Cycle on Jun 25, 2026

I am going to check the active threads and existing notes to understand what is currently under investigation, what watches are active, and what prior findings we have.

I will retrieve the current set of notes to see what prior findings we have so we can build upon them or check if any of our watches have updates.

The topic is "Track consequential science and health — disease outbreaks and public-health moves, drug approvals and major trial readouts, breakthroughs in biology/energy/space, and the policy around them. Lead with what's new, grounded in primary findings." We need to search for the latest updates. I will perform some general searches about FDA approvals, major trial readouts, and disease outbreaks over the last few days (since June 24/25, 2026). Let's see if there are any updates on our watches or other major developments. Let's do a few searches. I'll search for: - "Amgen Tavneos FDA" or "Tavneos" to see if there's any update on the public comment docket closing or Duke DCRI submission (watch "Amgen Tavneos FDA hearing submission and public docket close" on June 29, 2026). - "Listeria outbreak" or "cheese listeria" to see if there are updates. - "Screwworm" or "screwworm outbreak" to see if there are updates. - "FDA approval" or "Phase 3 clinical trial" in the last week. - "WHO" or "CDC" or "outbreak" or "Ebola Bundibugyo" or "H5N1". - "Space Station air leak" or "Zvezda" or "Roscosmos" or "NASA". Let's start with a broad web search for recent health and science news. I will set freshness to "week" or "day" and sort by recent. Let's use freshness="week" first to capture everything from the last 7 days (since June 18). Wait, today is June 25, 2026. Let's do some specific searches.I will search for recent health and science news, specifically looking for FDA approvals or clinical trial readouts in the last week.

The first results show several highly relevant items: 1. "U.S. provides experimental Ebola treatment for outbreak in Congo" / "US releases experimental Ebola drug for DR Congo outbreak trials" / "DRC's Ebola outbreak has 70 per cent chance of spreading to South Sudan, new modelling predicts" / "Growing DRC Ebola outbreak has already spread to Uganda with high risk of reaching South Sudan" 2. "COVID-19 vaccine study that was blocked from CDC journal is..." / "CDC's chief blocked a covid vaccine study. Now it's in a top medical..." 3. "Andes Virus Outbreak on a Cruise Ship: Current Situation - CDC" - Wait! Is there an Andes Virus outbreak on a cruise ship? Let's check that. Hantavirus / Andes virus. Let's fetch/search more about these topics. First, let's search for "Ebola Congo experimental treatment US trials" or similar to get the details on what drug was provided and the modeling. Second, let's search for "Andes virus outbreak cruise ship CDC". Third, let's search for "CDC chief blocked covid vaccine study". Let's also search for "Amgen Tavneos" or "Tavneos" to see if there is any news, since the watch date is June 29, 2026. Let's search for "screwworm outbreak" or "Listeria soft cheese". Let's do a search on the Ebola outbreak experimental treatment. It seems the US has provided an experimental Ebola treatment for trials in DRC. Let's search for that.I will search for details on the US providing an experimental Ebola drug for the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

This is a huge development! The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DRC has reached over 1,000 cases (1,003 confirmed cases, including 254 deaths, which is the most ever in the first month of any Ebola outbreak in Africa). The US has provided doses of an experimental antibody drug from Mapp Biopharmaceutical (MBP134 or similar) for clinical trials in the outbreak region. And WHO has announced two trials of experimental drugs in the Ebola outbreak starting next week. Let's fetch the Reuters, NBC, and CIDRAP articles to get the details! First, let's look at the NBC News article: `https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/us-provides-experimental-ebola-treatment-outbreak-congo-rcna351603` And Reuters: `https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-provides-ebola-treatment-outbreak-congo-bringing-trials-closer-2026-06-23/` And CIDRAP: `https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/ebola/who-announces-2-trials-experimental-drugs-ebola-outbreak` Let's do web_fetch on these. I'll start with Reuters and CIDRAP.I will fetch the Reuters article on the US providing the experimental Ebola drug to DRC to gather specific details, quotes, and links.

This is fascinating! The CDC officially concluded its hantavirus response on June 24, 2026, after an outbreak of Andes hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius expedition cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. The outbreak killed 3 people and sickened 13. The quarantine for 18 Americans exposed on the cruise ship ended on Sunday (June 21, 2026), and the CDC formally ended its response. Let's fetch AJMC or CIDRAP or NYT on this hantavirus story. This is a highly consequential public health event. Let's fetch the CIDRAP article (`https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/hantavirus/international-public-health-response-helped-contain-andes-hantavirus-outbreak-dutch`) and the AJMC article (`https://www.ajmc.com/view/cdc-officially-ends-hantavirus-response-as-outbreak-recedes`). Let's do this first, then we can search for the CDC director blocking the vaccine study. Let's fetch CIDRAP's Andes hantavirus article first.I will fetch the CIDRAP article on the Andes hantavirus outbreak on the Dutch cruise ship, which was successfully contained, as the CDC ended its response on June 24, 2026.

I will search for more details about the CDC's official conclusion of the hantavirus response on June 24, 2026, to ensure our finding is fully grounded in the latest announcements.

Excellent! Let's fetch the HHS press release (`https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-concludes-hantavirus-response-hondius-cruise-ship.html`) or the Reuters article (`https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-cdc-end-hantavirus-response-wsj-reports-2026-06-24/`) to get exact quotes and details. Let's fetch the HHS press release. Wait, let's see if we can fetch the HHS URL. If not, let's try Reuters or AJMC. Let's try the HHS URL first. Wait, let's also search for "CDC chief blocked covid vaccine study" to understand what that is about. It says "COVID-19 vaccine study that was blocked from CDC journal is published" and "CDC's chief blocked a covid vaccine study. Now it's in a top medical journal." The chief of CDC is Mandy Cohen? Or is there a new CDC chief or acting CDC director? The search results mention "acting CDC Director Jay Bhattacharya". Let's see if there is a new CDC director. Yes! "acting CDC Director Jay Bhattacharya" is mentioned in the hantavirus search results: "acting CDC Director Jay Bhattacharya told the newspaper. The move comes days after the CDC...". Let's search for "Jay Bhattacharya CDC" or "CDC chief blocked covid vaccine study". This is highly relevant science policy! Let's search for it.I will fetch the HHS press release on the conclusion of the hantavirus response to obtain official quotes and details.

This is a fantastic primary source! The CDC and HHS have formally concluded their hantavirus response on June 24, 2026 (or HHS announced on June 23, 2026, and CDC officially concluded on June 24, 2026) following the *M/V Hondius* cruise ship outbreak of Andes virus (ANDV). The final 42-day monitoring period ended on June 21, 2026, at 2 p.m. EDT. No positive cases were found in the United States, and no individuals in the US remain under public health monitoring. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and CDC Acting Director Jay Bhattacharya, M.D., Ph.D. both issued statements. Wait, let's look at the other topic: the blocked COVID-19 vaccine study. What study was blocked and why, and what is the story there? Let's search for "CDC chief blocked covid vaccine study" or "blocked from CDC journal". I will do a web search.I will search for the news about the COVID-19 vaccine study that was allegedly blocked from a CDC journal but has now been published.

This is an incredibly major and controversial science policy story! Let's fetch the Washington Post and/or NBC News articles to cover this fully. The articles: - Washington Post: `https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/06/23/cdcs-chief-blocked-covid-vaccine-study-now-its-top-medical-journal/` - NBC News: `https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/study-covid-vaccines-acting-cdc-director-blocked-published-rcna351174` - AP News: `https://apnews.com/article/cdc-covid-vaccine-effective-study-256e61b5ff4fcf3bfecd48826077e389` Let's fetch the Washington Post article first, then the NBC News article. This will give us the details of the study, what it found, why it was blocked by Acting CDC Director Jay Bhattacharya, and the broader context of science policy under the current administration.I will fetch the Washington Post article to understand the details of the CDC's chief (interim/acting director Jay Bhattacharya) blocking a COVID-19 vaccine study that has now been published in JAMA Network Open.

The Washington Post has a paywall/short summary or the fetch didn't return the full text. Let's fetch the NBC News article, which has a very detailed summary or is not paywalled, or the AP News article. Let's try NBC News first.I will fetch the NBC News article on the CDC-blocked vaccine study to get more detailed quotes and explanations.

This is excellent. Let's summarize the key details of this blocked COVID-19 vaccine study: - **The Study:** Conducted by CDC researchers, it looked at adults who visited a hospital or urgent care with Covid-like symptoms across seven states from September to December of last year (2025). - **The Findings:** The 2025–26 formulation of the Covid vaccine lowered the odds of a Covid-related visit to the ER or urgent care by 50% and of hospitalization for Covid by 55%. - **The Conflict:** The study was originally scheduled to be published in March 2026 in the CDC's *Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report* (MMWR). It was blocked from publication by Acting CDC Director Jay Bhattacharya, who raised concerns about its "test-negative design" methodology. - **The Publication:** It was published on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in *JAMA Network Open*. - **The Context:** Public health experts viewed the block as political interference. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who oversees the CDC, has a history of vaccine skepticism. - **Bhattacharya's Reason:** He argued that longitudinal cohort studies are "a stronger design" than test-negative designs, which compare vaccination status of those who test positive vs. negative. However, test-negative designs are widely used in epidemiologic research (including for flu vaccines and other real-world vaccine effectiveness studies) because they are cost-effective and provide rapid, timely results. Let's check other topics: - "Amgen Tavneos" (watch date June 29, 2026). Let's search for "Amgen Tavneos FDA" to see if anything happened ahead of June 29, or if there is any new update. - "Screwworm outbreak" - let's search if there has been any update. - "Listeria outbreak" - let's search if there has been any update. - "Zepzelca" - let's see if there is any update on Zepzelca's second-line SCLC indication or regulatory decision following its Phase 3 LAGOON failure. - "tinlarebant" - let's search if there is any update on Belite Bio's tinlarebant. - "Operation Trailblazer" - let's search for any new developments on Operation Trailblazer. Let's do a search on "Amgen Tavneos FDA".I will search for any recent developments regarding Amgen's Tavneos (avacopan) and the FDA's proposed withdrawal, particularly as the public comment docket is set to close on June 29, 2026.

Wow, look at that! A major Bloomberg investigation or article was published today, June 25, 2026, about the FDA's effort to pull Amgen's Tavneos off the market over "alleged data manipulation." Let's fetch the Bloomberg article or related news articles to understand what's happening. The TipRanks article says: "According to a letter from the U.S. FDA, ChemoCentryx personnel 'manipulated' study data to make Tavneos, a pill made to treat a rare blood vessel disorder, look safer and more effective." Wait, let's search for "Bloomberg" "Amgen" "Tavneos" or "inside FDA's effort to pull an Amgen drug over alleged data manipulation" to see if we can get a non-paywalled version or a fetch of the Bloomberg page. Let's try to fetch the Bloomberg article directly first, or search for other articles summarizing it. Let's do a search first to see if there are other detailed summaries.I will search for more details on the Bloomberg report regarding the FDA's allegations of data manipulation by ChemoCentryx regarding Tavneos.

Let's fetch the Bloomberg Law article: `https://news.bloomberglaw.com/pharma-and-life-sciences/the-fdas-data-allegations-against-amgens-500-million-drug` to see if we can get the full text. This is highly relevant to our Tavneos note! Let's do that.

The fetch only returned a short snippet. Let's do a wider web search to find more details of this Bloomberg article, or search specifically for the FDA letter to ChemoCentryx/Amgen or what the data manipulation allegations are. I'll search for `"ChemoCentryx" "manipulated" "Tavneos" "Bloomberg"` or similar in quotes, or search for other articles that describe the Bloomberg report. I'll use `web_search`.I will search for more details on the FDA's allegations of data manipulation regarding ChemoCentryx and Tavneos, including any other pharma news outlets reporting on this.

Let's search for "Amgen" "Tavneos" "Bloomberg" on google or duckduckgo to see if there are other sources, or let's search for "Amgen" "Tavneos" "manipulated" without "ChemoCentryx". Let's also look for other recent biotech news about this. Let's do a web search.I will search for any other recent biotech news outlets (like Endpoints News, Fierce Pharma, BioPharma Dive) covering the Tavneos data manipulation allegations.

Let's search for "Amgen's Tavneos drug is under renewed scrutiny following reports of 20 deaths and 22 liver injuries in Japan". This is a very specific piece of information from Kavout! Let's do a search on that. I'll search for `"Tavneos" "Japan" "deaths"` or `"avacopan" "Japan" "deaths"`. This is extremely important context for the Tavneos safety concerns and why the FDA is pushing so hard to pull it. Let's run a search.I will search for details on the reports of deaths and liver injuries in Japan linked to Amgen's Tavneos (avacopan).

This is fantastic! Let's fetch Endpoints News on this: `https://endpoints.news/amgen-and-the-fda-want-two-different-outcomes-for-tavneos-what-will-patients-do/` or another article like the Amgen prescribers letter or Medical Brief. Wait, let's fetch Endpoints News first. Let's see if we can get the text. It contains a lot of detail: "Amgen has asked the FDA to review evidence that its drug Tavneos (avacopan), which treats a rare form of vasculitis, is worth keeping on the market. Amgen and the FDA want two different outcomes...". Let's see if we can fetch it. If not, let's search for "Amgen's Tavneos drug is under renewed scrutiny following reports of 20 deaths and 22 liver injuries in Japan". This is a massive safety signal! Let's fetch the Endpoints News article. I'll call `web_fetch`.I will fetch the Endpoints News article to get details about the FDA and Amgen dispute regarding Tavneos, and what patients/doctors are doing in light of the safety concerns in Japan.

The search budget is spent! That's fine, I have enough information to write up two extremely rich, high-impact findings based on the primary evidence: 1. **The CDC's chief blocking of the COVID-19 vaccine study and its subsequent publication in JAMA Network Open.** - Slug: `cdc-blocked-covid-vaccine-study-published-jama` (Wait, let's see if there is an existing slug. Looking at our prior findings, there is no existing slug for this. So we can mint a fresh slug like `cdc-blocked-covid-vaccine-study-published-jama` or `cdc-scientific-integrity-vaccine-study-dispute`.) - Wait, let's check if there is an existing note for this. Looking at the `read_notes` output, no note exists for this CDC blocked vaccine study. It is a brand new, highly consequential science policy/health story! 2. **The escalating global crisis and trials for the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DRC.** - Wait, let's see if there is an existing note/slug for this. We have `bundibugyo-ebola-outbreak-drc-uganda` ("Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak Reaches 695 Confirmed Cases..."). - We also have a thread / watch: `clinical-trial-initiation/readout-for-fast-tracked-bundibugyo-ebola-vaccines` (ongoing). - Let's update `bundibugyo-ebola-outbreak-drc-uganda` to reflect the massive new milestone (over 1,000 cases in the first month, the most ever in Africa for this timeframe), the US providing stockpiled doses of Mapp Biopharmaceutical's experimental antibody MBP134, and the WHO launching two clinical trials next week (Mapp's MBP134 + Gilead's remdesivir, and Gilead's obeldesivir). This is a perfect update for the existing slug! 3. **The FDA's effort to pull Amgen's Tavneos (avacopan) over data manipulation allegations, combined with new safety concerns (20 deaths and 22 liver injuries in Japan).** - Wait, let's see if we have an existing note. Yes, we have `amgen-tavneos-fda-scrutiny-withdrawal-dispute` ("Amgen Enlists Duke to Re-evaluate Tavneos Data as High-Stakes FDA Withdrawal Fight Intensifies"). - Let's update `amgen-tavneos-fda-scrutiny-withdrawal-dispute` with the brand new Bloomberg report from June 25, 2026, revealing that the FDA's withdrawal effort is based on a letter alleging that ChemoCentryx personnel "manipulated" study data to make Tavneos look safer and more effective, alongside the Japanese safety signal (20 deaths and 22 liver injuries) causing massive volatility. - Wait, let's check our watches. There is a watch: `Amgen Tavneos FDA hearing submission and public docket close` (fire date June 29, 2026). Let's see if this watch fires or if we should record an event. Wait, the watch is about "Amgen's submission of the Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI) independent re-evaluation of the ADVOCATE trial data and the close of the FDA public comment period on the proposed withdrawal of Tavneos. Fires when Amgen submits its evidence and the public docket closes on June 29, 2026." Since today is June 25, 2026, the docket hasn't closed yet, but we are right on the cusp of it and have this massive new development. We can update the note and let the watch fire in the next cycle or keep it active. 4. **The CDC's formal conclusion of the hantavirus response on June 24, 2026, following the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak.** - Wait, is there an existing note for hantavirus? Let's check `read_notes` output. No, there is no hantavirus note. This is a brand new finding! Let's write a new note under a slug like `cruise-ship-andes-hantavirus-outbreak-contained-cdc-ends-response`. Let's double check if we have any other watches that have fired: - "CDC's hantavirus response officially concludes June 24, 2026" - Wait! Is there a watch for hantavirus? Let's check the list of threads. No, there was no specific watch for hantavirus in the list! Oh, that's interesting. So we can just write the finding and we don't need to resolve a watch for it. Wait, let's read the list of threads again: - `GondolaBio Phase 2b/3 PATHWAY trial initiation of PORT-77 in EPP` (fire date Sept 30, 2026) - `MoonLake Phase 3 IZAR-1 trial readout of sonelokimab in psoriatic arthritis` (fire date Aug 31, 2026) - `Merck regulatory filing for tulisokibart in ulcerative colitis` (fire date March 31, 2027) - `MoonLake BLA submission for sonelokimab in Hidradenitis Suppurativa` (fire date Sept 30, 2026) - `FDA regulatory decision on Exelixis' zanzalintinib plus Tecentriq in late-line mCRC` (fire date Dec 3, 2026) - `FDA traditional approval decision on Novartis's Vanrafia (atrasentan) in IgAN` (fire date Dec 31, 2026) - `FDA regulatory decision on Moderna's mFlusiva mRNA flu vaccine` (fire date Aug 5, 2026) - `Dianthus MoMeNtum Phase 2 top-line data in MMN` (fire date Dec 31, 2026) - `Dianthus CAPTIVATE Part B top-line guidance in CIDP` (fire date Dec 31, 2026) - `uniQure BLA submission for AMT-130 in Huntington's disease` (fire date Sept 30, 2026) - `FDA regulatory decision on Gilead's once-weekly oral Yeztugo for HIV PrEP` (fire date Feb 2, 2027) - `FDA regulatory decision on Zepzelca's second-line SCLC indication` - `FDA filing acceptance and PDUFA date for Belite Bio's tinlarebant` (fire date Aug 11, 2026) - `Amgen Tavneos FDA hearing submission and public docket close` (fire date June 29, 2026) - `USDA $750M sterile screwworm fly facility operational launch in Texas` (fire date Dec 31, 2027) - `Sanofi Tzield Phase 3 BETA-PRESERVE confirmatory trial in Stage 3 T1D` (fire date Dec 31, 2028) - `FDA regulatory filing and decision on Gilead/Merck once-weekly oral HIV combination` (fire date June 30, 2027) - `FDA regulatory filing and decision on Takeda's zasocitinib in plaque psoriasis` (fire date April 30, 2027) - `FDA regulatory filing and decision on Eli Lilly's Foundayo in Type 2 diabetes` (fire date April 30, 2027) - `Sanofi riliprubart Phase 3 VITALIZE trial status and readout in CIDP` (fire date June 30, 2027) - `Dianthus Therapeutics claseprubart Phase 3 CAPTIVATE trial readout in CIDP` (fire date June 30, 2027) - `Eli Lilly SURPASS T1D-1 Phase 3 trial readout in Type 1 Diabetes` (fire date Nov 30, 2026) - `DIOSynVax AI-designed universal Sarbeco vaccine Phase II trial readout` (fire date June 30, 2027) - `Alterity Therapeutics ATH434 Phase 3 MSA trial initiation` (fire date Dec 31, 2026) - `Disc Medicine bitopertin Phase 3 APOLLO trial readout and FDA CRL decision` (fire date June 30, 2027) - `Pfizer berobenatide Phase 3 obesity trial readout` (fire date Dec 31, 2027) - `Phase 3 trial readout for VGA039 in von Willebrand disease` (fire date Dec 31, 2028) - `ISS Russian Zvezda module air leaks and repairs` (ongoing) - `FDA regulatory decision on giredestrant in HR+ early-stage breast cancer` (fire date Nov 30, 2026) - `FDA regulatory decision on bezuclastinib in GIST` (fire date Nov 30, 2026) - `Moderna Phase 3 mRNA-1018 bird flu vaccine trial readout` - `sBLA submission for Zynlonta plus rituximab in r/r DLBCL` (fire date Dec 31, 2026) - `NHS-Galleri trial cancer mortality data release` (ongoing) - `NMPA regulatory decision on IBI343 (world's first CLDN18.2 ADC)` (fire date Feb 1, 2027) - `Global Phase 3 trial readouts for ivonescimab (HARMONi studies)` (ongoing) - `Clinical trial initiation/readout for fast-tracked Bundibugyo Ebola vaccines` (ongoing) Wait! Let's check if the watch `Clinical trial initiation/readout for fast-tracked Bundibugyo Ebola vaccines` should fire an event. The description is: "Monitor clinical trial progression and Phase 1 trial initiation/readouts for the three fast-tracked Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine candidates supported by CEPI (Moderna's mRNA, Oxford's ChAdOx1, and IAVI's rVSV)." And the Reuters article says: "Phase 1 trials could begin in July, likely in the UK and possibly Uganda, Richard Hatchett, chief executive of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, said in an interview." So they are starting Phase 1 trials of the vaccines in July. We can record a watch event or update it, but let's keep tracking it as it hasn't officially initiated yet (it is planned for July). Let's write our notes. We have four notes to write/update: 1. Update `bundibugyo-ebola-outbreak-drc-uganda` with the latest case counts (over 1,000 cases, 254 deaths, record first-month caseload) and the US providing experimental MBP134 for clinical trials (led by Oxford/WHO) starting next week, plus obeldesivir starting. 2. Update `amgen-tavneos-fda-scrutiny-withdrawal-dispute` with the new Bloomberg report revealing data manipulation allegations by ChemoCentryx personnel, and the Japanese safety signal of 20 deaths and 22 liver injuries causing extreme volatility. 3. Write a new note on the CDC-blocked COVID-19 vaccine study and its publication in JAMA Network Open. Let's name the slug `cdc-blocked-covid-vaccine-study-published-jama`. 4. Write a new note on the successful containment and formal conclusion of the Andes hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship. Let's name the slug `cruise-ship-andes-hantavirus-outbreak-contained-cdc-ends-response`. Let's carefully construct each note. ### Note 1: `bundibugyo-ebola-outbreak-drc-uganda` (Update) Title: Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak Reaches Record 1,000 Cases in First Month; U.S. and WHO Launch Experimental Drug Trials Body: We will update this note to include the June 23, 2026 development. Quote: "The U.S. has provided doses of an experimental antibody drug from Mapp Biopharmaceutical for use in clinical trials to fight the widening Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo, a Health Department spokesperson said" "There are no approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has caused more than 1,000 cases in Congo, including more than 250 deaths." "Trials of the Mapp drug and two Gilead Sciences antivirals are due to begin in the coming weeks, according to the WHO and scientists involved in the testing." Let's draft the body for `bundibugyo-ebola-outbreak-drc-uganda`: # Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak Reaches Record 1,000 Cases in First Month; U.S. and WHO Launch Experimental Drug Trials The devastating outbreak of Ebola caused by the rare *Bundibugyo ebolavirus* (BDBV) strain in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda has escalated to a historic crisis, surpassing 1,000 confirmed cases within its first month—the fastest-expanding start to any Ebola outbreak on record in Africa. In response to the emergency, the United States government has reversed its initial stance of reserving its experimental therapeutics solely for American citizens, shipping stockpiled doses of an experimental antibody drug to the DRC. The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the launch of two clinical trials in the outbreak zone starting next week to evaluate these treatments, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or therapies. ## U.S. Releases Stockpiled Therapeutics for Clinical Trials On June 23, 2026, a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) spokesperson confirmed that the U.S. has provided doses of an experimental antibody treatment, **MBP134**, manufactured by San Diego-based Mapp Biopharmaceutical. This marks a major policy shift, as the U.S. had previously stated that its stockpiled doses of MBP134 would only be made available to Americans at high risk of exposure. The doses are being shipped to the DRC for compassionate use and to support a clinical trial. ## Clinical Trial Framework The WHO is coordinating with local health authorities to prepare for trial enrollment. Two distinct trials are scheduled to begin: 1. **MBP134 Efficacy Trial:** The Mapp Biopharmaceutical antibody MBP134 will be evaluated on its own and in combination with Gilead Sciences' antiviral **remdesivir** (Veklury). This trial is sponsored by the WHO and led by the University of Oxford, in collaboration with the Congolese and Ugandan governments. 2. **Obeldesivir Prevention Trial:** Gilead's oral antiviral **obeldesivir** will be tested as a post-exposure prophylactic option to prevent infection. This trial is co-sponsored by the DRC’s National Institute for Biomedical Research and France’s ANRS Emerging Infectious Diseases agency, alongside the Africa CDC. While both drugs have shown safety in earlier trials, they have never been clinically tested for efficacy against the Bundibugyo strain. Vaccine trials are also being prepared, with Phase 1 studies of candidates developed by Oxford/Serum Institute of India and Moderna expected to begin as early as July 2026 in the UK and Uganda. ## Operational Hurdles and Financial Demands Conducting clinical trials in eastern DRC presents immense challenges due to active conflict, widespread mistrust of health workers, and severely disrupted supply chains. The rapid escalation of the outbreak has also strained global resources; African health officials announced on June 25, 2026, that the estimated funding required to contain the outbreak has tripled to **$1.4 billion**. ## Sources - [US provides Ebola treatment for outbreak in Congo, bringing trials closer](https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-provides-ebola-treatment-outbreak-congo-bringing-trials-closer-2026-06-23/) — Reuters coverage of the U.S. therapeutic shipment and trial protocols. - [It’ll Cost $1.4 Billion To Contain Ebola Outbreak, Officials Say](https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2026/06/25/african-officials-say-cost-to-fight-ebola-outbreak-has-tripled/) — Forbes report on the escalating containment costs. *** ### Note 2: `amgen-tavneos-fda-scrutiny-withdrawal-dispute` (Update) Title: Amgen's Tavneos Withdrawal Fight Intensifies Over FDA Data Manipulation Letter and Japanese Safety Signal Body: Let's look at the quotes we have from the Bloomberg report on June 25, 2026: - "According to a letter from the U.S. FDA, ChemoCentryx personnel 'manipulated' study data to make Tavneos... look safer and more effective." - "Amgen paid $3.7 billion to buy the company, getting its only drug." - "The drug, called Tavneos, generated $459 million in 2025. Analysts project it will bring in $527 million this year. But regulators say patients may not reap the expected benefits." And from Kavout / Citeline / Japan News: - "Amgen's Tavneos drug is under renewed scrutiny following reports of 20 deaths and 22 liver injuries in Japan, leading to a 2.95% stock dip on May 15, 2026." - "EMA strengthens liver monitoring requirements for Tavneos (avacopan)." - "Kissei Urges Tavneos Caution In Japan After 20 Deaths." Let's draft the body for `amgen-tavneos-fda-scrutiny-withdrawal-dispute`: # Amgen's Tavneos Withdrawal Fight Intensifies Over FDA Data Manipulation Letter and Japanese Safety Signal The high-stakes regulatory battle over the future of Amgen's oral complement C5a receptor inhibitor, **Tavneos (avacopan)**,

I will write the updated note for `amgen-tavneos-fda-scrutiny-withdrawal-dispute` to reflect the latest developments, including the FDA's data manipulation allegations and the safety signals in Japan.

I will write the updated note for the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (`bundibugyo-ebola-outbreak-drc-uganda`) to reflect the latest milestone of 1,000 cases and the launch of experimental drug trials by the US and WHO.

I will write a new note detailing the CDC-blocked COVID-19 vaccine study that has now been published in JAMA Network Open, highlighting the scientific integrity and policy dispute.

I will write a new note detailed on the formal conclusion of the CDC's response to the Andes hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship, marking the successful quarantine and containment of the virus.

I will now conclude the research cycle by calling `finish_cycle`. Since we have written several rich notes containing highly consequential and fresh health/science developments (the CDC blocked vaccine study, the record-breaking Ebola outbreak cases/drug trials, the Tavneos data manipulation/deaths updates, and the successful Andes hantavirus containment), we do not need to provide a `no_findings_reason`. Let's execute the tool call.

I have successfully completed the research cycle for topic 019e92c9-9dac-7a47-a1f2-f8f4037c94f9. ### Summary of Key Findings from this Cycle: 1. **Blocked CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Study Published in JAMA Network Open** (`cdc-blocked-covid-vaccine-study-published-jama`): - A highly controversial study showing that the 2025–26 COVID-19 vaccine formulation reduced emergency visits by 50% and hospitalizations by 55% was blocked from the CDC's *MMWR* in March 2026 by Acting Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya over methodological objections (the use of a "test-negative design"). It was published on June 23, 2026, in *JAMA Network Open*, intensifying debates over scientific integrity and political interference under the current administration. 2. **Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak Reaches Record 1,000 Cases in First Month** (`bundibugyo-ebola-outbreak-drc-uganda`): - The outbreak in the DRC and Uganda has officially crossed 1,003 confirmed cases and 254 deaths, marking the fastest-expanding start to any Ebola outbreak on record in Africa. - In a major policy shift, the U.S. government has released stockpiled doses of Mapp Biopharmaceutical's experimental antibody **MBP134** to the DRC. The WHO and Oxford are launching clinical trials next week evaluating MBP134 (on its own and with remdesivir) and Gilead's oral **obeldesivir** as post-exposure prophylaxis. Meanwhile, the estimated cost of containing the outbreak has tripled to **$1.4 billion**. 3. **Amgen's Tavneos Withdrawal Fight Intensifies Over FDA Data Manipulation Allegations** (`amgen-tavneos-fda-scrutiny-withdrawal-dispute`): - A June 25, 2026, Bloomberg investigation revealed that the FDA's proposed withdrawal of Amgen's $500M vasculitis drug **Tavneos (avacopan)** stems from a letter alleging that ChemoCentryx personnel "manipulated" key study data to make the drug look safer and more effective. - Concurrently, severe post-marketing safety signals have emerged in Japan, where partner Kissei Pharmaceutical reported **20 patient deaths and 22 cases of drug-induced liver injury (DILI)**. This has prompted the EMA to strengthen liver monitoring requirements, while Amgen prepares to submit an independent Duke (DCRI) re-evaluation before the FDA public comment docket closes on June 29, 2026. 4. **CDC Officially Concludes Andes Hantavirus Response After Cruise Ship Containment** (`cruise-ship-andes-hantavirus-outbreak-contained-cdc-ends-response`): - On June 24, 2026, HHS and CDC formally concluded their emergency response to the rare, person-to-person transmissible Andes hantavirus (ANDV) outbreak that sickened 13 and killed 3 onboard the *M/V Hondius* cruise ship. Following a strict 42-day quarantine of exposed American travelers in Nebraska (which ended June 21), no positive cases were detected in the United States, concluding a highly successful multinational contact tracing and containment operation.