Masks Safe From PFAS; New Biosimilar Insulin? Endocrine Society Launches New Journal

The FDA approved a higher 2 mg dose of once-weekly injectable semaglutide (Ozempic) for adults with type 2 diabetes based on the phase III SUSTAIN program, Novo Nordisk announced. The agent is already available in 0.5 mg and 1 mg doses for this indication.

Most face masks contain low or negligible levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — endocrine-disrupting chemicals that can repel fluids — except for those used by firefighters. (Environmental Science & Technology Letters)

Early implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was linked with an improvement in major amputation and hospitalization rates among early-adoption states for Black, Hispanic, and other racial and ethnic minority adults with diabetic foot ulcerations. (JAMA Network Open)

Lannett Company announced that the first patient was dosed in a pivotal clinical trial of biosimilar insulin glargine — a potentially interchangeable with Sanofi’s Lantus Solostar — with results expected later this year.

Motivational interviewing flopped at bolstering weight loss as part of a behavioral weight management program. “Given the intensive training required for its delivery, motivational interviewing may not be a worthwhile addition to behavioral weight management programs,” researchers reported in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Conducted by Consumer Reports, an analysis of over 100 food packaging products from restaurant and grocery chains found that many still contain PFAS — even in packaging from places claiming to phase out these harmful endocrine disruptors.

The Endocrine Society announced it is launching a new open-access journal focused on clinical case reports and clinical problem solving: JCEM Case Reports. It’s expected to being publishing later this year.

A pre-peer reviewed study found that type 2 diabetes increased a person’s risk for developing 57 other health conditions. (Insider)

The first patient was enrolled in a phase IIa trial of the investigational treatment ACER-801 (osanetant) for moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause, Acer Therapeutics announced.