BMS and Gilead continue their fight over Yescarta patent infringement; Canadian researchers develop multidrug-resistant, bacteria-repelling plastic coating; Healthcare.gov floods with last-minute sign-ups on final day of enrollment for 2020 plans.
Gilead said it will appeal the $752 million award handed down against the company on Friday in its ongoing fight with Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), according to Reuters. A Los Angeles jury ruled against Gilead in a patent dispute over Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel; Gilead/Kite Pharma), a chimeric antigen receptor T-cell treatment used as a cancer immunotherapy. Currently, Juno Therapeutics, a division of BMS, holds the patent under an exclusive licensing deal from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
In an effort to combat antibiotic resistance and multidrug-resistant bacteria, scientists from McMaster University have developed a plastic coating that can repel bacteria, according to CNN. The team of researchers were also able to show how their innovation can block methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomans due to microscopic wrinkles on its surface. The technology has a wide variety of applications, including protecting food and shrink-wrapping surfaces in healthcare settings. Upwards of 35,000 people dying each year from drug-resistant infections.
The final day of open enrollment for Healthcare.gov plans, December 15, saw the site seize, which prevented people from signing up for health coverage under plans that begin January 1, according to The Hill. Almost 100,000 people faced a similar problem on the first enrollment day this year. Now, however, several Democratic lawmakers—including Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, and Senator Bob Casey, D-Pennsylvania—are asking for a sign-up extension, citing the technical problems. Enrollment is already down 6% compared with the same time last year.
Contributor: More Informed Management of Preeclampsia Is Necessary
November 29th 2023At present, it is difficult for clinicians to identify patients at greatest risk for developing preeclampsia with severe features and tailor treatment plans for them; this difficulty increases costs significantly.
Read More
Managed Care Cast Presents: Opportunities for Adalimumab Biosimilars, Part 1
November 10th 2023In part 1 of this 2-part podcast, a panel of experts discusses the provider and payer considerations for transitioning patients to biosimilars, approaches to prescribing biosimilars over reference products, and more.
Listen
Untangling Medical Debt From Credit Scores: Effects So Far and Next Steps
November 29th 2023After recent policy changes removing most medical debts from credit reports, Americans are seeing their credit scores increase, but experts warn of the need to monitor billing and collection practices for unintended consequences.
Read More