Regulatory & PolicyThe rule takes effect on Oct. 13 and applies to federal Medicaid funding for anyone under 18 and CHIP funding for anyone under 19, while leaving states free to use their own Medicaid dollars and allowing federally funded mental health care to continue. Its immediate significance is not only coverage loss but a more legally insulated attempt to reshape care through payment policy after several court setbacks.
Jonathan Blake·Aug 14, 2026
Regulatory & PolicyWHO officials said the outbreak centered in Ituri province has already become the second-biggest Ebola epidemic on record and is moving faster than any previous Ebola outbreak. The proposed study would randomize known contacts of cases to receive Ervebo or placebo, with additional Bundibugyo-specific vaccines potentially added if early safety and dosing data support their use.
Jonathan Blake·Aug 13, 2026 
Biopharmaceutical IndustryITM Isotope said the FDA is unable to approve the NDA for 177Lu-edotreotide in its present form because of CMC- and third-party commercial facility-related items. The company said the agency did not identify clinical safety or efficacy issues and that it plans to resubmit the application.
Jonathan Blake·Aug 11, 2026 Regulatory & PolicyHealth Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. described Network for Hope as "a bad apple" while announcing the planned shutdown process. The case ties back to allegations that a predecessor organization continued organ retrieval planning for a patient who showed signs of life, and it may accelerate adoption of pause mechanisms that Kentucky and the federal Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network are already moving toward.
Jonathan Blake·Aug 8, 2026 
Regulatory & PolicyIn a resonance felt across academic research communities, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced plans to restrict international students and scientists on visas from accessing a significant early-career funding opportunity: the K99 Pathways to Independence Award. The decision, representing a potential turning point for global research talent in the United States, is generating controversy and fueling debate about the implications for innovation, workforce diversity, and U.S. scientific leadership.
Jonathan Blake·Aug 7, 2026 
Regulatory & PolicyThe FDA cleared mFLUSIVA on August 5, the first influenza vaccine built on messenger RNA, after earlier refusing to file the application. In Phase III it beat standard-dose shots by 26.6% in adults 50 and over — the only group it is approved for.
Jonathan Blake·Aug 6, 2026 
Biotech InnovationBy signing substantial cancer agreements with global players AstraZeneca and Alphamab Biopharmaceuticals, Pathos AI is moving aggressively into the oncology market. These deals highlight shifting priorities in biotech innovation and the evolving landscape of advanced drug development.
Jonathan Blake·Aug 4, 2026 
Regulatory & PolicyU.S. drug spending continues to rise, but the benefits remain unevenly distributed, leading to pressing questions about affordability and access. In a recent panel at MedCity News’ Bullseye event, industry experts dissected the ongoing evolution of the prescription drug marketplace, focusing on transparency and accessibility as the next frontiers for improvement.
Jonathan Blake·Jul 25, 2026 
Regulatory & PolicyUnexpected alliances in the U.S. Senate have advanced a bill mandating warning labels for ultra-processed foods and restrictions on junk food advertising—a response to mounting concerns over diet-related diseases and food industry influences. This in-depth report explores the origins, political dynamics, scientific rationale, industry reactions, and the global context driving this major proposed regulation.
Jonathan Blake·Jul 25, 2026 
Medical TechnologyAssured Health has raised $19 million for its AI agent platform, which promises to streamline and automate the provider credentialing and insurance onboarding process for health systems. The startup claims its technology can reduce timelines from months to days, potentially reshaping a major industry pain point.
Jonathan Blake·Jul 23, 2026 
Biotech InnovationAs Summit Therapeutics and Akeso unveil new data for their antibody ivonescimab, questions persist about its translation from prior results to Western populations. The ongoing dialogue underscores the complexities facing global drug development and regulatory acceptance, especially as biopharmaceutical partnerships increasingly seek to bridge geographical and genetic divides.
Jonathan Blake·Jul 22, 2026 
AI in Drug DiscoveryThe rapid expansion of AI-driven drug discovery is accelerating the complexity of biopharma collaborations. As these partnerships multiply, legal and operational disputes related to data ownership and provenance are surfacing as central friction points, forcing both sides to reconsider deal structures and the future of therapeutic innovation.
Jonathan Blake·Jul 22, 2026 