• Maryland: FDA has approved oveporexton to treat narcolepsy type 1 in adults. Oveporexton is a first-in-class orexin treatment that targets the root cause of narcolepsy type 1. The condition is caused by the loss of brain cells that produce orexin, a neuropeptide that helps regulate wakefulness, sleep, and muscle tone. Oveporexton works by restoring the missing orexin signaling that occurs in narcolepsy type 1. In clinical trials, participants who received the drug reported less daytime sleepiness, a significant reduction in cataplexy episodes, and meaningful improvement in several narcolepsy symptoms. "For too long, people with narcolepsy type 1 have had to manage a complex, lifelong neuropsychiatric condition with treatments that only address pieces of it," said Tiffany Farchione, director of the division of psychiatry within the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "This new drug is the first medicine that impacts the underlying biology of the disease, treating narcolepsy type 1 as a whole." (Lou, MedPage Today, 8/6)
• Pennsylvania: According to a new report from W Group, women's health companies reported a record $1.55 billion in equity investments in 2025, up 41% from $1.1 billion in 2024. For the report, researchers tracked over 500 funding stories and roughly 164 equity rounds. Overall, 85 companies raised equity in 2025, the highest number in a single year. In addition, 10 rounds reached $50 million or more, double the amount in 2024. The report also noted that funding is now less concentrated among a few companies. In 2024, the three largest funding rounds accounted for 41% of all disclosed capital, but this decreased to 32% in 2025. Funding to companies outside of the top three also increased by 56% year-over-year. "Women's health is no longer an emerging category seeking validation. It is a functioning investment ecosystem entering its next phase," the report authors wrote. "The Era of Scale is not a prediction. It is a description of what the data already shows — an invitation to build what it still requires." (Myers, Fierce Healthcare, 8/10)
• Rhode Island: CVS Health is revamping its weight management program, which now includes a partnership with Eli Llly. According to CVS, patients will be able to use the CVS Health app to view transparent pricing options for two of Lilly's GLP-1's treatments Zepbound and Foundayo by early in the fourth quarter of the year. Patients may also be able to access same-day pickup of these treatments at CVS pharmacies. The company is also offering expanded pharmacy support for GLP-1 patients and $29 online MinuteClinic visits for patients to connect with clinicians about GLP-1s. "Weight management is a deeply personal health journey, and too many people face barriers before they start treatment," said Sid Tenneti, interim president of CVS' pharmacy and consumer wellness segment. "Our collaboration with Lilly is one more way we're expanding direct-to-consumer access to help eligible patients find options that work best for them." (Schisgall, Wall Street Journal, 8/5)

Women's health is more than just ob/gyn care. Given that women represent 58% of all specialty care use and utilize 15% more specialty care services than men, providers have the opportunity to capture market share and increase downstream revenue by taking a comprehensive approach to women’s health. Find out how addressing the unique needs of women can lead to financial success.