• Georgia: According to a new CDC report, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has helped reduce cervical cancer rates among young women by around 80%. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, and the virus causes an estimated 10,800 cases of cervical cancer each year. In the CDC report, researchers found that rates of precancerous lesions in women ages 20 to 24 screened for cervical cancer dropped by around 80% from 2008 to 2022. Other age groups also saw declines in precancerous lesion rates, with women ages 25 to 29 seeing a 37% decrease. "Observed declines in cervical precancers are consistent with HPV vaccination impact and support Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations to vaccinate children against HPV at age 11–12 years with catch-up through age 26 years," CDC said. "The data are consistent with a considerable impact from the U.S. HPV vaccination program on cervical precancers, with the largest decreases in the youngest age group for which benefit of vaccination would first be observed." (Falconer, Axios, 2/28)
• Maryland: Clinical trial networks that were initially developed during the COVID-19 pandemic are now pivoting to study treatments for other respiratory diseases, including influenza. Both the U.S. ACTIV program and the U.K. RECOVERY program have now switched their focus to other diseases, in part to ensure the networks are active if another pandemic occurs. "It was so laborious to put together, not only the networks within the U.S., but globally," said Stacey Adam, a VP of science partnerships at the Foundation for NIH. "It took time — time that patients didn't have. So if we can avoid having to go through that again, and have networks that stay active, we think that will be beneficial." ACTIV's inpatient trials have since been merged into a cohesive network called STRIVE: Strategies and treatments for respiratory infections and viral emergencies. Currently, STRIVE is working on an observational study about influenza. (Fiore, MedPage Today, 3/10)
• Missouri/Pennsylvania: Mallinckrodt has agreed to buy Endo in a deal that will create a diversified pharmaceuticals company with a significant U.S. footprint. Under the deal, Endo's shareholders will receive $80 million in cash and own 49.9% of the new combined company while Mallinckrodt's shareholders control 50.1%. The new company will have an implied pro forma enterprise value of $6.7 billion. "The combination of Mallinckrodt and Endo brings together two essential pharmaceuticals organizations to accelerate value creation for our shareholders, customers, employees, the patients we serve and our other stakeholders," said Siggi Olafsson, president and CEO of Mallinckrodt. "… This exciting combination will create a larger and more diversified entity with the scale and resources needed to unlock the full potential of both companies." After the deal closes, Olafsson will become president and CEO of the combined business, and Endo director Paul Efron will serve as chair. Mallinckrodt's headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, will serve as the combined company's global headquarters. The location of the company's U.S. headquarters, as well as its corporate name, will be announced later. According to the Wall Street Journal, the deal is expected to close in the second half of the year. (Stewart, Wall Street Journal, 3/13; Mallinckrodt news release, 3/13)

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