Health Headlines: From Measles Concerns to Pharma Developments

The latest health news includes a variety of updates: Gilead Sciences reports profits but mixed revenue; Merck is in talks to acquire SpringWorks for $3.5 billion; measles cases are rising in Texas; the US Justice Department is disbanding a food and drug safety unit; and Uganda announces the end of its latest Ebola outbreak.

The latest in health news spans developments from profit reports to disease outbreaks. Gilead Sciences has announced a first-quarter profit, driven by sales in HIV and liver disease treatments, but offset by a drop in cancer drug sales. This news saw their stock dip by 3% after-hours.

Meanwhile, Germany's Merck is in late-stage talks to acquire U.S.-based SpringWorks Therapeutics for $3.5 billion. The acquisition aims to bolster Merck's portfolio with a rare disease drug and expand their cancer treatment offerings. This move reflects an ongoing strategy to enhance its pharmaceutical lineup.

In public health, Texas is seeing a troubling increase in measles cases, with 646 cases reported, amid broader concerns of the U.S. reaching a tipping point for endemic measles. Uganda also declared an end to its most recent Ebola outbreak, illustrating both advances and challenges in global and local public health efforts.

(With inputs from agencies.)