AstraZeneca has announced the global withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a surplus of available updated vaccines. This move includes the withdrawal of Vaxzevria’s marketing authorizations within Europe. In parallel, European countries have witnessed a significant surge in whooping cough cases, reporting ten times as many cases as in previous years. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control highlighted nearly 60,000 cases across the region, with notable fatalities among infants and older adults.

Regeneron’s Experimental Gene Therapy Shows Promise in Improving Hearing

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals reported promising results from its investigational gene therapy, demonstrating the restoration of normal hearing levels in a child within 24 weeks. This outcome marks a significant advancement in the early to mid-stage study, potentially offering hope for individuals with hearing impairments.

Thailand to Recriminalize Cannabis as Prime Minister Takes a Tough Stance on Drugs

Thailand’s Prime Minister announced plans to re-list cannabis as a narcotic by the end of the year, signaling a reversal of the country’s previous decriminalization efforts. This decision comes amidst the rapid growth of the cannabis retail sector in Thailand, despite projections indicating a multi-billion dollar industry by 2025.

Teva Pharmaceuticals Set to Launch Biosimilar of Humira as FDA Advises Against Using Getinge’s Heart Devices

Teva Pharmaceuticals announced its imminent launch of a biosimilar version of AbbVie’s Humira, a widely used arthritis drug. This development coincides with the FDA’s recommendation for healthcare facilities to discontinue the use of Getinge’s heart devices due to safety and quality concerns, despite previous recalls. Teva also shared mixed results for the first quarter of 2024, including positive late-stage trial outcomes for a new schizophrenia drug.

Google DeepMind Unveils Next Generation Drug Discovery AI Model

Google DeepMind introduced the latest version of its “AlphaFold” AI model, aiming to revolutionize drug discovery and disease targeting. This AI advancement builds on the company’s previous success in predicting protein behavior, offering promising prospects for enhancing molecular biology research.

Pfizer Settles Over 10,000 Lawsuits Related to Zantac Cancer Risks

Pfizer has reached settlements for over 10,000 lawsuits concerning cancer risks associated with its discontinued heartburn drug, Zantac. While these agreements address cases in U.S. state courts, Pfizer’s exposure to Zantac claims remains unresolved, reflecting ongoing legal challenges.

Vitamin Shoppe Expands Telehealth Service to Include Weight-Loss Medications

Vitamin Shoppe announced the expansion of its telehealth service to include weight-loss medications, offering subscribers access to drugs such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Rybelsus. This initiative aligns with Vitamin Shoppe’s commitment to providing holistic healthcare solutions, with monthly medication subscriptions starting at an introductory price of $219.

Teva and Medincell’s Schizophrenia Drug Shows Positive Results in Late-Stage Study

Teva Pharmaceuticals and Medincell reported positive outcomes for their experimental schizophrenia drug in a late-stage study, meeting the primary goal of symptom severity reduction. This achievement represents a significant step forward in addressing mental health challenges and advancing treatment options for schizophrenia patients.