Sydney Lupkin
From this contributor
Pharma spending on lobbying skyrocketed in Trump’s first quarter
Eight pharmaceutical companies more than doubled their lobbying spending in the first three months of 2017.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/20170425-DrugLobby844.jpg)
Pharma spending on lobbying skyrocketed in Trump’s first quarter
Health companies gave generously to President Trump’s inauguration
Facing acute risks to their businesses from Washington policymakers, health companies spent more than $2 million to buy access to the incoming Trump administration via candlelight dinners, black-tie balls and other inauguration events.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/rtrleight500223.jpg)
Health companies gave generously to President Trump’s inauguration
Trump’s choice to run food and drug agency has pharma connections
Scott Gottlieb, nominated to lead the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has deep ties to industry, and has worn many other hats in his career.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/20170317-Scott-Gottlieb844.jpg)
Trump’s choice to run food and drug agency has pharma connections
Senators call for investigation into possible abuses of Orphan Drug Act
Building on weeks of mounting pressure to address high prescription drug prices, three influential U.S. senators have asked the government’s accountability arm to probe the orphan drug program for potential misuse.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/201703-OrphanDrugGOA-844.jpg)
Senators call for investigation into possible abuses of Orphan Drug Act
Former head of FDA concerned about faster drug approvals
Robert Califf, the just-departed commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, offers his take on the Trump administration's plans to speed up drug approvals and dramatically reduce regulations at the agency.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/201702tk-KHNCaliff844.jpg)
Former head of FDA concerned about faster drug approvals
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New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
![Research image of neurons in the fly’s ventral nerve cord.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/lede-motormodules-1200-1024x692.webp)
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
![Illustration of researchers talking to laypeople amidst strands of DNA.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_Charman-1024x687.webp)
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/paincircuit-1200-1024x692.webp)
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.