Fierce Pharma

Fierce Pharma is a news site that provides comprehensive coverage of the pharmaceutical industry. It covers topics such as drug development, regulatory approvals, manufacturing, marketing, patent fights, government investigations and regulation, M&A deals and beyond. The site features daily news articles as well as special reports on industry trends and products. While the site generally provides balanced reporting with a focus on analysis and why readers need to know the information presented, there are instances of biases, contradictions, conflicts of interest, and deceptiveness.

76%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermines the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
Analysis.OverallConflictOfInterestScore * 0.3F + Analysis.OverallBiasScore * 0.3F + Analysis.DeceptivenessScore * 0.3F + Analysis.ReadabilityScore * 0.1F

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

The Daily's Verdict

This news site has a mixed reputation for journalistic standards. It is advisable to fact-check, scrutinize for bias, and check for conflicts of interest before relying on its reporting.

Bias

90%

Examples:

  • The article presents a one-sided view of Amylyx’s decision to pull Relyvrio from the market.
  • The author portrays Amylyx and its employees in a sympathetic light while criticizing other companies for their failures.
  • The author uses language that dehumanizes patients with ALS by describing them as 'motor neurons'.

Conflicts of Interest

75%

Examples:

  • Amylyx to pull failed ALS drug Relyvrio from market, cut 70% of staffers. This statement contradicts Amylyx’s earlier promise to voluntarily remove Relyvrio from the market if PHOENIX trial fails which implies that Klee knew that Relyvrio was a complete failure and there were no options for its use in any subtype of ALS patients.

Contradictions

85%

Examples:

  • Colorectal cancer is now a top killer for young people under age 55. However, recent studies by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) show that lung cancer has surpassed colorectal cancer as the leading cause of death among all genders under 50 years old.
  • The article mentions that there have been reports of suicidal thoughts from users of Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro. However, this statement is misleading because there have been no confirmed cases of suicidal thoughts caused by these drugs.
  • The article states that Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly’s popular diabetes and weight loss drugs come with warnings about a rare intestinal blockage condition called ileus, which can be life threatening. However, this information is not relevant to the investigation and serves as an attempt to sensationalize the issue.

Deceptions

60%

Examples:

  • The article quotes Amylyx’s co-CEO Justin Klee stating that he didn’t immediately announce a commercial decision after the study readout which implies that Relyvrio was not completely failed and there were still options for its use in certain subtypes of ALS patients with SOD1 gene mutation. However, this statement contradicts Amylyx’s earlier promise to voluntarily remove Relyvrio from the market if PHOENIX trial fails which implies that Klee knew that Relyvrio was a complete failure and there were no options for its use in any subtype of ALS patients.
  • The article states that among adults aged 45 to 50, a huge percentage are not getting screened. However, this statement is also misleading as according to recent studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), colorectal cancer screening rates have been steadily increasing among adults aged 45-64 years old in the US.

Recent Articles

  • New Study Finds Diabetes Drug Ozempic May Prevent Cognitive Decline and Substance Misuse

    New Study Finds Diabetes Drug Ozempic May Prevent Cognitive Decline and Substance Misuse

    Broke On: Friday, 12 July 2024 New studies suggest Novo Nordisk's diabetes drug Ozempic (semaglutide) may prevent cognitive decline and reduce substance misuse risks. Researchers found a 48% lower dementia risk for patients on Ozempic compared to sitagliptin or glipizide, and a lower risk of cognitive deficits and nicotine dependence. Novo Nordisk plans further studies on Alzheimer's disease.
  • New Merck Vaccine, Capvaxive, Secures FDA Approval for Adult Protection Against Pneumococcal Diseases: 85% Effectiveness and Fewer Side Effects Than Pfizer's Prevnar

    New Merck Vaccine, Capvaxive, Secures FDA Approval for Adult Protection Against Pneumococcal Diseases: 85% Effectiveness and Fewer Side Effects Than Pfizer's Prevnar

    Broke On: Monday, 17 June 2024 Merck's new pneumococcal vaccine, Capvaxive, receives FDA approval for protecting adults from bacterial infections leading to pneumonia and meningitis. With coverage against 21 strains of bacteria and ability to prevent 85% of invasive diseases in older adults, it aims to surpass Pfizer's Prevnar. Capvaxive is well-tolerated with common side effects including pain, fatigue, headache, and muscle aches. No reports of Guillain-Barré syndrome have been recorded.
  • FDA Approves Moderna's RSV Vaccine for Older Adults: A New Weapon Against Respiratory Disease

    FDA Approves Moderna's RSV Vaccine for Older Adults: A New Weapon Against Respiratory Disease

    Broke On: Friday, 31 May 2024 Moderna's RSV vaccine, mResvia, has received FDA approval for older adults, marking the second product from the company to be approved after its Covid-19 vaccine. The vaccine is designed to protect against lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV infection in adults aged 60 and above. With an 83.7% efficacy rate, mResvia will join GlaxoSmithKline's Arexvy and Pfizer's Abrysvo as crucial tools for protecting older adults during the upcoming RSV season.
  • New Study: Semaglutide in Ozempic Reduces Risk of Serious Kidney Outcomes, Major Cardiovascular Events, and Death for Diabetes Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

    New Study: Semaglutide in Ozempic Reduces Risk of Serious Kidney Outcomes, Major Cardiovascular Events, and Death for Diabetes Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

    Broke On: Friday, 24 May 2024 New findings from the FLOW trial show semaglutide, a compound in Ozempic, reduces risk of serious kidney outcomes, major cardiovascular events and death for diabetes patients with chronic kidney disease.
  • ALS Therapy Relyvrio Fails in Confirmatory Trial, Amylyx Pharmaceuticals Pulls it Off the Market

    ALS Therapy Relyvrio Fails in Confirmatory Trial, Amylyx Pharmaceuticals Pulls it Off the Market

    Broke On: Thursday, 04 April 2024 Amylyx Pharmaceuticals has pulled Relyvrio, an ALS therapy, off the market after it failed in a confirmatory trial. The drug did not improve patients' physical function on the revised ALS functional rating scale compared to placebo.
  • Colorectal Cancer Now Leading Cause of Death for Men Under 50, AMAB in US: Your Colon is 45 Campaign Encourages Screening

    Colorectal Cancer Now Leading Cause of Death for Men Under 50, AMAB in US: Your Colon is 45 Campaign Encourages Screening

    Broke On: Tuesday, 05 March 2024 The American Cancer Society reports that colorectal cancer is now a leading cause of death in men and the second leading cause of death in women under 50 years old. Among adults aged 45 to 50, an alarming 80% are not getting screened for colorectal cancer. The ACS has teamed up with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance for a new campaign called 'Your Colon is 45' to encourage screening for those aged 45 and above. Early detection of colorectal cancer can improve treatment outcomes, and maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle can reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer.
  • FDA Investigates Unusual Side Effects of Diabetes, Weight Loss Drugs

    FDA Investigates Unusual Side Effects of Diabetes, Weight Loss Drugs

    Broke On: Wednesday, 03 January 2024 The FDA is currently investigating reports of hair loss and suicidal thoughts in people using popular diabetes and weight loss drugs, including Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Rybelsus. These medications mimic GLP-1 hormone naturally produced in the body.

  • CDC Recommends New RSV Vaccine Amid Shortage Concerns

    Broke On: Tuesday, 24 October 2023 The CDC has updated its guidelines to recommend a new RSV vaccine for all infants under six months and pregnant women. The vaccine, Beyfortus, is facing a shortage due to manufacturing issues and increased demand.

  • AstraZeneca Seeks FDA Approval for Self-Administration of FluMist Vaccine

    Broke On: Tuesday, 24 October 2023 AstraZeneca has submitted a request to the FDA to allow adults to self-administer its annual flu vaccine, FluMist. The company's request is based on data from a study that demonstrated the safety and efficacy of self-administration of FluMist.