Vertex taps Halozyme and its recently acquired Elektrofi tech in $15M drug delivery deal
Halozyme is putting a recent drug-delivery acquisition to work thanks to a new tie-up with Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
Medical News
STAT+: Merck’s experimental HIV prevention pill could be made for less than $5 a year, researchers say
Resarchers say Merck should 'urgently begin licensing generic production to its HIV prevention pill.
FDA seeks legislative teeth to bite back against misleading DTC drug ads
The FDA is seeking new powers to hold companies accountable for misleading direct-to-consumer ads, adding legislative weight to its pushback against deceptive drug advertising.
STAT+: Research revealing how the brain flushes waste named STAT Madness Editors’ Pick
For researcher Maiken Nedergaard, ‘diseases of aging are basically all about dirty brains’
STAT+: University of Michigan wins 2026 STAT Madness for new insights into abdominal aortic aneurysms
The researchers identified a driving force behind the condition, opening up a potential target for new therapies.
Your vitamin D levels in midlife could shape your brain decades later
Vitamin D levels in midlife may play a bigger role in long-term brain health than previously thought. In a study following nearly 800 people over 16 years, those with higher vitamin D levels in their 30s and 40s had lower levels of tau protein later on, a key marker linked to dementia.
Scientists just watched Alzheimer’s damage happen in real time
Scientists at Oregon State University have captured something researchers have long struggled to see: the real-time chemical interactions that help drive Alzheimer’s disease. By watching how metal ions—especially copper—trigger harmful protein clumping in the brain, the team uncovered a clearer picture of how the disease develops at a molecular level.
This “master gene” may be driving pancreatic cancer’s spread
A gene called KLF5 may be a key force behind the spread of pancreatic cancer—but not in the way scientists expected. Rather than mutating DNA, it rewires how genes are turned on and off, helping tumors grow and invade new areas. Researchers found it plays a major role in metastatic cells and even controls other genes linked to cancer progression. The discovery opens the door to new treatments that
Scientists solve 30-year mystery of a hidden nutrient that protects the brain and fights cancer
Scientists have finally uncovered the missing link in how our bodies absorb queuosine, a rare micronutrient crucial for brain health, memory, stress response, and cancer defense. For decades, researchers suspected a transporter had to exist, but it remained elusive—until now. By identifying the gene SLC35F2 as the gateway into cells, this breakthrough opens new possibilities for therapies and high
Scientists say 7 days of meditation can rewire your brain
A single week of intensive meditation and mind-body practices led to measurable changes across the brain and body. Researchers observed improved brain efficiency, boosted immune signaling, and increased natural pain relief chemicals in participants’ blood. The effects even promoted neuron growth and stronger brain connectivity. Surprisingly, the experience mirrored psychedelic-like brain states—wi
This diet could slash cholera infections by up to 100x
A surprising new study reveals that what you eat could play a powerful role in fighting cholera, a deadly diarrheal disease. Researchers found that diets rich in certain proteins—especially casein from dairy and wheat gluten—can dramatically reduce the ability of cholera bacteria to take hold in the gut, in some cases cutting infection levels by up to 100 times. These proteins appear to disable a
STAT+: Health insurers score major win with higher 2027 Medicare Advantage rates
The stocks of major Medicare Advantage insurers surged on the announcement.
STAT+: Pharma companies and patient groups seek to exempt orphan drugs from Colorado pricing limits
A bill moving through the Colorado legislature would exempt orphan drugs from pricing caps that might be pursued by the state.
Scientists discover hidden brain switch that tells you to stop eating
Your brain’s “stop eating” signal may come from an unexpected source. Researchers found that astrocytes—once thought to just support neurons—actually play a key role in controlling appetite. After a meal, glucose triggers tanycytes, which send signals to astrocytes that then activate fullness neurons. This newly discovered pathway could lead to innovative treatments for obesity and eating disorder
STAT+: A key Medicare Advantage announcement is due today
Today's announcement will set the tone for how the Trump administration wants to work with private Medicare insurers.
ImmunityBio responds to FDA scrutiny over Anktiva promotional claims with new protocols
In response to a warning letter from the FDA that accused the company of making “false or misleading” claims about its bladder cancer drug Anktiva, ImmunityBio says it’s implementing enhanced protocols.
Insulet's Omnipod takes Type 2 diabetes representation to the TV screen in 'Scrubs' revival
A recent episode of ABC's Scrubs featured an on-screen brand integration with Insulet's Omnipod device worn by beloved TV doctor Christopher Turk.
Neurocrine, eying ‘blockbuster in the making,’ strikes its largest-ever M&A deal with $2.9B Soleno buyout
Neurocrine Biosciences, forever a possible M&A target in the biopharma industry, is making a major acquisition itself. The purchase adds to a recent string of multibillion-dollar deals.
Amgen scores with trial of on-body injected version of Tepezza in thyroid eye disease
With a new, patient-friendly route of administration, Amgen may have found a way to increase demand for Tepezza. A phase 3 trial of patients with thyroid eye disease has shown that subcutaneous injection of Tepezza by way of an on-body injector can provide comparable performance to its current route of intravenous administration.
What the peptide craze reveals about Americans’ relationship with risk
Why do RFK Jr. and other health influencers embrace unproven peptides while calling for more research into well-studied vaccines?