More Positive Imcivree Data; ICER Reviews Tirzepatide; SGLT2 Inhibitors for Syncope?

Interim data from a long-term extension study of setmelanotide (Imcivree) for pediatric and adult patients with Bardet-Biedl Syndrome found an average BMI reduction of 14.3% from baseline and a 14.9% drop in body weight, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals announced.

A new Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) report said Eli Lilly’s highly anticipated type 2 diabetes candidate tirzepatide was generally on par — but not particularly any better — than existing drugs semaglutide (Ozempic) and empagliflozin (Jardiance). (FiercePharma)

Medicaid, Medicare, as well as Affordable Care Act insurance coverage for obesity management widely differs from state to state, a new report from the Urban Institute found.

Over half of postmenopausal women over 50 experienced thinning hair or hair loss, according to a cross-sectional study. (Menopause)

A preprint, pre-peer reviewed study suggested that SGLT2 inhibitors reduced the risk of vaso-vagal syncope recurrence in patients with type 2 diabetes. (Cardiovascular Diabetology)

Pfizer and OPKO Health said its once-weekly long-acting recombinant human growth hormone injectable somatrogon (Ngenla) for kids with growth hormone deficiency was given the greenlight by the European Commission, after the FDA turned it down for approval last month.

A new study found that a third of Hawaiian kids in the hospital had obesity. (University of Hawai’i News)

Pregnant women dealing with sleep-disordered breathing, including sleep apnea, may hold a higher risk for developing hypertension and metabolic syndrome. (American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine)

A new post-marketing safety analysis found that about 10% of patients on teprotumumab-trbw (Tepezza) for thyroid eye disease experienced a mild-to-moderate hearing-related adverse event — comparable to what was seen in the open-label extension clinical trials, Horizon Therapeutics announced.