A leaked Phase III study of Johnson & Johnson’s CAR-T therapy Carvykti showed the drug’s promise in reducing the risk of relapse by 74% in multiple myeloma. Last year, J&J said Carvykti achieved its primary goal of the CARTITUDE-4 study, but has not officially released the rest of the data. (STAT News)
Vaxcyte said it will raise $500 million from a stock sale to help fund its Phase III program for its pneumococcal vaccine in older adults. The vaccine, VAX-24, is poised to compete with Pfizer’s Prevnar 20. (Endpoints News)
Anti-abortion group Students for Life sent a citizen petition to the Food and Drug Administration calling on the agency to restrict the abortion pill mifepristone until it studies its environmental impact. The group argued that the FDA should study whether trace amounts of the drug in wastewater “endanger[s] or threaten[s] species or designated critical habitats.” (POLITICO)
Virax entered into an agreement for the distribution of Marburg virus PCR testing kits. The company’s stock skyrocketed on news of the deal. (Seeking Alpha)
Elton John urged Congress to keep the ‘foot on the accelerator’ with the end of AIDS in sight. “We are living in deeply troubled times with countless global challenges — all of which I know beckon your time and attention. Given that, I am boundlessly grateful for the bipartisan cooperation that has been the hallmark of PEPFAR for two decades now,” John told lawmakers on Wednesday. (The Hill)
