Reuters Health News Summary

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

Boehringer, Zealand's obesity drug did not raise heart risks in trial, data shows

Zealand ​Pharma and Boehringer Ingelheim's experimental obesity drug did not increase the risk of ​serious heart problems compared to a placebo in a late-stage trial, ‌the ​companies said on Monday. The study enrolled 5,530 adults with obesity who had cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney diseases, or at least two weight-related complications or cardiovascular risk factors

CVC, GBL secure over 90% of Recordati, clear path to delisting

Private equity firm CVC and Belgian investment group GBL secured more ‌than 90% of Italian pharmaceutical group Recordati at the end of the takeover offer period, a regulatory filing showed on Monday, paving the way for the delisting of the company. The additional shares tendered on Monday took the consortium's holding above the 90% threshold required to delist the €11 billion ($12.32 billion) drugmaker

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 75% in ‌morning trading.

Bon Secours affiliate sweetens bid for Surgery Partners to up to $6 billion

HealthSpan Partners, an affiliate of nonprofit hospital system Bon Secours Mercy Health, sweetened its bid for Surgery Partners to up to $6 billion on Monday, after the receipt of an unsolicited competing proposal from a third party. Shares of Surgery Partners climbed 12% in morning 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 orders new eye risk warnings for Ozempic, Zepbound

The US FDA on Monday informed patients and healthcare providers of a potential increased risk of a serious eye condition associated ⁠with the use of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss and diabetes. The US Food and Drug Administration said it is requiring GLP-1 drugs such as Eli Lilly's Mounjaro and Zepbound, and Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy to ​add information to the "warnings and precautions" section of labeling about the potential increased risk of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).

Lilly's weight-loss pill improves sleep apnea in late-stage trial

Eli Lilly ⁠said on Monday its oral weight-loss drug Foundayo significantly reduced breathing interruptions during sleep in obese adults with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea, meeting the main goal of a late-stage study. Shares of the drugmaker rose over 3%.

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

Food industry pushes ⁠back on WHO guidance for products with added colour, sweeteners

Governments should consider regulating foods that include added colours, flavours or sweeteners designed to make the product more appealing to consumers, according ⁠to new draft World Health Organization guidance that has ⁠sparked swift pushback from the food industry. The WHO draft aims to help governments identify which foods should be consumed in moderation as part of a healthy diet – and which products could be subject to measures like warning labels or taxes, depending on national priorities. The new draft food-profiling model, published ‌last week, marks the first ‌time the UN health agency has included this type of ingredient in its guidance, previously only focused ​on nutritional content, including fat and salt.