Here are the editors' top picks for the week ended March 2.
Time is ripe to speed universal flu vaccine, US infectious disease chief says
Developing a universal influenza vaccine has long been a priority for the U.S. government's top infectious disease expert. But Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said the time is ripe now for a "full-court press" in investment and resources from all stakeholders.
More US states pursue limits on opioid prescriptions
Arizona is limiting the initial supply of opioid painkillers that can be prescribed to five days. Several other states are considering similar limits to curb the opioid epidemic.
Senators, prosecutors target drugmakers in new efforts to curb opioid epidemic
U.S. lawmakers and prosecutors unveiled new actions aimed at holding drug manufacturers and distributors accountable for their role in fueling the opioid epidemic — a crisis responsible for killing more than 100 Americans each day.
Consolidation concerns encourage proponents of physician-owned hospitals
Growing concerns over hospital mergers and recent comments by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar are encouraging those who want to make it easier for physicians to own hospitals.
Biopharma share buybacks boom in the wake of tax reform, Q4'17 earnings
Some of the world's largest biopharmaceutical companies are making moves to buy back stock in the year ahead, together racking up more than $38 billion in repurchase plans announced since December 2017.
Novoheart tackles heart of the problem in drug discovery
Taking a few drops of blood from a patient, Novoheart Holdings Inc.'s technology platform — called MyHeart — can grow jars of mini hearts based on the patient's genetic material in the blood.
Drug price hikes spark investor demand for socially responsible innovation
Investors are increasingly concerned that drug price increases are not just restricting patients' access to medicines, but also masking a lack of innovation and future opportunities at major pharmaceutical companies.
Earnings coverage
Express Scripts CEO says deals make company ready for influx of biosimilars
The U.S. pharmacy benefit manager is primed for the incoming wave of cheaper biological drugs, according to executive comments on the company's fourth-quarter and full-year 2017 earnings calls.
Bayer sets Monsanto acquisition closing date for Q2
Bayer AG said it expects to close its $62.5 billion deal to acquire Monsanto in the second quarter, later than originally anticipated.
Celgene 'surprised' by FDA rejection, but affirms 2020 sales expectations
In the wake of a U.S. rejection of a key late-stage drug, Celgene Corp. executives emphasized that the company was still on track for future sales and pipeline developments.
Tenet increases 2018 outlook after better-than-expected Q4'17
Tenet Healthcare Corp. increased its 2018 outlook as it announced higher-than-expected fourth-quarter 2017 EBITDA.
