Curated news and analysis on clinical trials, drug approvals, and medical research.
Researchers at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai found that major depressive disorder shares key immune abnormalities with atopic dermatitis, particularly Th2 pathway activation. The team plans to test dupilumab in a clinical trial for depression.
HCW Biologics and WY Biotech closed first-round financing for joint venture Trimmune, granting exclusive worldwide license to develop preclinical TRBC molecule HCW11-006 for $7 million in upfront consideration, with Phase 1 trial planned in China for first half of 2027.
Dr Reddy's and Biocon plan to launch generic versions of Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drugs at up to 60% below branded prices as semaglutide patents expire, targeting a global market projected to reach $150 billion by the early 2030s.
Huntsville is expanding its greenway network with two major projects totaling nearly $3 million: a 2.4-mile Bailey Cove path and a 1.6-mile Miller Branch Greenway extension, both funded through federal Transportation Alternatives Program grants.
Lunai Bioworks was featured on CNBC on February 13, 2026, showcasing its AI platform for CNS therapeutics and biodefense. The company reported improved financial performance with net income of $1.02 million compared to a $51.46 million loss the previous year.
Medtronic announced FDA clearance of the Stealth AXiS surgical system, a next-generation platform integrating planning, navigation, and robotics for spine surgery. The system features LiveAlign segmental tracking for real-time visualization.
The FDA has approved Novocure's Optune Pax device for locally advanced pancreatic cancer, marking the first new treatment for this patient group in decades. A trial of 571 patients showed a two-month improvement in overall survival when combined with chemotherapy.
Scientists at Northwestern University developed human spinal cord organoids that accurately replicate injury responses including cell death, inflammation, and glial scarring. Testing showed a "dancing molecules" therapy significantly reduced scarring and promoted nerve regrowth.
Phase III KALOS and LOGOS trial results published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine show Breztri Aerosphere improved lung function and reduced severe asthma exacerbations compared to dual-combination therapies in patients with uncontrolled asthma.
Novo Nordisk plans to expand its Athlone facility in Ireland to produce Wegovy for non-US markets and will launch lower-cost vials in the US in 2026, responding to aggressive pricing from Eli Lilly as the company forecasts a 5-13% decline in revenue and operating profit.
Ultragenyx will lay off 130 employees as part of restructuring aimed at profitability by 2027. The FDA rejected the company's gene therapy application for Sanfilippo syndrome due to manufacturing concerns.
Major pharmaceutical companies are highlighting their drug pipelines to offset upcoming patent losses, while Moderna confronts FDA rejection of its flu vaccine. The industry faces significant revenue challenges from patent cliffs in 2026.
The Emirates Drug Establishment unveiled the InSilico Medicine project at World Health Expo 2026, using AI and digital models to reduce drug development costs and accelerate pharmaceutical research. EDE signed an MoU with InSilico Medicine AI Limited to formalize the collaboration.
The European Commission has granted marketing authorization for Gotenfia, a golimumab biosimilar to Simponi, developed by Bio-Thera and to be commercialized by STADA across the EU, EEA, UK, Switzerland and selected other countries.
F3 Tech will lead Maryland's proposal for a $40 million multi-user biomanufacturing facility under the federal BioMADE program, developed with the Maryland Department of Commerce to strengthen the state's biotechnology economy.
PTC Therapeutics has withdrawn its New Drug Application resubmission for ataluren (Translarna) for nonsense mutation Duchenne muscular dystrophy after the FDA indicated the submission lacked substantial evidence of effectiveness.
The U.S. Pharmacopeia announces development of digital reference standards and digitally structured methods for pharmaceutical workflows, with formal recognition in USP–NF effective December 2025.
Novartis US shares traded at all-time highs in early February 2026 despite expected generic competition, driven by sales above expectations and positive Phase 3 kidney drug data. The company's market capitalization reached $265.2 billion.
Real-world study finds SGLT2 inhibitors reduce chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury risk more effectively than GLP-1 receptor agonists in patients with type 2 diabetes, with greatest benefits in those without preexisting kidney disease.
GLP-1 drugs for weight loss and diabetes are driving up health insurance premiums by about 30 percent, while consumer advocates petition for generic authorization citing unjustifiably high prices and strained federal budgets.
