Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite — which was extended on this side of the pond thanks to a holiday — was relaxing and invigorating. Now, though, the time has come to resume the usual routines of online meetings, phone calls, and what-not. After all, the world continues to spin, although it remains a bit wobbly where we are after losing a Pharmalot ancestor, which explains our recent disappearance. To cope, we are brewing a cup of stimulation. Our choice today is hot buttery rum. As always, you are invited to join us. We hope your day is productive and meaningful. Either way, do keep in touch. …
Almost a dozen pharmaceutical companies have lost sensitive customer data due to a supply chain cyberattack that trickled down from Cencora, TechRadar writes. In late February, the wholesaler — previously known as AmerisourceBergen — disclosed a data breach incident with few details. But 11 drug companies have now submitted almost identical breach notification letters to the California Attorney General’s office claiming a data breach as a result of the Cencora incident. Among them is Novartis, GSK, Bayer, AbbVie, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, Incyte, Sumitomo Pharma America, and Acadia Pharmaceuticals.
A last-ditch effort by World Health Organization member states failed to finish negotiations on a pandemic accord ahead of the World Health Assembly meeting this week, The New York Times reports. The key articles in the draft text that remained unresolved included the thorny formula for global sharing of vaccines and medicines during international health emergencies. Among the most contentious issues in the draft treaty is a section called Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing, under which countries would be required to swiftly share genetic sequences and samples of emerging pathogens. These data are crucial for rapid development of diagnostic tests, vaccines, and treatments.
