Meanwhile, an experimental Alzheimer’s drug appears to be helping patients with Fragile X syndrome. monoclonal antibodies are back in the news; and one study links dental opioid prescriptions to overdose risk for patients and family members.
Bloomberg: Covid Surge cuts drug sales in cancer, arthritis and diabetes
Less routine doctor visits, procedures, and screenings for cancer and other diseases during the pandemic hit drug companies hard in the first quarter, slowing sales of vaccines to diabetes therapies to oncology drugs. Merck & Co. reported that fewer new patients start treatment with the blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda and get vaccinated against HPV and pneumococci. Sales of Amgen Inc.’s top arthritis drug, Enbrel, declined as fewer patients were diagnosed and treatment began. And Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. saw a decline in sales of a major cancer drug and other health care products. All three stocks fell on Thursday. (Court, April 29th)
NPR: Encouraging Results for Alzheimer’s Drugs Repurposed for Fragile X Syndrome
An experimental drug for Alzheimer’s patients appears to improve both language and learning in adults with Fragile X syndrome. The drug, called BPN14770, increased cognitive levels in 30 adult men by about 10% after 12 weeks, a team reports in the journal Nature Medicine. That’s enough to change the lives of many people with Fragile X, says Mark Gurney, CEO of Tetra Therapeutics, the drug’s developer. “People with Fragile X with an IQ of 40 usually live with their parents or in an institutional setting,” says Gurney. “With an IQ of 50, in some cases they can take the bus, get a job with some support, and function better in their community.” (Hamilton, 4/30)
Fox News: Dental Opioid Prescriptions Increase Risk of Overdose For Patients, Families: Study
In a large-scale study analyzing national claims data, dental opioid prescriptions were linked to an increased risk of overdose in patients and their family members. University of Michigan researchers published results Thursday in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, based on data on over 8.5 million dental procedures from 2011 to 2018 in privately and publicly insured patients aged 13 to 64 years. The most common interventions involved acute dental pain, tooth extraction, and root canals. (Rivas, 4/29)
FiercePharma: Johnson & Johnson scores on talk appeals as New Jersey court overturns $ 117 million ruling
Johnson & Johnson has been hit by billions in talk judgments, but it has had mixed success on appeals. With a new decision on Wednesday, the company booked its latest appointment win. According to Bloomberg, a court in J & J’s home state of New Jersey has ruled the drug maker originally in 2018 for $ 117 million. The court ruled that the trial judge should not have allowed certain expert statements, which is why J & J and his talk partner Imerys – who has since filed for bankruptcy – deserve another lawsuit. (Sagonowsky, 4/28)
FiercePharma: Can Regeneron make “monoclonal antibodies” a buzzword? New COVID-19 advertising campaign makes it possible
What’s the hottest new buzzword on TV? Monoclonal antibodies. Well, maybe not yet, but the phrase is the star of Regeneron’s new TV ad campaign. In one of four new TV commercials, people wearing face masks go out chatting casually or listening to the radio and repeat the phrase “monoclonal antibodies”. Then on a phone call a doctor tells an elderly male patient that he has COVID-19 and adds, “Let’s talk about monoclonal antibodies.” (Bulik, 4/28)
This is part of the KHN Morning Briefing, a round-up of health coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
