified SG
Former surgeon general: The Senate must not approve an SG who can’t practice medicine https://t.co/TfgRw59xFd
Watch Webinar Linking Top 100 Biotech VCs Insights
Here's the link to watch yesterday's webinar on venture capital, a companion to this year's top 100 biotech VCs list with @ChrisDoko Lots of positive feedback here. Post your thoughts. https://t.co/c16y04mFsD
Promatix EGFR×EphA2 Bispecific ADC Exerts Antitumor Activity
Today’s brief highlights four pre‑clinical advances: Paratus Sciences unveiled PS‑1001, a pan‑inflammasome blocker targeting IL‑1β and IL‑18 for hidradenitis suppurativa; researchers identified the SCAN circuit as a core pathway disrupted in Parkinson’s disease; RX‑10616 demonstrated enhanced radiotherapy response in head‑and‑neck...
Novo's Missteps Echo Bristol Myers' Strategic Failure
Elizabeth Cairns' piece on $Novo is reminiscent of Bristol Myers' strategic fail against Merck and Keytruda. They were focused on the wrong things, made bad trial design decisions and got stuck in the mud of their own making. Everyone should...
Obesity Accelerates Neurodegeneration, New NatMetabolism Study Shows
How does obesity catalyze neurodegeneration? Our paper just out @NatMetabolism https://t.co/kx25urgpJx free access https://t.co/aL1FBN9MyI Phenomenal work by @chen_bandy pulling this together
Prospect Therapeutics Identifies New JAK1 and TYK2 Inhibitors
Prospect Therapeutics announced the identification of a new series of small‑molecule inhibitors targeting Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) and tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2). The lead compounds demonstrate nanomolar potency and selectivity in biochemical assays and effectively suppress cytokine signaling in cellular...
Trial Failures Stem From Flawed Design Choices
“You can’t stand there after the fact and blame the open-label design,” he said. “You designed it. You designed a noninferiority margin. You picked the patients. And then the trial doesn’t work.” https://t.co/acS5i5s5NU
Alumni Dr. Leroy Versteeg Highlights Brown Talk at UTHealth
Great to see our former National School of Tropical Medicine @BCM_TropMed trainee Dr. Leroy Versteeg at my Brown Molecular Medicine talk at @UTHealthHouston in our @TXMedCenter https://t.co/F9IGkVNkfM