The HCPFive: Top News for Healthcare Providers from the Week of 01/18

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 new phase 2 data on NS002 for the treatment of anaphylaxis, the publication of the 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics from the American Heart Association (AHA), new clinical guidance from the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) on biologic management in severe asthma, findings from a national survey on topical steroid use in dermatology, and data from 2 phase 3 studies of amlitelimab for the treatment of patients ≥ 12 years of age with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.

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 January 18, 2026—let’s jump in!

Phase 2 Data Show NS002 Intranasal Epinephrine Acts Faster Than EpiPen

On January 20, 2026, Nasus Pharma announced positive interim results from its phase 2 clinical study of NS002, the Company's investigational intranasal epinephrine powder formulation for the treatment of anaphylaxis. Results showed NS002 achieved faster absorption, higher peak concentrations, and greater early epinephrine exposure compared to intramuscular EpiPen® autoinjector.

AHA 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: Progress and Pitfalls, With Latha Palaniappan, MD, MS

The 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics from the AHA spotlight heart disease and stroke as being among the leading causes of death in the US, with heart disease remaining the leading cause of death and stroke moving up to the #4 spot.

New CHEST Recommendations Guide Biologic Use for Severe Asthma

CHEST released a new clinical guideline on biologic management in severe asthma, offering 7 evidence-based recommendations to provide a framework for pulmonologists, allergists, and immunologists to implement in their own practice. The document examines existing biologics and provides evidence-based recommendations for which biologics to consider for different patient populations.

Topical Steroid Concerns in Dermatology Highlighted in Nationwide Survey

ON January 21, 2026, Arcutis Biotherapeutics announced results of Skin Insights: Steroid Perceptions in Chronic Inflammatory Skin Diseases, a nationwide survey of adults and parents of children with plaque psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and seborrheic dermatitis. Results showed nearly 9 in 10 adults and parents of children with plaque psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and seborrheic dermatitis being treated with topical steroids are concerned about side effects, and nearly 8 in 10 adults and parents agreed that their or their child's treatment plan focuses on reactively “taming a flare” rather than proactive long-term solutions. Additionally, when their skin condition is uncontrolled, nearly all adults and children experience emotional, mental, and daily life challenges

Amlitelimab Effective, Safe for Atopic Dermatitis in Patients 12 Years and Older

On January 23, 2026, Sanofi announced results from 2 global phase 3 studies – SHORE and COAST 2 – of amlitelimab, a fully human non-T cell depleting monoclonal antibody that selectively targets OX40-ligand, for the treatment of patients 12 years and older with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. In these two phase 3 studies amlitelimab was well-tolerated and the safety profile was consistent with previously reported data.