Praxis Precision Medicines gets FDA OO on ulixacaltamide NDA for adult essential tremor, PDUFA action date January 29, 2027
- FDA review will proceed with no advisory committee meeting planned for the ulixacaltamide application.
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Praxis Precision Medicines FDA OKs ulixacaltamide NDA for essential tremor, PDUFA Jan 29, 2027
Chinese Firm Claims It Tracked US Jets Over Iran During Operation Epic Fury
by Ameya Paleja via Interesting Engineering,
MizarVision, a private Chinese company specializing in geospatial intelligence, claims to have tracked US aerial refueling missions of its KC-135 and KC-46 tanker aircraft during Operation Epic Fury. A report published earlier this month analyzed these activities and provided links to strike patterns witnessed in Iran.
The recent strikes conducted by the US over the past month surprised many around the world, but data from transporters refueling flights provided valuable information about their locations.
While bombers work to keep their location under wraps, the refueling tankers continue to broadcast their locations via Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast signals, which are publicly accessible. Researchers at MizarVision claims to have used this data to determine movements of bombers, giving them more insights on how the strikes were taking place.
What bombers has the US deployed?
Prior to the ceasefire announced last week, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force General Dan Caine confirmed that the US has staged 62 bomber missions. These involved all three of its strategic bombers, the B-1s, B-2s and B-52s.
The US Central Command had previously said that the B-1s were used to degrade Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities while the B-52s struck the command and control posts for the ballistic missiles.
Media reports also confirmed that the B-2s had dropped bunker buster bombs on a target used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Now, using MizarVision’s data the US bomber strike patterns can be divided into three phases.
Three phases of Epic Fury
The report published shows US tanker operations in the initial phase, which took place between March 1 to March 5. Although intelligence was limited in these early phases, MizarVision reported a suspected refueling of a B-52H over the Mediterranean. Most of the detected aerial activity was over Israel or the Mediterranean as the US looked to gain aerial superiority in the region.
In the next phase that lasted between March 9-14, refueling tankers were spotted over Saudi Arabia and the Gulf to support B1-Bs and B-2s that were engaged in striking Iran. The company also successfully identified specific locations in the Gulf where these bombers were active between March 9 and 14.
Specifically, on March 13, the company identified a US tanker flying to Saudi Arabia, which emerged as a refueling hub during this phase of attacks. As operations reached their peak between March 15-17, tankers supported B-1B strikes.
On March 17, refueling activities over the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the entry of an airborne early warning and control plane, the E-3C Sentry, demonstrate a complete operational linkage involving warning systems, bombardment, and refueling systems. At the peak of the attack, Iranian Navy vessels were attacked as well as assets in Kharg Island, a hub for Iranian oil shipments.
Analysts at MizarVision also used artificial intelligence (AI) in this tracking, although the exact nature of the system in unclear in the process, the South China Morning Post reported.
While experts suggested that deriving exact patterns from refuelling tanker movements came with high degree of uncertainty, they were easy to spot and gave more information about possible bomber activities.
MGTX: Upcoming 3-year AQUAx clinical data presentation sparks sharp premarket and intraday rally
MeiraGTx announced on April 14, 2026, that it will host a conference call and webcast on April 16 at 8:00 a.m. ET to present long-term follow-up results from the open-label Phase 1 AQUAx study of AAV-hAQP1 for persistent grade 2/3 radiation-induced xerostomia. The presentation will feature patient-reported Xerostomia Questionnaire outcomes, objective unstimulated whole saliva flow rates out to three years across all cohorts and individual patients, investigator commentary on disease burden and patient experience, plus an overview of commercial opportunity and Q&A. This follows the FDA’s Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the program in late March 2026, which was supported by earlier data from the same study. Traders appear to be positioning ahead of potentially confirmatory durability and safety results in a high-unmet-need indication, driving elevated volume and a rapid re-rating of the stock to new 52-week highs. The move aligns with typical biotech catalysts around long-term gene therapy data readouts, especially for programs with recent regulatory designations. No other major company-specific news (e.g., new partnerships, earnings, or regulatory actions) was identified for April 14.
JNJ beats Q1 estimates, raises 2026 guidance as ex‑STELARA growth runs double‑digit
- Fiscal Q1 2026 non‑GAAP EPS and revenue both beat consensus estimates.
- Q1 sales $24.1B rose 10% YoY and grew 6.4% operationally; excluding STELARA headwind, enterprise grew double digits.
- Adjusted EPS $2.70 declined 2.5% YoY, pressured by heavier launch spend, tariffs, and adverse mix.
- Company lifts quarterly dividend 3.1% to $1.34, adding to shareholder returns alongside earnings and guidance update.
- Innovative Medicine sales $15.4B grew 7.4%; ex‑STELARA, segment grew ~16% with 10 brands double‑digit.
- Immunology strong: TREMFYA up 63.8% while STELARA fell 61.7% from biosimilar and novel‑class competition.
- ICOTYDE oral IL‑23 launched strongly, ~1,500 prescriptions and >1,000 prescribers already; viewed as potential mega‑blockbuster.
- Oncology momentum: DARZALEX $4B (+18%), CARVYKTI ~$600M (+57%), RYBREVANT combo $257M (+81%).
- MedTech grew 4.6% led by cardiovascular (Abiomed +14%, Shockwave +18%, electrophysiology +10%); surgery modest at 1.2%.
- Segment margins compressed: Innovative Medicine margin 39.7% and MedTech 22.3%, both down ~280–360 bps YoY.
- 2026 operational sales growth guidance raised to 5.9–6.9% (midpoint ~$100.2B); adjusted EPS to $11.30–11.50.
- Management reiterates line of sight to double‑digit growth by decade‑end without assuming further M&A.
- Main concern: Margin pressure and STELARA erosion as JNJ steps up investment behind multiple major launches.
- Strong quarter, driven by broad-based ex‑STELARA growth and robust uptake of new high-value products.
NJT to jack up train tickets from NYC to MetLife up by maddening 775% during World Cup
NJ Transit plans to raise prices to an eye-popping $100 for riders traveling from New York Penn Station to MetLife Stadium for the eight FIFA World Cup games being held in the Garden State.
The 18-mile trip from Manhattan to the East Rutherford, NJ, stadium, including a stop at Secaucus station, typically runs $12.90, but the state’s largest transit provider plans to charge an egregious 775% premium for tickets during the World Cup.
The New York Times first reported the news, citing sources familiar with the plans who spoke on condition of anonymity.
An NJT spokesperson told the outlet Monday, “The ticket prices for match day travel have not been finalized and any reference to cost would be unconfirmed speculation. However, as the governor clearly stated at an earlier press conference this morning with NJ Transit, the cost for the eight matches will not be borne by our regular commuters.”
The astronomical ticket prices will reportedly apply across the board, even on tickets for seniors, children and disabled passengers, which are typically discounted.
The transit system is expected to make a final decision about World Cup train ticket pricing in the coming days, the outlet writes.
What the US naval blockade would mean for Iran’s economy
The US naval blockade of Iran, which started on Monday, could rapidly cripple the country’s economy, cutting off most of its trade, halting oil exports and triggering inflation and currency pressure within days.
The blockade, targeting Iranian ports and imposing partial restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, took effect at 10 a.m. Eastern Time.
Iran’s heavy reliance on southern shipping lanes leaves its economy exposed to maritime disruption, with more than 90% of its $109.7 billion annual trade passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The blockade is expected to cut off nearly all of Iran’s seaborne trade, wiping out an estimated $435 million in daily economic activity and forcing oil field shutdowns within weeks.
A blockade would effectively zero out Iran’s export revenues within days and trigger cascading effects across its financial system.
Oil exports would be hit first
Crude oil shipments would be the first and most severe casualty. Iran has been exporting roughly 1.5 million barrels per day, generating about $139 million daily based on wartime pricing assumptions.
Nearly all of that volume departs via Kharg Island, which handles over 90% of crude exports and lacks viable alternative routes outside the Persian Gulf.
A blockade would eliminate these flows almost immediately, cutting off the Islamic Republic’s primary source of foreign currency earnings.
Petrochemicals and non-oil trade
Petrochemical exports, valued at roughly $54 million per day based on recent trade data, would also be halted. Facilities at Assaluyeh, Imam Khomeini, and Shahid Rajaei ports all sit within the Persian Gulf and depend on uninterrupted maritime access.
Non-oil exports – including minerals and metals – would see similar disruption. Of approximately $88 million in daily shipments, around 90% would be blocked, removing another $79 million a day in revenue.
Ports play a central role in this vulnerability. Shahid Rajaei alone handles more than half of Iran’s cargo operations, while Imam Khomeini is a key entry point for basic goods imports.
Bushehr ports handled about 57 million tons of cargo last year, underscoring how deeply Iran’s trade is concentrated in southern waters.
Limited alternatives beyond the region
Efforts to develop alternative export routes appear insufficient to offset losses.
The Jask terminal, designed as a bypass to Hormuz, operates far below its intended capacity, with effective throughput estimated at around 70,000 barrels per day.
Chabahar port and Caspian Sea facilities handle only a fraction of the volumes moved through Persian Gulf ports.
Combined, these routes could replace less than 10% of current volumes.
Imports and inflation pressures intensify
On the import side, Iran brings in about $159 million in goods daily, including industrial inputs, machinery, and food.
Disruptions to these flows would likely accelerate inflation, which has already surged. Food prices have risen sharply, with staple items such as rice increasing up to sevenfold in recent months.
Any interruption to imports would deepen supply shortages and place further strain on household purchasing power.
Storage limits create shutdown risk
A critical constraint lies in Iran’s oil storage capacity.
Iran has approximately 50–55 million barrels of onshore oil storage capacity, about 60% of which is already filled. Spare capacity stands at around 20 million barrels.
With surplus production of 1.5 million barrels per day that is normally exported, this capacity would be filled in about 13 days. After that, Iran would be forced to shut in oil wells.
This is highly significant because when mature oil wells are shut, water from below can intrude into the reservoir – a process known as “water coning.”
In this situation, some of the oil becomes permanently trapped within rock pores and can no longer be recovered. Iran’s oil fields are already declining at a rate of 5–8% per year.
Forced shutdowns could permanently eliminate 300,000 to 500,000 barrels per day of production capacity – equivalent to $9–15 billion in annual revenue lost forever.
Currency faces renewed pressure
The loss of export revenues would also affect Iran’s currency markets.
The rial has already weakened sharply, trading near 1.6 million per dollar in unofficial markets, with inflation running close to 50%.
A halt in foreign exchange inflows would likely intensify depreciation, further limit access to cash, and could push the currency toward hyperinflation.
Banks have already imposed withdrawal limits, reflecting existing financial strain.
Economic pressure builds rapidly
Taken together, the figures suggest a blockade would impose roughly $13 billion in monthly economic damage, combining export losses and disrupted imports.
Iran’s economic structure, heavily dependent on the Persian Gulf transit routes and energy exports, makes continued resistance economically impossible under the US naval blockade.
The figures show how quickly pressure could build if shipping lanes are closed, with immediate fiscal impacts followed by longer-term damage to production capacity and financial stability.
'Iran’s central bank warns economy may take 12 years to rebuild after war'
Iran’s central bank has warned President Masoud Pezeshkian that rebuilding the country’s war-damaged economy could take more than a decade, sources familiar with internal deliberations told Iran International.
In a stark assessment delivered to the president in recent days, senior economic officials said the damage inflicted during the 40-day war with the United States and Israel—combined with Iran’s already fragile economic situation—could take up to 12 years to repair.
Several major airports were damaged during the conflict, while strikes also targeted oil facilities, refineries and petrochemical installations that are central to Iran’s export revenues and industrial supply chains.
Officials involved in the discussions warned that the destruction of production capacity could trigger a sharp surge in inflation in the coming months. According to the assessment presented to the president, inflation could reach as high as 180% if shortages of industrial inputs persist.
The same projections estimate that unemployment could rise by around two million people as factories, service providers and small businesses struggle to resume operations.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, central bank governor Abdolnaser Hemmati has been urging Pezeshkian to take urgent steps to stabilize the economy, including restoring full internet access and pursuing an agreement with the United States.
Tehran and Washington appear to be exploring the possibility of further talks following the one in Pakistan last weekend. Iranian economists have long argued that a diplomatic thaw and easing of sanctions could be the best path toward economic stabilization.
Iran has maintained a nationwide internet shutdown for weeks during the conflict, a move officials say was intended to counter cyber threats but which has also severely disrupted businesses that rely on global connectivity.
Iran’s digital economy accounts for roughly 5–6% of the country’s GDP, and the shutdown has cut off millions of entrepreneurs from customers, payment systems and online platforms.
Small businesses, freelancers and startup founders have been among the hardest hit. Many rely on services such as Instagram, messaging apps and foreign-hosted websites to reach clients.
Economists inside the government warn that prolonged restrictions could deepen the downturn and slow recovery even further.
The bleak economic projections have heightened concerns among members of Pezeshkian’s team, according to the sources.
Some officials fear that if the economic crisis worsens or the state faces financial collapse, powerful figures within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps could seek to shift blame onto the president, they said.
Iran entered the war already under heavy economic strain from years of sanctions, high inflation and currency instability.
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202604139864
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