A booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine increases antibody levels and provides additional protection, the company said Wednesday. J&J plans to submit the data to the Food and Drug Administration for a booster authorization. (The New York Times)
Heart pump implants made by HeartWare and Medtronic routinely failed FDA safety inspections, according to a ProPublica investigation. But the agency never penalized the device makers, even as patient deaths related to the pumps increased. (ProPublica)
Mental health companies Headspace and Ginger announced they will merge, creating a $3 billion company. Headspace develops self-directed meditation resources, while Ginger offers virtual therapy. (STAT)
Pediatric COVID-19 hospitalizations have reached their highest level since they were first reported a year ago. Public health officials attribute the rise to the continued surge of the Delta variant, which is more contagious than previous strains. (CNBC Weekly)
Stealth BioTherapeutics plans to submit an application to the FDA for approval of a drug to treat Barth syndrome, a rare genetic condition. The drug produced disappointing results in a Phase II trial in 2019. (Endpoints News)
