Pharmaceutics

This page contains key pharmaceutical news on drug recalls, FDA clearance, safety communications and research. In cardiology, key pharmaceutic agents include antiplatelet therapies, anticoagulants, hypertension drugs, and drugs for heart failure and arrhythmias.

Semaglutide, other obesity drugs show potential to treat nondiabetic stroke
Much more research is still required, but a new meta-analysis in Stroke suggests these medications may provide valuable stroke prevention.
Beta-blockers do not benefit heart attack patients with a normal LVEF
The new meta-analysis included data from nearly 18,000 patients. Overall, patient outcomes were quite similar for patients who did and did not undergo beta-blocker therapy.
Oral heart failure drug receives FDA’s fast track designation
A clinical trial focused on patients with HFpEF is expected to be completed by July 2026.
Winning cash for taking blood pressure meds increases compliance
About 71% of patients in the rewards group opened their blood pressure medication on 80% of days, compared with about 34% in the control group.
$64M raised for new cardiogenic shock drug—research already underway
Procizumab was developed to change the trajectory of shock by addressing an underlying molecular driver rather than just managing symptoms.

Semaglutide, other obesity drugs show potential to treat nondiabetic stroke

Much more research is still required, but a new meta-analysis in Stroke suggests these medications may provide valuable stroke prevention.

Beta-blockers do not benefit heart attack patients with a normal LVEF

The new meta-analysis included data from nearly 18,000 patients. Overall, patient outcomes were quite similar for patients who did and did not undergo beta-blocker therapy.

A majority of medical devices involved in Class I recalls were never required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to undergo premarket or postmarket clinical testing, according to new research published in Annals of Internal Medicine.[1]

Oral heart failure drug receives FDA’s fast track designation

A clinical trial focused on patients with HFpEF is expected to be completed by July 2026.

Winning cash for taking blood pressure meds increases compliance

About 71% of patients in the rewards group opened their blood pressure medication on 80% of days, compared with about 34% in the control group.

Illustration showing how procizumab captures circulating dipeptidyl peptidase 3 (cDPP3) to block this key molecular driver of shock. Illustrations courtesy of 4TEEN4

$64M raised for new cardiogenic shock drug—research already underway

Procizumab was developed to change the trajectory of shock by addressing an underlying molecular driver rather than just managing symptoms.

‘Unprecedented’: Single dose of new gene-editing therapy lowers cholesterol, triglycerides

First-in-human data suggest the therapy, CTX310, could be a breakthrough for patients with lipid disorders.

New pill lowers cholesterol for patients already on statins—no needles required

The new drug from Merck was linked to several benefits for patients who are already on statins. If an oral PCSK9 inhibitor gains FDA approval, it could be a game-changer for the field of preventive medicine.

Some reviewers opposed FDA's approval of new drug for life-threatening disease

When the FDA approved elamipretide for the treatment of Barth syndrome, not everyone agreed with the agency's decision.