J. Michael Bishop, Nobel Prize Winner for Cancer Research, Dies at 90

Delthia Ricks / nytimes - He helped discover cancer-causing genes. Later, as chancellor of the University of California, San Francisco, he led a major expansion.

AI Summary: J. Michael Bishop, Nobel Prize–winning cancer researcher, has died at 90. Colleagues recall his transformative work illuminating oncogenes and reshaping cancer biology, plus a career of mentorship that seeded generations of scientists. The obituaries and memorial pieces celebrate both his landmark discoveries and the enduring institutions and researchers he helped build.

Two States Sue Cord Blood Bank Over False Advertisements

Sarah Kliff and Azeen Ghorayshi / nytimes - The attorneys general of Texas and Arizona contend that Cord Blood Registry, which stores umbilical cord cells, profited from misleading new parents.

AI Summary: Two state attorneys general filed lawsuits alleging a cord‑blood bank made false or misleading claims about the future therapeutic value of stored units. The actions seek consumer remedies and penalties, challenging marketing that regulators say may have led families to pay for services based on overstated promises about potential medical uses.

“Me engañaron”: agentes encadenan a un padre que había ido al ICE a reunirse con sus hijos

Claudia Boyd-Barrett and Renuka Rayasam and Amanda Seitz / kffhealthnews - Se supone que la agencia que cuida a niños que llegan solos al país deben reunirlos pronto con sus familias o cuidadores. Pero cada vez más los usan como “carnada” para arrestar a los padres.

AI Summary: Gilead struck a deal to acquire Ouro Medicines for roughly $1.68–1.7 billion, securing an immune‑modulating autoimmune program intended to reset pathological immune responses. The transaction combines upfront cash and potential milestones, expanding Gilead’s pipeline and signaling continued industry appetite for bolt‑on buys to chase novel therapeutics.

Efficacy of Romiplostim In the Treatment and Prevention of Recurrence of Persistent Chemotherapy-Induced Thrombocytopenia

esmo - Findings from the RECITE study

AI Summary: A clinical study found romiplostim effective in treating and preventing recurrent persistent chemotherapy‑induced thrombocytopenia, restoring platelet counts and enabling continuation of scheduled cytotoxic therapy. Patients experienced fewer delays and dose reductions, positioning romiplostim as a useful strategy to keep chemo on track—because, apparently, platelet math still runs cancer care.

Results from the Phase 2 POLAR Trial: Pembrolizumab and Olaparib in HRD Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

oncodaily - Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging malignancies to treat, particularly in the metastatic setting, where immunotherapy has historically shown minimal activity. However, a biologically defined subset of patients […]

AI Summary: The Phase 2 POLAR trial presented results evaluating pembrolizumab combined with olaparib in homologous recombination–deficient metastatic pancreatic cancer, including safety, response rates and biomarker analyses. Investigators observed signals of activity in HRD‑selected patients, suggesting the immunotherapy–PARP inhibitor combination merits larger randomized testing rather than immediate headline glory.

FDA flags misleading claims for cancer drug by biotech billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong

abcnews - Federal health officials have issued a warning about controversial statements made by biotech billionaire Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong about one of his company's cancer drugs

AI Summary: The FDA issued warnings over promotional materials and public statements related to a cancer drug associated with a biotech entrepreneur, finding claims that could mislead patients and investors. The agency asked the company to correct materials and refrain from unsubstantiated efficacy or safety assertions while oversight and compliance reviews continue.

FDA Approval for Denali Therapeutics Blazes a New Trail for Brain-Penetrating Drugs

Frank Vinluan / medcitynews - Denali Therapeutics’ Avlayah received FDA approval for treating Hunter syndrome, a rare neurological disorder. The biologic medicine uses Denali’s proprietary drug delivery technology to cross the protective blood-brain barrier. The post FDA Approval for …

AI Summary: Regulators granted Denali accelerated approval for a brain‑penetrant therapy, recognizing promising early efficacy in a rare neurological indication and addressing unmet needs in CNS drug delivery. The pathway requires confirmatory trials to verify clinical benefit while enabling earlier patient access to a novel mechanism targeting central nervous system disease.

FDA approves 1st weekly basal insulin for Type 2 diabetes

Ella Jeffries / beckershospitalreview - The FDA has approved Novo Nordisk’s Awiqli (insulin icodec-abae), making it the first once-weekly basal insulin available in the U.S. for adults with Type 2 diabetes. Awiqli is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise and is intended to reduce injecti…

AI Summary: The FDA approved the first once‑weekly basal insulin for adults with Type 2 diabetes, providing an alternative to daily injections and aiming to improve adherence and glycemic control. Regulators based the decision on trials showing comparable efficacy and safety to daily basal insulins, potentially reshaping diabetes management.

FDA approves Rocket's gene therapy for ultra-rare immune disease

Lei Lei Wu / endpoints - A rare disease gene therapy from Rocket Pharmaceuticals has garnered FDA approval after an earlier rejection for manufacturing problems. The FDA on Thursday granted accelerated approval to Rocket Pharma’s gene therapy ...

AI Summary: The FDA granted approval to Rocket’s gene therapy for a pediatric immune disorder, marking the first regulatory ok for this specific treatment class in children and offering a one‑time corrective option for affected patients. The decision opens access while raising expectations for long‑term follow‑up and real‑world safety monitoring.

Merck’s $6.7B Terns Acquisition Positions It to Challenge a Blockbuster Novartis Cancer Drug

Frank Vinluan / medcitynews - Merck has been acquiring assets that could help make up for the coming revenue decline as its top product, the cancer drug Keytruda, drops off the patent cliff. Terns Pharmaceuticals’ lead product candidate, in development for treating a type of leukemia,…

AI Summary: Merck announced a definitive deal to acquire Terns Pharmaceuticals for about $6.7 billion, gaining a promising leukemia drug candidate and bolstering its oncology pipeline. The transaction aims to combine Merck’s late‑stage development and commercialization capabilities with Terns’ targeted therapy assets to compete in hematologic malignancies.

Pfizer Lyme vaccine candidate heads to FDA

Ella Jeffries / beckershospitalreview - Pfizer and Valneva’s investigational Lyme disease vaccine candidate, PF-07307405 (LB6V), demonstrated more than 70% efficacy in preventing Lyme disease among individuals age 5 and older, according to topline phase 3 trial results. The prespecified analysi…

AI Summary: Pfizer is advancing a Lyme disease vaccine toward FDA submission despite a messy late‑stage picture: efficacy signals above 70% were reported while a pivotal trial missed its primary endpoint and struggled with low case numbers. Regulators must weigh public health need against statistical nuance as the company pushes for licensure.

Novartis to pay $2B upfront to take next-gen PI3Kα inhibitor from Synnovation

Ayisha Sharma / endpoints - Novartis has budgeted $2 billion upfront to buy a more selective PI3Kα inhibitor for breast cancer. The Swiss pharma already has Piqray with a similar target, but drugmakers are now entering the next-generation era as ...

AI Summary: Novartis agreed to pay $2 billion upfront to acquire Synnovation’s mutant‑selective PI3Kα inhibitor, a bet to revive and strengthen PI3K‑targeting combination strategies in breast cancer. The deal swaps in external innovation for internal development speed, shoring up the company’s oncology pipeline while quietly admitting buying is sometimes faster than building.

TerraPower Isotopes Invests $450M in Actinium-225 Production Facility

oncodaily - TerraPower Isotopes (TPI), the Bill Gates-founded nuclear science company, unveiled plans on March 17, 2026 to invest $450 million in a state-of-the-art actinium-225 (Ac-225) manufacturing facility in Philadelphia’s Bellwether District. The 250,000-square…

AI Summary: TerraPower announced a $450 million investment to construct a commercial Actinium‑225 production facility to supply alpha‑emitting radioisotopes for targeted cancer therapies. The plan tackles chronic supply shortages, strengthens domestic radiopharmaceutical capacity and positions the company at the center of growing demand for targeted‑alpha therapeutics — and yes, investors are watching.

A liquid biopsy blood test may improve children's survival of cancer in Africa

medicalxpress - In a study published in Nature Medicine, researchers from the University of Oxford and the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania have shown that a minimally invasive liquid biopsy test can diagnose Burkitt l…

AI Summary: A blood‑based liquid biopsy for EBV‑positive Burkitt’s lymphoma shows promise for earlier, less invasive diagnosis in endemic regions, potentially improving pediatric survival where tissue biopsies are scarce. Early data indicate actionable sensitivity and feasibility for low‑resource settings, offering a scalable path to faster treatment.

Engineered tissue offers hope for children born with 'missing' esophagus

medicalxpress - Scientists from Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and University College London (UCL) have created the first lab‑grown esophagus—the food pipe—shown to safely replace a full section of the organ and restore normal function, including swallowing, in a gr…

AI Summary: Researchers report progress developing lab-grown esophageal tissue to treat children born with congenital absence or severe damage of the esophagus. Early preclinical and surgical work demonstrates that engineered tissue constructs can be implanted and integrated, offering a potential alternative to complex reconstructions — a promising step for tiny patients with very big problems.

‘Lack of Substantial Evidence’ Leads to FDA Rejection of Aldeyra Dry Eye Disease Drug

Frank Vinluan / medcitynews - Aldeyra said the FDA did not ask for another clinical trial for reproxalap in dry eye disease, but the drug’s mixed record in clinical testing warrants exploration about the reasons for failure, which could identify the appropriate patients for the eye dr…

AI Summary: The FDA has rejected Aldeyra’s reproxalap application, citing a lack of substantial evidence—marking the company’s third setback. Regulators did not demand a fresh, large trial but flagged inconsistent results, prompting investor angst and a slide in the stock. The decision underscores the gap between hopeful early data and regulatory standards.

'Leaky' brain barrier revealed as driver of chronic brain damage in retired combat and collision sports athletes

medicalxpress - Research, led by teams at Trinity College Dublin and the FutureNeuro Research Ireland Center, has pinpointed the mechanism linking some sports injuries to poor brain health in retired athletes. The research, published in Science Translational Medicine, ha…

AI Summary: New research links repetitive head impacts in contact and combat sports to blood–brain barrier breakdown, which appears to drive chronic traumatic encephalopathy and progressive cognitive decline. The studies identify vascular leakage as a key mechanism and suggest that strategies to bolster the barrier could reduce long-term brain damage in athletes and veterans.