ALS therapy sets up a crucial test for FDA; once-tarnished scientist seeks redemption

A high-profile experimental therapy for ALS is teeing up a crucial test of the FDA's ability to withstand political pressure.  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 

Sponsored by        STAT+: An ALS therapy sets up a crucial test of the FDA's independence By Nicholas Florko Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images A high-profile experimental therapy for ALS is teeing up a crucial test of the Food and Drug Administration’s ability to withstand pressure. Read More With new 'brain-reading' research, a once-tarnished scientist seeks redemption By Meghana Keshavan Alamy/Christoph Schmidt/DPA Scientist Niels Birbaumer and colleagues found a device implanted in the brain of a man with locked-in syndrome could help him communicate. Read More Opinion: Covid-19 vaccine policy should be made by public health experts, not company executives By John P. Moore and Luciana L. Borio Joe Raedle/Getty Images Announcements by Pfizer and Moderna about adding a fourth dose of Covid-19 vaccines is adding to the confusion about their effectiveness. Read More Sponsor content by ALNYLAM PHARMACEUTICALS "Silencing" the expression of disease-causing genes using RNA interference (RNAi) During gene expression, errors in DNA can result in faulty mRNA that cause or contribute to disease. Alnylam's RNAi therapeutics utilize specially designed small interfering RNA (siRNA) to target and degrade these mRNA, treating disease at source. Learn how. STAT+: 'Harmful and wasteful': Many pediatric clinical trials end early and don't report results By Ed Silverman Adobe A new analysis of thousands of pediatric trials found one in 10 ended early, and many that were completed didn't report their results. Read More STAT+: The biggest PBMs are handling more and more of the country's drug price negotiations By Bob Herman Adobe The PBM industry has only grown despite its motto of lowering drug costs, and concerns remain about PBMs' incentives and contract terms. Read More STAT+: Al Sandrock, former top scientist at Biogen, named CEO at Voyager Therapeutics By Adam Feuerstein and Matthew Herper Kayana Szymczak for STAT His appointment is the latest in a series of moves aimed at refocusing the company on a new gene therapy delivery technology. Read More Opinion: The case for decriminalizing the street sale of buprenorphine By John C. Messinger and Anand Chukka and J. Wesley Boyd Elise Amendola/AP Decriminalizing the street sale of buprenorphine, a drug used to treat opioid use disorder, can help save lives. Read More STAT+: Pfizer inks deal with UNICEF to supply Covid pill to poor countries, but advocates say it isn't enough By Ed Silverman Pfizer Pfizer has reached a deal with UNICEF to supply up to 4 million courses of its Covid-19 treatment to 95 low- and middle-income countries. Read More Tuesday, March 22, 2022       1 Exchange Pl, Suite 201, Boston, MA 02109 ©2022, All Rights Reserved. I no longer wish to receive STAT emails Update Email Preferences | Contact Us | View In Browser