Intriguing Science
As summer is ending, in the north hemisphere at least, let’s focus on a recent publication exploring the mysteries of beer taste and our preferences.
An experiment, run by the team of Devin Peterson / Ohio State University in Columbus, exploring the preferences of “beer enthusiasts” and matching with chemical analyses revealed that we belong to one of 2 groups:
- Beer with strong taste, and with the presence of furaneol
- Beer with light beer, with presence of ethyl 3-methylthiopropionate
These preferences are not biased by alcohol concentration or bitterness. For more information, doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-02709-1
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Wayrilz (rilzabrutinib, Sanofi) was approved for adults with persistent or chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who had an insufficient response to prior treatment. Sanofi press release.
- Leqembi Iqlik (once weekly lecanemab-irmb subcutaneous injection, Biogen and Eisai) was approved for maintenance dosing in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia. Biogen press release.
- Repatha (evolocumab, Amgen) received a label expansion to include adults at increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) due to uncontrolled low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Amgen press release.
- ONS-5010/Lytenava (bevacizumab-vikg, Outlook Therapeutics) was rejected for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The FDA’s complete response letter (CRL) cited a single deficiency: lack of substantial evidence of effectiveness. Outlook Therapeutics press release.
- Comirnaty (LP.8.1-adapted monovalent COVID-19 vaccine, Pfizer and BioNTech) was approved for adults aged ≥65 years, as well as for individuals aged 5–64 years with at least one underlying condition placing them at high risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes. Pfizer press release.
- Spikevax (LP.8.1 variant of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, Moderna) was approved for individuals aged 6 months–64 years with at least one high-risk underlying condition, and for all adults ≥65 years. Moderna press release.
- Dawnzera (donidalorsen, Ionis Therapeutics) was approved for prophylaxis to prevent hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks in patients aged ≥12 years. Ionis press release.
- Vatiquinone (PTC Therapeutics) was rejected for the treatment of children and adults with Friedreich’s ataxia. The CRL stated that substantial evidence of efficacy was not demonstrated. PTC Therapeutics press release.
- The FDA suspended the biologics license for IXCHIQ (live-attenuated chikungunya virus vaccine, Valneva) due to safety concerns. FDA press release.
New data from clinical trials (Phase 2, Phase 3)
Here are the recent updates on Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials with published data between August 18 and 31, 2025:
- Reunion Neuroscience shared positive results from its Phase 2 study evaluating RE104 in adult female patients with moderate-to-severe postpartum depression (PPD). Reunion Neuroscience press release.
- Regeneron announced the Phase 3 trial of cemdisiran monotherapy in adults with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) met its primary and key secondary endpoints. Regeneron press release.
- Eli Lilly reported positive results from the Phase 3 trial of Verzenio plus endocrine therapy (ET) in patients with hormone receptor positive (HR+), HER2-, node-positive, high-risk early breast cancer. Lilly press release.
- Amylyx Pharmaceuticals discontinued the clinical program of AMX0035 (sodium phenylbutyrate and taurursodiol [TURSO]) in adults living with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) after the Phase 2b study failed to meet its primary and secondary endpoints.Amylyx press release.
- AbbVie shared positive results from the Phase 3 trial of Rinvoq (upadacitinib) in adult and adolescent patients with severe alopecia areata (AA). AbbVie press release.
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