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.

FDA says years-long tirzepatide shortage is resolved, will give limited leeway to compounders
The tirzepatide shortage that first began in 2022 has been resolved. Drug companies distributing compounded versions of the popular drug now have two to three more months to distribute their remaining supply.
Merck spends up to $2B to license new weight loss drug with potential heart benefits
Merck sent Hansoh Pharma, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, an upfront payment of $112 million to license a new investigational GLP-1 receptor agonist. There could be many more payments to come if certain milestones are met.
Clopidogrel vs. aspirin: Tracking the chronic maintenance period after PCI for different risk groups
As more high-risk patients undergo PCI, what is the best antiplatelet strategy following an initial event-free period of DAPT? Does it change after complex PCI? Researchers aimed to answer these questions, and many others, with new findings published in JAMA Cardiology.
FDA approves new short-term treatment for AFib, atrial flutter in critical care settings
Landiolol, sold by AOP Health under the brand name Rapiblyk, is an intravenous treatment designed to start working right away.
FDA approves acoramidis, BridgeBio’s new ATTR-CM drug
Acoramidis, a selective transthyretin stabilizer being sold under the brand name Attruby, is now the second ATTR-CM medication to gain FDA approval.

“We need an answer now”: Cardiologist awarded $2.3M to study cannabis use and heart health in people living with HIV

The four-year analysis will use cardiac MRI scans to closely monitor the heart health of people living with HIV who regularly use cannabis to treat their symptoms.

July 6, 2022

Catheter-directed thrombolysis boosts survival rates for submassive pulmonary embolism

The new meta-analysis included data from nearly 10,000 patients.

June 30, 2022

Statin use may slow progression of arterial stiffness

Continuous and high-adherent statin users had lower baseline arterial stiffness, which also grew more slowly over time.

June 21, 2022

Predicting the impact of new heart attack medications

The study's authors hope their equations can make a significant impact on patient care in the years ahead.

June 17, 2022

NOACs comparable to warfarin when treating AFib patients with valvular heart disease

Researchers examined the clinical impact of treating valvular AFib with dabigatran instead of warfarin.

June 15, 2022

Novavax NVX-CoV2373 COVID-19 vaccine myocarditis

FDA committee backs Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine despite heart damage concerns

The committee's approval comes days after the FDA shared details on a small number of trial participants who developed myocarditis or pericarditis after receiving the vaccine.

June 9, 2022

RAAS inhibitors lower risk of aneurysm rupture among patients with high blood pressure

Researchers also noted that uncontrolled hypertension, exposure to second-hand smoke and untreated type 2 diabetes were all associated with a greater rupture risk.

June 3, 2022

metformin chemodynamic therapy type 2 diabetes Nano Research

A new use for metformin? Popular type 2 diabetes medication may also improve cancer and infection therapies

Metformin appears to improve the impact of chemodynamic therapy, according to a new analysis in Nano Research.

May 26, 2022

Pharmaceutics

FDA says years-long tirzepatide shortage is resolved, will give limited leeway to compounders

Merck spends up to $2B to license new weight loss drug with potential heart benefits

Clopidogrel vs. aspirin: Tracking the chronic maintenance period after PCI for different risk groups

FDA approves new short-term treatment for AFib, atrial flutter in critical care settings

FDA approves acoramidis, BridgeBio’s new ATTR-CM drug