Lawmakers aim to overhaul how CMS covers new treatments

Today's Big News

Dec 1, 2022

Roche thins Alzheimer’s program after phase 3 failure, may seek ‘external partnerships’


With FDA nod for its fecal microbiome therapy, Ferring becomes No. 1 in No. 2


New bill aims to reform CMS' drug coverage authority after controversial Aduhelm decision


Elon Musk claims Neuralink is 6 months from implanting brain-computer interfaces in humans—and one day, he’ll be one of them


A winner is crowned in head-to-head Alzheimer's battle between Biogen's Aduhelm and Lilly

 

Featured

Roche thins Alzheimer’s program after phase 3 failure, may seek ‘external partnerships’

Roche’s Genentech unit is walking away from a clutch of studies for its leading Alzheimer’s therapy gantenerumab, weeks after the monoclonal antibody failed a pair of phase 3 studies.
 

Top Stories

With FDA nod for its fecal microbiome therapy, Ferring becomes No. 1 in No. 2

The FDA has signed off on Ferring Pharmaceuticals' Rebyota, a one-time, enema-delivered therapy for Clostridium difficile that can restore proper bacterial balance in the digestive system. As the first FDA-approved fecal microbiotica product, Rebyota represents a significant milestone, potentially clearing the way for other such treatments.

New bill aims to reform CMS' drug coverage authority after controversial Aduhelm decision

A new bill seeks to reform CMS' Medicare coverage determination process in response to criticism of the agency's decision earlier this year to only narrowly cover the drug Aduhelm.

Elon Musk claims Neuralink is 6 months from implanting brain-computer interfaces in humans—and, someday, he'll be one of them

Elon Musk may need more press coverage like he needs a hole in the head, but both could possibly be on the horizon for the tech entrepreneur, according to the latest update from his Neuralink brain-computer interface company.

A winner is crowned in head-to-head Alzheimer's battle between Biogen's Aduhelm and Lilly

Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks was confident last year that donanemab would best Biogen’s Aduhelm in a head-to-head battle. Now, the results are in—and Ricks was right.

Pfizer plots €1.2B investment—and up to 500 new jobs—at Irish manufacturing plant

Pfizer is plugging 1.2 billion euros into its manufacturing site at Grange Castle in Dublin, where the Big Pharma also plans to add between 400 and 500 new jobs by 2027. The project will “significantly expand” Pfizer's production and laboratory capacity on the Emerald Isle and will bring its overall head count there to around 5,500, the company said.

Texas hospitals warn of rural closures, care delays and service cuts without legislative support

With one in 10 of the state's hospitals at risk of closure and nearly half logging operating negative margins, the Texas Hospital Association said it's entering the new legislative season seeking pay cut delays, Medicaid expansion and new workforce investments.

With gas shortages looming, Philips inks magnet research pact to make MRI scanners helium-free

Traditional MRIs have needed 1,500 liters of liquid helium to run. Philips aims to explore new superconductive materials by working with MagCorp and Florida State University's National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.

Pfizer, Roivant team up for new inflammatory-focused Vant—and no, they're not calling it Pfvant

Prolific biotech maker Roivant and Pfizer have partnered to launch a new inflammatory- and fibrotic-diseases-focused company. We checked, and Roivant is not ready to publicly name the new venture, but we at Fierce have a suggestion that rolls off the tongue: Pfvant.

Highmark posts $268M loss across three quarters as investments, labor issues ding finances

Highmark Health posted a $268 million net loss through the first nine months of 2022 as multiple headwinds drag its finances.

GSK unveils Keytruda head-to-head data in lung cancer—and they look good at first glance

GSK's emerging oncology business just got a much-needed boost after several recent setbacks. A first glimpse at its PD-1 inhibitor's head-to-head data against Keytruda looks encouraging.

Titan Medical eyeing possible sale, merger amid threat of Nasdaq delisting

After spending the entire year in a fruitless struggle to return to shareholders’ good graces, Titan Medical is considering a new approach.

With J&J's Gorsky departing, Duato adopts dual role as chairman and CEO

Alex Gorsky is set to officially exit Johnson & Johnson. After handing over the CEO position to Joaquin Duato early last year, he will shed his last role at J&J and turn over the board chair position to Duato, who will serve as chairman come January.
 
Fierce podcasts

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'Podnosis': Is virtual-first care here to stay, and what can be done about skyrocketing US drug prices

This week on "Podnosis," we talk about the rise of virtual care since the pandemic started and what its role will be moving forward. We also discuss some tactics to control rising drug prices in the U.S., like changing PBMs' business model and new companies like the one from billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban.
 

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