Health News Roundup: WHO axes medical aid delivery to north Gaza in absence of security guarantees; Florida abortion rights measure gets enough signatures to go before voters and more

J&J will pay $28 per share of Ambrx, which represents a premium of about 105% to the stock's last close. Cellectar's blood cancer therapy succeeds in late-stage study Cellectar Biosciences said on Monday that its therapy for a rare form of blood cancer met the main goal in a late-stage study, sending shares up 45% in premarket trading.

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

WHO axes medical aid delivery to north Gaza in absence of security guarantees

The World Health Organization (WHO) said it had been compelled to cancel a mission to bring medical supplies to northern Gaza on Sunday after failing to receive security guarantees. It was the fourth time WHO had had to call off a planned mission to bring urgently needed medical supplies to Al-Awda Hospital and the central drug store in northern Gaza since Dec. 26, it said.

Florida abortion rights measure gets enough signatures to go before voters

A state constitutional amendment that would protect abortion access in Florida has received enough signatures of support to appear on ballots in the November election, but a challenge by the state's attorney general could still block it. The measure would ban laws that "prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient's health, as determined by the patient's healthcare provider." Abortions are currently illegal after 15 weeks in Florida.

Moderna's 2023 prelim COVID vaccine sales meet target

Moderna on Monday reported preliminary 2023 sales of $6.7 billion for its COVID vaccine, surpassing the lower end of its full-year forecast, while reiterating its goal of returning to sales growth in 2025. Shares of the vaccine maker rose 1.5% in premarket trading.

Regeneron preliminary Q4 US sales of Eylea below expectations

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals on Monday reported eye drug Eylea's fourth-quarter U.S. preliminary sales, which came below Wall Street expectations, as the company's blockbuster product faced pressure from a rival. The company garnered $1.34 billion in U.S. sales, while Wells Fargo analyst Mohit Bansal last week pegged consensus Wall Street estimates for U.S. sales of Eylea at $1.53 billion.

Analysis-Unloved healthcare stocks draw investors despite US election risks

The U.S. healthcare sector is showing signs of life after lagging in 2023 as investors bet cheap valuations will offset a tendency to underperform during presidential election years. The S&P 500 healthcare sector has climbed about 6% since the start of December, doubling the gain of the broader index during that period. Its performance during 2023 overall was far less impressive, as it rose just 0.3% compared to the S&P 500's 24% jump.

Bayer's menopausal relief drug succeeds in late-stage trial

Bayer said its menopausal relief drug eased hot flashes and improved sleep in two late-stage trials, much-needed good news for the German group's pharmaceuticals unit that is reeling from a recent development setback. Germany's Bayer said in a statement on Monday that its elinzanetant drug candidate met the main goal in two Phase III trials of reducing the frequency and severity of vasomotor symptoms, also known as hot flashes, in postmenopausal women.

J&J to buy cancer therapy developer Ambrx for $2 billion

Johnson & Johnson said on Monday it had agreed to buy drug developer Ambrx Biopharma for $2 billion to gain access to its portfolio of targeted cancer therapies. J&J will pay $28 per share of Ambrx, which represents a premium of about 105% to the stock's last close.

Cellectar's blood cancer therapy succeeds in late-stage study

Cellectar Biosciences said on Monday that its therapy for a rare form of blood cancer met the main goal in a late-stage study, sending shares up 45% in premarket trading. In the study, 75.6% of the patients with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM) saw cancer decrease in size or disappear after treatment with Cellectar's therapy - Iopofosine.

Merck in talks to buy Harpoon Therapeutics for around $700 million - Bloomberg News

Merck & Co is in advanced talks to buy cancer drugmaker Harpoon Therapeutics Inc for around $700 million, Bloomberg News reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter. Merck is discussing paying $23 per share for immuno-oncology company Harpoon, Bloomberg said, representing a premium of 118% to Harpoon's Friday closing price of $10.55.

Merck to buy Harpoon Therapeutics for $680 million

Merck & Co said on Monday it would buy cancer drug developer Harpoon Therapeutics for about $680 million, reinforcing its oncology portfolio with immunotherapies. The U.S. drugmaker has been doubling down on building future revenue streams as its blockbuster immunotherapy, Keytruda, inches closer to losing key patents, opening the doors for competition from biosimilars.