Global World Citizen
Meet the Biotech Billionaire Revolutionizing Medicine with Pig Heart Transplants
In 1996, Martine Rothblatt’s six-year-old daughter was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension, a rare and fatal lung and heart disease. Undeterred by the grim prognosis, Rothblatt, a cofounder of Sirius Satellite Radio, launched her own biotech firm with the goal of finding a cure.
“There is nothing worse than being told that your daughter is going to die,” Rothblatt told Forbes in 2018. “I just said I will find a way, or she was going to die because all of the previous people with this illness had died.”
Nearly three decades later, Rothblatt’s daughter is healthy and in her 30s. Meanwhile, shares of the now publicly traded firm, United Therapeutics, have skyrocketed 54 times since its 1999 IPO. This year alone, shares have surged 50% so far in 2024 and 40% since April 30—enough to make Rothblatt the world’s newest billionaire.
Billionaire Harvard Professor's Wealth Soars by Nearly $200 Million Following Eli Lilly Biotech Deal Announcement
Harvard professor Timothy Springer first made headlines in 2020 when biotech company Moderna, which he had invested in, became a household name due to its Covid-19 vaccines. This stock rally turned him into a billionaire. Now, he’s poised for another substantial windfall from pharma giant Eli Lilly’s $3.2 billion acquisition of Morphic Holding, a biotech firm Springer founded in 2014.
The Implications of Marijuana Rescheduling for the Cannabis Industry
In a groundbreaking decision, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is poised to lift its prohibition on cannabis by reclassifying it as a less harmful substance. As reported by the Associated Press, the DEA intends to move marijuana from its current Schedule I classification—alongside heroin and LSD—to Schedule III, a category that includes drugs like ketamine, Tylenol with codeine, anabolic steroids, and the opioid-use disorder medication buprenorphine. This shift represents the most significant reform in marijuana policy since its inclusion as a prohibited substance under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970.
Could Chicken Manure Be the Cause of Bird Flu Outbreaks in Cattle? Here's What You Need to Understand.
Bird flu outbreaks have impacted 34 dairy cow herds across nine states, sparking speculation about whether the use of contaminated poultry litter as cattle feed could be the transmission source, although experts caution that insufficient data is available to make this determination.
Why You Could Bear Responsibility for Settling Your Parents’ Medical Expenses
As the Baby Boomer generation ages and nursing home expenses surge, archaic and often overlooked laws, still enforced in over half of the states, may pose a financial burden on the adult children of seniors unable to cover their own care costs.
British Columbia Reverses Drug Decriminalization Policy Following Public Outcry
British Columbia Premier David Eby announced on Friday that the province is seeking to reimpose a ban on public drug use, marking a significant reversal of its previous decision to decriminalize certain illegal drugs.
Eby emphasized the paramount importance of public safety, stating, “While we are caring and compassionate for those struggling with addiction, we do not accept street disorder that makes communities feel unsafe.”
Study Indicates GLP-1s Such as Ozempic and Wegovy Pose Minimal Thyroid Cancer Risk
A recent extensive study investigating the association between GLP-1 medications, including popular drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, and the risk of thyroid cancer has found no significant increase in susceptibility to the disease. This study, among the largest conducted on the topic, adds to the ongoing discourse surrounding this debated issue.
Novo Nordisk's Amycretin Outperforms Wegovy in Initial Trial: Insights into the New Weight Loss Pill from the Maker of Ozempic
Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, hinted at a prospective replacement for its highly successful weight loss medication Wegovy on Thursday. This signals the emergence of a new wave of advanced obesity treatments currently in the developmental phase, especially as consumers increasingly turn to potent medications. Meanwhile, competitors such as Eli Lilly, Pfizer, and various startups are aggressively vying for a piece of the profitable market segment.
Novo Nordisk's Latest Obesity Medication Outperforms Wegovy in Initial Study
Danish pharmaceutical leader Novo Nordisk witnessed a surge in its stock prices to unprecedented levels on Thursday following the release of encouraging data regarding a novel weight loss medication. This development underscores the company’s strategic efforts to solidify its dominant stance within the expanding obesity drug market, despite facing formidable competition from industry giants such as Eli Lilly and a multitude of emerging biotech ventures.
AI and Telehealth: Balancing Benefits Against Patient Privacy Concerns
Artificial intelligence (AI) and telehealth have ceased to be mere futuristic concepts; they have become integral parts of modern healthcare delivery, transforming patient care. The collaboration between AI-driven data insights and clinicians has revolutionized interactions, offering more comprehensive and meaningful care experiences.
Opill, the First Over-The-Counter Birth Control In The U.S., Set to Arrive in Stores Later This Month
Opill, the inaugural over-the-counter birth control sanctioned for usage in the U.S., is slated to hit stores nationwide “in the coming weeks,” announced the manufacturer of the contraceptive on Monday. This development comes less than a year after the Food and Drug Administration granted its approval.
Over 2,000 Stranded on Cruise Ship Due to Unidentified Illness
A Norwegian Cruise Line vessel remains stranded off the coast of Mauritius following the quarantine of several passengers who experienced a stomach illness during a South African voyage. Local authorities have decided to prohibit any additional passengers from disembarking the large ship until test results are received.
GSK Announces First Long-Acting Injectable HIV Treatment Outperforms Daily Pills for Certain Patients
On Wednesday, British pharmaceutical giant GSK unveiled encouraging findings regarding a long-acting injectable HIV therapy, presenting a potential alternative for individuals who currently rely on daily pills to impede the advancement of the virus.
Study: COVID Vaccines Associated with Slight Rise in Heart and Brain Disorders, Yet Infection Poses Greater Risk
A recent peer-reviewed study has highlighted rare occurrences of heart, brain, and blood disorders associated with Covid vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca. However, experts emphasize that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks posed by Covid-19 infection.
Controversy Stirs as Reports of Cancers Linked to NC State Building Emerge: Unraveling the Situation
Reports of potential cancer links to a North Carolina State University building, Poe Hall, shut down in November due to environmental contaminants, have sparked controversy. Local media outlets, including WRAL, have received over 100 reports of cancer cases related to Poe Hall. The university’s faculty voted on a symbolic no-confidence motion against university leaders, citing mishandling of the contamination.