Here are the editors' top picks for the week ended June 8.
Novartis deploys digital therapies in bid for new schizophrenia medicines
Despite working on pioneering neuroscience research, Ricardo Dolmetsch says the availability of an on-call digital therapist is as important to the development of new drugs as it is in the management of psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia.
ASCO roundup: Merck hits goal in lung cancer; cell therapies remain effective
Lung cancer treatments and cell therapies took center stage at the 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting, the largest annual gathering of cancer specialists and drug companies.
Biotechs grapple with risks as Right To Try becomes a reality
A week after President Donald Trump signed the bill into law, biotechnology companies are staking out their positions amid looming pressure.
Trump may be mulling HHS revamp, as Democrats seek healthcare focus
The Trump administration may be considering restructuring Health and Human Services, potentially adding certain welfare programs under the agency's already vast umbrella. But Democrats want to use August to focus on lowering healthcare costs.
Of Mice Not Men: Drugs for new tumors, sleeping cancers; changing tastes
In this week's column on early stage studies, a new cancer drug that targets new tumors, a toe infection medicine that can prevent bowel cancer relapses, and manipulating taste to treat eating disorders.
US FDA estimates 1-year savings of $16B from 2017 generic drug approvals
Using a mixture of data, officials from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration estimated Americans could save up to $16 billion over one year from the generic drugs approved by the agency in 2017.
HHS' $25M health security accelerator launches in 'pro-investment environment'
The agency will put $25 million toward combating health security threats, with hopes of significantly more funding next year, according to Robert Kadlec, assistant secretary for preparedness and response.
Ahead of internet summit, FDA cracks down on websites selling illicit opioids
The U.S. FDA warned the operators of 53 websites to stop selling illicit opioids, such as tramadol and oxycodone, or face seizure or an injunction to shut them down.
China's 1st rare disease list seen as major step toward further policy reforms
The country — home to more than 16 million rare disease patients — is expected to introduce more regulations for orphan drug research and development, and medical insurance for diagnosis and treatment.
US FDA seeks to overhaul drug office to boost efficiency, scientific expertise
The science of drug development is changing rapidly, and the U.S. FDA aims to keep up by proposing an overhaul of its office that evaluates new medicine applications and its review processes.
Capitol Checkup: US FDA drug review revamp; cancer pilots; right-to-try claims
The U.S. FDA is expected to unveil plans to overhaul its review process for new medicines, and the agency's chief promoted the Right To Try Act, despite being told by the law's author it was meant to "diminish the FDA's power."
Japan drugmakers post growth overseas, as price revisions scuttle local sales
Nine of the country's top 10 drugmakers reported an increase in overseas sales, and a drop in local revenues, as changes implemented by Japan's National Health Insurance in April 2016 continued to impact earnings.
ASCO in focus
ASCO conference: Lung cancer looms large as doctors review latest research
One disease and a blockbuster approach has dominated the stock performance of four global drugmakers for the past year and remains central to the conversation ahead of 2018's largest cancer meeting.
ASCO conference: Skin cancer reduced with Regeneron, Sanofi cancer drug
The drugmakers' experimental cancer therapy cemiplimab reduced tumor size in about half the patients with an advanced form of skin cancer, the companies said in two new studies.
