Drugs.com - Monthly Update June 2025
Welcome to the June 2025 edition of Drugs.com monthly update, where we present you with some of the most compelling developments in the pharmaceutical field this month. This episode uses AI tools to help with formatting, organization, and narration. All content has been reviewed by a senior editorial pharmacist.
Narrator:This month, we'll be discussing significant developments, including Dupixent's approval for a challenging skin condition, Mavyret's expanded use for a common viral infection, and the groundbreaking new HIV prevention strategy with Yeztugo. Let's dive into what these advancements mean for those impacted.
Narrator:First on our list is Dupixent, spelled D U P I X E N T. This medication is now approved for treating adults with bullous pemphigoid, an autoimmune skin disorder. This condition mainly affects patients 65 and manifests as painful blisters and intense itching, often leading to infections or difficulty in daily activities.
Narrator:Dupixent, a monoclonal antibody, works by blocking specific proteins called interleukins to reduce inflammation. In a Phase 2, 3 trial, 18.3% of patients receiving Dupixent achieved sustained remission compared to only 6.1% in the placebo group.
Narrator:However, healthcare providers should note potential side effects, such as joint pain and eye infections.
Narrator:Next, the FDA has expanded Mavyret's use to treat acute hepatitis C virus (HCV), in individuals as young as three years. Mavyret, spelled M A V Y R E T, is an oral combination antiviral therapy. In the Phase 3 study supporting this approval, post treatment virological response rates stood at an impressive 96%. Fatigue and headache were the most common side effects, underscoring the drug's well tolerated profile.
Narrator:For HIV prevention, Yeztugo, Y E Z T U G O, is the newest option offering a long acting injectable PrEP therapy. Given just once every six months, it helps prevent sexually acquired HIV-1 in at risk adults and adolescents weighing 35kg and above. This capsid inhibitor works at multiple stages of the HIV life cycle and showed nearly universal effectiveness in its trials with a 99.9% success rate in preventing HIV.
Narrator:The novel administration of initial dosing through injections and tablets followed by bi-annual injections provides an alternative to daily oral medications, reducing adherence burdens significantly. Patients should be aware of common side effects, like injection site reactions and headaches.
Narrator:We're also excited to report on the FDA's approval of Enflonsia, spelled E N F L O N S I A, for preventing RSV infections in neonates and infants. RSV can result in severe respiratory illness, but Enflonsia offers passive immunity for newborns during their first RSV season, significantly reducing hospitalization rates.
Narrator:Providing quick, long lasting protection, this monoclonal antibody is given as a single injection, a convenient and effective preventive measure for new parents to consider.
Narrator:Before we wrap up, it's noteworthy to mention the approval of Ibtrozi, spelled I B T R O Z I, for locally advanced or metastatic ROS1 positive non small cell lung cancer, a rare aggressive cancer. The trials for this oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor exhibited promising effectiveness even in patients previously treated with similar therapies.
Narrator:Usage involves daily oral doses, which enhances patient convenience.
Narrator:That wraps up our discussions for June 2025. Remember, these developments illustrate not just scientific progress, but tangible hope and betterment in patients' lives. Join us next month as we continue to navigate through the evolving landscape of pharmaceutical advancements. Thank you for tuning in to the Drugs.com Monthly Update Podcast, where staying informed means staying ahead in your field.
Narrator:Until next time, know more, be sure.
