Alnylam Pharmaceuticals’ stock price fell more than 8% after advisers to the Food and Drug Administration weighed the risks and benefits of the company’s treatment for a serious heart condition. The FDA advisory committee voted nine to three that the benefits of the treatment, Onpattro, outweigh its risks in patients with ATTR-CM, but the committee’s comments suggest that the drug’s label may be limited, analysts say. (MarketWatch)
Digital health startup Akili cut its staff by 40% and abandoned its prescription model. The company is instead switching entirely to over-the-counter, direct-to-consumer sales. (Axios)
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration has advised residents under age 65 not to get the new COVID boosters from Pfizer and Moderna. The statement from state surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Ladapo ignores the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations that everyone ages 6 months and up who has not gotten a COVID shot within the last two months should get a new booster.(NBC News)
A Saudi fund has set up shop in Boston to plow $1 billion a year into life-extending research and drugs.The Hevolution Foundation has opened its North American headquarters in the John Hancock Tower. (The Boston Globe)
India’s Goa state warned the local unit of Abbott that it plans to suspend the manufacturing license of its popular antacid Digene after inspectors flagged contamination risks and sanitization issues at its factory. The state authorities have given Abbott seven days to respond to the notice to defend its position. (Reuters)
