Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite — which was extended for many on our side of the pond — was relaxing and invigorating, because that all-too-familiar routine of online meetings, phone calls, and deadlines has returned. There is no avoiding this, though, so to cope, yes, we are firing up the trusty coffee kettle to brew another cup of stimulation. Our choice today is strawberry creme. Please feel free to join us. Meanwhile, we have assembled the latest laundry list of interesting items for you to peruse as you embark on your journey today. On that note, best of luck. We hope you conquer the world and emerge unscathed. …
Scott Gottlieb, who served as U.S. Food and Drug Administration commissioner in the first Trump administration, is raising concerns with Senate Republicans about the president-elect’s selection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, STAT writes. During a television appearance on CNBC on Friday, Gottlieb maintained that there is “skepticism in the Republican caucus [on RFK Jr.’s nomination], more than the press is reporting right now… I’ve had conversations, and I’ve raised my concerns and I will continue to raise my concerns.” His remarks reflect an effort to undermine RFK Jr.’s. nomination before the Senate reconvenes after its Thanksgiving break, when RFK Jr. could begin meeting with senators to discuss his confirmation. So far, moderate Republicans have held back from saying whether they will support the nomination. RFK Jr. would have to lose four Republican votes and fail to sway a single Democrat in order for his nomination to fail.
There is a significant talent shortage of people who have expertise in developing radiopharmaceuticals or radioligand therapies, STAT explains. These treatments fuse radioactive isotopes with a targeting component that guide the compound to cancer cells like a missile, ideally obliterating the diseased cells and leaving the surrounding area relatively unscathed. The same problem exists in health care facilities, where teams of specially trained physicians, nurses, and other support staff are needed to measure the right doses of decaying isotopes or to properly handle the radioactive materials. Currently, there are only a few radiogland therapies on the market, including Pluvicto and Lutathera, both made by Novartis and indicated for prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumors, respectively. But other therapies under development are being tested in all kinds of other cancers. More than a dozen startups working on these kinds of treatments have launched over the last five years. Four have been snapped up by pharmaceutical giants in deals worth $1 billion or more.
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