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Good morning. If something will inspire me to get by this week, it’s realizing that Simone Biles went on to nail essentially the most troublesome vault even whereas experiencing calf issues. That and in addition everybody’s new obsession over pommel horse king Stephen Nedoroscik.
As a lot as I’d wish to proceed speaking concerning the Olympics, although, we nonetheless have biotech information to get to.
The necessity-to-know this morning
A GLP-1 drug could assist defend the mind
A brand new examine out this morning means that an older GLP-1 drug known as liraglutide could assist defend the brains of individuals with early Alzheimer’s illness.
The Section 2 trial discovered that in contrast with the placebo group, handled sufferers had practically 50% much less shrinking in elements of the mind that management reminiscence and studying and a barely slower decline in cognitive operate. It’s an early examine, although, and extra analysis might be wanted to see if GLP-1 medicine can really assist deal with Alzheimer’s.
Novo Nordisk is at present operating two Section 3 trials testing the oral model of semaglutide (the energetic ingredient in Ozempic/Wegovy) in Alzheimer’s.
Learn extra.
Has Medicare gotten a great deal on drug costs?
We’re developing on Sept.1 , the deadline for Medicare to announce the drug costs it negotiated this 12 months, the primary 12 months it was capable of negotiate costs below the Inflation Discount Act. This may very well be a win for Democrats to tout on the marketing campaign path, however how can we inform if the Biden administration really acquired a great deal?
My colleague John Wilkerson brings in specialists to stroll us by the various factors to think about, together with whether or not the negotiated costs really save taxpayers cash, whether or not they save Medicare beneficiaries cash, whether or not they symbolize the worth of the medicine, and the way they evaluate to costs overseas.
Learn extra.
Guardant’s blood check nonetheless faces hurdles after approval
Yesterday, the FDA permitted Guardant Well being’s blood check for colon most cancers, known as Protect. The FDA label contains broader claims than what some observers anticipated, because it says that the check can be utilized as a first-line possibility. In all, it’s an enormous step for the sector of liquid biopsy, however Protect nonetheless has to clear extra hurdles earlier than gaining widespread adoption.
CMS might want to comply with cowl the check, and utilization may additionally rely upon whether or not the U.S. Preventive Providers Job Drive recommends the check and for whom. Leerink analysts predict that Protect might be a 3rd alternative amongst medical doctors after colonoscopy and a stool-based check.
Learn extra from Matt Herper.
Sanofi CEO calls on the EU to prioritize AI
Europe is going through “a competitiveness disaster,” Sanofi CEO Paul Hudson writes in a brand new opinion piece for STAT. Twenty-five 12 monthss in the past, one in two medicine was invented or found in labs in Europe, he says, whereas right now, it’s one in six. Hudson thinks the best way the EU can repair that and assist the biopharma sector is to assist the event of AI applied sciences.
He calls on the EU to design frameworks for moral AI methods in well being care settings and to coordinate information sharing in a protected cloud. He additionally thinks the EU ought to reform training in a manner that prioritizes information science and AI literacy.
Learn extra.
Extra reads
Pfizer lays off 210 in North Carolina after Duchenne gene remedy flop, Fierce Pharma
Roivant’s dealmaker lands $81M money bonus following drug sale to Roche, Endpoints
New cardiovascular danger mannequin may tremendously lower use of statins and improve coronary heart assaults, examine warns, STAT
Well being care’s ‘Pepsi problem’: Docs’ workplaces are testing AI instruments in head-to-head pilots, STAT