Breaking Health News: Key Updates and Developments

Recent health news highlights include Gilead's upbeat 2025 forecast, Edwards Lifesciences surpassing profit estimates, New York confirming a new mpox strain, Merck's acquisition talks with SpringWorks, UK's revised assisted dying law, rising Ebola cases in Uganda, Bosnia's bird flu outbreak, FDA approving a new drug, and a court order to restore CDC and FDA sites.

Gilead Sciences shares jumped 4% after posting fourth-quarter results that exceeded Wall Street expectations. The rise was fueled by a 16% increase in HIV drug sales and reduced acquisition-related costs, with the company providing an optimistic 2025 earnings forecast.

Edwards Lifesciences has reported stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter profits, driven by substantial demand for artificial heart valves. Market analysts anticipate continued growth for medical device manufacturers due to ongoing high demand for surgeries among older adults.

The New York State Department of Health has reported its first case of a new mpox strain. The discovery adds to global concerns over the variant's spread, although the U.S. CDC noted that the country's three confirmed cases are unlinked.

(With inputs from agencies.)