Novartis today announced positive topline results from the Phase III REACH2 study evaluating Jakavi® (ruxolitinib) in patients with steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). The study met its primary endpoint of superior overall response rate (ORR) at day 28 of treatment with Jakavi, compared with best available therapy (BAT)[1].

Sanofi today celebrates the inauguration of its new digital manufacturing facility in Framingham, Massachusetts, marking one of the world's first digital facilities using intensified, continuous biologics production technology. The new facility features leading-edge technology that connects the production process with research and development, paving the way for improved commercialization of important new medicines for patients.

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) and Omada Health announced today they are partnering to integrate Abbott's revolutionary FreeStyle Libre system, a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology, with Omada Health's pioneering digital care program, aiming to create a new paradigm for people with Type 2 diabetes.

Bayer announced today that the company has signed collaboration agreements with eleven digital health startups. As part of the program, Bayer will support these startup companies aiming for longer-term collaborations to drive forward the development of specific digital solutions to improve patients' health in the fields of cardiovascular diseases, oncology, ophthalmology, pulmonology, radiology as well as digital therapeutics.

Abbott and its foundation, the Abbott Fund, launched Future Well™ Kids, a program designed to educate and inspire middle school students ages 10-13 to learn about the causes of chronic disease and adopt healthy habits to live healthier, fuller lives.

Chronic diseases, also known as noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, are the leading cause of death around the world.

Akcea Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKCA), a majority-owned affiliate of Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: IONS) and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE), today announced that the companies have entered into a worldwide exclusive licensing agreement for AKCEA-ANGPTL3-LRx, an investigational antisense therapy being developed to treat patients with certain cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Novartis announced an important step in reimagining medicine by founding the Novartis AI innovation lab and by selecting Microsoft as its strategic AI and data-science partner for this effort. The new lab aims to bolster Novartis AI capabilities from research through commercialization and help accelerate the discovery and development of transformative medicines for patients worldwide.