Intravitreal gene therapy was a hot topic at ASRS this year. In age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), the data looked promising for: 4D Molecular Therapeutics’ 4D-150 – the PRISM trial; Adverum Biotechnologies’ ixoberogene soroparvovec (ixo-vec) – the LUNA and OPTIC trials; REGENXBIO and AbbVie’s surabgene lomparvovec (sura-vec), and Elisigen and Reyon Pharmaceutical’s NG-101 – the SENSE trial. And in advanced geographic atrophy (GA), there were promising data for Astellas Pharma’s ASP-7317.

Less frequent dosing – both for PrEP and for HIV treatment – is on the horizon. Data presented at the International AIDS Conference suggest there may soon be: (1) A once every 6-month injectable for PrEP: Gilead Sciences’ Yeztugo (lenacapavir), and (2) A once-weekly oral for HIV treatment: Merck MSD’s islatravir + Gilead Sciences’ lenacapavir. However, the question is how long-interval dosing will be adopted, and if the experience with longer-acting treatments for HIV is a predictor, uptake may be slow.

Here is the medical news to watch for July 27 - August 2, 2026

Posters presented at ASCP suggest psychiatry may be entering a new era of precision neuropharmacology – from new therapies for mood and anxiety disorders to psychedelics and psychedelic-like compounds.

The studies that caught our attention at the American Thoracic Society annual meeting ranged from a new use for a GLP-1 receptor agonist (obstructive sleep apnea, OSA), a potential new drug for OSA, a potential new drug to treat chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), two drugs for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (with results positive for one and mixed for the other), and a study that found “sleep divorce” may not always be a bad thing.

When the FDA speaks, it is a good idea to listen, and the annual FDLI conference offered a peek into the thinking of senior FDA officials – and the lawyers that have to deal with the Agency on a regular basis. Then FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and other senior FDA officials offered a look into the changes being initiated at the Agency.

This new annual conference got off to a good start in its first year – with great speakers, good topics, and a focus on artificial intelligence, robotics, and drug development, particularly traditional Chinese medicine. The Global Innovation Show joins a growing list of conferences that are showcasing the technology, drugs, and research coming out of Asia, particularly out of China. It should be on your schedule for 2026, so note the dates: August 25-27 in Hong Kong.