HAMBURG (Reuters) – Germany has discovered a case of the highly pathogenic H5N8 strain of bird flu in a wild duck, the Paris-based World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) said on Monday. The virus was found in a mallard duck in Osterwald in Bentheim in the northern state of Lower Saxony, said the OIE, citing […]
Read More By Will Boggs MD (Reuters Health) – African-Americans have worse cardiovascular health and more deaths from heart disease than other groups, at least partly from less effective disease prevention and management efforts, according to a scientific statement from the American Heart Association (AHA). “While African Americans are more likely to experience many cardiovascular diseases, in […]
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LONDON (Reuters) – An unlisted Swiss biotech company focused on developing “armed antibodies” to fight cancer has raised $200 million in a funding round backed by AstraZeneca and other private backers. The new money will allow ADC Therapeutics (ADCT) to advance two experimental drugs into clinical trials next year, which could be used to seek […]
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By Julia Fioretti and Barbara Lewis BRUSSELS/LONDON (Reuters) – There is no need for Europe-wide rules on toxic smoke from building materials, according to a report expected to be signed off by the EU executive over the coming weeks, disappointing campaigners who say regulation is urgently needed following London’s deadly Grenfell Tower fire. The European […]
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By Ben Hirschler LONDON (Reuters) – GlaxoSmithKline has won U.S. approval for a new and improved shingles vaccine, the second of three key products for which the British drugmaker expects approval this year. It also secured a recommendation from UK cost authorities for a $700,000 gene therapy for so-called “bubble boy” disease — a step […]
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(Reuters) – GlaxoSmithKline’s gene therapy for the so-called “bubble boy” disease was approved by Britain’s healthcare cost watchdog NICE, despite a price tag of almost 600,000 euros ($700,000). Gene therapy is designed to deliver a one-off cure for the patient and drugmakers are typically asking a hefty price that is comparable to the combined costs […]
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By Edward McAllister MONROVIA (Reuters) – Crammed into tumble-down shacks on a sandspit that the Atlantic Ocean is steadily devouring, the residents of Liberia’s most notorious slum have one common desire: an end to their daily struggle with dire poverty. Next month, when the 75,000 inhabitants of the capital Monrovia’s West Point neighbourhood decide who […]
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By Justin George Varghese (Reuters) – Britain’s Spire Healthcare has rejected a full takeover offer from South African private hospitals operator Mediclinic International, which already owns nearly 30 percent of its stock, sending its shares up 12 percent. Spire said Mediclinic had made a preliminary and conditional proposal that consisted of 150 pence in cash […]
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ZURICH (Reuters) – Novartis on Monday said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted breakthrough therapy status to the combination of Tafinlar and Mekinist to treat patients with BRAF V600-positive stage III melanoma following surgery. “There is a need for more effective treatment options for stage III melanoma patients at a high risk of […]
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NEW YORK (Reuters) – Retailer Meijer Inc said it was recalling packaged vegetables in six U.S. states because of possible contamination from Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, which can cause fatal food poisoning in young children, pregnant women and elderly or frail people. Meijer, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, said there were no illnesses reported as of […]
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By Doina Chiacu WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said on Sunday he was willing to bring healthcare legislation up for a vote but was waiting for the go-ahead from President Donald Trump, who sent mixed signals last week about a bipartisan bill that would shore up insurance markets. The Republican president […]
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By Stephanie Nebehay and Kate Kelland GENEVA/LONDON (Reuters) – Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has been removed as a goodwill ambassador, the World Health Organization said on Sunday, following outrage among Western donors and rights groups at his appointment. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus named Mugabe to the largely ceremonial post at a meeting on Wednesday […]
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