• District of Columbia: Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) was admitted to the hospital on Sunday. Although his condition is currently unknown, spokesperson David Popp said McConnell is "receiving excellent care." In recent years, McConnell has experienced several health issues, including freezing during a press conference and a series of falls. In February, McConnell was hospitalized for a week after experiencing flu-like symptoms. In 2024, McConnell announced that he was stepping down as Senate Majority Leader, and in 2025, he said he would not seek re-election. McConnell will end his over 40-year career in the Senate later this year. (McDaniel, NPR, 6/14; Edmondson, New York Times, 6/14)
• Maryland: FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research has accepted the first letter of intent for an AI drug development tool in its Innovative Science and Technology Approaches for New Drugs qualification program. The tool, which is called the AI-Driven Digital Liver Model for Prediction of Drug-Induced Liver Injury, compares the chemical structures of new drug candidates to reference drugs to predict liver toxicity. According to FDA, drug-induced liver injury is a leading cause of clinical trial termination and drug attrition during the investigation process. If qualified, the tool could be used to assess the risk of drug-induced liver injury for small-molecule drug candidates before Phase 1 clinical trials occur. To be considered for qualification, the developer of the tool must submit a qualification plan followed by a full qualification package. (Jeffries, Becker's Hospital Review, 6/5)
• Massachusetts: Moderna has received a $50 million investment from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to support the development of an investigational vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. Currently, the Bundibugyo strain is behind a growing outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo and nearby countries, including South Sudan and Uganda. So far, there have 782 confirmed cases and 181 deaths in the outbreak. Health officials have less experience with the Bundibugyo strain since there have only been two documented outbreaks with the strain in the past. There are also no licensed vaccines or therapeutics for this species of virus. Moderna is currently developing an investigational Ebola vaccine using its mRNA platform. If early data from Moderna's vaccine is positive, the funding will also be used to support manufacturing and progression to later-stage trials. CEPI is also investing $12 million for two other Ebola vaccine candidates. "With Bundibugyo virus spreading rapidly and no licensed vaccines, every day counts in the race against this deadly disease," said CEPI CEO Richard Hatchett. "CEPI's urgent funding and support for these three promising candidates aims to advance safe, effective vaccines to help control this epidemic." (Weixel, The Hill, 6/1; Choi, The Hill, 6/2; Kamale, Associated Press, 6/14)

Poorly managed observation care can cost hospitals millions of dollars a year. Experts at Care Logistics share best practices for successful observation programs that optimize patient outcomes and reduce costs.