Datapoint: Keytruda Scores First-Line Esophageal Cancer Nod
The FDA last week approved Merck & Co.’s Keytruda for the treatment of newly diagnosed esophageal or gastroesophageal junction carcinoma in tandem with chemotherapy. Keytruda is the first PD-1/L1 agent to be...
Datapoint: Hawaii Announces New Medicaid Contract Awards
After a year-long delay spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, Hawaii last week awarded new state Medicaid contracts for its managed care program, MEDQUEST. All of the selected MCOs are incumbents. AlohaCare, Hawaii Me...
Datapoint: Biden Admin Nixes Work Requirements in Two States
The Biden administration last week quietly rescinded Medicaid work requirement approvals in Arkansas and New Hampshire, according to letters sent by CMS to the states. The U.S. Supreme Court was supposed to hear ...
Datapoint: J&J’s Ponvory to Enter MS Market
The FDA last week approved Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen unit’s Ponvory for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The SIP modulator will face off against Novartis stalwarts Gilenya and...
Datapoint: Ohio Sues Centene for Medicaid ‘Scheme’
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost (R) on March 11 revealed the state is suing Centene Corp. “for an elaborate scheme to maximize company profits at the expense of the Ohio Department of Medicaid.” The state ...
Datapoint: Fotivda Scores Kidney Cancer Nod
The FDA last week approved Aveo Oncology’s Fotivda as a third-line treatment for kidney cancer, following years of regulatory hurdles. Pfizer’s Sutent is one of the most advantaged drugs in the kidney cancer s...
Datapoint: Cigna Aims for 25% Commercial Health Plan Growth by 2025
Cigna Corp. aims to grow its commercial health plan business by 25% by 2025, according to a March 8 presentation to investors. The insurer is focused on Medicare Advantage (MA), noting that 150,000 of its comm...
Datapoint: Clover Health Reports First Year of Earnings as a Public Company
In its first earnings report released as a publicly traded company, Medicare Advantage (MA) startup Clover Health on March 1 said it generated more than $670 million in revenue for the full year ending Dec. 31, ...
Datapoint: Yescarta Scores Follicular Lymphoma Nod
The FDA on March 5 approved Gilead Sciences’ Yescarta for the treatment of relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma in patients that have not responded to at least two prior treatments, a feat unmatched by its...
Datapoint: 2021 Medicare Advantage AEP Results
Medicare Advantage enrollment grew 9.9%, to 26.3 million lives, from February 2020 to February 2021, signs of another strong annual enrollment period. Market leader UnitedHealthcare saw a 13.5% increase, to 7....