FDA's Bold Move Boosts Biosimilars, US-China Tensions Over Fentanyl, Artificial Cornea Innovation

In an effort to make complex biologic medicines more affordable, the FDA proposed easing rules for biosimilar drug testing. This initiative targets high-cost treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases, currently dominating over half of the market's drug spending, despite comprising just 5% of prescriptions.

At a United Nations meeting, the United States and China engaged in a heated exchange, with accusations from Washington that Beijing is lax on controlling fentanyl precursor sales. China refuted the claims, intensifying tensions ahead of a planned diplomatic meeting at the month's end.

Spanish researchers have pioneered an innovative artificial cornea using fish scales, offering a lower-cost substitute for traditional donor transplants used to treat severe eye diseases. The scarcity of donor corneas makes this breakthrough particularly significant in addressing the pressing demand.