Merck (NYSE:MRK) today announced positive results from a Phase 1 study of its subdermal drug-eluting implant for preventing HIV-1 infection. The investigational implant has the potential for extended administration of islatravir for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) of HIV-1 infection, according to a news release. Islatravir is an investigational nucleoside reverse transcriptase translocation inhibitor (NRTTI) being valuated […]
Merck
HHS gives Vaxxas $22M to support vaccine patch tech
Vaxxas announced today that it has received a $22 million award from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) at U.S. HHS to support a clinical study involving the company’s vaccine-delivery patch. The money will mostly pay for a Phase 1 clinical study in which Vaxxas’ high-density micro-array patch (HD-MAP) delivering pandemic influenza vaccine […]
Could Vaxxas’ tiny patches enable a better COVID-19 vaccine?
Tiny vaccine delivery patches could solve logistical challenges, but they face manufacturing hurdles. Here’s how Vaxxas is trying to overcome them. Merck (NYSE:MRK) and Vaxxas announced earlier this year that the pharmaceutical giant was using Vaxxas’ High Density Microarray Patch (HD-MAP) platform as a delivery platform for a vaccine candidate. Vaxxas did not disclose what […]
Merck eyes tiny patches as a vaccine delivery method
Merck has exercised its option to use Vaxxas‘ High Density Microarray Patch (HD-MAP) platform as a delivery platform for a vaccine candidate, the companies announced today. The companies did not disclose what the vaccine candidate is supposed to treat. But Merck this month announced two COVID-19 vaccine development efforts: a collaboration with IAVI and plans […]
Prasco launches generic NuvaRing
Prasco this week said it launched its authorized generic NuvaRing. The generic etonogestrel/ethinyl vaginal ring is a small, flexible vaginal ring that is used by women as a form of birth control. The NuvaRing releases a continuous low dose of hormones for three weeks at a time. “We are proud to launch the authorized generic […]
OncoSec shares fall on preliminary data from skin cancer trial
Shares in OncoSec Medical (NSDQ:ONCS) fell nearly -60% this morning after the company revealed preliminary data from its Phase IIb trial of intratumoral delivery of Tavo in people with unresectable, advanced melanoma. OncoSec’s lead product, Tavo, uses electroporation to deliver IL-12 directly into a patient’s tumor, triggering an immune response. As of Sept. 1, 21 people […]
FDA warns of flesh-eating genital infection linked to diabetes drug
The FDA this week warned of serious flesh-eating bacterial infections, or necrotizing fasciitis, reported by patients taking sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors intended for treating type 2 diabetes. The federal watchdog said that between March 2013 and May 2018, 12 cases of Fournier’s gangrene, a rare but life-threatening bacterial infection of the tissue under the skin […]
GlucoMe, Merck ink Vietnamese diabetes study deal
GlucoMe said last week it inked a pilot collaboration deal with Merck (NYSE:MRK) looking to evaluate GlucoMe’s digital diabetes platform at several hospitals in Vietnam. Israel-based GlucoMe said that the project was scheduled to begin this month, and that it will compare GlucoMe’s digital diabetes care system against the current standard of care in the country. The […]
Study: Heat-stable drug formulation offers new option to prevent postpartum bleeding
Data from a collaboration between Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Merck (NYSE:MRK) and the World Health Organization showed that a heat-stable formulation of carbetocin is as effective as oxytocin for the prevention of excessive bleeding following vaginal birth. Millions of women are affected by postpartum hemorrhage every year, according to Ferring Pharmaceuticals. Traditionally, women are given oxytocin to prevent […]
OncoSec to combine ImmunoPulse device with Merck’s immunotherapy in breast cancer trial
OncoSec Medical (NSDQ:ONCS) expanded its relationship with Merck (NYSE:MRK) today, announcing a deal to combine its ImmunoPulse IL-12 device with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, Keytruda, in a Phase II trial of patients with triple negative breast cancer. The trial is slated to study the drug-device combination in patients with inoperable locally advanced or metastatic cancer who have failed […]
