Healthcare News and Headlines

Can AI Help Healthcare Systems Make Sense of Their Data?
NewsMar 18, 2026

Can AI Help Healthcare Systems Make Sense of Their Data?

At DevSparks 2026, Partex.AI unveiled a sovereign healthcare foundation model that combines federated learning, knowledge graphs, and agentic AI to analyze fragmented medical data without moving patient records. The architecture keeps data on‑site, sharing only encrypted model updates, while knowledge...

By YourStory
Mass General Brigham Health Plan Launches Interactive Wellness Hub
NewsMar 18, 2026

Mass General Brigham Health Plan Launches Interactive Wellness Hub

Mass General Brigham Health Plan partnered with mPulse to launch an interactive wellness hub for commercial, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and dual‑eligible members. The platform uses predictive analytics to deliver personalized nutrition, activity, sleep and stress‑management tools through audio, visual and...

By Healthcare Finance News (HIMSS Media)
STAT+: A Huntington’s Researcher on the UniQure-FDA Fray
NewsMar 18, 2026

STAT+: A Huntington’s Researcher on the UniQure-FDA Fray

UniQure’s experimental gene‑therapy for Huntington’s disease, which previously reported a 75% slowdown in disease progression, has received a third consecutive rejection from the FDA. The trial’s lead investigator, Ed Wild of University College London, praised the early data but warned...

By STAT (Biotech)
'Ambulance Desert': Ala. Legislators Push Bill to Fix Rural EMS Crisis
NewsMar 18, 2026

'Ambulance Desert': Ala. Legislators Push Bill to Fix Rural EMS Crisis

Alabama lawmakers are advancing HB 269 and its companion HB 400 to overhaul ambulance reimbursement rates and allow "treat‑in‑place" billing, aiming to keep rural EMS providers financially viable. The measures respond to an "ambulance desert" landscape where response times can exceed an...

By EMS1 – News
AI Startup Basecamp Research Announces Trillion-Gene Project
NewsMar 18, 2026

AI Startup Basecamp Research Announces Trillion-Gene Project

Basecamp Research, an AI‑focused biotech startup backed by Microsoft and Nvidia, announced a trillion‑gene sequencing initiative. The company aims to collect genetic sequences for over a trillion proteins within the next two years. Leveraging high‑performance cloud computing and advanced generative‑AI...

By Endpoints News
Epic Secures a £222m Federated EPR Contract Across Somerset and Dorset
NewsMar 18, 2026

Epic Secures a £222m Federated EPR Contract Across Somerset and Dorset

In early March 2026 four NHS trusts in Somerset and Dorset signed a £222 million federated contract with US‑based Epic to replace a patchwork of legacy electronic patient record (EPR) and patient‑administration systems. The deal unifies Epic’s platform across Somerset NHS...

By Hospital Management
Ionis Delays Prion Disease Readout; Arvinas' Parkinson's Biomarker Data
NewsMar 18, 2026

Ionis Delays Prion Disease Readout; Arvinas' Parkinson's Biomarker Data

Ionis Therapeutics announced that the primary completion date for its Phase 1/2a prion disease trial has been pushed to February 2027, extending the study timeline by more than two years. In parallel, Arvinas reported new biomarker data from its Parkinson’s disease program,...

By Endpoints News
Rox Heart Radio: On the Cusp of ACC 2026
NewsMar 18, 2026

Rox Heart Radio: On the Cusp of ACC 2026

Incoming ACC President Roxana Mehran discusses the upcoming 2026 ACC meeting in New Orleans on the Rox Heart Radio podcast. She outlines her vision for the organization, emphasizing data‑driven leadership, patient‑centered outcomes, and broader member engagement. The episode highlights strategic...

By TCTMD
Kennedy’s Vaccine Agenda Stalled, Structure’s ‘Competitive’ Obesity Pill, Novo’s Warning Letter
NewsMar 18, 2026

Kennedy’s Vaccine Agenda Stalled, Structure’s ‘Competitive’ Obesity Pill, Novo’s Warning Letter

Structure Therapeutics reported a 16.3% weight loss after 44 weeks in a Phase 2 trial of its oral GLP‑1 pill, positioning it as a competitive alternative to Eli Lilly’s and Novo Nordisk’s candidates. Rhythm Pharmaceuticals disclosed that its obesity drug Imcivree failed in...

By BioSpace
Briggs Morrison's Crossbow Unveils $77M Series B for T Cell Engagers
NewsMar 18, 2026

Briggs Morrison's Crossbow Unveils $77M Series B for T Cell Engagers

Crossbow Therapeutics, founded by biotech veteran Briggs Morrison, announced a $77 million Series B round to accelerate its off‑the‑shelf T‑cell engager platform. The funding, led by a mix of venture capital and strategic investors, will support the advancement of three preclinical candidates...

By Endpoints News
Aspen's Personalized Parkinson's Therapy Shows Early Promise
NewsMar 18, 2026

Aspen's Personalized Parkinson's Therapy Shows Early Promise

Aspen Neuroscience reported encouraging early data from a small autologous cell therapy trial for Parkinson's disease. The treatment, derived from each patient's own skin cells and reprogrammed into dopaminergic neurons, was safely implanted in twelve participants, showing graft survival and...

By Endpoints News
Life After Chemsex
NewsMar 18, 2026

Life After Chemsex

Tommy Macnally, now a recovery worker at Antidote, recounts his eight‑year descent into chemsex—a subculture of drug‑enhanced sex among GBMSM—followed by a painful but successful sobriety journey. National data show drug‑poisoning deaths are 2.8 times higher for LGBTQ+ people, with London...

By The Face
First MHRA/NICE Aligned Guidance Due in June
NewsMar 18, 2026

First MHRA/NICE Aligned Guidance Due in June

The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) will begin delivering aligned guidance in June, enabling simultaneous licensing and reimbursement decisions for new medicines. Twenty‑seven companies have signed up...

By pharmaphorum
Nearly Half of All Health Spending in U.S. Comes From 5% of Population
NewsMar 18, 2026

Nearly Half of All Health Spending in U.S. Comes From 5% of Population

A new KFF analysis of the 2023 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey shows that just 5% of Americans accounted for nearly half of all health spending, with an average outlay of $72,918 per person. The top 1% spent about $150,467 annually....

By Human Resource Executive
As Chinese Biotechs Recognize Their Value, the Bargain Era May Be Over
NewsMar 18, 2026

As Chinese Biotechs Recognize Their Value, the Bargain Era May Be Over

Chinese biotech licensing activity surged in 2025, with 92 deals—a jump from 64 the prior year—and total deal value reaching a record $137.7 billion. The average upfront payment climbed from $102 million to $141 million, signaling that Chinese assets are no longer deep‑discount...

By PharmaVoice
STAT+: J&J Wins Approval for First-of-Its-Kind Psoriasis Pill
NewsMar 18, 2026

STAT+: J&J Wins Approval for First-of-Its-Kind Psoriasis Pill

Johnson & Johnson received FDA clearance for Icotyde, the first oral daily pill for moderate‑to‑severe plaque psoriasis. The drug, originally called icotrokinra, is approved for patients aged 12 and older and is designed to replicate the efficacy of injectable biologics...

By STAT (Biotech)
Re: Meningitis: Fatal Outbreak in Kent Is Less Targeted Strain B, Officials Confirm
NewsMar 18, 2026

Re: Meningitis: Fatal Outbreak in Kent Is Less Targeted Strain B, Officials Confirm

Public health officials confirmed a fatal meningococcal group B outbreak in Kent, highlighting a less‑targeted strain. The letter notes that vaccination coverage among university students has slipped since the COVID‑19 pandemic, increasing vulnerability in high‑density campuses. It urges routine provision of...

By BMJ (Latest)
Myriad Genetics Receives the US FDA Approval for MyChoice CDx Test as a Companion Diagnostic for GSK’s Zejula
NewsMar 18, 2026

Myriad Genetics Receives the US FDA Approval for MyChoice CDx Test as a Companion Diagnostic for GSK’s Zejula

Myriad Genetics announced FDA approval of its MyChoice CDx test as a companion diagnostic for GSK’s Zejula (niraparib) in advanced ovarian cancer. The clearance follows the PRIMA trial, which showed that patients identified as HRD‑positive derived significant benefit from Zejula...

By PharmaShots
Mitochondria Packaged in Blood Cell Membranes Improve Disease Symptoms in Mice
NewsMar 18, 2026

Mitochondria Packaged in Blood Cell Membranes Improve Disease Symptoms in Mice

Researchers have engineered microscopic capsules made from red blood cell membranes that encase single, healthy mitochondria and can be injected into animals. In mouse models of Parkinson‑like disease and Leigh syndrome, the capsules restored neuronal function, improved motor activity, and...

By Science (AAAS)  News
Samsung Bioepis Partners with Sandoz for Up to Five Biosimilar Candidates
NewsMar 18, 2026

Samsung Bioepis Partners with Sandoz for Up to Five Biosimilar Candidates

Samsung Bioepis and Sandoz have signed a global license, development and commercialization agreement covering up to five biosimilar candidates, including the preclinical SB36 biosimilar to Entyvio (vedolizumab). Samsung Bioepis will manage development, manufacturing and regulatory submissions, while Sandoz will handle...

By PharmaShots
Your Next Hospital Stay Might Be In Your Own Bedroom. A Doctor Explains
NewsMar 18, 2026

Your Next Hospital Stay Might Be In Your Own Bedroom. A Doctor Explains

Medicare’s Acute Hospital Care at Home waiver has been extended through September 2030, giving hospitals a decade‑long runway to expand home‑based acute care. As of September 2025, 419 hospitals in 39 states are authorized, treating conditions such as pneumonia, heart‑failure,...

By Forbes – Healthcare
Re: Seeing Healthcare From Both Sides of the Bedrail
NewsMar 18, 2026

Re: Seeing Healthcare From Both Sides of the Bedrail

A junior doctor at age 25 was diagnosed with an aggressive stage‑II sarcoma after her initial request for imaging was denied because her symptoms did not fit classic cancer criteria. The delay highlighted how strict adherence to typical presentation guidelines...

By BMJ (Latest)
US Court Says Pharma Giants Must Face False Claims Suit
NewsMar 18, 2026

US Court Says Pharma Giants Must Face False Claims Suit

The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denied dismissal motions by AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Novartis and Sanofi, allowing a whistleblower False Claims Act suit over alleged 340B program overcharges to proceed. The lawsuit, filed by Adventist Health System/West, claims the manufacturers...

By pharmaphorum
Insurer and Business Lobbying Interests Kill Supplemental Breast Imaging Bill in 1 State
NewsMar 18, 2026

Insurer and Business Lobbying Interests Kill Supplemental Breast Imaging Bill in 1 State

Kansas Senate Bill 409, which would mandate insurers to cover supplemental breast imaging after mammography, failed to advance as the legislative session progressed. Insurer Blue Cross and business groups such as the Kansas Chamber of Commerce opposed the bill, labeling...

By Radiology Business
Malaysian Medical Tourism Set to Benefit From Iran War’s Impact
NewsMar 18, 2026

Malaysian Medical Tourism Set to Benefit From Iran War’s Impact

Malaysia’s medical tourism could gain patients from the Middle East as the Iran‑Israel conflict makes Dubai’s medical hub unsafe. Sunway Healthcare’s president warned that regional travelers may seek temporary stays in Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia. Revenue from medical tourists rose...

By South China Morning Post – Asia
Hospice CARE Act Reintroduced
NewsMar 18, 2026

Hospice CARE Act Reintroduced

Rep. Linda T. Sánchez and Sen. Mark Warner have re‑introduced the Hospice CARE Act, aiming to modernize the Medicare hospice benefit while tightening program integrity. The legislation proposes a moratorium on new hospice enrollment, enhanced transparency of ownership, and higher...

By Hospice News
Rollout of Ambient Voice Technology Across UHL-UHN to Speed up Care and Improve Communication for Patients
NewsMar 18, 2026

Rollout of Ambient Voice Technology Across UHL-UHN to Speed up Care and Improve Communication for Patients

The University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) have become the first NHS trusts to jointly deploy AI‑powered Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) through Accurx Scribe. The rollout will equip more than 10,000 clinicians with voice‑captured scribing...

By Health Tech Digital (UK)
Xaira Unveils AI Model X-Cell for Predicting Virtual Cells
NewsMar 18, 2026

Xaira Unveils AI Model X-Cell for Predicting Virtual Cells

Xaira, the biotech AI startup with the deepest funding round, launched its first model, X‑Cell, on Tuesday. The platform uses deep learning to generate virtual cell representations from multi‑omics data, enabling researchers to simulate cellular responses without physical experiments. Early...

By Endpoints News
Evidence Shows ACA’s Mandated Benefits Alone Don’t Drive Up Costs. The Debate Continues.
NewsMar 18, 2026

Evidence Shows ACA’s Mandated Benefits Alone Don’t Drive Up Costs. The Debate Continues.

President Donald Trump has again blamed the Affordable Care Act for rising health‑care costs, citing premium spikes since the law’s rollout. Data show ACA individual premiums have risen 129% since 2014, outpacing the 68% increase in employer‑based plans, while deductibles...

By KFF Health News
Red States Move to Protect Crisis Pregnancy Centers Using Model Legislation
NewsMar 18, 2026

Red States Move to Protect Crisis Pregnancy Centers Using Model Legislation

Conservative lawmakers in Wyoming, Kansas and Oklahoma are advancing the Alliance Defending Freedom’s model CARE Act, which shields crisis pregnancy centers from state mandates to provide abortion referrals, information or contraception. The bill also grants centers the right to sue...

By NPR (Health)
How to Switch Between Health Insurance Plans in India Without Losing Benefits
NewsMar 18, 2026

How to Switch Between Health Insurance Plans in India Without Losing Benefits

Switching health insurance plans in India can be done without losing benefits by using the portability option at renewal. The article outlines a step‑by‑step process that emphasizes timing, documentation, and full health disclosure to retain waiting‑period credits and existing‑condition coverage....

By Finance Monthly
OXOS Medical’s MC2 Secures Clearance for Paediatric Imaging
NewsMar 18, 2026

OXOS Medical’s MC2 Secures Clearance for Paediatric Imaging

OXOS Medical announced FDA clearance for its MC2 portable X‑ray system designed specifically for paediatric imaging. The lightweight, wireless device enables bedside scans, allowing children to stay with caregivers while receiving low‑dose, high‑definition images. Hands‑free operation via a wireless foot...

By Hospital Management
START and Trialing Collaborate on Oncology Clinical Trials
NewsMar 18, 2026

START and Trialing Collaborate on Oncology Clinical Trials

START Center for Cancer Research has partnered with Trialing to broaden access to early‑phase oncology clinical trials throughout Europe. The exclusive agreement lets START distribute curated trial information and real‑time enrollment updates via Trialing’s platform, directly notifying oncologists when slots...

By Hospital Management
Maker of Device To Treat Addiction Withdrawal Seeks Counties’ Opioid Settlement Cash
NewsMar 18, 2026

Maker of Device To Treat Addiction Withdrawal Seeks Counties’ Opioid Settlement Cash

Kentucky counties are using opioid settlement money to purchase the NET device, a FDA‑cleared neuromodulation tool that eases withdrawal symptoms, at roughly $5,500 per patient. The company behind NET, NET Recovery, has secured about $1.2 million in contracts across more than...

By KFF Health News
The Albumin-Globulin Ratio Mediates Progressive Motor Function Decline in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
NewsMar 18, 2026

The Albumin-Globulin Ratio Mediates Progressive Motor Function Decline in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

A retrospective cohort of 201 Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients and 202 matched controls revealed that a lower albumin‑globulin ratio (AGR) is strongly associated with poorer motor function and faster loss of ambulation. Logistic and Cox models showed lower AGR...

By Research Square – News/Updates
Medication Availability for Alcohol Use Disorder in Substance Use Disorder Treatment Facilities
NewsMar 18, 2026

Medication Availability for Alcohol Use Disorder in Substance Use Disorder Treatment Facilities

A nationwide study of 3,153 U.S. counties shows that the share of substance‑use‑disorder treatment facilities offering medication for alcohol use disorder (MAUD) rose from 34% in 2017 to 44% in 2021, then plateaued. Rural‑adjacent and rural‑remote counties lagged metropolitan areas...

By RAND Blog/Analysis
Extracting Non-Taxonomic and Ternary Relations From Patient-Generated Texts for Semantic Interoperability
NewsMar 18, 2026

Extracting Non-Taxonomic and Ternary Relations From Patient-Generated Texts for Semantic Interoperability

A new knowledge‑infused neural framework extracts non‑taxonomic and ternary relations from patient‑generated texts, addressing gaps left by taxonomic‑only approaches. Using a four‑layer architecture, delayed fusion, rule‑based dictionaries, and BioBERT validation, the system processes 38,115 anxiety and depression documents. It achieves...

By Research Square – News/Updates
Understanding Hiv Patients’ Perceptions of Nutrition Education at Mulago National Referral Hospital, a Qualitative Study
NewsMar 18, 2026

Understanding Hiv Patients’ Perceptions of Nutrition Education at Mulago National Referral Hospital, a Qualitative Study

A qualitative study at Mulago National Referral Hospital found that structured nutrition education is virtually absent for HIV inpatients, with six of seven participants reporting no dietary counselling and no ward‑based nutritionist. Patients expressed positive attitudes toward nutrition and recognized...

By Research Square – News/Updates
Multifactorial Predictors of Infant Neurodevelopment at Six Months: A Hierarchical Regression Analysis
NewsMar 18, 2026

Multifactorial Predictors of Infant Neurodevelopment at Six Months: A Hierarchical Regression Analysis

A cross‑sectional study of 124 term infants examined how biological, maternal, and environmental factors predict neurodevelopment at six months using the ASQ‑3. Hierarchical regression showed that birth weight was the strongest and most consistent predictor across communication, gross motor, problem‑solving,...

By Research Square – News/Updates
Barriers and Facilitators to Antimicrobial Stewardship Implementation Across Healthcare Settings in Bangladesh: A Systematic Review
NewsMar 18, 2026

Barriers and Facilitators to Antimicrobial Stewardship Implementation Across Healthcare Settings in Bangladesh: A Systematic Review

Bangladesh faces a growing antimicrobial resistance crisis, with 26,200 AMR‑related deaths in 2019. A systematic review of 14 studies covering over 34,000 patients and clinicians found that antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs are fragmented, with only 31% of prescriptions guided by...

By Research Square – News/Updates
Co PSMA Prostate Imaging Data Presented at EAU Congress
NewsMar 18, 2026

Co PSMA Prostate Imaging Data Presented at EAU Congress

Clarity Pharmaceuticals presented Phase II Co‑PSMA data at the EAU Congress, showing its 64Cu‑SAR‑bisPSMA PET tracer outperforms the standard 68Ga‑PSMA‑11 in detecting prostate cancer recurrence at low PSA levels. In 50 men post‑radical prostatectomy, 64Cu‑SAR‑bisPSMA identified 63 lesions versus 24...

By Vietnam Investment Review (VIR)
Cogent Biosciences Reports US FDA’s NDA Acceptance of Bezuclastinib for NonAdvanced Systemic Mastocytosis (NonAdvSM)
NewsMar 18, 2026

Cogent Biosciences Reports US FDA’s NDA Acceptance of Bezuclastinib for NonAdvanced Systemic Mastocytosis (NonAdvSM)

Cogent Biosciences announced that the U.S. FDA has accepted its new‑drug application for bezuclastinib in non‑advanced systemic mastocytosis (NonAdvSM), with a PDUFA target date of December 30 2026 and no advisory committee required. The filing is supported by the SUMMIT trial, which...

By PharmaShots
Nigeria Bets on High-End Fiagnostics as Siemens–AMCE Deal Targets Medical Tourism Drain
NewsMar 18, 2026

Nigeria Bets on High-End Fiagnostics as Siemens–AMCE Deal Targets Medical Tourism Drain

Siemens Healthineers has teamed up with the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) to bring advanced imaging, precision diagnostics and integrated cancer‑care solutions to Nigeria. The $300 million, Afreximbank‑backed hospital aims to become a regional hub for oncology, cardiology and haematology,...

By BusinessDay (Nigeria)
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy: A Human-Centred, Cost-Effective Approach to Dementia Care
NewsMar 18, 2026

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy: A Human-Centred, Cost-Effective Approach to Dementia Care

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is a low‑cost, evidence‑based psychosocial program for mild‑to‑moderate dementia that has been piloted at Bruyère Health Geriatric Day Hospital since January 2025. The pilot has completed three rounds and will conclude in July 2026, informing funding...

By The Good Men Project
Ascendis Pharma Reports Topline P-II (New InsiGHTS) Trial Data on TransCon hGH in Turner Syndrome
NewsMar 18, 2026

Ascendis Pharma Reports Topline P-II (New InsiGHTS) Trial Data on TransCon hGH in Turner Syndrome

Ascendis Pharma released topline results from its Phase‑II New InsiGHTS trial evaluating TransCon hGH (lonapegsomatropin) administered once‑weekly versus daily somatropin in 49 prepubertal children with Turner syndrome. At week 52, the weekly formulation achieved an LS mean annualized height velocity...

By PharmaShots
Impact of Enteral Feeding Strategies on Nosocomial Clostridioides Difficile Infection-Induced Diarrhea
NewsMar 18, 2026

Impact of Enteral Feeding Strategies on Nosocomial Clostridioides Difficile Infection-Induced Diarrhea

A retrospective study of 78 Saudi hospital patients with Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) found that continuous enteral feeding markedly lowered diarrhea severity compared with intermittent feeding (OR = 7.91, p < 0.001). Continuous feeding also stabilized serum sodium and reduced biochemical instability, while intermittent...

By Frontiers in Nutrition
Chinese Scientists Use E Coli to Fight Breast Tumours From Within in Mice Study
NewsMar 18, 2026

Chinese Scientists Use E Coli to Fight Breast Tumours From Within in Mice Study

Chinese researchers at Shandong University have engineered the probiotic strain Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 to synthesize and deliver the anticancer drug Romidepsin directly within breast‑tumor tissue in mice. The bacteria colonized the tumors, releasing the drug locally and achieving tumor‑inhibiting...

By South China Morning Post — Economy
The Cognitive Aftercare Gap: Cancer Care Is Data-Rich, but Brain Recovery Is Unmanaged
NewsMar 18, 2026

The Cognitive Aftercare Gap: Cancer Care Is Data-Rich, but Brain Recovery Is Unmanaged

Cancer survivorship is increasingly recognized, yet cognitive impairment—often called "brain fog"—remains invisible in most oncology workflows. Studies show up to 75% of patients experience cognitive changes during treatment, with roughly 35% continuing months or years afterward. The gap stems from...

By HIT Consultant
How TrumpRx Drug Prices Compare With Those in Other Countries
NewsMar 18, 2026

How TrumpRx Drug Prices Compare With Those in Other Countries

President Trump’s TrumpRx website claims to offer the world’s lowest prescription‑drug prices, but a New York Times analysis finds the opposite. The site lists only a few dozen negotiated U.S. prices, omitting widely used drugs such as statins and many high‑cost cancer...

By New York Times – Health