June 3, 2026 – The Week in Health Care News

• Professor Matthew Herder of Dalhousie University warns that the current Ebola outbreak is exacerbated by a lack of U.S. support for regional responses. • The situation is attributed to significant cuts in public health investments both domestically and abroad under the Trump administration's policies.

• Researchers, including Dr. Paul Bollyky of Stanford Medical Center, are struggling to secure funding and infrastructure to develop vaccines and treatments for the hantavirus. • The lack of medical countermeasures was highlighted during a recent hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, where no preventative tools were available.

• The FDA has approved the oral antiviral ensitrelvir (Xocova), developed by Shionogi & Co, Ltd, for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) of COVID-19. • The treatment is authorized for use in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older to prevent symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection.

• Former CDC director Tom Frieden has warned that upcoming changes to the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) will significantly reduce the CDC's presence in foreign countries. • Frieden argues that slashing this international infrastructure leaves the U.S. more vulnerable to global health threats, citing current hantavirus and Ebola outbreaks as critical examples.

• Day 2 of the ASCO conference featured promising new data on lung cancer treatments and the introduction of new immunotherapies. • BioNTech and Pfizer presented positive results regarding their bispecific antibodies, while Kelun-Merck shared significant survival curve data.

• Several U.S. jurisdictions have reduced the legal authority of public health officials following backlash over COVID-19 mandates, including lockdowns, school closures, and vaccine requirements. • These legislative changes limit the ability of state and local health departments to implement restrictive measures during future health crises.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking public comment and recommendations on a continuing information collection request. • The agency is requesting approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an estimated 583 annual burden hours.

• In the phase III INDIGO trial, the investigational monoclonal antibody obexelimab substantially outperformed a placebo in treating immunoglobulin (Ig)G4-related disease. • This development positions obexelimab to compete with the only drug currently approved for the condition, potentially offering patients a new therapeutic option.

• The CDC has identified containing the spread of Ebola as its top priority amidst ongoing health concerns. • The Trump administration is reportedly disregarding established infectious disease playbooks, raising concerns about the federal response to outbreaks.

• In May 2026, pharmaceutical advancements focused on KRAS, a protein previously deemed "undruggable," with new research exploring the efficacy of the drug daraxonrasib. • A first-line study is currently underway to determine if daraxonrasib can be used earlier in treatment, either as a monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy.

• The FDA has fast-tracked bepirovirsen, a first-of-its-kind drug for hepatitis B, following trial results showing it may allow some patients to stop treatment entirely. • In a study of 1,838 patients receiving weekly shots for six months, approximately 20% of bepirovirsen recipients achieved a "functional cure," meaning the virus remained undetectable for six months after all medication ceased.