Author: healthadmin

With an impressive victory over blockbuster products in three head-to-head psoriasis clinical trials, UCB’s Bimzelx has conquered another strong product in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), AbbVie’s Skyrizi. The Belgian company said the Phase 3b study in 553 adults with active psoriatic arthritis met its primary objective, showing Bimzerx had a “statistically significant superiority” over Skyridi in reducing disease activity as measured by the ACR50 endpoint at week 16. ACR50 is a composite efficacy measure designated by the American College of Rheumatology that indicates a 50% or greater improvement from baseline in the number of tender or swollen joints, in addition to…

As many drug companies tally their CEO compensation for 2025, another major drug executive has amassed more than the $30 million threshold. Johnson & Johnson CEO Joaquin Duato will earn approximately $32.8 million in salary in 2025, significantly more than the $24.3 million he earned in 2024. Duato took the helm as J&J’s CEO in early 2022. By the numbers, Duato received a $1.6 million salary, the same salary he earned in 2024, and nearly $21 million in stock and option awards. Non-equity incentive compensation for the period was approximately $4.3 million. Duato collected about $600,000 in the “other compensation”…

Skyhawk Therapeutics has appointed Aaron Debs as chief commercial officer, securing the expertise of the executive who oversaw products such as Austed while at Teva. The company shared the news on the same day, saying Sunterra Pharmaceuticals also hired a new chief commercial officer. Boston-based Skyhawk has signaled it could win accelerated approval in Australia for its Huntington’s disease drug candidate SKY-0515 within 12 months. Skyhawk’s 2027 plans include launches in other markets, and the biotech company has begun preparations for commercialization, hiring Debs to lead the company. Debs previously served as chief operating officer and marketing officer for Teva’s…

A ban on disposable e-cigarettes in the UK could lead to young people switching to alternative products, including cigarettes, new research led by the University of Bristol has found. In response to growing concerns about e-cigarettes among young people, the UK government last year introduced a ban on disposable e-cigarettes (from 1 June 2025). The ban is aimed at curbing use by minors, but the impact it may have on the approximately 2.5 million adults in the UK who rely on disposable e-cigarettes is unclear. New qualitative research PLOS Global Public Health Today (March 11), young people revealed how they…

Photoreceptors are specialized cells in the eye that convert light energy into nerve signals. Several diseases that cause irreversible vision loss, such as age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, and retinal detachment, are associated with the death of photoreceptors. Although there are many molecular pathways that lead to cell death, there are also many molecular pathways that try to keep cells alive. In a new study published in cell death and diseasea research team at the University of Michigan has discovered that functional mitochondria are key to the recovery of dying photoreceptor cells. Apoptosis is the main pathway by which cells…

The relationship between social connectedness and cognitive performance is particularly complex during perimenopause, when women transition from the reproductive period to menopause. New research suggests that loneliness and social isolation are not only independently associated with declines in subjective cognitive function during perimenopause, but also show a joint relationship. The research results will be published online today. menopauseJournal of the Menopause Society. Perimenopause, which usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, is a time of many changes due to the gradual decline in ovarian function and fluctuating estrogen levels. Common physical symptoms include hot flashes and trouble sleeping.…

Countries that generate more electricity from wind, solar and other renewable sources will be better protected from global energy shocks, experts say, as escalating conflict in the Middle East disrupts global markets. The war has escalated since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran more than 10 days ago. Critical infrastructure in the region has come under attack and the risk of an Iranian attack has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway used to transport 20% of the world’s oil and gas. The disruption means fuel could be difficult to reach countries that rely on…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Global warming is disrupting the reproductive timing of plants and animals, causing flowers to bloom too early and pollinating bees to arrive too late, usually bad news for interdependent species. But researchers have discovered a rare creature that is activated by this change: the king penguin.A new study of 19,000 king penguins living on sub-Antarctic islands has found that they are beginning to breed 19 days earlier than in 2000. Mating earlier increased reproductive success by 40 percent, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances.The study of timing in nature is called phenology.…

Drinking two to three cups of coffee a day may be the best way to lower your risk of anxiety and depression. A new analysis of hundreds of thousands of adults has found that moderate coffee consumption is associated with improved mental health, but drinking too much can reverse the effect. The results of this research have recently Affective Disorders Journal. Mental health conditions such as depression and severe stress affect millions of people around the world. Public health experts are increasingly focusing on daily diet as a way to manage or prevent these conditions. Previous research on coffee and…

Fierce Healthcare’s Fierce 15 is one of our most popular projects every year. Now in its eighth year, the list highlights companies that are bringing new ideas and innovation to some of health care’s most enduring challenges. In this episode, members of the Fierce Healthcare editorial team discuss the 2026 Fierce 15 and the trends shaping this year’s winners, from AI-powered clinical tools to companies working on claims, behavioral health integration, and early cancer detection. The conversation also highlights what these companies are revealing about the direction of healthcare, including the growing role of AI, driving accountability across the system,…