Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

Elizabeth Holmes's Second Act: Is Haemanthus Another Theranos?

2025-05-16

Imprisoned Elizabeth Holmes's partner has founded Haemanthus, a blood-testing company reminiscent of her infamous Theranos. The author argues Haemanthus isn't about revolutionizing healthcare, but another chapter in Holmes' carefully crafted narrative, aiming to absolve her of Theranos' fraud. The author questions Haemanthus' technology and warns potential investors to focus on Holmes' true motivations, rather than her compelling 'rise from the ashes' story. This raises concerns about ethical lapses in tech startups.

(www.statnews.com)

Tech blood testing

The GLP-1 Shortage: Patients Face High Prices After Compounding Pharmacy Crackdown

2025-05-03

The explosion of compounded GLP-1 offerings is ending, leaving many patients with limited options. Regulators no longer consider blockbuster obesity and diabetes drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro to be in short supply, forcing compounding pharmacies and telehealth partners to cease offering copies. Hundreds of thousands of patients are now struggling, as companies alter prescriptions, add additives, or encourage stockpiling, while some have disappeared entirely. Many are left to purchase expensive brand-name medications, priced around $1,000 a month, though Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have offered lower prices ($350-$700). This is still unaffordable for many who previously obtained compounded drugs for about $200 a month. Pharma companies are suing compounders, citing safety concerns (the FDA has received over 700 adverse event reports related to compounded GLP-1s). They also view compounders as a threat to their projected $100 billion annual obesity drug market by 2030.

(www.statnews.com)

Tech drug shortage compounding pharmacies

CDC Shuts Down Premier STD Lab, Leaving Experts Aghast

2025-04-07

The US government has shuttered the CDC's leading sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) laboratory, firing all 28 employees. This leaves experts concerned about the lack of monitoring for drug-resistant STDs, especially gonorrhea, where antimicrobial resistance is rising. The lab played a crucial role in global surveillance and treatment recommendations, and its closure is seen as a significant blow to public health efforts, particularly as new gonorrhea drugs are nearing completion. The lack of transparency surrounding the decision has further fueled concerns.

(www.statnews.com)

Tech STD Antibiotic Resistance

Trump Admin's Cuts to Decimate Elite CDC Program

2025-02-14

The Trump administration's push to shrink the federal civil service is set to severely impact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS), a world-renowned training program for applied epidemiologists. Many EIS members, crucial in responding to outbreaks like the 2001 anthrax attacks and the 2014-2016 West African Ebola epidemic, face imminent dismissal. This move is alarming public health experts who warn of significantly reduced capacity to handle future crises, both domestically and internationally. The cuts are seen as shortsighted and potentially catastrophic for global health security.

(www.statnews.com)

Tech

Concussions May Reactivate Herpes Virus, Triggering Alzheimer's

2025-02-01

Researchers at Tufts University used a 3D mini-brain model to demonstrate that simulated concussions can reactivate latent herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in brain tissue, leading to Alzheimer's-like inflammation, amyloid plaques, and neuron death. This research connects HSV-1 infection, head trauma, and Alzheimer's for the first time, providing new evidence for the microbial theory of Alzheimer's and suggesting antiviral drugs as a potential preventative treatment. The findings indicate that head injuries, such as concussions, may reactivate dormant HSV-1, increasing the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

(www.statnews.com)

Tech Alzheimer's disease Herpes virus Concussion

BioNTech's Bispecific Antibody Shows Promise in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

2024-12-15

BioNTech presented early clinical trial data for its novel bispecific antibody, BNT-327, at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Targeting PD-1/PD-L1 and VEGF, the antibody showed positive results in patients with triple-negative breast cancer. Building on the discovery of checkpoint inhibitors, this research represents a potential breakthrough in next-generation immunotherapy, offering hope for new treatments in triple-negative breast cancer and potentially other cancers.

(www.statnews.com)

Tech bispecific antibody immunotherapy triple-negative breast cancer