MM&M’s Larry Dobrow is on-the-ground in Austin for South by Southwest Interactive, posting on the latest innovations in healthcare and medical technology.
The federal Bureau of Prisons is investigating a report that Martin Shkreli is quietly running Phoenixus, the company formerly known as Turing Pharmaceuticals, from behind bars. The Wall Street Journal reported this week that Shkreli is using a contraband cell phone to secretly control the drugmaker. (WSJ)
Roche scored FDA approval of Tecentriq to treat a group of patients with aggressive triple-negative breast cancer. The drug was okayed for treatment alongside the chemotherapy Abraxane for very advanced types of breast cancer. (Reuters)
An FDA advisory board recommended against approval of a Sanofi dengue vaccine to treat adults. Sanofi requested the FDA sign off on Dengvaxia for people ages 9 to 45, but the board only recommended its use for those up to 17 years old. (Stat)
The American Heart Association has found growing evidence that hookah smoking can have negative effects on heart rate and blood pressure, as well as chronic use leading to a higher risk of heart disease. The group published the research amid evidence that hookah smoking is becoming more popular with high-school students. (CNN)
