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STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about RFK Jr. targeting antidepressants, J&J pushing an IBD drug, and more
Rise and shine, another busy day is on the way. However, this is also shaping up as a beautiful day as well, given the clear and sunny skies — and delicious breezes — enveloping the Pharmalot campus this morning. This calls for celebration with a cup of stimulation, and we are opening a new package of cinnamon buns for the occasion. Spring has sprung, after all. What is upon us right now, however, is our ever-growing to-do list. Sound familiar? So here are some items of interest. Have a great day, everyone. …
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced several initiatives intended to rein in the prescription of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, the most widely prescribed class of antidepressants, which he has described as exceptionally difficult to quit, The New York Times writes. The initiative focuses on the most widely prescribed class of psychiatric medications, first-line treatments for depression and anxiety that include Zoloft, Lexapro, Paxil, and Prozac. In 2026. 16.7% of U.S. adults, or roughly one in six, reported currently taking one of these pills. The changes — new trainings, reimbursement mechanisms, and clinical guidelines — nudge clinicians to help patients get off medications, and to consider non-pharmaceutical interventions, like therapy, nutrition, and exercise.
A closely watched therapy developed by Johnson & Johnson failed to show a statistically meaningful improvement for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. But the company plans to advance the drug into late-stage testing, focusing on a growing subgroup of patients, STAT tells us. On Tuesday, trial investigators presented the results of a study that tested how well combining the drugs Tremfya and Simponi would stop the immune system from mistakenly attacking healthy tissues in the digestive tract. J&J tested the combined therapy in two Phase 2b clinical trials hitting both major forms of inflammatory bowel disease — ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. In each trial, the combination performed better than the individual drugs, but did not meet the primary endpoint of clinical remission.
Rise and shine, another busy day is on the way. However, this is also shaping up as a beautiful day as well, given the clear and sunny skies — and delicious breezes — enveloping the Pharmalot campus this morning. This calls for celebration with a cup of stimulation, and we are opening a new package of cinnamon buns for the occasion. Spring has sprung, after all. What is upon us right now, however, is our ever-growing to-do list. Sound familiar? So here are some items of interest. Have a great day, everyone. …
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced several initiatives intended to rein in the prescription of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, the most widely prescribed class of antidepressants, which he has described as exceptionally difficult to quit, The New York Times writes. The initiative focuses on the most widely prescribed class of psychiatric medications, first-line treatments for depression and anxiety that include Zoloft, Lexapro, Paxil, and Prozac. In 2026. 16.7% of U.S. adults, or roughly one in six, reported currently taking one of these pills. The changes — new trainings, reimbursement mechanisms, and clinical guidelines — nudge clinicians to help patients get off medications, and to consider non-pharmaceutical interventions, like therapy, nutrition, and exercise.
A closely watched therapy developed by Johnson & Johnson failed to show a statistically meaningful improvement for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. But the company plans to advance the drug into late-stage testing, focusing on a growing subgroup of patients, STAT tells us. On Tuesday, trial investigators presented the results of a study that tested how well combining the drugs Tremfya and Simponi would stop the immune system from mistakenly attacking healthy tissues in the digestive tract. J&J tested the combined therapy in two Phase 2b clinical trials hitting both major forms of inflammatory bowel disease — ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. In each trial, the combination performed better than the individual drugs, but did not meet the primary endpoint of clinical remission.
BASEL, Switzerland — Pharma manufacturing in Switzerland appears to be unperturbed by the threat of tariffs, but it might take several years before the impact of companies moving production to the US becomes clear.
According to …
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STAT+: Are analysts too quick to gloss over Lilly’s liver case?
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Good morning. I was having a fine day yesterday until my colleague shared this game that tests how good (or how bad in my case) your color perception is.
The need-to-know this morning
- Vertex Pharma reported first-quarter earnings that generally matched consensus, although the company said it was shelving an early stage, mRNA-based therapy for cystic fibrosis due to poor tolerability. The drug, called VX-522, was being developed as part of a collaboration with Moderna.
- Pfizer and Alkermes also reported earnings.
- Viridian Therapeutics announced positive top-line results from a Phase 3 study of its drug, called elegrobart, in patients with chronic thyroid eye disease.
Cytokinetics drug Myqorzo meets twin efficacy goals in study of genetic heart disease
Cytokinetics said its drug Myqorzo significantly improved heart failure symptoms and cardiovascular fitness in patients with non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, an inherited heart disorder.
Want to stay on top of the science and politics driving biotech today? Sign up to get our biotech newsletter in your inbox.
Good morning. I was having a fine day yesterday until my colleague shared this game that tests how good (or how bad in my case) your color perception is.
The need-to-know this morning
- Vertex Pharma reported first-quarter earnings that generally matched consensus, although the company said it was shelving an early stage, mRNA-based therapy for cystic fibrosis due to poor tolerability. The drug, called VX-522, was being developed as part of a collaboration with Moderna.
- Pfizer and Alkermes also reported earnings.
- Viridian Therapeutics announced positive top-line results from a Phase 3 study of its drug, called elegrobart, in patients with chronic thyroid eye disease.
Cytokinetics drug Myqorzo meets twin efficacy goals in study of genetic heart disease
Cytokinetics said its drug Myqorzo significantly improved heart failure symptoms and cardiovascular fitness in patients with non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, an inherited heart disorder.
The action affects BioNTech sites in Germany and Singapore, where the company expects to have excess capacity.
Illinois’ financial crisis could bring the state to a halt
The final 6 ‘Game of Thrones’ episodes might feel like a full season
New Season 8 Walking Dead trailer flashes forward in time
Mod turns ‘Counter-Strike’ into a ‘Tekken’ clone with fighting chickens
Meet Superman’s grandfather in new trailer for Krypton
Disney’s live-action Aladdin finally finds its stars
Swiss manufacturing, biotech industry so far unfazed by geopolitics
STAT+: Are analysts too quick to gloss over Lilly’s liver case?
BioNTech moves to close multiple manufacturing plants, affecting 1,860 jobs
QurAlis’ Phase 2 data bolster case for genetic approach to sporadic ALS
Madrigal extends MASH deal streak with Arrowhead drug that J&J didn’t want
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about RFK Jr. targeting antidepressants, J&J pushing an IBD drug, and more
Illinois’ financial crisis could bring the state to a halt
The final 6 ‘Game of Thrones’ episodes might feel like a full season
New Season 8 Walking Dead trailer flashes forward in time
Mod turns ‘Counter-Strike’ into a ‘Tekken’ clone with fighting chickens
Meet Superman’s grandfather in new trailer for Krypton
Disney’s live-action Aladdin finally finds its stars
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