Latest news with #drugresearch
Bloomberg
3 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
WuXi AppTec Half-Year Revenue Beats Despite Tariff Threat
WuXi AppTec Co. reported first-half revenue that beat expectations, overcoming challenges brought on by trade tariffs and US-China tensions. The Shanghai-based provider of global drug research, development and manufacturing services posted 20.8 billion yuan ($2.9 billion) in revenue for the first six months of the year, exceeding the consensus estimate of 19.07 billion yuan. Net income more than doubled from the same period last year to 8.6 billion yuan.
Reuters
21-07-2025
- Health
- Reuters
FDA appoints George Tidmarsh as top drug regulator
July 21 (Reuters) - U.S. Food and Drug Administration commissioner Marty Makary has appointed former biotech executive George Tidmarsh as the director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, the health regulator said on Monday.
Medscape
09-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Does Cannabidiol Affect Liver Enzymes in Healthy Adults?
TOPLINE: Cannabidiol use at 5 mg/kg/day in healthy adults resulted in liver enzyme levels exceeding three times the upper limit of normal in 5.6%, with no significant changes in endocrine hormone levels compared with placebo. METHODOLOGY: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Wisconsin from January to August 2024 to evaluate the effects of daily use of cannabidiol on liver enzyme levels at a dose similar to that reported for consumer use with unregulated products. A total of 201 healthy adults (median age, 36 years; 44% women; 49% White individuals) who were nonsmokers, weighed at least 50 kg, and had normal health records were randomly assigned to receive either a 2.5 mg/kg oral solution of cannabidiol twice a day (n = 151) or an inactive placebo solution (n = 50) for 28 days. Levels of liver enzymes and endocrine hormones were assessed at multiple timepoints from baseline until day 35. The primary outcome was the percentage of participants with serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels exceeding three times the upper limit of normal. The secondary outcomes included the percentage of participants meeting the withdrawal criteria for potential drug-induced liver injury (characterized by elevations in ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, or bilirubin levels accompanied by symptoms or eosinophilia) and changes in endocrine hormone levels. TAKEAWAY: In the cannabidiol group, eight participants (5.6%) had elevated levels of the liver enzyme ALT that exceeded three times the upper limit of normal, while no such cases occurred in the placebo group. Seven participants (4.9%) in the cannabidiol group met the withdrawal criteria for potential drug-induced liver injury; two stopped taking cannabidiol on day 21 and five on day 28. These participants had elevated ALT levels with accompanying eosinophilia. No substantial differences in the levels of endocrine hormones, including testosterone (in men) and thyroid-stimulating hormone, were observed between the groups. No serious or life-threatening adverse events were reported. Adverse events, including increased hepatic enzyme levels and eosinophilia, occurred in 29% of participants in the cannabidiol group, while 18% of the placebo group experienced events such as insomnia and upper respiratory tract infections. IN PRACTICE: 'The findings suggest that CBD [cannabidiol] use at doses representative of currently available unregulated consumer products can lead to liver enzyme level elevations in healthy adults. As CBD users may not notice these changes on their own, this study highlights the need for caution and potentially routine monitoring in CBD users,' the authors of the study wrote. 'Overall, results of the trial by Florian et al underscore that clinicians should be aware of CBD-associated hepatoxic effects and screen patients with elevated liver enzyme levels for CBD use,' experts wrote in an accompanying editorial. SOURCE: The study was led by Jeffry Florian, PhD, of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US FDA in Silver Spring, Maryland. It was published online on July 7, 2025, in JAMA Internal Medicine. LIMITATIONS: The cannabidiol dosage was on the higher end of what consumers typically used. The age range of 18-55 years excluded older adults who often used cannabidiol. The monitoring frequency was insufficient to determine if liver enzyme elevations would return to normal without discontinuing the treatment. DISCLOSURES: This study was funded by the US FDA. One author reported that Spaulding Clinical received payment from the FDA to carry out the clinical study. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
The Independent
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Rachel Reeves to announce £86bn for science and technology in spending review
Research into drug treatments and longer-lasting batteries will receive new funding as part of an £86 billion package for science and technology set to be announced in next week's spending review. Regions will be handed up to £500 million with local leaders given powers to decide how investment is targeted in their communities, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) said. The overall package, which will be announced as Chancellor Rachel Reeves sets out departmental spending plans on June 11, is expected to be worth more than £22.5 billion-a-year by the end of the decade. DSIT said 'every corner of the country' would benefit as local leaders are given a say on how the money is spent on leveraging expertise specific to their communities. In Liverpool, which has a long history in biotech, funding will be used to speed up drug discovery and in South Wales, which has Britain's largest semiconductor cluster, on designing the microchips used to power mobile phones and electric cars. The Chancellor said: 'Britain is the home of science and technology. Through the Plan for Change, we are investing in Britain's renewal to create jobs, protect our security against foreign threats and make working families better off.' Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: 'Incredible and ambitious research goes on in every corner of our country, from Liverpool to Inverness, Swansea to Belfast, which is why empowering regions to harness local expertise and skills for all of our benefit is at the heart of this new funding – helping to deliver the economic growth at the centre of our Plan for Change.' Local leaders including North East Mayor Kim McGuiness and West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker welcomed the package, but research backers warned more is needed to secure Britain's reputation for Rottingen, chief executive of Wellcome, Britain's biggest non-governmental research funder, said: 'The Government rightly acknowledges that investing in science and technology is a key way to boost the economy. 'But while it's positive under the financial circumstances, a flat real-terms science budget, along with continuing barriers such as high visa costs for talented scientists and the university funding crisis, won't be enough for the UK to make the advances it needs to secure its reputation for science in an increasingly competitive world. 'The UK should be aiming to lead the G7 in research intensity, to bring about economic growth and the advances in health, science and technology that benefit us all. We look forward to seeing the full details at the spending review.' Meanwhile, the Institute of Physics called for a longer-term strategy for science, including a plan for teachers and other members of the skilled workforce needed to deliver advances. Tony McBride, director of policy and public affairs at the institute, said: 'It's good to see the Government recognise the power of science and innovation to transform lives and grow prosperity in every part of the UK. 'But to fully harness the transformational potential of research and innovation – wherever it takes place – we need a decade-long strategic plan for science. This must include a plan for the skilled workforce we need to deliver this vision, starting with teachers and addressing every educational stage, to underpin the industrial strategy. 'We hope that the Chancellor's statement on Wednesday will set out such a vision.' Universities UK said the Government had made a 'smart investment' and academia would put its 'shoulder to the wheel' behind the plans. Vivienne Stern, chief executive of the group representing 142 higher education providers in Britain, said: 'The UK has a real opportunity to sow the seeds of long-term growth, benefiting all parts of the UK – with universities spread right across the country working with industry and public sector bodies to turn discoveries into economic success. 'They stand ready to double down with government, building stronger links with sectors of the economy where we have real room to grow. 'This creates good jobs and attracts investment everywhere from Swansea to Aberdeen, from Barrow to Plymouth.'
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rachel Reeves to announce £86bn for science and technology in spending review
Research into drug treatments and longer-lasting batteries will receive new funding as part of an £86 billion package for science and technology set to be announced in next week's spending review. Regions will be handed up to £500 million with local leaders given powers to decide how investment is targeted in their communities, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) said. The overall package, which will be announced as Chancellor Rachel Reeves sets out departmental spending plans on June 11, is expected to be worth more than £22.5 billion-a-year by the end of the decade. DSIT said 'every corner of the country' would benefit as local leaders are given a say on how the money is spent on leveraging expertise specific to their communities. In Liverpool, which has a long history in biotech, funding will be used to speed up drug discovery and in South Wales, which has Britain's largest semiconductor cluster, on designing the microchips used to power mobile phones and electric cars. The Chancellor said: 'Britain is the home of science and technology. Through the Plan for Change, we are investing in Britain's renewal to create jobs, protect our security against foreign threats and make working families better off.' Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: 'Incredible and ambitious research goes on in every corner of our country, from Liverpool to Inverness, Swansea to Belfast, which is why empowering regions to harness local expertise and skills for all of our benefit is at the heart of this new funding – helping to deliver the economic growth at the centre of our Plan for Change.' Local leaders including North East Mayor Kim McGuiness and West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker welcomed the package, but research backers warned more is needed to secure Britain's reputation for Rottingen, chief executive of Wellcome, Britain's biggest non-governmental research funder, said: 'The Government rightly acknowledges that investing in science and technology is a key way to boost the economy. 'But while it's positive under the financial circumstances, a flat real-terms science budget, along with continuing barriers such as high visa costs for talented scientists and the university funding crisis, won't be enough for the UK to make the advances it needs to secure its reputation for science in an increasingly competitive world. 'The UK should be aiming to lead the G7 in research intensity, to bring about economic growth and the advances in health, science and technology that benefit us all. We look forward to seeing the full details at the spending review.' Meanwhile, the Institute of Physics called for a longer-term strategy for science, including a plan for teachers and other members of the skilled workforce needed to deliver advances. Tony McBride, director of policy and public affairs at the institute, said: 'It's good to see the Government recognise the power of science and innovation to transform lives and grow prosperity in every part of the UK. 'But to fully harness the transformational potential of research and innovation – wherever it takes place – we need a decade-long strategic plan for science. This must include a plan for the skilled workforce we need to deliver this vision, starting with teachers and addressing every educational stage, to underpin the industrial strategy. 'We hope that the Chancellor's statement on Wednesday will set out such a vision.' Universities UK said the Government had made a 'smart investment' and academia would put its 'shoulder to the wheel' behind the plans. Vivienne Stern, chief executive of the group representing 142 higher education providers in Britain, said: 'The UK has a real opportunity to sow the seeds of long-term growth, benefiting all parts of the UK – with universities spread right across the country working with industry and public sector bodies to turn discoveries into economic success. 'They stand ready to double down with government, building stronger links with sectors of the economy where we have real room to grow. 'This creates good jobs and attracts investment everywhere from Swansea to Aberdeen, from Barrow to Plymouth.'
