Under the lens: Taking a close look at the NIH and FDA declarations on animal-based research

After a brief government shutdown, FY26 funding bill is signed into law
NIH gets $415M raise, NCI gets $128M more, CDMRP funding largely restored

On Feb. 3, the House of Representatives passed the Senate Amendment to H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, by a vote of 217 to 214. Later that day, President Donald Trump signed the bill into law, officially ending the brief partial government shutdown that began on Jan. 31.

NIH’s Bhattacharya acknowledges absence of causal link between vaccines and autism

Pressed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya acknowledged that he is not aware of any study pointing to a causal link between vaccines and autism.

“Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans” no longer classified as clinical trials at NIH in an effort to reduce administrative burden

NIH announced Jan. 29 that “Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans,” also called BESH, will no longer be considered clinical trials and will therefore no longer be subject to the requirements under the NIH definition of a clinical trial, including registration and reporting requirements in ClinicalTrials.gov.

FDA debuts precheck manufacturing program to boost domestic drug development

FDA has launched a venture in onshoring domestic drug development called the Precheck Pilot Program.

February 06, 2026

Vol.52 No.05

By Claire Marie Porter

Drugs & Targets

FDA issues a boxed warning for capecitabine and fluorouracil on risks associated with DPD deficiency

FDA announced recent updates to the product labeling of capecitabine (Xeloda) and fluorouracil (5-FU) related to risks associated with dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency.

February 06, 2026

Vol.52 No.05

Podcast The Directors

The Directors: Gary Schwartz and Ramon Parsons on the best of times (for science), the worst of times (for funding)
Cancer centers fund small grants to boost morale amid low paylines

As NCI paylines drop to 4%, cancer centers are tapping into their institutional funds to provide “bridge funding,” typically in $50,000 to $100,000 increments, to enable investigators to keep their labs open until better times return—next year God willing.

January 30, 2026

Vol.52 No.04

By Paul Goldberg and Claire Marie Porter

Under the lens: Taking a close look at the NIH and FDA declarations on animal-based research

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

After a brief government shutdown, FY26 funding bill is signed into law
NIH gets $415M raise, NCI gets $128M more, CDMRP funding largely restored

NIH’s Bhattacharya acknowledges absence of causal link between vaccines and autism

“Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans” no longer classified as clinical trials at NIH in an effort to reduce administrative burden

FDA debuts precheck manufacturing program to boost domestic drug development

FDA issues a boxed warning for capecitabine and fluorouracil on risks associated with DPD deficiency

The Directors: Gary Schwartz and Ramon Parsons on the best of times (for science), the worst of times (for funding)
Cancer centers fund small grants to boost morale amid low paylines

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Under the lens: Taking a close look at the NIH and FDA declarations on animal-based research

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

After a brief government shutdown, FY26 funding bill is signed into lawNIH gets $415M raise, NCI gets $128M more, CDMRP funding largely restored

NIH’s Bhattacharya acknowledges absence of causal link between vaccines and autism

“Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans” no longer classified as clinical trials at NIH in an effort to reduce administrative burden

FDA debuts precheck manufacturing program to boost domestic drug development

FDA issues a boxed warning for capecitabine and fluorouracil on risks associated with DPD deficiency

The Directors: Gary Schwartz and Ramon Parsons on the best of times (for science), the worst of times (for funding)Cancer centers fund small grants to boost morale amid low paylines

Never miss an issue!

Login

After a brief government shutdown, FY26 funding bill is signed into law
NIH gets $415M raise, NCI gets $128M more, CDMRP funding largely restored

The Directors: Gary Schwartz and Ramon Parsons on the best of times (for science), the worst of times (for funding)
Cancer centers fund small grants to boost morale amid low paylines