Life

Health, science, climate, and society-focused reporting.

STAT+: Pharma companies and patient groups seek to exempt orphan drugs from Colorado pricing limits

Infrastructure lens: A bill moving through the Colorado legislature would exempt orphan drugs from pricing caps that might be pursued by the state.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

Global Health Funding in the FY 2027 President’s Budget Request

Infrastructure lens: This budget summary provides an analysis of global health funding amounts provided in the President's FY 2027 budget request.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

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A Closer Look at California’s Plans to Implement Work Requirements While Facing Major Budget Shortfalls Amid Cuts in Federal Medicaid Fundin

Infrastructure lens: This issue brief examines California's Medicaid work requirement implementation plans to provide initial insight into how California is preparing to implement work requirements amid projected state budget shortfalls and

Editorial Staff Apr 6

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California's Medicaid Work Requirements: Infrastructure Challenges Amid Budget Constraints

California's plans to implement work requirements for Medicaid recipients in 2025 face significant challenges due to budget shortfalls and federal funding cuts.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

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STAT+: A key Medicare Advantage announcement is due today

Infrastructure lens: Today's announcement will set the tone for how the Trump administration wants to work with private Medicare insurers.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

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FDA Meeting Delay Impacts Biotech Operations

A small biotech company is ceasing operations following a four-month postponement of a critical FDA meeting, highlighting the fragility of timelines in drug development.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about an FDA delay forcing a biotech to close, a Neurocrine deal, and more

Infrastructure lens: A small biotech was forced to being winding down its operations after the FDA abruptly postponed a key meeting for four months

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

STAT+: Stealth biotech Stipple bets on secretive ADCs

Infrastructure lens: How thin science fuels peptide hype, blowback to proposed NIH cuts, and more biotech news from The Readout

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

Stealth Biotech Stipple Focuses on ADCs Amid NIH Budget Concerns

Stipple, a biotech firm, is making strides in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) while navigating the implications of proposed NIH funding cuts. The approach leverages peptide technology.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

UnitedHealth makes a bet on AI. What does it mean for us?

Infrastructure lens: A hep B trial raises ethical questions, the peptide hype, and more Morning Rounds news

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

Neurocrine Biosciences Acquires Soleno Therapeutics for $2.9 Billion

Neurocrine Biosciences is set to acquire Soleno Therapeutics for $2.9 billion, enhancing its portfolio with a treatment for a rare disease associated with insatiable hunger.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

STAT+: Neurocrine Biosciences to buy Soleno Therapeutics in $2.9B deal

Infrastructure lens: Neurocrine Biosciences is buying Soleno Therapeutics for $2.9 billion, picking up an approved medicine for a rare disease that causes insatiable hunger.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

FDA Delay Impacts Biotech Operations, Leading to Closure

A small biotech firm has ceased operations following a significant delay in securing FDA approval for its clinical trial plan, highlighting the critical nature of regulatory timelines.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

Challenges in Coverage for Medical Nutrition in Lifelong Treatment

The ongoing issue of insurance coverage for medical nutrition is critical for managing lifelong disorders, impacting healthcare infrastructure and patient outcomes.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

Opinion: When my child is in psychosis, the pediatric health care system can’t help us

Infrastructure lens: “There is no off switch when the crisis is your child,” writes Liz Koch.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

UnitedHealth Group Invests $3 Billion in AI: Implications for Healthcare Infrastructure

UnitedHealth Group is implementing AI tools across its operations with a significant $3 billion investment. This move could reshape healthcare delivery and operational efficiency.

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

What the peptide craze reveals about Americans’ relationship with risk

Infrastructure lens: Why do RFK Jr. and other health influencers embrace unproven peptides while calling for more research into well-studied vaccines?

Editorial Staff Apr 6

Life

Trump's Proposed Budget Cuts NIH Funding by $5 Billion

The proposed budget for 2027 suggests a reduction in the National Institutes of Health's funding and a decrease in the number of institutes. Congressional approval is uncertain.

Editorial Staff Apr 3

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Proposed 12% Budget Cut to Federal Health Agencies Raises Implementation Concerns

The White House's 2027 budget request includes a 12% reduction for federal health agencies, which may impact program capacity and operational efficiency.

Editorial Staff Apr 3

Life

Latest Personnel Changes in the Pharmaceutical Sector

The pharmaceutical industry is experiencing notable personnel changes, including new hires, departures, promotions, and transfers, impacting operational dynamics.

Editorial Staff Apr 3