News Briefs

The Food and Drug Administration approved Gilead Sciences’ Sunlenca (lenacapavir), a new type of antiretroviral medication for adult patients living with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), whose HIV infections cannot be successfully treated with other available treatments due to resistance, intolerance or safety considerations.

After the starting dose is completed, Sunlenca is administered as subcutaneous (under the skin) injections once every six months, allowing convenient dosing for patients.

"Today's approval ushers in a new class of antiretroviral drugs that may help patients with HIV who have run out of treatment options," said Debra Birnkrant, director of the division of antivirals in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "The availability of new classes of antiretroviral medications may possibly help these patients live longer, healthier lives."

Sunlenca is the first of a new class of drugs called capsid inhibitors to be FDA-approved for treating HIV-1. Sunlenca works by blocking the HIV-1 virus' protein shell (the capsid), thereby interfering with multiple essential steps of the viral lifecycle. Sunlenca's starting dose is given as oral tablets and subcutaneous injections, followed by maintenance injections every six months; Sunlenca is given in combination with other antiretroviral(s).

Albertsons announced that the payment date for its previously announced $6.85 per common share special dividend, originally scheduled to be paid Nov. 7, 2022, is now going to be paid on Jan. 20, 2023 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on Oct. 24, 2022.

The payment of the special dividend follows the lifting of the temporary restraining order on Jan.17, 2023, by the Supreme Court of the State of Washington. The temporary restraining order had enjoined the company from paying the special dividend.

CandyRific is expanding its candy fans line with Nickelodeon by launching its new SpongeBob SquarePants candy fans. 

The fans will be available for customer orders in February and shipped in time for the summer of 2023, the company said.    

Stay cool this summer with the new, colorful character-themed SpongeBob SquarePants candy fans.  Each fan provides a burst of fanned air when the button is pushed and comes complete with .53-oz. of assorted fruit-flavored dextrose candies. 

Fans who have long lamented the loss of Ben & Jerry’s Oatmeal Cookie Chunk have a new reason to celebrate as the Vermont-based dessert maker has unveiled its newest flavor: Oatmeal Dream Pie.

The concoction is an Oatmeal Crème Pie Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert with Gluten-Free Oatmeal Cookies - by Partake, the allergy-friendly food company - and Marshmallow Swirls. The certified vegan dessert is shipping now to appear on shelves across the country.

"Foodie fans can rejoice with this new version of our nostalgic offering," said Flavor Guru, Chris Rivard, who helped to shepherd the project with Partake. "We're thrilled to partner with high-end suppliers who provide the incredible chunks and swirls fans expect from Ben & Jerry's, and this flavor truly delivers."

Ben & Jerry's underlined the importance of supporting Black-owned businesses and women-owned businesses like Partake as part of its ongoing work to address racial justice in the U.S.

"The chance to work with Ben & Jerry's is an Oatmeal Dream come true," said Denise Woodard, the Founder and CEO of Partake. "As fellow champions of inclusivity and good food doing good, Ben & Jerry's has long been at the top of our list to partner. We are thrilled to join them in freezers across America by providing our one-of-a-kind oatmeal cookies."

The flavor is a full-time addition to Ben & Jerry's Non-Dairy offerings and will be featured across the United States in pints at an MSRP of $5.99 to $6.49

SmartyPants Vitamins wants to help consumers obtain their best sleep yet with a new supplement — Relax & Sleep.

Made with ashwagandha, the product was designed to help users relax before bedtime. Also containing 3 g of melatonin to aid in falling asleep faster, the supplement also features chamomile and comes in a cherry-flavored gummy format, the company said.

In addition, the product is IGEN Non-GMO Tested Certified, Certified Vegan by AVA, a Clean Label Project Purity Award recipient, gluten-free, third-party lab tested and free of major allergens.

Currently, SmartyPants Vitamins’ Relax & Sleep supplements are available for purchase online.

Bausch + Lomb is debuting a brand-new product — PreserVision Areds 2 Formula mini soft gels with OcuSorb.

Offering a proprietary composition of lutein and zeaxanthin, OcuSorb works to help provide absorption of the nutrients in the body as compared to the product’s original formula, the company said.

“We’re pleased to offer eye care professionals and their patients this enhanced offering — the proven Areds 2 formula eye vitamin with better absorbing nutrients from the patented OcuSorb technology,” said Joe Gordon, president, global consumer, surgical and vision care at Bausch + Lomb. “We remain committed to supporting and providing the nearly 16 million Americans affected by AMD with products that address their eye health needs.”

PreserVision Areds 2 Formula eye vitamins, including OcuSorb, contain the nutrient formula recommended by the National Eye Institute. This includes the previously mentioned lutein and zeaxanthin, which aids in reducing the risk of AMD progression, the company said.

Consumers can find Bausch + Lomb’s PreserVision Areds 2 Formula mini soft gels with OcuSorb at major retailer retailers in the vitamin aisle or online.