Proposed Payment Rules and Court Rulings
Two court rulings and segments of the proposed OPPS/ASC and PFS rules may require action from providers to recover expenses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rituxan Superior to Mycophenolate Mofetil in Sustaining Complete Remission in Pemphigus Vulgaris Patients
Results from Genentech’s Phase III PEMPHIX study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Rituxan (rituximab) compared to mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in adults with moderate to severe pemphigus vulgaris (PV) showed the study met the primary endpoint at week 52 and demonstrated Rituxan is superior to MMF.
Large-Dose Albumin Supplementation Does Not Reduce Mortality or Need for Critical Care Interventions: Retrospective Review
Investigators conducted a retrospective review of 38 cases treated at Taipei Veterans General Hospital between January 2007 and December 2018 to determine whether more aggressive albumin supplementation can benefit major burn patients with persistent hypoalbuminemia.
Bleed Protection with up to 14-Day Dosing of Long-Acting Recombinant Factor IX Product in Selected Children with Hemophilia B
In pharmacokinetic studies, a recombinant fusion protein genetically linking human coagulation factor IX with human albumin (rIX-FP) (IDELVION, CSL Behring) has been shown to have an approximately five-fold longer half-life compared with standard recombinant factor IX products.
Competition Among Clinics Increased Influenza Vaccine Rates Among Patients, Study Showed
A recent experiment found offering healthcare providers financial incentives and creating competition by informing clinics how their performance ranked relative to others were effective in increasing influenza (flu) vaccine rates among patients.
Measles Virus Destroys Immune System’s Memory of Past Infections
Two studies were conducted to determine whether measles infection causes long-term damage to immune memory.
FDA Approves Biosimilar to Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug
Amgen’s biosimilar to Johnson & Johnson’s rheumatoid arthritis drug, Remicade, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Study of Kevzara from Severe to Critical COVID-19 Patients
Following a review by the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) of preliminary results from the Phase II portion of an ongoing Phase II/III trial evaluating Kevzara (sarilumab), the trial was amended so only critical patients continue to be enrolled to receive Kevzara 400 mg or placebo.
Clinical Trial Will Assess IVIG for Treating COVID-19
Octapharma USA is supporting a new investigator-initiated clinical trial led by George Sakoulas, MD, of Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, Calif., focused on treating the most critical coronavirus patients who are experiencing respiratory failure who become ventilator dependent.
Novartis Initiates Phase III Trial of Ilaris to Treat COVID-19 Patients with Pneumonia
Novartis has initiated a Phase III clinical trial to examine the efficacy of utilizing canakinumab (Ilaris), an interleukin (IL)-1β blocker, to treat a type of severe immune overreaction called cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in people with COVID-19 pneumonia.