Pharma Pulse 5/20/25: Balancing Benefits, Risks, and Public Perception with HPV Vaccinations; Pfizer-Backed CellCentric Secures $120M for Further Myeloma Trials

HPV Vaccine: Balancing Benefits, Risks, and Public Perception

Despite ongoing lawsuits and public concerns about serious adverse events, current evidence supports the safety and effectiveness of the human papillomavirus vaccine in preventing a wide range of cancers, underscoring the need for continued public health advocacy and open patient-provider communication.

Pfizer-backed CellCentric secures $120M for further myeloma trials

CellCentric has raised $120 million in Series C funding to advance its oral p300/CBP inhibitor inobrodib into pivotal trials for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, with plans for an FDA accelerated approval filing and expanded studies in combination with bispecific antibodies.

Medical Research Funding Cuts: A Disruption in the Clinical Research Enterprise

In a video interview with Applied Clinical Trials, Harvard medical student Michael Liu discussed a study on NIH funding cuts, emphasizing that 20% of terminated grants were early career training awards crucial for biomedical pipelines, and highlighted how these cuts—often mid-grant—have disrupted ongoing clinical trials, especially those serving marginalized populations, thereby compromising patient trust and the sustainability of clinical research.

The Opportunity for Digital to Advance Women’s Health: Q&A with Nicola Partridge

In an interview with Pharmaceutical Executive, Nicola Partridge highlighted how digital technologies can help close critical gaps in women’s healthcare—addressing underrepresentation in clinical trials, improving access and adherence throughout the patient journey, and tailoring solutions to women’s unique biological and social needs beyond reproductive health.

Strategies for Independent Pharmacies to Harness Consumer Trends and Meet the Competition

Independent pharmacies can stay competitive and strengthen customer loyalty by embracing front-end strategies that align with consumer trends in wellness, private-label affordability, and sustainability, despite rising costs and industry pressures.