09 Sep, 2026
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration permanently filled four key leadership roles at the Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday, after it nominated Heidi Overton to lead the agency late last…
First Opinion is STAT’s platform for interesting, illuminating, and provocative articles about the life sciences writ large, written by biotech insiders, health care workers, researchers, and others. To encourage robust,…
Andrew covers the biopharma industry, scientific research, and public health across the continent. You can reach Andrew confidentially on Signal at drewqjoseph.71. A closely watched cardiovascular drug from Novartis failed…
The biotech company Ultragenyx said Wednesday that its experimental therapy for Angelman syndrome, a rare disease that causes severe intellectual disabilities and developmental delays, showed no benefit compared to a…
New guidelines released Monday highlight the many new treatments that have hit the market in recent years for the prevention of migraine.  The guidance for health care providers comes from…

What’s the real difference between M.D.s and D.O.s?

First Opinion is STAT’s platform for interesting, illuminating, and provocative articles about the life sciences writ large, written by biotech insiders, health care workers, researchers, and others. To encourage robust, good-faith discussion about issues raised in First Opinion essays, STAT publishes selected Letters to the Editor received in response to them. You can submit a […]

19 mins read

Novartis drug cuts inflammation. A heart outcomes study is to come

Andrew covers the biopharma industry, scientific research, and public health across the continent. You can reach Andrew confidentially on Signal at drewqjoseph.71. A newly acquired Novartis drug successfully lowered signs of inflammation in a midstage study, as experts wait to hear how the company plans to advance the drug as a potential cardiovascular treatment.  In […]

2 mins read