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U.S. FDA Approves Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir as First and Only Treatment for People with Acute Hepatitis C Virus

AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a label expansion for MAVYRET® (glecaprevir/pibrentasvir), an oral pangenotypic direct acting antiviral (DAA) therapy. It is now approved for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients three years and older with acute or chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis. With this approval, MAVYRET is the first and only DAA therapy approved to treat patients with acute HCV in eight weeks with a 96% cure rate. HCV is a highly infectious blood-borne disease affecting the liver.1 People recently infected, or those with acute HCV, may not have symptoms.1 If left untreated, HCV could lead to liver-related complications, such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.1 The United States is expected to incur ~$120 billion in total medical costs over the next 10 years… 

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Bone Rot – A Rare but Serious Disease

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Bone rot, medically known as osteomyelitis, is a serious bone infection that remains a challenge despite modern medicine. The disease can affect people of all ages and requires early diagnosis and consistent treatment to avoid serious complications. Causes and Risk Factors Bone rot is mostly caused by bacteria, and less commonly by fungi. The pathogens often enter the bone through open wounds, bone fractures, or surgery. People with weakened immune systems, such as diabetics, patients with chronic diseases, or individuals taking immunosuppressive drugs, are particularly at risk. Circulatory disorders or poorly healing wounds, such as those found in "open legs," also increase the risk. Symptoms and Diagnosis The symptoms of bone rot are often non-specific, making diagnosis difficult. Typical symptoms include severe pain in the affected area, swelling, redness, and sometimes fever. In chronic cases, fistulas or pus collections may form. "The challenge lies in detecting the infection early, as… 

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Mask Scandal Shakes Berlin: Merz and Warken Under Pressure

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German politics faces a new scandal that could further deepen citizens' crisis of confidence in their government. At the center of the controversy: Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU), who is accused of withholding a explosive report on mask procurement during the Corona pandemic. The report, which examines the tenure of then-Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU), sheds a harsh light on questionable decisions that could have cost taxpayers billions of euros. The allegations range from incompetence and cronyism to possible corruption offenses. While the opposition demands transparency, the question arises: How long can Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) remain inactive before he must intervene? A Report Kept Under Wraps Nina Warken has headed the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) since May 2025. The lawyer, who has no medical expertise, took office in an already tense political situation. Shortly after taking office...

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US pharmaceutical industry rejoices: Trump and Xi reach agreement

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Agreement in US-China trade dispute – impact on the US pharmaceutical industry After intensive two-day negotiations in London, the US and China have reached a fundamental compromise in the trade dispute. As US President Donald Trump announced on his platform Truth Social, both sides agreed on a reduction of export restrictions on rare earths and a reduction of tariffs on certain goods. Although formal approval by Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping is still pending, the framework agreement is already considered an important step towards de-escalating the trade conflict that has been simmering for months[1][7][8]. Key points of the agreement Implications for the US pharmaceutical industry The agreement has far-reaching implications for the US pharmaceutical industry, which is particularly dependent on Chinese precursor materials and rare earths: 1. Relief for critical raw materials China's commitment to supply rare earths and magnets significantly relieves the US pharmaceutical industry. Many medical devices, contrast agents, and special medications rely on...

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Rare non-small cell lung cancer with brain metastases responds to amivantamab monotherapy

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A team led by first author Jinah Kim of the University of Vermont Medical Center and corresponding author Young Kwang Chae of Feinberg School of Medicine reports on a clinical case in which a patient with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and rare EGFR mutations responded remarkably well to amivantamab after other treatments had failed. The patient experienced complete resolution of brain and cerebrospinal fluid metastases. This suggests that amivantamab could be a viable option for patients with unusual genetic profiles and limited treatment options. Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Patients with NSCLC and rare mutations in the EGFR gene often have limited treatment options and poor prognoses, especially if the disease has spread to the brain or cerebrospinal fluid. This case involved a 67-year-old man diagnosed with NSCLC who had two rare EGFR mutations – G719A… 

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Virtual reality training tool combats contamination of portable medical devices

Infection control researchers at Mass General Brigham have developed a virtual reality (VR) training tool to educate clinicians on core infection control concepts, including the cleaning and disinfection of portable medical devices, to prevent the spread of infections in healthcare settings. They successfully piloted the VR training tool across seven U.S. facilities and hope such training can improve staff competency and patient safety. The work was published in “Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.” “Devices like blood pressure cuffs, glucometers, and portable imaging devices are ubiquitous in healthcare, and study after study has shown that healthcare settings fail to clean and disinfect them, increasing the risk of healthcare-associated infections,” said senior author Erica S. Shenoy, MD, PhD, chief of infection control at Mass General Brigham. “We know that patient risk decreases when basic infection control measures are correctly…” 

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World's first 2D computer without silicon developed

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Silicon is the king of semiconductor technology, which underpins smartphones, computers, electric vehicles, and more. But according to a research team from Pennsylvania State University, its crown may soon crumble. As the world's first, they used two-dimensional (2D) materials, which, unlike silicon, are only one atom thick and retain their properties at this scale, to develop a computer that can perform simple operations. The development, published today (June 11) in Nature, represents a major step toward realizing thinner, faster, and more energy-efficient electronics, according to the researchers. They developed a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) computer – the technology at the heart of almost all modern electronic devices – without silicon. Instead, they used two different 2D materials to develop the two types of transistors needed to control the flow of electrical current in CMOS computers: molybdenum disulfide for n-type transistors and tungsten diselenide for p-type transistors. The team utilized the... 

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Nocturia: How often is normal?

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Villingen-Schwenningen, June 11, 2025 – Those who are repeatedly woken up by a full bladder at night know the frustration: Sleep is disturbed, recovery suffers, and the risk of falling increases, especially for older people. But how often is nighttime urination actually normal, and when should one take action? A report from the Pharmaceutical Journal sheds light on the causes and solutions for the phenomenon, medically known as nocturia. Up to twice per night is normal According to Professor Dr. Daniela Schultz-Lampel, Director of the Continence Center Southwest at Klinikum Schwarzwald-Baar, it is considered normal to visit the toilet up to twice per night. "However, if you regularly have to get up more often, you should have the causes medically clarified," advises the urologist. Nocturia, the medical term for nighttime urinary urgency, can not only disrupt sleep but also indicate health problems. Diverse causes for nocturia The reasons for frequent nighttime urination are... 

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Chemical company Dow cuts apprenticeship positions in Schkopau and Böhlen: 26 young people affected

Schkopau/Böhlen, June 11, 2025 – The US chemical company Dow has announced that it will completely cancel the 2025/2026 training year at its East German locations in Schkopau (Saxony-Anhalt) and Böhlen (Saxony). This means that 26 young people, who were supposed to start their training on September 1, will lose their apprenticeships at short notice. The decision has caused horror and incomprehension, especially in light of the already tense situation in the chemical industry. Cost-cutting measures and uncertain future Dow justifies the cancellation of apprenticeships with economic cost-saving pressures and unclear future prospects. The company is under pressure as high energy prices and the general crisis in the energy-intensive chemical sector are burdening production sites. In addition, Dow is currently examining the possible shutdown or closure of individual plants in Schkopau and Böhlen, which further exacerbates the uncertainty. "The decision not to hire new trainees is part of our measures to reduce costs," explained a company spokesperson. The affected young people are now facing the challenge,… 

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Military parade in Washington: Pompous celebration and controversial defense line

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Washington, D.C., June 11, 2025 – This coming Saturday, June 14, 2025, the US capital will be the scene of a massive military parade to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US Army and President Donald Trump's 79th birthday. With approximately 6,600 soldiers, 150 military vehicles – including historical Sherman tanks from World War II as well as modern Abrams and Bradley tanks – and 50 aircraft, including Apache and Black Hawk helicopters, the event will be a martial spectacle. But behind the festive occasion, a controversy is brewing: Some of the tanks are to remain in the city after the parade as a defense line against possible protests. A historic march with a political undertone The parade, which will lead from the Pentagon in Arlington across the Memorial Bridge to the National Mall, is intended to be "the largest and most beautiful military parade in the history of the USA," according to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. In addition to modern weapon systems such as Himars rocket launchers and M109… 

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