The Biden administration wants billions of additional dollars in funding to support the U.S. pandemic response, but some lawmakers oppose a COVID-19 supplemental bill. GOP lawmakers say an additional bill would increase inflation, while Democrats argue it could take away from efforts to pass a government spending bill in March. (Politico)
Sage Therapeutics’ depression drug zuranolone was effective in improving symptoms in a late-stage study. The company’s shares declined 17% this week as analysts questioned the drug’s durability. (Reuters)
Johnson & Johnson has returned to court over another alleged patent infringement involving schizophrenia drug Invega Sustenna. Months after fighting Teva’s proposed generic version, J&J filed a complaint against Intas Pharmaceuticals and Accord Healthcare over another generic. (Endpoints News)
California unveiled a COVID plan that shifts the focus toward learning to live with the virus. The effort includes readying 3,000 healthcare workers for emergency deployment during future outbreaks. (CNBC Weekly)
As more states enact their own privacy laws dictating patient data practices, health-tech companies are calling for a nationwide standard. Virginia, Colorado and California have their own consumer privacy laws, while Massachusetts recently proposed another. (STAT)
