Reuters - Health Report

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Monday, January 29, 2018

How Sanofi's setback could lead to better dengue vaccines

CHICAGO (Reuters) - New dengue vaccines being developed by Takeda Pharmaceuticals Co Ltd and U.S. government scientists are poised to provide a safer alternative to Sanofi's Dengvaxia, according to vaccine experts, because they already take into account some of the issues that sidelined the product last year.

Roche wins FDA's breakthrough therapy label for autism drug

ZURICH (Reuters) - Swiss drugmaker Roche said on Monday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted its breakthrough therapy designation for Balovaptan to treat autism spectrum disorder (ASD), potentially accelerating its development and approval.

Arizona governor signs opioid crackdown legislation

PHOENIX (Reuters) - Arizona Republican Governor Doug Ducey on Friday signed into law legislation intended to crack down on opioid abuse, calling it vital to combat an epidemic felt statewide and across the nation.

Roche hemophilia drug lowers costs despite high price: ICER

(Reuters) - A costly new Roche Holding AG drug to treat the bleeding disorder hemophilia A could significantly reduce healthcare expenses for certain patients, a draft report from an independent U.S. nonprofit organization that evaluates clinical and cost effectiveness of new medicines said on Friday.

U.S. SEC files suit over possible insider trading on Bioverativ

(Reuters) - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed an insider trading lawsuit on Friday against "unknown traders" who it said engaged in "highly suspicious trading" just ahead of the announcement that hemophilia specialist Bioverativ Inc had agreed to be acquired by France's Sanofi in an $11.6 billion deal.

AbbVie wins U.S. trial in lawsuit over AndroGel's risks

(Reuters) - A federal jury in Chicago on Friday found AbbVie Inc not liable in a lawsuit by an Arizona man who claimed he had suffered a pulmonary embolism due to using the company's testosterone replacement medication AndroGel.

Apotex CEO Jeremy Desai resigns

(Reuters) - Canadian generic drug maker Apotex Inc's Chief Executive Jeremy Desai has resigned, effective immediately, the company said on Friday.

Medicare Advantage can disadvantage seniors needing skilled nursing

(Reuters Health) - Medicare Advantage plans might prove to be a disadvantage for U.S. enrollees in need of skilled nursing care, a new study suggests.

FDA clears radioactive drug for cancer that killed Steve Jobs

(Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved a radioactive drug to treat the ultra-rare type of digestive tract cancer that killed Steve Jobs in 2011.

Heavy smoking tied to higher diabetes risk for black adults

(Reuters Health) - For black people, smoking at least a pack of cigarettes a day is tied to a higher risk of developing diabetes, a U.S. study suggests.