Reuters Health News Summary

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

Zura Bio's skin ​disease drug fails mid-stage trial

Zura Bio said on ​Monday its experimental drug failed the main ‌goal ​of a mid-stage study in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa, a chronic skin disease that causes painful lumps under the skin. Shares of the biotech firm fell more ‌than 70% in premarket trading.

Novo-backed Windward Bio targets $1 billion valuation in US IPO

Swiss drug developer Windward Bio Group AG is targeting a valuation of up to $1 billion in its US initial public offering, as a strong run for the biotech ‌IPO market extends into November. Here are some other details:

US FDA declines to approve Novocure's lung cancer device

Novocure ‌said on Monday the US health regulator has declined to approve its device for patients whose lung cancer has spread to the brain. The company had submitted an application seeking approval for Optune Mya — the device meant for adults with brain tumors from non-small cell ⁠lung cancer ​who have already had stereotactic ⁠radiation, a precise form of radiation treatment

J&J's once-daily pill eases psoriatic arthritis symptoms in late-stage trial

Johnson & Johnson said on Saturday its once-daily ⁠pill eased symptoms in more patients with psoriatic arthritis than a placebo in a late-stage trial, potentially supporting expanded use of the ​drug. The company said 58% of patients who took icotrokinra, branded as Icotyde, saw a 20% improvement in ⁠tender and swollen joint counts, as well as improvements in other measures of disease activity after 16 weeks. That compared with 41% who received ⁠a ​placebo in the 552-patient trial.

Trial failures of Novartis, Novo Nordisk heart drugs leave experts guessing

An experimental Novartis drug designed to treat a genetic cause of heart disease failed to reduce deaths and non-fatal heart attacks, dashing ⁠hopes for the first of several such drugs in clinical trials. Despite a 78% reduction of the blood particle commonly ⁠known as Lp(a), a ⁠monthly dose of the Novartis drug, pelacarsen, over nearly five years had no effect in preventing a second heart attack, or reducing the risk of stroke or need for ‌emergency procedures to ‌unblock clogged arteries in the trial of more than 8,300 ​patients, according to detailed results.