STAT+: Pharmalittle: Canada OKs ALS drug still waiting FDA approval; WTO talks on Covid patent waiver are down to the wire

At a WTO conference on a response to the pandemic, the issue generating the most debate is a highly controversial proposal to temporarily waive intellectual property rights for vaccines.

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite was relaxing and invigorating, because the oh-so-familiar routine of online calls, meetings and deadlines has predictably returned. But what can you do? The world continues to spin, albeit seemingly wobbly some times. So time to give it a nudge in a better direction with a delicious cup of stimulation. Our choice today is salted caramel mocha, which sports a faint touch of the Jersey shore, such as it is. Meanwhile, here are a few tidbits to kickstart your journey today. We hope you are productive and satisfied, and as always, encourage you to keep in touch …

Amylyx Pharmaceuticals won approval in Canada for a new medicine to treat patients with ALS — the same drug that has faced skepticism from regulators in the U.S., where an approval decision is expected in September, STAT reports. The drug, called Albrioza, is the first new therapy approved for ALS in Canada since 2018. People living with ALS and their advocates have been vocal in their support of Albrioza, based on data from a single study showing that it significantly slowed the disease progression and loss of function that are hallmarks of the fatal neurodegenerative condition.

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