Though analysts seemed uncertain in February about the commercial future despite favorable phase III data, they came away upbeat from a meeting last week with Trevena Inc. about injectable Olinvo (oliceridine) for moderate to severe acute pain. H.C. Wainwright's Ed Arce said his firm believes the company "has set its eyes on a realistic and promising target market" for the opioid receptor mu agonist, though Wall Street hardly seemed of that opinion earlier in the year.

HONG KONG – In a study led by Australian scientists at University of New South Wales (UNSW), introducing a beneficial natural mutation into blood cells using gene-editing was shown to stimulate production of fetal hemoglobin (Hb), a finding that could lead to a cure for blood diseases.

HONG KONG – Aware of the challenges that lie ahead in China and the need for further investment to expand, drug, device and medical products distributor Cardinal Health may be looking for ways to divest some of its operations announcing that it has "begun to explore strategic alternatives to support its next stage of growth."