This Week’s Top Headlines
FDA Approves First Severe MS Treatment
Posted 3/29/17
The FDA has approved the first treatment for severe multiple sclerosis. The decision came Tuesday after clinical trials showed positive results when treating patients with both severe MS and the more common form of the disease in regression. Treating both severe and mild forms of the disease, scientists believe that this may enable treatments to begin earlier and prevent more severe reactions in the future. The drug, Ocrevas, will be sold by Genentech and is listed at 25% less in cost than the nearest competing therapy. Read the full article here.
UK Unveils Plan to Fund Antibacterial Drug Discovery Unit in University of Dundee
Posted 3/29/17
The UK has announced plans to fund an Antibacterial Drug Discovery Unit to act alongside the UK’s existing Drug Discover Unit in the search for antimicrobial resistant drugs. The government plans to fund the unit in the University of Dundee whose Drug Discovery Unit experienced much success through partnerships with industry leaders including GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer. The new unit will focus on finding new and replacing outdated bacterial infection treatments. Read the full press release here.
House GOP Pulls American Health Care Act from House Vote
Posted 3/29/17
House Republicans pulled the American Health Care Act last week before it went to a vote in the House of Representatives. Citing a lack of adequate votes and bipartisan support, head lawmakers have indefinitely postponed the bill. Read the full article here.
GSK and Warp Drive Bio Team Up to Unlock Undruggable Proteins
Posted 3/29/17
GlaxoSmithKline and Warp Drive Bio have entered a partnership to unlock 80% of human proteins considered “undruggable.” This innovation in biotechnology would enable drugs to better fight niche diseases. GSK will be bringing its DNA encoded library to the deal, ensuring a vast array of molecules. Warp Drive Bio will be offering the use of its SMART platform which enable molecules to fuse to cells and operate within them. Read the full article here.
MedyMatch and Samsung Partner on Ambulance Screening Technology
Posted 3/29/17
After announcing another partnership earlier this month, MedyMatch has confirmed a deal with Samsung to integrate MedyMatch’s artificial intelligence decision support model with Samsung’s medical imaging machines in ambulances. The deal will enable emergency medical professionals to more acutely determine a patient’s pre-diagnosis needs before hospital admission. This will significantly increase the ability of physicians to treat medical emergencies. Read the full article here.
