Health News Roundup: FDA approves Boston Scientific's device for heart condition; Biogen drops Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm, ending a 17-year chapter and more

The sale consists of Cigna's Medicare lines, including Medicare Advantage, Medicare supplement and Medicare drug plans, as well as a unit called CareAllies that works with physician groups and other healthcare providers. US FDA warns consumers over copycats of Bausch + Lomb eye drops The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday warned consumers not to use unapproved eye drops that closely resemble Bausch + Lomb's Lumify product for redness relief.

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

FDA approves Boston Scientific's device for heart condition

Boston Scientific said on Wednesday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the company's device for a type of heart condition.

US FDA says 561 deaths related to Philips machines since 2021

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Wednesday there have been 561 deaths reported since 2021 related to the use of Philips' recalled ventilators and machines for treating obstructive sleep apnea. The health regulator added that in 2023, between July and September, it received more than 7,000 medical device reports, including 111 reports of deaths related to the use of these machines.

Thermo Fisher forecasts 2024 below estimates, cautious on biotech demand

Thermo Fisher Scientific on Wednesday forecast annual profit and revenue below Wall Street estimates, signaling that a slump in demand for its services used to make therapies and vaccines will extend at least into the first half of the year. The medical equipment maker also said it does not expect demand in its key market, China, to improve this year. Thermo's shares fell nearly 4%, dragging down peers Danaher and Agilent Technologies more than 1%.

Cigna sells Medicare business to Health Care Service for $3.3 billion

Insurer Health Care Service Corp said on Wednesday it would buy Cigna's Medicare business that manages government-backed health insurance for people aged 65 and older for $3.3 billion in cash. The sale consists of Cigna's Medicare lines, including Medicare Advantage, Medicare supplement and Medicare drug plans, as well as a unit called CareAllies that works with physician groups and other healthcare providers.

US FDA warns consumers over copycats of Bausch + Lomb eye drops

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday warned consumers not to use unapproved eye drops that closely resemble Bausch + Lomb's Lumify product for redness relief. The copycat products, called South Moon, Rebright and FivFivGo, could be easily mistaken for Lumify, the FDA said.

Biogen drops Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm, ending a 17-year chapter

Biogen will end a post-approval study of Alzheimer's treatment Aduhelm and return the licensing rights on the drug after failing to find a partner to mitigate costs of obtaining standard regulatory approval. The drugmaker said on Wednesday it was concerned that by the time Aduhelm received a standard approval, new medicines would have advanced to the market.

Analysis-As Roundup verdicts pile up, Bayer bets big on US appeals courts

Despite more than $4 billion in U.S. jury verdicts over Bayer's Roundup weedkiller, including a $2.25 billion verdict last week, the company so far has shown no willingness to settle, instead betting that it can greatly reduce, or wipe out, its liability through legal appeals. The strategy means the German pharmaceutical and biotechnology company could face further trials and hefty verdicts for years to come as its appeals work their way through U.S. courts. At least 10 trials are expected this year in state courts around the United States, and close to 50,000 Roundup lawsuits are currently pending.

Abbott launches protein shake brand to help people on weight-loss drug

Abbott Laboratories said on Wednesday it has launched a new protein shake that would help adults looking to lose weight and maintain their muscle mass. The healthcare company said the protein shake is first among the range of products lined up to be launched under its new brand, called Protality.

As Lilly rivalry flares, Novo CEO sets out Wegovy launch strategy

Novo Nordisk will target launches of its popular obesity shot Wegovy in markets where it already has strong sales of its older weight-loss drug Saxenda, CEO Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen said, as it faces growing competition from U.S. rival Eli Lilly.

Novo and Lilly's drugs are the most effective treatments for weight loss approved to date. Lilly's presence in the sector has strengthened after it won approval in November in Britain, the European Union and the U.S. for its powerful obesity drug Zepbound.

US says fentanyl talks with China 'meaningful' but more needs to be done-official

Talks between the U.S. and Chinese officials on stemming the flow of chemicals used for the production of deadly fentanyl have been "substantive" but "much more" needs to be done, the head of the White House delegation to Beijing said on Wednesday.

Washington hopes for deeper law enforcement cooperation, including on tackling illicit finance, and wants Beijing to put further controls on the chemicals that can be used to make fentanyl, said Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Homeland Security Advisor Jen Daskal.