Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a remarkable tool where a small device is implanted in the body with leads carefully placed at critical spots in the brain. The tool can help manage symptoms of some neurodegenerative diseases. Now, a new generation of devices from Medtronic offers additional tools to ... READ MORE >
5 things to know in life sciences: Week of June 14
Given the high volume of mergers and acquisitions in life sciences, changes in the leadership and focus of the Federal Trade Commission will be closely watched in the coming months as scrutiny could shift to the technology industry. We examine the possible impact below. We also look at CureVac’s ... READ MORE >
5 things to know in life sciences: Week of June 7
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the Alzheimer’s drug, aducanumab, ushered in both a likely blockbuster for developer Biogen and sparked a debate both within the biopharma industry and among health care providers. We also look at a major medical device acquisition, investment in ... READ MORE >
5 things to know in life sciences: Week of May 31
Recruiting and retaining patients for clinical trials is one of the most intractable problems facing clinical research organizations and biopharma companies. CVS thinks that its thousands of retail locations could be the answer. We also look at Food and Drug Administration-approved video games, tracking ... READ MORE >
5 things to know in life sciences: Week of May 24
Over the past year, there has been a simmering dispute between hospitals and pharmaceutical companies over the 340B drug pricing program. This week, the United States Department of Health and Human Services weighed in strongly on the side of the hospitals. We also look at the discussion at the World Trade ... READ MORE >
5 things to know in life sciences: Week of May 17
While COVID-19 does not discriminate in infecting patients, the data actually shows that virus outcomes have disproportionately affected minority communities. Further, despite a focus on improving diversity in trials for the disease, the trials fell short of diversity goals. A new study looks at why and ... READ MORE >
5 things to know in life sciences: Week of May 10
There are a few key milestones in the life cycle of a biopharma: raising your series A, starting your first clinical trial, going public and, for an increasing percent of companies, launching your first drug on your own. But developing a drug and successfully launching it requires different expertise and ... READ MORE >
5 things to know in life sciences: Week of May 3
Public health experts are raising new concerns that achieving herd immunity in the United States looks increasingly unlikely. Although this doesn’t reduce the urgent need to get as many people vaccinated as possible, it does mean that we may need to begin planning for how we will live with COVID-19 as an ... READ MORE >
5 things to know in life sciences: Week of April 26
Getting people vaccinated can be a public health challenge. Getting them to come back for a second dose at the right time can be even more difficult. This week we highlight why people may be skipping their second COVID-19 dose and how challenging getting that second dose can be even for people motivated ... READ MORE >
5 things to know in life sciences: Week of April 19
This week we look at comments from acting Food and Drug Administration commissioner Janet Woodcock on perceptions that the agency is getting tougher on drug companies during the approval process. We also highlight new uses of CRISPR to control gene expression, venture funds focused on life sciences, newly ... READ MORE >