Pfizer rebuked by FDA for misleading Adcetris ads on Facebook
The FDA has scolded Pfizer over Facebook ads for the cancer drug Adcetris, accusing the Big Pharma of failing to adequately communicate the indication, contraindications and risks.
Medical News
This strange “pearling” motion inside cells could change how we understand disease
Mitochondria don’t just generate energy—they also carefully organize their own DNA in a surprisingly elegant way. Scientists have discovered that a long-overlooked phenomenon called “mitochondrial pearling,” where mitochondria briefly form bead-like shapes, helps evenly space clusters of mitochondrial DNA.
The people you live with could be changing your gut bacteria
Spending time with close companions might do more than strengthen bonds—it could also reshape your gut bacteria. In a study of island birds, those with stronger social ties shared more gut microbes, especially types that require direct contact to spread. This suggests that social interaction itself—not just shared space—drives microbial exchange. The same process may be happening in human househol
STAT+: FDA pushes drugmakers to report missing clinical trial results
FDA officials said an internal analysis found results were not submitted for nearly 30% of studies “highly likely” to fall under mandatory reporting requirements.
The dirtiest thing in public bathrooms isn’t the toilet seat
Public restrooms might seem like a germ nightmare, but the real risks aren’t always where you think. While toilet seats can carry bacteria, viruses, and even parasite traces, studies show they’re often cleaner than high-touch surfaces like door handles and flush levers. The biggest hidden threat comes from “toilet plumes”—tiny germ-filled droplets launched into the air when flushing without a lid—
STAT+: Federal judge tosses California No Surprises Act lawsuit against HaloMD
HaloMD is a middleman that became the top filer of out-of-network billing disputes on behalf of medical providers.
STAT+: Access granted: CMS greenlights more than 150 participants for chronic care experiment
CMS greenlights more than 150 digital health companies for its ACCESS experiment, a new program for tech-backed chronic care with outcome-aligned payments.
Roche’s Enspryng cuts relapse risk by 68% in rare neuroinflammatory disease
The era of off-label guesswork for patients living with the rare autoimmune disorder MOGAD may soon be over, as a phase 3 victory for Roche’s Enspryng suggests a first-of-its-kind FDA approval may not be far away.
STAT+: Allogene Therapeutics’ CAR-T treatment eliminates residual cancer cells in B-cell lymphoma patients
The new data bolster Allogene’s efforts to develop a new, easily administered cell therapy that could delay or prevent cancer recurrence.
STAT+: Spyre Therapeutics IBD drug shows promise in early trial
The inflammatory bowel disease therapy succeeded in its first major testing, setting up a competition with several large drugmakers.
New toothpaste stops gum disease without killing good bacteria
Scientists have developed a new way to fight gum disease without wiping out the mouth’s helpful bacteria—a major shift from traditional treatments. Instead of killing everything, this targeted approach blocks only the harmful microbes that drive periodontitis, allowing beneficial bacteria to thrive and restore balance naturally.
Lilly’s Jaypirca shows fixed-duration power in ‘ambitious’ phase 3 CLL trial win
Eli Lilly has chalked up another victory in the chronic lymphocytic leukemia space, as its BTK inhibitor Jaypirca delivered its fourth positive phase 3 readout in the blood cancer, this time as an industry first.
Men and women with obesity face very different hidden health risks
New research reveals that obesity affects men and women in surprisingly different ways. Men are more likely to develop harmful abdominal fat and signs of liver stress, while women show higher inflammation and cholesterol levels. These differences could help explain why health risks vary between sexes. Scientists say this could lead to more tailored treatments for obesity.
STAT+: Hospitals roll out chatbots, looking to reclaim their role in patients’ health conversations
A handful of hospitals are launching their own chatbots, a risky bet aimed at better serving current patients and gaining new ones.
ViiV launches ‘Still Here’ campaign aimed at reminding young people about HIV
GSK and Shionogi’s ViiV Healthcare is seeking to raise awareness around what the company sees as a forgotten element in HIV: young people with the infection.
Regeneron rides into radiopharma via $2.1B biobucks pact with Australia’s Telix
With its latest obesity play appearing to pay off, Regeneron has turned its attention to radiopharmaceuticals.
Scientists were wrong about lifespan. Your genes matter way more than we thought
For years, scientists believed our lifespan was mostly shaped by environment and chance, with genetics playing only a minor role. But a new study from the Weizmann Institute flips that idea on its head, revealing that genes may actually account for about half of the differences in how long people live. By analyzing massive twin datasets—including twins raised apart—and using innovative simulations
Forget daily pills. This shot works when blood pressure meds fail
A twice-yearly injection may soon change how high blood pressure is treated. In a global trial, patients receiving the experimental drug zilebesiran alongside standard therapy saw greater blood pressure reductions than those on standard treatment alone. The drug works by blocking a key liver protein, helping blood vessels relax. Researchers say this long-lasting approach could make it much easier
Stanford scientists discover “natural Ozempic” without side effects
A newly discovered molecule could reshape the future of weight loss treatments by mimicking the powerful appetite-suppressing effects of drugs like Ozempic — but without many of the unpleasant side effects. Identified using artificial intelligence, this tiny peptide, called BRP, appears to act directly on the brain’s appetite-control center, helping animals eat less and lose fat without nausea or
Why Ozempic doesn’t work for everyone: Scientists just found a hidden reason
A new study reveals that popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy may not work as effectively for about 10% of people due to specific genetic variants. These individuals appear to have a puzzling condition called “GLP-1 resistance,” where their bodies produce higher levels of the hormone targeted by these drugs—but don’t respond to it properly.