https://benchtobed.com/2026-08-21https://benchtobed.com/share-home.svg https://benchtobed.com/news/trump-loyalist-nominated-fda/2026-08-21https://benchtobed.com/share-trump-loyalist-nominated-fda.svgTrump Loyalist Nominated for FDA CommissionerHeidi Overton has been nominated for FDA Commissioner after acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantas declined the permanent position (Source: STAT News) https://benchtobed.com/news/global-health-aid-architecture/2026-08-20https://benchtobed.com/share-global-health-aid-architecture.svgThe Global Health Aid Architecture is Collapsing, but the Faith Economy Offers New OpportunitiesThe Trump administration's recent allocation of nearly $2 billion to faith-based groups for global health foreign assistance signals a shift in the delivery mechanism for health services, but the... https://benchtobed.com/news/capricor-duchenne-drug-study/2026-08-20https://benchtobed.com/share-capricor-duchenne-drug-study.svgCapricor’s Duchenne Drug Study Highlights the Challenges of Rare Disease TrialsThe FDA's recent decision on Capricor’s deramiocel for Duchenne muscular dystrophy underscores the complexities of rare disease clinical trials, where small design choices can have significant... https://benchtobed.com/news/health-systems-adopt-ai/2026-08-20https://benchtobed.com/share-health-systems-adopt-ai.svgHealth Systems Adopt AI Chatbots to Navigate Complex Patient RecordsHealth systems are increasingly using AI-powered chatbots to search and summarize patient records, helping clinicians uncover critical information buried in extensive medical histories. These... https://benchtobed.com/news/brain-organoids-mature-like/2026-08-20https://benchtobed.com/share-brain-organoids-mature-like.svgBrain Organoids Mature Like Human Brains After Five YearsResearchers at Harvard have successfully kept brain organoids alive for over five years, observing a maturation process similar to that of human brains. (Source: STAT News) https://benchtobed.com/news/fda-commissioner-nominee-announced/2026-08-20https://benchtobed.com/share-fda-commissioner-nominee-announced.svgFDA Commissioner Nominee Announced, mRNA Cancer Vaccine Shows PromiseThe White House is expected to nominate Heidi Overton as the next commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Meanwhile, a late-stage clinical trial has shown promising results for a... https://benchtobed.com/news/cdc-director-prepares-disagree/2026-08-20https://benchtobed.com/share-cdc-director-prepares-disagree.svgCDC Director Prepares to Disagree with Administration LeadersNew CDC director Erica Schwartz emphasizes the importance of transparency and scientific rigor in her first all-hands address. (Source: STAT News) https://benchtobed.com/news/trump-fda-nominee-faces/2026-08-20https://benchtobed.com/share-trump-fda-nominee-faces.svgTrump's FDA Nominee Faces Scrutiny Over Competing InterestsThe Trump administration's choice to lead the FDA, Heidi Overton, has been a key figure behind the scenes in shaping the administration's health policies. Her nomination has raised concerns about... https://benchtobed.com/news/stat-launches-initiative-address/2026-08-19https://benchtobed.com/share-stat-launches-initiative-address.svgSTAT Launches Initiative to Address Trust in ScienceSTAT introduces a new initiative focused on trust in science, hiring Nicholas Florko as a dedicated reporter to explore misinformation, its origins, and its impact. The initiative will also... https://benchtobed.com/news/regeneron-pasatru-receives-fda/2026-08-19https://benchtobed.com/share-regeneron-pasatru-receives-fda.svgRegeneron's Pasatru Receives FDA Approval for Rare Bone DiseaseRegeneron Pharmaceuticals' Pasatru has earned FDA approval for treating fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, a rare condition causing abnormal bone growth. (Source: STAT News) https://benchtobed.com/news/experts-question-huidagene-disclosures/2026-08-19https://benchtobed.com/share-experts-question-huidagene-disclosures.svgExperts Question Huidagene's Disclosures Following Patient DeathA recent patient death has raised concerns about Huidagene's transparency in clinical trials. (Source: STAT News) https://benchtobed.com/news/american-cancer-society-cancels/2026-08-19https://benchtobed.com/share-american-cancer-society-cancels.svgAmerican Cancer Society Cancels Alcohol Industry FundraiserThe American Cancer Society has canceled its upcoming Wine and Spirits Industry’s Gala, a spokesperson confirmed. (Source: STAT News) https://benchtobed.com/news/nonprofit-health-system-earns/2026-08-19https://benchtobed.com/share-nonprofit-health-system-earns.svgNonprofit Health System Earns $1.1 Billion from Medical Billing Firm StakeBon Secours Mercy Health, a nonprofit health system, has earned significant revenue from its minority position in Ensemble Health Partners, a medical billing firm. (Source: STAT News) https://benchtobed.com/news/trump-expected-nominate-white/2026-08-19https://benchtobed.com/share-trump-expected-nominate-white.svgTrump Expected to Nominate White House Adviser for FDA CommissionerPresident Trump is expected to nominate Heidi Overton, a White House adviser, to lead the Food and Drug Administration. (Source: STAT News) https://benchtobed.com/news/physician-group-sues-trump/2026-08-19https://benchtobed.com/share-physician-group-sues-trump.svgPhysician Group Sues Trump Administration Over Dietary Guidelines ProcessA nonprofit group is suing the Trump administration over the process of updating the nation's dietary guidelines, alleging that the government improperly rewrote the guidelines with the help of a... https://benchtobed.com/news/pharmalittle-eyepoint-faces-setback/2026-08-18https://benchtobed.com/share-pharmalittle-eyepoint-faces-setback.svgPharmalittle: Eyepoint Faces Setback, Amylyx Sees Win, and MoreEyepoint's experimental treatment for age-related blindness fails to meet primary goal, while Amylyx's Avexitide shows promise. (Source: STAT News) https://benchtobed.com/news/federal-drug-pricing-program/2026-08-18https://benchtobed.com/share-federal-drug-pricing-program.svgFederal Drug Pricing Program Deadline Looms for StatesStates face a September 30 deadline to decide whether to participate in a federal program offering 'most-favored nation' drug prices for Medicaid. The program aims to reduce costs, but its... https://benchtobed.com/news/massachusetts-hospital-ceos-see/2026-08-18https://benchtobed.com/share-massachusetts-hospital-ceos-see.svgMassachusetts Hospital CEOs See Significant Pay Raises in 2024Compensation for health care CEOs in Massachusetts has increased, despite challenges faced by hospital systems. (Source: STAT News) https://benchtobed.com/news/unitedhealth-faces-irs-probe/2026-08-18https://benchtobed.com/share-unitedhealth-faces-irs-probe.svgUnitedHealth Faces IRS Probe Over Potential Tax AvoidanceThe Internal Revenue Service is investigating UnitedHealth Group for allegedly funneling money through a foreign subsidiary to underpay taxes. (Source: STAT News) https://benchtobed.com/news/sanofi-lay-off-workers/2026-08-18https://benchtobed.com/share-sanofi-lay-off-workers.svgSanofi to Lay Off 229 Workers in Massachusetts Following AcquisitionSanofi, a major pharmaceutical employer in Massachusetts, will lay off 229 workers as a result of its acquisition of Blueprint Medicines. (Source: STAT News) https://benchtobed.com/news/epic-systems-faces-unprecedented/2026-08-18https://benchtobed.com/share-epic-systems-faces-unprecedented.svgEpic Systems Faces Unprecedented Challenges Amid Antitrust Lawsuits and AI Strategy QuestionsEpic Systems, the nation's dominant seller of electronic health records software, is facing a series of unprecedented challenges driven by antitrust lawsuits, questions about its artificial... https://benchtobed.com/news/eyepoint-study-results-disappoint/2026-08-18https://benchtobed.com/share-eyepoint-study-results-disappoint.svgEyepoint Study Results Disappoint for Vision TreatmentEyepoint's experimental treatment for age-related blindness fails to meet primary goal in Phase 3 clinical trial. (Source: STAT News) https://benchtobed.com/news/kennedy-divergent-messages-vaccines/2026-08-17https://benchtobed.com/share-kennedy-divergent-messages-vaccines.svgKennedy's Divergent Messages on Vaccines and AddictionRobert F. Kennedy Jr.'s contrasting views on vaccination and addiction were on display in Washington and Los Angeles. (Source: STAT News) https://benchtobed.com/news/irs-probes-unitedhealth-group/2026-08-17https://benchtobed.com/share-irs-probes-unitedhealth-group.svgIRS Probes UnitedHealth Group Over Taxable IncomeThe Internal Revenue Service is investigating UnitedHealth Group, seeking to increase taxable income from 2017 to 2020, and potentially affecting future years. (Source: STAT News) https://benchtobed.com/news/astrazeneca-lung-cancer-trial/2026-08-17https://benchtobed.com/share-astrazeneca-lung-cancer-trial.svgAstraZeneca Lung Cancer Trial Setback, Falling U.S. Drug PricesAstraZeneca discontinues a late-stage trial for its experimental drug volrustomig, while prescription drug prices in the U.S. experience a significant decline. (Source: STAT News) https://benchtobed.com/news/commure-ends-customer-referral-d0eff4/2026-08-17https://benchtobed.com/share-commure-ends-customer-referral-d0eff4.svgCommure Ends Customer Referral Payments for AI Product PromotionsCommure, a $7 billion health software company, has terminated its customer referral program that offered payments for promoting its AI tools to new medical clinics. The decision follows a STAT... https://benchtobed.com/news/robert-kennedy-jr-blames-e7a992/2026-08-17https://benchtobed.com/share-robert-kennedy-jr-blames-e7a992.svgRobert F. Kennedy Jr. Blames Prior Administration for Addiction Treatment in CaliforniaHealth Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently visited California to discuss changes to addiction treatment, placing blame on the prior administration for handling the issue. (Source: STAT News) https://benchtobed.com/news/novo-nordisk-ceo-warns-2a5222/2026-08-17https://benchtobed.com/share-novo-nordisk-ceo-warns-2a5222.svgNovo Nordisk CEO Warns of Growing Competition in Obesity Drug MarketNovo Nordisk's CEO believes investors are underestimating the demand for differentiation among obesity drugs, and that new treatment options like pills will prevent the market from becoming a... https://benchtobed.com/news/health-insurance-companies-maha-17675f/2026-08-17https://benchtobed.com/share-health-insurance-companies-maha-17675f.svgHealth Insurance Companies and MAHA Promote Wearable Surveillance, Raising Ethical ConcernsThe use of wearable devices to track health metrics is being promoted by health insurance companies and the Department of Health and Human Services, but experts are raising concerns about the... https://benchtobed.com/news/biomedical-bias-health-systems-2b8145/2026-08-16https://benchtobed.com/share-biomedical-bias-health-systems-2b8145.svgBiomedical Bias in U.S. and U.K. Health Systems: A Call for Community-Centered PreventionBoth the U.S. and U.K. health systems prioritize clinical interventions over community-based prevention, despite rising chronic illness and loneliness. A shift toward social infrastructure and... https://benchtobed.com/news/pharmaceutical-industry-sees-key-df2d20/2026-08-16https://benchtobed.com/share-pharmaceutical-industry-sees-key-df2d20.svgPharmaceutical Industry Sees Key Hires and PromotionsSeveral pharmaceutical companies have recently made notable appointments and promotions, with Formation Bio hiring a new chief scientific officer and head of research and development. https://benchtobed.com/news/controversial-drug-testing-lab-6c3e70/2026-08-16https://benchtobed.com/share-controversial-drug-testing-lab-6c3e70.svgControversial Drug-Testing Lab Sues USP Over CriticismValisure accuses USP of making false and misleading remarks about its testing methods, sparking a lawsuit. (Source: STAT News) https://benchtobed.com/news/fda-clears-bristol-myers-544c68/2026-08-16https://benchtobed.com/share-fda-clears-bristol-myers-544c68.svgFDA Clears Bristol Myers Squibb's Oral Multiple Myeloma Therapy, Introducing First-in-Class AgentThe U.S. FDA has approved Bristol Myers Squibb’s oral drug iberdomide, marketed as Zenbexus, for use with daratumumab and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma... https://benchtobed.com/news/fda-approves-bristol-myers-427335/2026-08-16https://benchtobed.com/share-fda-approves-bristol-myers-427335.svgFDA Approves Bristol Myers Squibb’s Zenbexus for Advanced Multiple Myeloma, Marking Debut of New...The U.S. FDA has approved Zenbexus, Bristol Myers Squibb’s oral treatment for advanced multiple myeloma, introducing a new class of blood cancer drugs known as CELMoDs. Meanwhile, a U.S. appeals... https://benchtobed.com/news/pediatricians-counter-federal-vaccine-d41c83/2026-08-16https://benchtobed.com/share-pediatricians-counter-federal-vaccine-d41c83.svgPediatricians Counter Federal Vaccine Misinformation with Evidence-Based GuidanceThe American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) addresses federal leaders' misleading claims about vaccines, reaffirming the safety and importance of childhood immunizations. Pediatricians emphasize... https://benchtobed.com/news/federal-trade-commission-investigates-d477eb/2026-08-16https://benchtobed.com/share-federal-trade-commission-investigates-d477eb.svgFederal Trade Commission Investigates Epic Systems for Anticompetitive PracticesThe Federal Trade Commission is examining Epic Systems Corp. for potential violations of antitrust law, focusing on the company's business practices and agreements that may be limiting competition... https://benchtobed.com/news/pbms-agree-display-trumprx-a12575/2026-08-16https://benchtobed.com/share-pbms-agree-display-trumprx-a12575.svgPBMs Agree to Display TrumpRx Drug PricesPharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) have agreed to display TrumpRx price comparisons, a move that could increase transparency in the pharmaceutical industry. 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