The Daily — Sunday, March 1, 2026

Biotech & Pharma

Approval

AbbVie Scores FDA Approval for All-Oral CLL Regimen, Commits $380M to Manufacturing Expansion

AbbVie received FDA approval for a first-in-class, all-oral fixed-duration regimen for untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), marking a significant advance in ease of administration for patients. The approval was accompanied by a $380 million manufacturing buildout in Illinois to support the company's neuroscience and obesity pipeline. Wall Street upgraded AbbVie to "Strong-Buy" following the news, highlighting both the near-term commercial opportunity and long-term capacity expansion.

Simply Wall St | Feb 28, 2026

Landmark Approval

Novo Nordisk's Wegovy Pill Becomes First Oral GLP-1 for Weight Loss

The FDA approved oral semaglutide (25 mg) as the first GLP-1 receptor agonist pill for chronic weight management, eliminating the need for weekly injections. Novo plans US launch in 2026. The oral version was first approved in 2019 for type 2 diabetes; this marks its expansion into obesity treatment.

AJMC

Frontline DLBCL

Long-Term Data Strengthen Pola-R-CHP as Standard in Frontline DLBCL

FDA-approved Pola-R-CHP for previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with IPI score ≥2, based on POLARIX study results. The regimen combines polatuzumab vedotin with R-CHP chemotherapy, offering improved progression-free survival. As the approval stands, it should be considered in all patients with IPI scores of 2 to 5.

OncLive

Science / Immuno-Oncology

Landmark Study

Outpatient CAR-T Therapy Achieves Comparable Outcomes to Inpatient Administration

A US multicenter study published in Transplantation and Cellular Therapy demonstrates that outpatient administration of axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) for relapsed/refractory DLBCL delivers comparable efficacy and safety to inpatient care. Structured care pathways, prophylactic dexamethasone, and remote patient monitoring (RPM) enabled safe outpatient delivery, reducing healthcare costs and improving patient convenience. This real-world evidence challenges the dogma that CAR-T must be administered inpatient and opens avenues for broader access.

Transplant Cell Ther | Feb 28, 2026 | DOI

Study

BCMA CAR-T Shows Promise in Transplant-Ineligible Newly Diagnosed Myeloma

Phase II CAREMM-001 study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology demonstrates that BCMA-directed CAR-T cell therapy offers a novel frontline strategy for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are ineligible for or not proceeding to autologous stem-cell transplantation, often due to age or frailty.

JCO | DOI

Study

JNJ-80948543 Trispecific Antibody Targets CD79b, CD20, and CD3 in B-NHL

Novel trispecific T-cell engager (TCE) designed to target CD79b+ and/or CD20+ lymphoma cells with low-affinity CD3 binding to mitigate cytokine release syndrome. Phase 1 trials ongoing. Published in Haematologica.

Haematologica | DOI

AI & Technology

Breaking

OpenAI Strikes Pentagon Deal to Deploy AI on Classified Military Networks

In a late Friday night announcement, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed the company has reached an agreement to supply AI technology to classified US military networks, with ethical safeguards intact. The deal comes hours after President Trump ordered Anthropic dropped from defense contracts over ethics concerns. OpenAI emphasized that the same ethical guardrails applied to its commercial products will extend to military deployments, aiming to differentiate itself from competitors willing to compromise on safety standards for government contracts.

The Guardian, Al Jazeera, Politico | Feb 28, 2026

Industry

DeepSeek to Release V4 Next Week — Multimodal Model with Image, Video, and Text Generation

Chinese AI lab DeepSeek is set to release its latest large language model next week, more than a year since its last major release. V4 will be a "multimodal" model with image, video, and text generation functions, according to two people familiar with the matter. The Hangzhou-based company has worked with Huawei to cut reliance on Nvidia chips, positioning itself as a fresh challenge to US AI rivals including OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic.

Financial Times, Reddit r/singularity | Feb 28, 2026

NBA

Trade Rumors

Lakers Target Trey Murphy III in 2026 Offseason — $112M Wing Could Pair With Luka and LeBron

The Los Angeles Lakers are eyeing New Orleans Pelicans wing Trey Murphy III as a key target for the 2026 offseason. Murphy, averaging 21.2 points on 45.4% shooting and 36.1% from three, fits the Lakers' need for a two-way wing alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James. A proposed deal would send Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, and a 2031 first-round pick to New Orleans. The Golden State Warriors are also in the mix, creating a bidding war for Murphy's services. With three years and $112 million remaining on his contract, Murphy offers both immediate impact and long-term stability.

Times of India | Mar 1, 2026

Injury Update

Joel Embiid Sidelined With Oblique Strain — Sixers Star Out at Least Three Games

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with a strained right oblique and will miss the next three games, per The Athletic's Tony Jones. Embiid was injured in the first half of the Sixers' win over the Miami Heat but still recorded a double-double. He'll be reevaluated after three games, with March 7 against the Hawks his earliest possible return date. Andre Drummond is expected to start at center in Embiid's absence.

Philadelphia Inquirer, Newsweek | Feb 28, 2026

Travel

Event

Venice Biennale 2026 Opens May 9 — "In Minor Keys" Theme Honors Late Curator Koyo Kouoh

The Venice Biennale 2026 runs from May 9 to November 22, offering a rich travel experience that blends global art with local Venetian tradition. This year's theme, "In Minor Keys," honors the late curator Koyo Kouoh. Whether travelers come for international art, Venetian history, or simply the romance of canals at sunset, the Biennale serves as a global art and travel highlight, combining culture, architecture, and the city's unique atmosphere.

Travel and Tour World

Policy

Venice Expands Daytripper Tax in 2026 to Manage Tourism Impact

Venice introduced an expanded daytripper tax for 2026, aimed at managing tourism impact, preserving the city's heritage, and supporting infrastructure. The fee applies to visitors not staying overnight and is designed to protect the city's delicate ecosystem while funding restoration and maintenance projects.

Travel and Tour World

Destination

Ostuni — The White City of Puglia — Makes an Ideal Base for Exploring the Itria Valley

Ostuni is a good base for visiting the Itria Valley and the broader region between Bari and Brindisi. The town is lively in the evening, offers many restaurants, and is not far from the Adriatic coast beaches. Puglia's 800km coastline and UNESCO sites provide rich exploration opportunities.

Carnets Voyages

Wien für Kinder

Event · Heute

Kinderaktionstag im Mumok — Freier Eintritt, Rätselrallye, Disco Drawing

Heute, Sonntag 1. März, 10:00 Uhr im Mumok (Museum Moderner Kunst). Bei freiem Eintritt für Kinder und zwei Begleitpersonen steht ein umfangreiches Programm für Besucher:innen ab drei Jahren an: Rätselrallye, Disco Drawing, offenes Atelier, Malen mit Licht und Bilderbuchkino. Zum Abschluss bastelt ein Ballonkünstler jedem Kind einen ganz eigenen Luftballon.

FALTER Kinder

Wien — Kultur & Essen

Neueröffnung

Molly's Diner — Neues Burgerlokal in der Webgasse, 6. Bezirk

In der Wiener Webgasse hat das Burgerlokal »Molly's Diner« eröffnet. Das Lokal bietet Fleisch-, vegetarische und vegane Burger sowie Salate. Feine Burger bekommt man nun auch in der Webgasse — eine willkommene Ergänzung zu Wiens vielfältiger Gastro-Szene im Mariahilf-Viertel.

Falstaff, FALTER Lokalführer

Event

Internationaler Frauentag 8. März — Wiens Gastro-Szene im Fokus

Der Internationale Frauentag am 8. März ist ein historisches Symbol für den Kampf um Gleichberechtigung, das bis heute aktuell bleibt. Unzählige Frauen arbeiten in Wiens Lokalen, dennoch ist Gastronomie nach wie vor eine Männerdomäne. Der FALTER Lokalführer wirft einen Blick auf die Frauen, die Wiens kulinarische Landschaft prägen — als Köchinnen, Sommelières, Baristas und Gastgeberinnen.

FALTER Lokalführer