HCPLive Editorial Staff

Welcome to HCPLive's 5 Stories in Under 5—your quick, must-know recap of the top 5 healthcare stories from the past week, all in under 5 minutes. Stay informed, stay ahead, and let’s dive into the latest updates impacting clinicians and healthcare providers like you!

Interested in a more traditional, text rundown? 

Top 5 Healthcare Headlines for June 16-22, 2025:

Pemvidutide Shows Significant MASH Effects, Weight Loss at 24 Weeks in Phase 2b IMPACT Trial


Topline phase 2b data show pemvidutide achieved significant rates of MASH resolution and fibrosis improvement alongside meaningful weight loss at 24 weeks, positioning it as a promising candidate for metabolic liver disease treatment.



FDA Approves Belimumab (Benlysta) Autoinjector for Pediatric Lupus Nephritis


The FDA approved a belimumab autoinjector for at-home subcutaneous use in children as young as five with active lupus nephritis, providing the first approved biologic self-injection option for pediatric SLE and LN.



Phase 3 Trial Results Announced for Sotatercept-csrk in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension


Positive phase 3 results show sotatercept-csrk added to background therapy reduced time to clinical worsening events in adults with PAH, supporting its potential as an effective treatment for this high-risk population.



Compass Pathways’ COMP360 Psilocybin Shows Benefit in Phase 3 TRD Trial


COMP360 psilocybin demonstrated a significant reduction in depression symptom severity in treatment-resistant depression, meeting the primary endpoint in a pivotal phase 3 trial.



Once-Monthly Obesity Drug, MariTide, Achieves Weight Loss Up to 16% at 1 Year


Phase 2 data indicate once-monthly MariTide induces substantial weight loss of up to 16% over one year, with additional improvements in glycemic control, highlighting its promise for obesity and type 2 diabetes management.






Articles

Recent developments in healthcare include promising results from various clinical trials. Pemvidutide shows potential for treating metabolic liver disease with significant MASH resolution and weight loss. The FDA approved a belimumab autoinjector for pediatric lupus nephritis, offering a new self-injection option. Sotatercept-csrk demonstrated efficacy in reducing clinical worsening in pulmonary arterial hypertension. COMP360 psilocybin showed benefits in treatment-resistant depression. Lastly, MariTide, a once-monthly obesity drug, achieved substantial weight loss and improved glycemic control, indicating its potential for obesity and type 2 diabetes management.

An audio recap of the top 5 stories in healthcare news from the week of 06/16-06/22

HCPLive 5 Stories in Under 5: Week of 06/22

Welcome to The HCPFive, your go-to roundup for the latest healthcare news and breakthroughs, curated specifically for busy healthcare professionals.

Each week, we highlight 5 key developments or headlines from healthcare that you need to know—whether it's a cutting-edge treatment, regulatory updates, or innovations shaping the future of medicine. This week's top stories include data from a pair of phase 2 trials in 

metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)

, phase 3 findings for sotatercept-csrk (Winrevair) in treating pulmonary arterial 

, and a US Food and Drug Administration approval for a belimumab (Benlysta) autoinjector for active 

With The HCPFive, you'll get the essential takeaways to stay informed and ahead of the curve. Here’s your quick dive into the top stories for the week of June 22, 2025—let’s jump in!

According to positive topline results announced by Altimmune, the phase 2b IMPACT trial of pemvidutide in patients with MASH met its primary endpoint with statistically significant MASH resolution without worsening of fibrosis in up to 59.1% of participants and fibrosis improvement without worsening of MASH in up to 34.5% of participants in intent-to-treat analyses as well as weight loss of up to 6.2% at 24 weeks with no plateauing. According to Altimmune, the data make pemvidutide the first product candidate to demonstrate significant MASH effects and weight loss at 24 weeks.

On June 24, 2025, the FDA approved a 200 mg/mL autoinjector of GlaxoSmithKline’s belimumab (Benlysta), a B-lymphocyte stimulator-specific inhibiting monoclonal antibody, for subcutaneous injection in patients ≥ 5 years of age with active LN who are receiving standard therapy. The approval of the belimumab autoinjector for this indication offers patients and caregivers a first-of-its-kind subcutaneous option that can be administered at home. According to GSK, it is the first and only approved biologic for both SLE and LN in more than 50 years, including for the pediatric population.

On June 23, 2025, Merck announced positive topline results from the phase 3 HYPERION trial for sotatercept-csrk (Winrevair) in treating PAH functional class II or III at intermediate or high risk of disease progression.

“PAH is a progressive and debilitating disease with a poor prognosis that can be difficult to diagnose and treat,” said Vallerie McLaughlin, MD, Kim A. Eagle MD endowed professor of cardiovascular medicine and director, pulmonary hypertension program, University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. “The HYPERION study demonstrated that WINREVAIR on top of background therapy met its primary outcome measure of reduction in the time to clinical worsening events in adults who have been recently diagnosed with PAH.”

Compass Pathways announced positive phase 3 data from its ongoing COMP005 trial evaluating the Company’s synthetic psilocybin formulation COMP360 for TRD. A single 25-dose dose significantly reduced symptom severity on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale. COMP005, the first of the 2 phase 3 trials evaluating COMP360 for TRD, met its primary endpoint: change from baseline in the MADRS scores between the active vs placebo group at week 6.

85th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA 2025)

 provide evidence of a once-monthly agent that could be a game-changer for management of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Results of the phase 2 trial of maridebart cafraglutide, also known as MariTide, indicate use was associated with body weight reductions ranging from 12-16% in obesity to 8.4-12% in type 2 diabetes with obesity. Additionally, secondary outcome measures revealed use could lower HbA1c by up to 1.6 percentage points.

The latest healthcare developments include significant findings from various clinical trials and regulatory approvals. Pemvidutide demonstrated notable effects in MASH resolution and weight loss in a phase 2b trial. The FDA approved a belimumab autoinjector for pediatric lupus nephritis, offering a novel subcutaneous option. Sotatercept-csrk showed promise in reducing clinical worsening events in PAH patients. COMP360 psilocybin significantly reduced depression symptoms in a phase 3 trial. Lastly, MariTide achieved substantial weight loss in obesity and type 2 diabetes patients, with additional benefits in HbA1c reduction.

Stay updated with the latest healthcare breakthroughs, including new phase 2/3 clinical trial data and an FDA approval, in this week's essential news roundup.

The HCPFive: Top News for Healthcare Providers from the Week of 06/22

Each week, we highlight 5 key developments or headlines from healthcare that you need to know—whether it's a cutting-edge treatment, regulatory updates, or innovations shaping the future of medicine. This week's top stories include a pair of US Food and Drug Administration approvals for dupilumab (Dupixent) for the treatment of adult patients living with 

 and lenacapavir (Yeztugo) as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV, new research on the potential dangers of weight cycling, phase 3 data for supporting fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for the treatment of primary 

, and findings on the growing global prevalence of 

With The HCPFive, you'll get the essential takeaways to stay informed and ahead of the curve. Here’s your quick dive into the top stories for the week of June 15, 2025—let’s jump in!

FDA Approves Dupilumab (Dupixent) for Bullous Pemphigoid in Adult Patients

On June 20, 2025, the FDA approved dupilumab (Dupixent) for the treatment of adult patients living with bullous pemphigoid based on positive clinical trial findings in the ADEPT trial. The decision marks the first targeted therapy to receive approval from the FDA as well as the 8th indication for dupilumab in a disease with underlying type 2 inflammation.

FDA Approves Lenacapavir, First Twice-Yearly HIV Prevention Option

On June 18, 2025, the FDA approved Gilead’s lenacapavir (Yeztugo), an injectable HIV-1 capsid inhibitor, as PrEP to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV in adults and adolescents weighing at least 35kg. The decision makes lenacapavir the first twice-yearly option for preventing HIV and significantly improves the treatment burden on patients compared to current daily oral (Gilead's Truvada and Descovy) or bimonthly injectable (GSK's Apretude) options.

Weight Cycling Increases Risk of MASLD, Other Cardiometabolic Diseases

Recent research highlights the potential dangers of going through cycles of weight loss and subsequent regain, known as weight cycling. In the study, weight cycling was found to increase the risk of several cardiometabolic diseases, including 

metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Shows Promise for First-Line Primary C Diff Treatment

Recently published phase 3 data suggest FMT may be a viable first-line treatment for primary CDI. The randomized, open-label, noninferiority trial was conducted at 20 hospitals in Norway and found clinical cure and no disease recurrence within 60 days without additional treatment was observed in 66.7% of patients with FMT versus 61.2% with vancomycin, demonstrating FMT’s numerical superiority and statistically significant noninferiority to the standard-of-care antibiotic.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Burden Has Surged Over Last 30 Years

Findings from a large AI-powered study suggest the global RA burden has significantly increased worldwide, additionally revealing local hotspots and a growing trend of RA in younger people. Results showed RA incidence rose by 13.2% from 1990 to 2021, in which it affected 17.9 million people globally, with the affected population growing younger and broader. While the age-standardized death rate fell 32.7% from 1980 to 2021, global DALYs nearly doubled from 1990 to 2021.

The latest healthcare updates include FDA approvals for dupilumab (Dupixent) for bullous pemphigoid and lenacapavir (Yeztugo) as a twice-yearly HIV PrEP option. Research indicates weight cycling increases risks for cardiometabolic diseases like MASLD. Phase 3 data supports fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) as a promising first-line treatment for primary Clostridioides difficile infection. An AI-powered study reveals a significant global increase in rheumatoid arthritis incidence over the past 30 years, with a younger demographic being increasingly affected.

Stay updated with the latest healthcare breakthroughs, including FDA approvals, clinical trial data, and novel research, in this week's essential news roundup.

The HCPFive: Top News for Healthcare Providers from the Week of 06/15

In recent years, respiratory medicine has entered a period of unprecedented progress, reshaping the way clinicians approach 

 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Once dominated by generalized treatment strategies built around inhaled therapies, the field now prioritizes individualized care informed by disease phenotype, biomarker profiling, and a deeper understanding of airway inflammation. These shifts are not only expanding the treatment toolbox—they're fundamentally altering what long-term disease control looks like for patients who were once considered difficult to treat.

Biologic therapies have been central to this shift in asthma care. Approvals for agents such as dupilumab (Dupixent), benralizumab (Fasenra), and tezepelumab (Tezspire) have introduced new standards for what constitutes effective intervention. With tezepelumab’s 2021 approval breaking ground as the first biologic for severe asthma that is not limited by eosinophil count, clinicians now have broader options for tailoring treatment to individual patient profiles.

 These advances are also strengthening the collaboration between allergists and pulmonologists, as early identification of eligible patients becomes critical to optimizing outcomes and minimizing steroid exposure.

COPD, long seen as a more rigid disease to manage, is beginning to see similar innovation. The 2024 FDA approval of dupilumab for eosinophilic COPD marked a milestone in biologic therapy for this population, offering a targeted option in a space previously reliant on symptom-driven management.

 With new insights into inflammatory endotypes and the boundaries between asthma and COPD continuing to blur, clinicians face a growing need to reevaluate traditional treatment pathways.

To discuss these developments and their impact on clinical practice, HCPLive brought together a panel of pulmonologists and allergists for a clinical forum centered on the updates in respiratory care, led by pulmonologist Joseph Khabbaza, MD, of Cleveland Clinic.

The panelists discussed how biologics have become central to modern asthma management, especially in patients with type 2 inflammation. Supporting this shift, understanding and application of biomarkers like eosinophils and FeNO has grown substantially.

Another shift within the application of biologics is that pulmonologists increasingly manage biologics directly, with less reliance on allergists, as familiarity and comfort with these therapies increase. There’s also been a shift toward earlier initiation of biologics to reduce cumulative steroid burden and prevent long-term adverse outcomes, although this can be complicated by payer criteria.

“I've been more aggressive with, if my patient needs steroids more than twice in 6 months or so, I'm pulling the trigger faster and faster, even without long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), just because I first-hand know the major long-term side effects of steroids 10 years, 15 years down the road,” one participant said. “I'm not going to try and let anybody go through that. And I've been very quick with pulling the triggers on biologics in that sense.”

COPD management is beginning to adopt similar principles, with recognition that a subset of patients with type 2 inflammation may benefit from biologics. Of course, work remains to be done, with panelists pointing out longer-acting biologics, better phenotyping, and broader definitions of eligibility, particularly in the COPD population, as particular points to improve.

“Asthma and COPD have evolved over the last few years and with a lot of thinking about eosinophils and type 2 inflammation, and we now have more pathways and more treatments than ever before to try to help these patients. And we want to minimize prednisone, and minimize exacerbation. I think those are- If we can do those two things in asthma and COPD patients, that'll be good for everyone in the system,” Khabbaza closed the discussion.

FDA Approves Tezspire™ (Tezepelumab-ekko) in the U.S. for Severe Asthma. News release. Amgen. December 17, 2021. https://www.amgen.com/newsroom/press-releases/2021/12/fda-approves-tezspire-tezepelumabekko-in-the-us-for-severe-asthma

Dupixent® (dupilumab) Approved in the U.S. as the First-ever Biologic Medicine for Patients with COPD. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. September 27, 2024. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/09/27/2954552/0/en/Dupixent-dupilumab-Approved-in-the-U-S-as-the-First-ever-Biologic-Medicine-for-Patients-with-COPD.html.

Recent advancements in respiratory medicine have transformed asthma and COPD management, emphasizing personalized care through disease phenotype and biomarker profiling. Biologic therapies, such as dupilumab, benralizumab, and tezepelumab, have redefined asthma treatment, allowing for tailored interventions. The approval of dupilumab for eosinophilic COPD marks a significant milestone, offering targeted options beyond symptom-driven management. These innovations necessitate reevaluation of traditional treatment pathways and foster collaboration between allergists and pulmonologists. The focus is on minimizing steroid use and improving long-term outcomes for patients with type 2 inflammation.

Discover how recent advancements in biologic therapies are transforming asthma and COPD management, emphasizing personalized care and improved patient outcomes.