Eli Lilly struck a $55 million deal with Capsida Biotherapeutics to develop gene therapies for central nervous system diseases. Under the agreement, Eli Lilly’s Prevail, which it acquired in 2021 to develop its gene therapy unit, will spearhead early development and Capsida will lead discovery. (Endpoints News)
Geron announced its experimental drug was effective in treating myelodysplastic syndromes, a group of rare blood cancers. The biotech once famous for touting sci-fi-esque pursuits of immortality saw shares rise 50% after the news Wednesday. (Reuters)
Pfizer and Roivant Sciences’ experimental inflammatory bowel disease drug saw promising results in a Phase II clinical trial. In the study, 32% of patients with ulcerative colitis using the drug achieved remission, as opposed to 12% in the placebo group. (STAT News)
The Department of Justice has given the U.S. Postal Service the ability to deliver abortion drugs to states where abortion bans have been enacted. In a legal opinion, the Justice Department noted that a particular statute that targets “vice” via mail isn’t enforceable when it comes to abortion drugs as long as the sender isn’t aware they’ll be used illegally. (POLITICO)
Using social media was linked to brain changes in teenagers, according to a recent study conducted by University of North Carolina neuroscientists. The limited study found that children who continually checked social media tended to have a heightened sensitivity to social rewards, compared to those who didn’t engage in social media as much. (The New York Times)
