FDA panel says ‘no’ to food coloring warning labels (Morning read)

Among today's current medical news: an FDA panel rejects warning labels for food coloring; Biogen Idec starts phase III clinical trials on an Lou Gehrig's disease drug candidate; and Acacia Pharma raises $10 million in a series A round of financing.

Current medical news and unique business news for anyone who cares about the healthcare industry.

FDA panel says ‘no’ to food coloring warning labels: A Food and Drug Administration panel acknowledged that while some studies suggest that food coloring may exacerbate problems experienced by children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a majority of the panel concluded that there is not enough conclusive evidence to warrant placing warnings on the products. The impact of food coloring on children, particularly those with ADHD, has been a matter of debate for decades but thus far, those dyes have escaped warning labels. The FDA panel’s 8 to 6 vote rejecting warnings is advisory and the agency is not bound to follow the panel’s decision. But it often does.

HSA enrollees spend less on care, and that’s good. But people with health savings accounts also receive less preventative care, and that’s not so good. The study appears in the March issue of the “Journal of Managed Care.”

Lou Gehrig’s disease drug candidate: Biogen Idec (NASDAQ:BIIB) has started phase III clinical trials on a drug candidate to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. The trials triggered a $10 million milestone payment to Biogen partner Knopp Biosciences.

Retiring? Health care will cost you: A new report from Fidelity Investments estimates that on top of the money retirees need to actually retire, they’ll need another $250,000 to cover their health care costs. The Minneapolis Star Tribune calls the figure both laughable and terrifying.

Dealflow. RXi buys Apthera for $7 million in a deal that includes a late-stage breast cancer drug candidate; Yale University signs a $100M deal with Gilead Sciences through which the university will research cancer with Gilead, the biggest maker of HIV drugs; Acacia Pharma, a Cambridge, England-based company working on drugs for cancer supportive care, has raised $10 million in a series A round which the company will use to complete mid-stage clinical trials.

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