Science & Tech

FDA Approves Lipfendra, Merck’s First Oral PCSK9 Inhibitor, to Lower LDL in Adults

FDA approves Merck's Lipfendra (enlicitide), the first oral PCSK9 inhibitor, for adults with hypercholesterolemia as a once-daily LDL-lowering pill.

$MRK, #merck, #lipfendra, #pcsk9, #cholesterol

WHO updates dementia guidance, says up to 45% of risk linked to modifiable factors

WHO's new guidelines recommend exercise, social engagement, hearing aids and less air pollution — and advise against routine vitamins or supplements to lower dementia risk.

#dementia, #who, #publichealth, #cognitivehealth

One-month dual antithrombotic strategy after PCI reduced bleeding without higher 12‑month thromboembolic risk in OPTIMA‑AF trial

OPTIMA‑AF found that stopping dual antithrombotic therapy after one month and continuing a DOAC alone reduced bleeding without raising 12‑month death or thromboembolism.

#cardiology, #atrialfibrillation, #pci, #anticoagulation

WHO: Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak in eastern DRC ‘evolving rapidly’ as cases spread into Uganda

WHO warns Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC is 'evolving rapidly' with many cases unlinked; cross-border spread into Uganda complicates response.

#ebola, #drc, #uganda, #who

GAO: Federal ACA Marketplace Still Leaves Consumers Vulnerable to Unauthorized Enrollments

GAO finds rising unauthorized ACA enrollments and plan switches, urging CMS to strengthen consent checks, access limits and consumer notices.

#healthcare, #aca, #cms, #gao

Pirtobrutinib Triplet Prolongs Progression-Free Survival in Previously Treated CLL, Lancet Reports

Phase 3 BRUIN CLL-322 found fixed-duration pirtobrutinib with venetoclax–rituximab cut progression/death risk by ~45% vs venetoclax–rituximab in relapsed CLL.

$LLY, #cancer, #cll, #hematology, #pirtobrutinib

WHO Projects Global Cancer Cases Could Reach Nearly 35 Million by 2050, Warns of Growing Inequities

WHO projects new cancer cases from 20.6M (2024) to nearly 35M by 2050, warning low-income countries will bear the heaviest burden without stronger prevention.

#cancer, #who, #globalhealth, #publichealth

WHO: Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC worsening; deaths top 500

WHO says Bundibugyo Ebola in eastern DRC remains in an expansion phase, with 1,561 confirmed cases and over 500 deaths, straining health services.

#ebola, #drc, #who, #outbreak, #publichealth

NHS accelerates rollout of AI triage and clinician notetaking, aims for full NHS App coverage by April 2028

NHS England is fast-tracking AI triage in the NHS App for all users by April 2028 and expanding ambient voice notetaking for clinicians to cut waits and admin.

#nhs, #ai, #healthcare

MHRA grants conditional approval for Wegovy to treat MASH with fibrosis; NHS access awaits NICE review

MHRA conditionally approves Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (semaglutide) for MASH with fibrosis; NHS availability depends on NICE appraisal and further trial data.

$NVO, #health, #pharmaceuticals, #nhs, #mash

FDA expands Casgevy gene therapy to children as young as 2 for sickle cell and beta-thalassemia

FDA clears Vertex’s Casgevy for children aged 2+ with sickle cell disease or transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia, widening access to a one-time gene therapy.

$VRTX, #sicklecell, #gene-therapy, #casgevy, #vertex, #fda

FDA Approves Tregzi, First Regulatory T‑Cell Immunotherapy to Reduce Chronic GVHD After Donor Stem‑Cell Transplants

FDA clears Tregzi (Orca‑T), the first regulatory T‑cell immunotherapy, to lower chronic graft‑versus‑host disease after donor stem‑cell transplantation.

#fda, #celltherapy, #transplantation, #cancertreatment

450,000 New Yorkers to Lose Essential Plan Eligibility on July 1 After Federal Funding Change

About 450,000 New Yorkers with incomes 200–250% of poverty will lose $0-premium Essential Plan coverage on July 1 and must shift to marketplace plans.

#healthcare, #newyork, #essentialplan, #insurance

NHS A&E opt-out testing has identified about 1,900 previously undiagnosed HIV cases since 2022

NHS England’s opt‑out A&E blood‑borne virus testing has identified about 1,900 undiagnosed HIV cases since April 2022; independent analysis and funding back the scheme.

#hiv, #nhs, #publichealth, #testing

FDA Expands IBRANCE Approval for Maintenance Treatment in HR+, HER2+ Metastatic Breast Cancer

FDA expands use of Pfizer’s IBRANCE (palbociclib) as maintenance therapy with trastuzumab and endocrine therapy for HR+, HER2+ metastatic breast cancer.

$PFE, #oncology, #breastcancer, #fda, #pharma