Health News Roundup: FDA advisers back updated COVID vaccine targeting dominant variant; US FDA halts enrollment in Mersana's cancer drug studies, shares drop and more

The liquid eye drop formulation, reproxalap, which is being developed to treat allergic conjunctivitis helped reduce itchiness, redness and tearing caused due to the disease, compared with placebo, the company said. FDA advisers back XBB-targeted COVID shots for 2023-24 campaign Advisers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday unanimously backed the use of updated COVID-19 vaccines that would target an XBB Omicron subvariant of the coronavirus for the 2023-2024 vaccination campaign.

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

FDA advisers back updated COVID vaccine targeting dominant variant

Advisers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday unanimously recommended that updated COVID-19 shots being developed for a fall vaccination campaign target one of the currently dominant XBB coronavirus variants. The panel voted 21-0 in favor of XBB-targeted shots, and the committee's discussion indicated that the XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant would be preferred.

US FDA halts enrollment in Mersana's cancer drug studies, shares drop

Mersana Therapeutics said on Thursday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had paused enrollment in two studies of its ovarian cancer drug after five deaths in bleeding-related events, sending shares of the company tumbling. Mersana said the cause of the bleeding events was under investigation, but patients who are already enrolled in the studies will continue to receive the treatment.

Sudan's war exacts deadly toll on dialysis patients, leaves bodies rotting

Kidney dialysis patients are dying and dead bodies have been left to decompose in a morgue and in city streets as Sudan's war rages on, despite efforts by volunteers and aid workers to keep critical healthcare running. Sudan's health sector was already on the edge of collapse due to a lack of resources before the conflict, and it has been shattered by nearly two months of fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) across the country.

Clene's ALS drug shows reduction in disease indicator levels in trial

Clene said on Thursday its experimental amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) drug showed reduction in levels of an indicator believed to be tied with the disease progression in a mid-stage trial. The company said its drug showed a statistically significant reduction in levels of neurofilament protein when compared to a placebo after 24 weeks of treatment.

Coherus resolves part of dispute with AbbVie over Humira biosimilar

Coherus BioSciences said on Thursday it had agreed to retract a restraining order against AbbVie as the two fight over the terms of launching a lower-priced version of blockbuster rheumatoid arthritis drug Humira. Earlier this month, Coherus had said it would launch a biosimilar version of AbbVie's Humira, at an 85% discount to the list price of about $6,922, and partnered with Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company to sell it at $569.27.

Aldeyra Therapeutics eye treatment meets late-stage study main goal

Aldeyra Therapeutics said on Thursday its treatment for a common allergic eye disease met the main goal of a late-stage study, paving the way for it to become an alternative to over-the-counter eye drops. The liquid eye drop formulation, reproxalap, which is being developed to treat allergic conjunctivitis helped reduce itchiness, redness and tearing caused due to the disease, compared with placebo, the company said.

FDA advisers back XBB-targeted COVID shots for 2023-24 campaign

Advisers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday unanimously backed the use of updated COVID-19 vaccines that would target an XBB Omicron subvariant of the coronavirus for the 2023-2024 vaccination campaign. The panel voted 21-0 in favor XBB-tailored shots.

Mallinckrodt looking to delay $200 million opioid payment - Bloomberg News

Mallinckrodt is seeking to postpone a $200 million opioid settlement payment, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday citing people with knowledge of the matter. The drugmaker wants lenders to waive off provisions that would make Mallinckrodt a defaulter if it skipped the opioid payment due June 16, the report said.

Beijing to cover IVF, other fertility treatments for couples from July

Beijing's government on Thursday announced that it would cover 16 types of assisted reproduction technology under the city's health care system from July 1, the latest move by authorities to boost China's flagging birth rate. In-vitro fertilisation, embryo transplantation, freezing and storing semen are some of the treatments that would be included under basic insurance, said Du Xin, deputy director of Beijing's Municipal Medical Insurance Bureau.

Hip, knee replacements back on track, boosting device makers

Older adults are catching up on missed hip and knee replacements and other non-urgent surgeries, a shift that will benefit medical device makers this year, Wall Street analysts said after insurer UnitedHealth warned of higher costs due to a spike in some procedures. While heart-related surgeries have returned to pre-pandemic numbers after delays due to lockdowns and hospital staffing shortages, orthopedic surgeries had initially lagged as older Americans chose to postpone them.

(With inputs from agencies.)