Health News Roundup: US FDA allows import of syphilis drug to address shortages; GSK boosts respiratory portfolio with $1.4 billion Aiolos Bio deal and more

These ancient genomes were then compared with modern DNA from the UK Biobank, comprising about 410,000 self-identified "white-British" people, and more than 24,000 others born outside the United Kingdom, to discern changes over time. US sets enrollment record for Obamacare plans More than 20 million Americans have so far signed up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) marketplace for this year, the highest since the inception of the law, according to data released on Wednesday.

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

Drugs group Sanofi makes Olympic jump in rebrand bid

Sanofi is hoping that by sponsoring the Olympic Games it can attract new talent, reward existing staff and shake off the French drugmaker's conservative image. The 2024 Games has gained other new partners from the host nation France, including luxury goods giant LVMH and supermarket group Carrefour.

DNA from ancient Europeans reveals surprising multiple sclerosis origins

DNA obtained from the bones and teeth of ancient Europeans who lived up to 34,000 years ago is providing insight into the origin of the often-disabling neurological disease multiple sclerosis, finding that genetic variants that now increase its risk once served to protect people from animal-borne diseases. The findings stemmed from research involving ancient DNA sequenced from 1,664 people from various sites across Western Europe and Asia. These ancient genomes were then compared with modern DNA from the UK Biobank, comprising about 410,000 self-identified "white-British" people, and more than 24,000 others born outside the United Kingdom, to discern changes over time.

US sets enrollment record for Obamacare plans

More than 20 million Americans have so far signed up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) marketplace for this year, the highest since the inception of the law, according to data released on Wednesday. Over 3.7 million people who have signed up for the 2024 plans are new enrollees, data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) showed.

Novo CEO expects patients to stay on Wegovy longer than older weight loss drugs

Novo Nordisk's CEO said on Tuesday he expects patients will stick with the company's popular obesity drug Wegovy for far longer than those using older treatments. "We know from all medical interventions, stay time is not like a 100%... but I think we will see a significantly higher stay time than what we have seen so far on obesity treatment," said Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen at the JPMorgan Healthcare conference in San Francisco.

Ohio vote highlights intensified transgender rights battles across US

Ohio lawmakers are expected to vote on Wednesday whether to override the governor's veto of a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors, one of the dozens of bills introduced this year to restrict transgender rights. In this presidential election year, the number of bills has already surpassed last year's record-setting pace, extending a contentious cultural debate in the United States. Democrats say transgender people and parents of transgender kids should determine treatment, as endorsed by the medical consensus, while Republicans portray that stance as medically radical and dangerous to children.

AbbVie expects Botox to maintain market share as competition heats up

AbbVie expects Botox's market share in the aesthetics space to remain strong even as rivals launch competing anti-wrinkle injections, a company executive said on Wednesday.

Botox sales, especially for aesthetic use, have been under pressure over the last few quarters due to economic uncertainties. Investors have also been concerned about potential market share losses to new entrants such as Revance Therapeutics' Daxxify and Evolus' Jeuveau.

US FDA allows import of syphilis drug to address shortages

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will temporarily allow the import of a syphilis drug made by France's Laboratoires Delbert, the company said on Wednesday. Laboratoires Delbert said it was coordinating with the health regulator to bring extencilline into the United States to address syphilis drug shortages, according to a letter on the FDA's website.

Spain makes masks mandatory in healthcare centres amid flu, COVID peak

Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia made wearing masks mandatory in healthcare centres around the country from Wednesday as the country faces a peak of flu and COVID-19 infections. "What we have to do is protect the most vulnerable people," she told reporters. "It's just common sense."

GSK boosts respiratory portfolio with $1.4 billion Aiolos Bio deal

GSK on Tuesday said it would acquire asthma drug maker Aiolos Bio in a deal worth up to $1.4 billion, as the British drugmaker boosts its growing respiratory diseases portfolio. Founded in 2023, Aiolos is focused on developing therapies for respiratory and inflammatory conditions. It is currently developing 'AIO-001', a treatment for asthma which is ready to enter mid-stage clinical trials.

India pledges 'appropriate action' after completing cough syrup bribe probe

India will take "appropriate action" after completing an investigation into a complaint that a drug regulator helped switch samples of cough syrup linked to the death of children in Gambia in return for a bribe, two officials said on Wednesday. The World Health Organization (WHO) linked the syrups made by India's Maiden Pharmaceuticals to the deaths of 70 children in 2022, though India's government said subsequent tests at an Indian government laboratory showed the syrups were not toxic.

(With inputs from agencies.)