The FDA approved belatacept (Nulojix), a new drug from Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: [[ticker:BMY]]) to prevent the rejection of transplanted kidneys, according to a press release. The drug was approved to be given by infusion, along with other anti-rejection agents such as corticosteroids. It is the first new drug in a decade for kidney-transplant patients—likely a factor in the agency’s decision to approve it, despite concerns of side effects such as a raised risk of developing certain cancers.
Author: Arlene Weintraub
Arlene is an award-winning journalist specializing in life sciences and technology. She was previously a senior health writer based out of the New York City headquarters of BusinessWeek, where she wrote hundreds of articles that explored both the science and business of health. Her freelance pieces have been published in USA Today, US News & World Report, Technology Review, and other media outlets. Arlene has won awards from the New York Press Club, the Association of Health Care Journalists, the Foundation for Biomedical Research, and the American Society of Business Publication Editors. Her book about the anti-aging industry, Selling the Fountain of Youth, was published by Basic Books in September 2010.
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