Xarelto Reversal Agent in Late Stage Trial

A drug developed to rapidly reverse the effect of new blood thinners during episodes of major bleeding has been effective in late stage trials according to an article on Reuters.com. The drug reportedly reversed the anticoagulant effect of the new blood thinners, including Xarelto, with no serious side effects being reported. This is an important development because currently there is no known antidote to blood thinners like Xarelto so serious bleeding events are difficult if not impossible to control. Portola Pharmaceuticals, the maker of the drug, was hopeful it would be able to file for approval with the FDA by the end of the year.

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Former Players Appeal NFL Concussion Settlement Agreement

A group of former NFL players filed an appeal asking the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals to reject the NFL concussion settlement agreement because it excludes what they are calling “the signature brain disease of football.” As the agreement stands right now, players diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in the future may not be eligible to receive compensation. This could leave thousands of players who have yet to be diagnosed with a neurological disorder without compensation for their injuries.

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Federal Judge Approves NFL Concussion Settlement

Federal District Court Judge Anita Brody gave her final approval to a settlement agreement between the NFL and more than 5,000 former players who accused the league of hiding the dangers of concussions from the players. The agreement provides payments to former players who are diagnosed with one of several neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimers, ALS (Lou Gerhig’s disease), Dementia, and CTE.

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