Trending News Today: Eli Lilly to Expand Cancer Drug Portfolio with Loxo Oncology Acquisition

On Monday, Eli Lilly announced it will acquire Loxo Oncology for $8 billion in cash to expand the company’s oncology treatment portfolio, Bloomberg reported. According to the article, Loxo is working on developing cancer treatments based on the genetic traits of tumors, regardless of where they are in the body. Loxo currently has 1 drug on the market, larotrectinib (Vitrakvi), for patients with a TRK fusion genetic mutation, according to the article.

A new study suggests that the risk of heart disease and premature death may be higher for those who experience sudden drops in income early in adulthood, Reuters reported. According to the article, the study showed that young adults with 2 or more significant drops in income over a 15-year period had more than twice the risk of developing heart disease and nearly twice the risk of dying early, compared with those who have a more stable income. For the study, the participants’ health status was checked every 6 months and they were asked about their income 5 times between 1990 and 2005, the article reported.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is asking for an extension on an Obamacare lawsuit due to the government shutdown, The Hill reported. According to the article, Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt said that DOJ lawyers are “unable to prepare their opposition at this time due to the lapse in appropriations.” Last week, Democrats filed a motion asking the court to allow the House to intervene as a defendant in the ongoing lawsuit against Obamacare, the article reported.