Current Health News Briefs: From Zantac Cancer Trial to Neuralink Brain Chip Success

This compilation covers the latest health news, including GSK's victory in the Zantac cancer trial, an anthrax outbreak in China, a rivalry between Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk over weight-loss drugs, China's new fentanyl regulations, a lawsuit against Novartis over 'HeLa' cells, and more.

Breaking the latest in the health sector, GSK has emerged victorious in a pivotal trial concerning claims that the discontinued heartburn drug Zantac caused cancer. The jury declared that the drug was not responsible for an Illinois woman's illness, according to a company spokesperson.

In another development from China, the eastern Shandong province has reported an anthrax outbreak, infecting five people and leading to the shutdown of a beef cattle farm. The disease control center confirmed the culling of all livestock on the farm to prevent further spread.

Meanwhile, Eli Lilly's Zepbound is competing against Novo Nordisk's Wegovy in the U.S. weight-loss market, with doctors prioritizing drug availability at pharmacies. Lilly has secured a 40% market share since Zepbound's December launch.

On the regulatory front, China announced new measures to control chemicals used in fentanyl production, marking the third significant step since U.S.-China counter-narcotics cooperation resumed last year.

Legal issues arose as Novartis and Viatris faced a lawsuit for allegedly misusing 'HeLa' cells from Henrietta Lacks without proper authorization, a practice that has significantly impacted their market presence.

Financially, Baxter International upped its full-year profit forecast due to strong medical device sales, while Kenvue reported better-than-expected profits driven by essential health products. Amgen's second-quarter profit dipped despite a 20% rise in sales, and BioNTech's losses quadrupled, pushing the company to focus on cancer drugs.

On a technological note, Neuralink, owned by Elon Musk, successfully implanted a brain chip in its second trial patient, showcasing significant advancements in helping paralyzed patients operate digital devices through brain signals.

(With inputs from agencies.)