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Federal Judge Blocks Mass Layoffs at HHS, Citing Likely Unlawful Staff Cuts

  • A federal judge has halted the Trump administration's mass layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services, ruling the cuts likely violated federal law and caused irreparable harm.
  • The decision affects over 20,000 eliminated positions across key agencies including the CDC, FDA, and NIH, with the FDA losing approximately 3,500 workers.
  • Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had cut more than 10,000 workers and merged 28 agencies into 15 as part of the administration's restructuring plan.
  • The court ruling blocks further layoffs while litigation continues, with HHS required to report back by July 11.

Delhi High Court Orders CDSCO to Review Safety of GLP-1 Diabetes Drugs Used for Weight Loss

  • The Delhi High Court has directed India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to decide within three months on a petition challenging the licensing of GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs for weight loss treatment.
  • The petition raises safety concerns about semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide being approved for weight management despite limited India-specific clinical trial data and inadequate safety evaluation.
  • These drugs were originally developed for Type 2 diabetes treatment but have been repurposed for obesity management, with the petitioner citing risks including pancreatitis, gastrointestinal damage, and potential cancers.
  • The court emphasized that CDSCO must consult experts and relevant stakeholders before making its decision on the regulatory concerns raised in the petition.

Hikma Receives FDA Approval for TYZAVAN™, First Ready-to-Infuse Vancomycin Formulation for Sepsis Treatment

  • Hikma Pharmaceuticals received FDA approval for TYZAVAN™, the first ready-to-infuse vancomycin formulation that requires no preparation, targeting critical sepsis treatment where survival rates decrease by 15% after 87-113 minutes.
  • The glycopeptide antibiotic is indicated for septicemia, infective endocarditis, skin infections, bone infections, and lower respiratory tract infections in adults and pediatric patients over one month old.
  • TYZAVAN™ offers room-temperature stability with 16-month shelf life, seven dosing presentations (0.5g-2g), and compatibility with automated dispensing cabinets to streamline hospital workflows.
  • The US vancomycin injection market was valued at approximately $200 million in 2024, with sepsis affecting one person every 20 seconds and causing death every two minutes in the United States.

Hengrui Pharmaceutical Secures NMPA Approval for JAK1 Inhibitor Ivarmacitinib in Severe Alopecia Areata

  • Hengrui Pharmaceutical received NMPA approval for Ivarmacitinib Sulfate Tablets, a second-generation JAK1 inhibitor, for treating severe alopecia areata in China.
  • Phase III clinical trials demonstrated a 40% response rate at 24 weeks compared to 9% for placebo, representing a significant therapeutic advancement for patients with this autoimmune condition.
  • The drug is already approved in China for multiple autoimmune conditions and has secured a $223 million licensing deal with Arcutis for North American and European markets.
  • Hengrui reported 21.78% year-over-year revenue growth to ¥13.6 billion in 2024, with innovative drug sales surging 33.25%.

FDA Approves Takeda's GAMMAGARD LIQUID ERC, First Ready-to-Use Low IgA Immunoglobulin Therapy for Primary Immunodeficiency

  • The U.S. FDA has approved GAMMAGARD LIQUID ERC as the only ready-to-use liquid immunoglobulin therapy with low IgA content for primary immunodeficiency treatment in patients aged two and older.
  • The therapy contains less than or equal to 2 µg/mL IgA in a 10% solution and can be administered both intravenously and subcutaneously without reconstitution.
  • Takeda plans to discontinue its first-generation GAMMAGARD S/D product by December 2027, with commercialization of the new therapy beginning in the U.S. in 2026.
  • Primary immunodeficiency affects approximately 1 in 1,200 people in the United States and comprises more than 550 rare chronic disorders affecting immune system function.

China Approves ORPATHYS-TAGRISSO Combination for EGFR-Mutated Lung Cancer with MET Amplification

  • China's National Medical Products Administration approved the ORPATHYS-TAGRISSO combination for treating EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer patients with MET amplification after disease progression on EGFR inhibitor therapy.
  • The Phase III SACHI trial demonstrated a 66% reduction in disease progression risk compared to chemotherapy, with median progression-free survival of 8.2 months versus 4.5 months.
  • This represents the first all-oral, chemotherapy-free treatment option for this patient population, addressing a critical resistance mechanism in lung cancer therapy.
  • The approval triggers an $11 million milestone payment from AstraZeneca to HUTCHMED and marks the third indication for ORPATHYS in China.
NCT02819596CompletedPhase 2
Queen Mary University of London
Posted 5/3/2016
NCT05015608Active, Not RecruitingPhase 3
Hutchison Medipharma Limited
Posted 11/22/2021
NCT03091192Active, Not RecruitingPhase 3
AstraZeneca
Posted 7/25/2017
NCT02143466Active, Not RecruitingPhase 1
AstraZeneca
Posted 8/5/2014
NCT04923932Active, Not RecruitingPhase 2
Hutchison Medipharma Limited
Posted 7/27/2021

Iterum Therapeutics Appoints Christine Coyne as Chief Commercial Officer to Lead ORLYNVAH Launch

  • Iterum Therapeutics has appointed Christine Coyne as Chief Commercial Officer to lead the upcoming U.S. launch of ORLYNVAH, an FDA-approved oral antibiotic for uncomplicated urinary tract infections.
  • Coyne brings over 30 years of pharmaceutical commercial experience, including previous roles as Chief Commercial Officer at Innoviva and SCYNEXIS, with specific expertise in anti-infective portfolios.
  • ORLYNVAH represents a novel oral penem antibiotic targeting multi-drug resistant pathogens, including those with extended spectrum beta-lactamase resistance, addressing significant unmet medical needs.
  • The appointment comes at a pivotal time as Iterum prepares for commercial launch with partner EVERSANA, positioning the company for sustained growth in the anti-infective market.

BridgeBio Secures $300 Million Royalty Financing to Support ATTR-CM Drug Launch

  • BridgeBio Pharma secured $300 million in upfront financing by selling 60% of European royalties for BEYONTTRA to HealthCare Royalty and Blue Owl Capital.
  • The transaction monetizes royalties on the first $500 million of annual BEYONTTRA net sales in Europe with a 1.45x cap on total investor payments.
  • Acoramidis demonstrated rapid clinical benefits in Phase 3 trials, showing 42% reduction in cardiovascular events and 50% reduction in cardiovascular hospitalizations.
  • The drug is approved as Attruby in the US and BEYONTTRA in Europe for treating transthyretin amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM).

Investor Challenges Avadel Board Over Alleged Lumryz Launch Mismanagement

  • ASL Strategic Value Fund, holding $15 million in Avadel shares, plans to push for board removal citing mismanagement of Lumryz drug launch.
  • The investment firm alleges the mishandled launch cost Avadel hundreds of millions in potential revenue for the narcolepsy treatment.
  • ASL is calling for Avadel to hire an investment bank and explore strategic alternatives including a potential sale.
  • Lumryz received FDA approval last year for treating narcolepsy symptoms in children aged 7 and older, targeting a disorder affecting sleep-wake cycle regulation.

FDA Approves Voranigo (Vorasidenib) as First Targeted Therapy for IDH-Mutant Glioma

  • The FDA approved Voranigo (vorasidenib) on August 6, 2024, as the first targeted treatment for Grade 2 IDH-mutant astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma in patients 12 years and older.
  • Phase 3 INDIGO trial results showed Voranigo significantly extended progression-free survival to 27.7 months compared to 11.1 months with placebo.
  • The drug works by blocking mutant IDH1 and IDH2 enzymes, reducing tumor activity and crossing the blood-brain barrier to effectively treat brain tumors.
  • Common side effects include tiredness (37%), COVID-19 (33%), and muscle or joint pain (26%), with liver function monitoring required during treatment.

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