Photo credit: Proteus Digital Health
1. The FDA approved the first digital pill, which features an embedded sensor that can track if and when patients take their medicine. The pill, Abilify MyCite, is a version of Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s antipsychotic drug Abilify, with a sensor developed by Proteus Digital Health. (NYT)
2. Biotech companies such as Seres Therapeutics and Vedanta Biosciences are racing to develop microbiome drugs for cancer treatment. Seres is partnering with MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy to test its microbe medicine in a clinical trial for metastatic melanoma alongside PD-1 drugs. (Reuters)
3. Loxo Oncology will receive up to $1.55 billion from Bayer to co-develop and market two rare cancer therapies, larotrectinib and follow-on compound LOXO-195. (Forbes)
4. Pfizer promoted Albert Bourla, formerly president of Pfizer’s Innovative Health unit, to the newly created role of chief operating officer. Effective next year, Bourla will assume some of CEO Ian Read’s duties, including product development and sales. Read will focus on long-term strategy and working with government and industry leaders. (Reuters)
5. Amazon said it will use its Tennessee and Indiana pharmacy licenses to sell medical devices and supplies, rather than prescription drugs. (CNBC)
