Faster diagnostic tools that can distinguish between bacterial and viral infections are urgently needed in the UK to help reign in unnecessary prescriptions for antibiotics, a report by the Review on Antimicrobial Resistance has concluded.
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Improvements to diabetes care in England have stalled, says NAO
While there has been progress in reducing the additional risk of death for people with diabetes and that of diabetes-related complications, a new report by the National Audit Office estimates there are still 22,000 people dying each year from related causes that could potentially be avoided.
King’s Fund report paints grimmer picture of NHS finances
The NHS is entering “seriously dangerous” financial territory which will have ramifications for patients and all levels of NHS management, according to the King’s Fund’s latest Quarterly Monitoring Report.
UK Ebola patient given Gilead’s experimental anti-viral
Gilead has revealed it is working on an experimental anti-viral for Ebola, after it emerged this week that nurse Pauline Cafferkey elected to receive the drug at London’s Royal Free hospital following her re-admission with late complications of the disease.
AZ, Lilly massively expand immuno-oncology pact
AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly are building on their existing immuno-oncology relationship to explore a series of novel combination therapies for treating solid tumours.
FDA OKs new advanced pancreatic cancer treatment
A new therapy for advanced pancreatic cancer has been cleared in the US, albeit with a blackbox safety warning.
Commercial NHS research contracts leap 18% in a year
The number of clinical trials being undertaken by the National Health Service in England for the life sciences industry has leapt 18% in just a year, amid a 5% rise in overall research activity.
NICE backs use of MSD’s anti-cholesterol drug Ezetrol
Cost regulators for the National Health Service in England and Wales have issued new draft guidelines supporting the use of Merck, Sharp and Dohme’s cholesterol buster Ezetrol.
Novartis boosts immunotherapy pipeline with new deals
Novartis is looking to widen its portfolio of cancer immunotherapies with the acquisition of Admune Therapeutics and licensing agreements with Palobiofarma and XOMA Corporation.
Pulmonary hypertension patients in Wales get access to Bayer’s Adempas
The All Wales Medicines Strategy Group is supporting the use of Bayer’s Adempas on the National Health Service to treat some patients with pulmonary hypertension.
UK launches $100m dementia research fund
Pharma giants including GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer have teamed up with the UK government and Alzheimer’s Research UK to launch the $100-million Dementia Discovery Fund.
GSK posts positive head-to-head data for COPD drug
GlaxoSmithKline has unveiled positive results from two head-to-head studies pitting the efficacy and safety of its bronchodilator umeclidinium (Incruse Ellipta) against tiotropium (Boehringer Ingelheim’s Spiriva) and glycopyrronium (Novartis’ Seebri) when used by patients with COPD.
Monitor, CQC act to improve ‘inadequate’ Sherwood Forest NHS FT
Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been ordered to partner with another trust to help drive sustainable improvements for patients, after being branded as ‘inadequate’ in a recent inspection by the Care Quality Commission.
NHS to make stem cells for pioneering diabetic kidney disease trial
NHS Blood and Transplant has begun manufacturing stem cells from a site in Liverpool for use in a ground-breaking clinical trial involving patients with diabetic kidney disease.
Genomics signs genome analysis pact with Oxford Uni and FT
Oxford University and Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust have brought UK analytics group Genomics plc onboard a research project focused on the translation of whole genome sequencing into clinical practice.
