Curated news and analysis on clinical trials, drug approvals, and medical research.
Novartis announced positive topline results from its Phase III RemIND trial of oral remibrutinib in chronic inducible urticaria, meeting the primary endpoint across three prevalent subtypes with significantly higher complete response rates versus placebo at Week 121.
Artificial intelligence is transforming pharmaceutical industry employment by creating hybrid roles and in-house AI teams rather than causing widespread job losses, with drug discovery emerging as the primary area for AI talent demand.
Merck and Mayo Clinic announced a research agreement on February 18, 2026, to integrate AI and advanced analytics into drug discovery, initially targeting inflammatory bowel disease, atopic dermatitis, and multiple sclerosis.
The Preeclampsia Foundation released a new educational resource to help OB-GYNs navigate predictive and diagnostic biomarker testing for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, covering FDA-cleared tests from Thermo Fisher Scientific and Roche Diagnostics.
A University of South Australia study finds salcaprozate sodium (SNAC), the compound enabling oral semaglutide tablets to work, may alter gut bacteria and increase inflammatory markers in rats, though human effects remain unclear.
Moleculin Biotech announced a preliminary blinded composite complete remission rate of 40% in the first 30 subjects of its Phase 2B/3 MIRACLE trial testing Annamycin plus cytarabine for relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia.
LIXTE Biotechnology Holdings appointed Sidney Braun as CEO of its Liora Technologies Europe Ltd. subsidiary on February 18, 2026. Braun brings over 20 years of healthcare experience and facilitated LIXTE's November 2025 acquisition of Liora's assets.
Novartis has signed a research partnership and licensing agreement with Unnatural Products valued at up to $1.8 billion to develop macrocyclic peptide therapeutics targeting cardiovascular diseases using AI-driven drug discovery.
Unnatural Products entered a research collaboration and licensing agreement with Novartis worth up to $1.8 billion to develop orally-delivered macrocyclic peptide therapeutics for an undisclosed cardiovascular program.
Pluri Inc. receives patent grant from China National Intellectual Property Administration for its proprietary 3D immune cell expansion and activation technology, expanding global IP protection across U.S., China, Japan, Korea, Australia and Israel.
Rezon Bio's Warsaw-Duchnice facility has received FDA approval for commercial manufacturing of a biosimilar, following previous EMA GMP certification for European markets.
Charles River Laboratories forecast 2026 adjusted profit of $10.70 to $11.20 per share, above Wall Street estimates, citing improved demand for drug discovery and development services from biotech clients.
CSL Limited has licensed global development and commercialization rights for clazakizumab to Eli Lilly outside of ESKD-related cardiovascular risk. CSL receives $100 million upfront and retains rights to the ESKD indication.
Alphyn Biologics has dosed the first patients in a Phase 2 trial of Zabalafin Hydrogel for Molluscum Contagiosum, enrolling 54 patients ages 6 months and older in a placebo-controlled study targeting 75% lesion elimination.
Merck and Mayo Clinic announced a research and development agreement to leverage artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and clinical-genomic data for drug discovery and precision medicine, initially focusing on inflammatory bowel disease, atopic dermatitis, and multiple sclerosis.
Merck and Mayo Clinic announced a research and development agreement to apply artificial intelligence and multimodal clinical data to support drug discovery and development, marking Mayo Clinic's first strategic collaboration of this scale with a global biopharmaceutical company.
Spruce Biosciences completed two Type B meetings with the FDA regarding tralesinidase alfa enzyme replacement therapy for Sanfilippo syndrome type B. The company now anticipates BLA submission in Q4 2026 to accommodate drug product process performance qualification requirements.
Merck partners with Mayo Clinic in a strategic research and development agreement to apply artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to drug discovery, integrating Mayo Clinic's clinical and genomic datasets with Merck's AI-enabled technologies.
Merck and Mayo Clinic announced a research and development agreement to apply artificial intelligence, advanced analytics and multimodal clinical data to support drug discovery and development, marking Mayo Clinic's first strategic collaboration of this scale with a global biopharmaceutical company.
Phase 3b TOGETHER-PsO trial shows concomitant use of ixekizumab and tirzepatide delivered superior skin clearance and weight loss versus monotherapy in adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and obesity or overweight.
