In other advancements this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized a questionable drug, Biogens Aduhelm, for the treatment of Alzheimers disease. Although the antibody medication decreased amyloid-β plaques in the brains of Alzheimers patients by over half in two scientific trials, it slowed cognitive decrease by a modest quantity in just one of the trials. The controversy and negative press have actually added to little demand for Aduhelm from clients, neurologists report. Other treatments that showed promise in 2021 include psychedelic drugs for mental health problem, stem cell therapies for diabetes and Parkinsons illness, and base-editing treatments for sickle cell disease.
The article, “Another Year of Pharma,” is freely available here.
By American Chemical Society
December 27, 2021
Not surprisingly, COVID-19 vaccines and antiviral treatments dominated headlines in 2021. In addition to these advancements, biotech and pharmaceutical business continued to work on new technologies to treat other diseases. A cover story in Chemical & & Engineering News, an independent news outlet of the American Chemical Society, highlights the year in pharma for COVID-19 and beyond.
Two years into the pandemic, the drug industry has affirmed its strength in tackling public health crises, writes Associate Editor Ryan Cross. COVID-19 vaccines from Johnson & & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech and were presented throughout the U.S. The success of the latter two vaccines, which are based on messenger RNA (mRNA), stimulated excitement and investment in other mRNA technologies, such as CRISPR gene-editing systems and protein replacement therapies. Vaccines stay the first line of defense against SARS-CoV-2, oral antivirals could be a powerful tool to end the pandemic, scientists state. Two of the most appealing antiviral tablets, Mercks molnupiravir and Pfizers PF-0732133, reduced hospitalization and death rates in clinical trials of unvaccinated people who had danger aspects for serious COVID-19.
