Two new therapies are now FDA approved to treat the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea, with Innoviva Inc.’s Nuzolvence (zoliflodacin) and GSK plc’s Blujepa (gepotidacin) offering additional antibiotic options comparable to standard of care. Both products had fast track, qualified infectious disease product and priority review designations.

The EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) is joining the U.S. FDA and the U.K. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in approving Anktiva (nogapendekin alfa inbakicept-pmin) in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) who have not responded to immune stimulation treatment with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine and would otherwise require surgical removal of the bladder.

Restricting the recommended use of COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. wasn’t enough. Now the Children’s Health Defense (CHD) is trying to get the FDA to revoke the BLAs for all versions of the Moderna Inc. and Pfizer Inc.-Biontech SE COVID-19 vaccines.

China unveiled its first Commercial Health Insurance Innovative Drug List (CIIDL), reimbursing 19 high-value innovative drugs, including all five domestically developed CAR T therapies as well as treatments for rare diseases and Alzheimer's disease.

Flow Neuroscience AB received U.S. FDA 510(k) approval for its Flow at-home brain-stimulation device to treat major depressive disorder. The wearable headset uses mild electrical current to stimulate specific areas of the brain to reduce depressive symptoms in as little as three weeks.

The U.K. government has announced it will cut the rebate pharma companies have to pay on net sales of new drugs, reducing the rate from the record of 22.5% in 2025 to 14.5% for 2026. That is less than the 15% cap agreed earlier this month as part of a U.K./U.S. economic prosperity deal, which placed a requirement on the U.K. to improve the operating environment for pharmaceutical companies.

As the systematic dismantling of the U.S. vaccine schedule escalates, the demands to hold Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy accountable are growing. Claiming that Kennedy has turned his back on science and is endangering public health, Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., formally introduced articles of impeachment against him Dec. 10 for “high crimes and misdemeanors.” Under the Constitution, federal officials can only be impeached for treason, bribery and “other high crimes and misdemeanors.”

Management is beaming with delight at Heartbeam Inc. as the company's appeal strategy paid off with U.S. FDA clearance for its synthetic 12-lead electrocardiogram software for the assessment of arrhythmias. In November, the Santa Clara, Calif.-based company received a Not Substantially Equivalent determination from the agency on its 510(k) application, which could have substantially delayed commercialization. Following a plan disclosed Nov. 28, the company resolved the agency's issues through an appeal process and active engagement and obtained clearance much more quickly than expected.

Roche AG received CE mark for its cobas Bacterial Vaginosis/Candida Vaginitis assay, which will help to improve accuracy in detecting vaginitis in women. The molecular test identifies specific bacteria and yeast responsible for BV and CV from vaginal samples collected using the cobas PCR Media proprietary tube.