Michael Torrice

Michael Torrice is a freelance editor with 15 years of experience in science journalism and communication. As a reporter, he has covered trends in chemistry, neuroscience, environmental chemistry, and the biology of drug discovery. For 13 years, he was a reporter and editor at Chemical & Engineering News, the news outlet for the American Chemical Society. Most recently, he was executive editor for physical sciences at C&EN, coordinating the outlet’s coverage of topics like materials science, environmental science, computational chemistry, and organic synthesis.

Michael received an S.B. in chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. in chemistry from the California Institute of Technology, where he researched the molecular workings of brain receptors. After leaving the lab, Michael completed the science communication program at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

How GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Evolved from Diabetes to Weight Loss Treatments | Flash Talk Highlights

Peptidic GLP-1R agonists have received significant media coverage over the past year for their astounding efficacy in several indications. While most of the recent fanfare has been related to their role in weight loss, GLP-1R agonists have been a mainstay of the type 2 diabetes treatment landscape for the past 2 decades. GLP-1R agonists have also recently shown efficacy in reducing heart disease risk and treating certain chronic kidney diseases. Here’s a recap of the March 14th, 2024, Flash Talk, from Oliver Philps.

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AstraZeneca Acquires Fusion Pharmaceuticals for $2.4B, FDA Approves First MASH Treatment, and More News Highlights From March 2024

Companies inked notable high-profile transactions in March 2024, including AbbVie's purchase of Landos Biopharma for $137.5M, AstraZeneca's $2.4B acquisition of Fusion Pharmaceuticals, and its subsequent deal to buy Amolyt for up to $1.05B. The FDA approved the first treatment for MASH. In parallel, expectations are high for the approval of Xcovery's ALK inhibitor, ensartinib. Praxis made headlines with PRAX-628, a next-generation oral NaV modulator, which showed anti-seizure efficacy in a Ph. IIa trial. Read below for more details on these and other drug discovery news stories from March 2024

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Drug Discovery News Roundup: February 2024

February 2024 was filled with notable scientific achievements and partnerships. Gilead and Novartis inked billion-dollar acquisitions, and Novo Nordisk and NeoMorph agreed to a $1.46B deal to discover molecular glue degraders. Additionally, Vertex introduced a promising new treatment for cystic fibrosis that is potentially superior to Trikafta. Takeda also made strides by advancing their OX2R agonist TAK-861, for treating narcolepsy type 1, into Ph. III clinical trials. Read this news roundup for more details on these and other drug discovery news stories that you may have missed from Feb 2024

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How GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Evolved from Diabetes Treatments to Weight Loss Treatments

Peptidic GLP-1R agonists have received significant media coverage over the past year for their astounding efficacy in several indications. GLP-1R agonists now appear to be efficacious in reducing heart disease risk and in treating certain chronic kidney diseases, expanding their likely future use. This review by Oliver Philps provides an overview of GLP-1 agonists and where they fit in the treatment of diabetes, how the peptide drugs evolved over time to today’s weight loss medications, and what to expect next...

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