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Today's Rundown

Roche pulls Tecentriq breast cancer nod after post-approval trial flop
Lab named by Cassava to back up Alzheimer's data says they weren't involved, sending biotech's shares into freefall again
Study names best and worst U.S. cities for mental health
Contaminant in Moderna COVID-19 vaccine vials found in Japan was metallic particles: report
FDA approves first vagus nerve stimulation implant for stroke rehabilitation
In talc case, reorg ruling goes Johnson & Johnson’s way, keeping bankruptcy in play
Boehler's Rubicon Founders is taking aim at kidney care. Here's why
Thwarting a cancer-promoting enzyme with a 2-pronged strategy to induce cell death
Show me the funny: FDA social media account gets spunky, adding wit and wordplay to combat misinformation
Intermountain latest health system to raise minimum wage to $15 an hour amid other pay boosts
Chutes & Ladders—Pfizer taps McKinsey U.S. managing partner as new M&A leader

Featured Story

Roche pulls Tecentriq breast cancer nod after post-approval trial flop

By Noah Higgins-Dunn

Roche’s Tecentriq was heralded just two years ago as the first PD-1/L1 treatment to win an FDA nod in triple-negative breast cancer. But now, the Swiss pharma is pulling the approval after failing a key post-approval trial.

Lab named by Cassava to back up Alzheimer's data says they weren't involved, sending biotech's shares into freefall again

By Annalee Armstrong

Cassava Sciences’ battle over the science backing up an Alzheimer’s disease treatment took another turn Friday, as one of the companies involved in laboratory work for the therapy denied involvement in preparing some of the data in question. Shares of Cassava crashed once again, opening down more than 20% to $54 as the markets opened Friday. This compares to a prior close of $80.

Study names best and worst U.S. cities for mental health

By Anastassia Gliadkovskaya

Denver is the best city for mental health, while Dallas is the worst. These are findings calculated in a July 2021 study by CertaPet, a telehealth company, which analyzed the 50 most populous U.S. cities to find the best and worst places to live for mental health treatment.

Contaminant in Moderna COVID-19 vaccine vials found in Japan was metallic particles: report

By Kevin Dunleavy

The contaminant found in Moderna COVID-19 vaccine vials in Japan is metallic particles, said public broadcasting outlet NHK. Moderna is investigating the incident, which forced the company's manufacturing partner, Takeda, to suspend use of 1.63 million doses of the vaccine.

FDA approves first vagus nerve stimulation implant for stroke rehabilitation

By Conor Hale

The FDA approved its first nerve stimulation device designed to help people suffering from the lasting effects of stroke to gradually regain control of their arms and hands.

In talc case, reorg ruling goes Johnson & Johnson’s way, keeping bankruptcy in play

By Kevin Dunleavy

A U.S. judge has declined to block Johnson & Johnson from potentially creating a new business to absorb liabilities associated with talc litigation and then seek bankruptcy protection.

Boehler's Rubicon Founders is taking aim at kidney care. Here's why

By Paige Minemyer

Adam Boehler's entrepreneurial firm Rubicon Founders has named one of its first targets: kidney care.

Thwarting a cancer-promoting enzyme with a 2-pronged strategy to induce cell death

By Arlene Weintraub

Cancer cells adapt to a harsh, acidic environment by spewing enzymes that neutralize the acid. Canadian researchers discovered that inhibiting one of those enzymes, Carbonic Anhydrase IX (CAIX), while simultaneously promoting a form of cancer-cell death, slows tumor growth.

Show me the funny: FDA social media account gets spunky, adding wit and wordplay to combat misinformation

By Beth Snyder Bulik

The FDA gets more than a fair share of jabs on social media, but lately its Twitter account has been showing its own spunk. It's a purposeful decision to get people's attention and combat viral misinformation, the agency says.

Intermountain latest health system to raise minimum wage to $15 an hour amid other pay boosts

By Robert King

Intermountain Healthcare announced a hike of its minimum wage to $15, affecting the salaries of more than 2,000 workers.

Chutes & Ladders—Pfizer taps McKinsey U.S. managing partner as new M&A leader

By Kyle LaHucik

Pfizer taps its new dealmaking czar, Aamir Malik, who was U.S. managing partner and former global pharma leader at McKinsey. Former Novartis pituitary senior medical director and Chiasma senior vice president jumps to Recordati Rare Disease as chief medical officer. And Neurogastrx brings together former Ironwood Pharmaceuticals leadership team.

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