Each week we highlight five things affecting the life sciences industry. Here’s the latest.
GLP-1 drugs may limit patients’ alcohol use
- Emerging research suggests GLP-1 drugs may help reduce alcohol cravings, with a small Phase 2 trial showing participants with alcohol use disorder cut their drinking by about 50% more than those on placebo, though results are not yet conclusive for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval, BioPharma Dive reports.
- Several larger trials which aim to further investigate these effects are set to begin this year. Previous studies on patient records in Sweden indicate a potential link between GLP-1 drugs and reduced alcohol-related hospitalizations.
Federal judge temporarily stops NIH funding reductions
- According to Fierce Pharma, a federal judge temporarily blocked a new policy capping indirect research cost reimbursement from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), at 15%, following lawsuits from universities and states arguing it would harm medical research and violate federal law.
- There will be a further hearing on this matter on Feb. 21.
Large pharmaceutical companies turning to AI more frequently, despite some challenges
- Artificial intelligence is transforming drug discovery by identifying new uses for existing drugs, as seen with a recent development where a pulmonary treatment was repurposed to a potential inflammatory bowel disease therapy, The Wall Street Journal reports.
- Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly adopting AI to accelerate drug development, optimize research and improve precision medicine, though challenges like data access, talent shortages and industry culture slow widespread implementation. The number of AI-driven clinical trials is rapidly increasing as large pharmaceutical companies seek to design and test new drugs as quickly as possible
EMA launches advice portal for high-risk medical devices
- The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has introduced a new procedure allowing manufacturers of certain high-risk medical devices to seek scientific advice through an expert panel portal, aiming to enhance patient access to safer and more effective technologies.
- Per Medtech Dive, the initiative prioritizes devices addressing rare conditions, life-threatening diseases or significant medical needs, with selected manufacturers receiving free guidance on clinical development strategies.
India’s emergence as a global CDMO leader
- India’s contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) market is projected to grow from US $15.63 billion in 2023 to US $44.63 billion by 2029, driven by cost advantages, technological advancements and a strong regulatory framework.
- According to India Briefing, some Indian CDMOs experienced a 50% year-on-year increase in requests for proposals in 2024 as global pharmaceutical companies sought to diversify supply chains and reduce reliance on China.
For more insights in life sciences, check out RSM’s industry outlook.
