Despite persistent overall inequalities, the number of female residents enrolling in high-paying medical specialties has increased. The rise in the number of women entering well-compensated surgical fields is particularly notable.   Researchers at the University of Michigan first reported these findings in “Trends in female doctors entering high-compensation specialties, 2008 to 2022,” published in JAMA. Although 55% of medical students in the U.S. are female, a significant pay gap exists between male and female physicians, partly due to the overrepresentation of men in high-paying specialties. However, recently, the proportion of female matriculation candidates in high-paying specialty training programs has increased from 32.7% in 2008 to 40.8% in 2022.   This increase was driven by matriculation in high-compensation surgical specialties. In 2008, women made up 28.8% of applicants… 

Aktis raises $175 million to advance radiopharmaceutical development. Aktis Oncology, a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the discovery and development of novel targeted alpha radiopharmaceuticals for the treatment of a wide range of solid tumors, today announced the successful closing of an oversubscribed and upsized $175 million Series B financing round. The financing was led by RA Capital Management and co-led by RTW Investments and Janus Henderson Investors. A select consortium of additional new investors participated in the financing, including funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., Avidity Partners, and a life sciences-focused investment fund not named. All existing institutional investors participated, as did existing strategic investors Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly and Company, and MRL Ventures Fund, the therapeutics-focused corporate venture fund of Merck… 

The Swiss pharmaceutical company is paying Regor Therapeutics $850 million for the purchase of two potential successors to blockbuster drugs from Pfizer and Eli Lilly. Regor Pharmaceuticals (USA) ("Regor") has entered into a definitive purchase agreement under which Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, will acquire a portfolio of next-generation CDK inhibitors for the treatment of breast cancer from Regor. Under the terms of the agreement, Regor will receive an upfront payment of $850 million and is eligible to receive additional cash payments if certain pre-agreed milestones related to development, regulatory approval, and commercialization are achieved. Genentech will be responsible for clinical development, manufacturing, and worldwide marketing. Regor will continue to oversee the two ongoing Phase 1 studies until their completion. In addition, Regor will advance its other activities in oncology, metabolic diseases, and autoimmunity unrelated to this agreement.

East Coast and Gulf Coast port workers are on the cusp of striking—a move that could cause serious economic fallout. Just a one-week strike could cost the US economy $3.78 billion (i.e., $540 million per day). There are a combined 36 East and Gulf Coast ports, which handle 57% of US container volume.Together, these facilities handle a quarter of US annual international trade—about $3 trillion.Leading products to be affected include electronics and automobiles.