Structure Therapeutics delivered promising mid-stage data for its oral GLP-1 candidate showing significant weight loss, setting up a Phase 3 showdown with Lilly and Novo, according to STAT and Endpoints News. Meanwhile, Fierce Pharma reports Amgen and GSK products joined the government's direct-to-consumer TrumpRx platform, and Endpoints News reveals macrocycle developer Unnatural Products closed a $45 million Series B following its Novartis partnership. Elsewhere, pharmaphorum covered positive Phase 3 kidney disease data for Bayer's Kerendia.
Top Stories
Structure Therapeutics Reports Significant Weight Loss in Oral GLP-1 Phase 2 Trial
Structure Therapeutics announced that its experimental oral GLP-1 candidate achieved significant weight loss in a mid-stage clinical trial, positioning the next-generation asset as a potential competitor to market leaders Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, STAT and Endpoints News reported. The biotech plans to advance the oral therapy into Phase 3 testing. This signals growing competition in the obesity space beyond injectable formulations, with oral alternatives potentially expanding patient access.
TrumpRx Platform Adds Amgen and GSK Products to Government Drug Offering
Amgen's Amjevita, Aimovig, and Repatha, along with GSK's Incruse Ellipta, Arnuity Ellipta, Anoro, and Relenza, became available Monday through the government's direct-to-consumer TrumpRx platform, according to Fierce Pharma. The expansion adds major pharmaceutical products to the government-backed distribution channel. Worth watching because this platform could reshape traditional pharma distribution models and pricing dynamics if adoption scales.
Unnatural Products Closes $45M Series B Following Novartis Partnership
Santa Cruz-based macrocycle developer Unnatural Products secured $45 million in Series B funding to advance its decade of R&D in the emerging macrocycle therapeutic space, Endpoints News reported. The 50-employee company recently established a partnership with Novartis. The move suggests growing pharma interest in macrocycles as a promising modality beyond traditional small molecules and biologics.
Bayer's Kerendia Hits Primary Endpoint in Phase 3 Chronic Kidney Disease Trial
Bayer reported positive Phase 3 results for Kerendia in non-diabetic chronic kidney disease, extending the drug's evidence base beyond its existing approval in CKD associated with type 2 diabetes, pharmaphorum reported. The non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist has seen growing commercial adoption since its 2021 approval, according to Bayer's recent earnings disclosures. This data could support a label expansion into the broader non-diabetic CKD population, a significant new market opportunity.
Lebrikizumab Delivers Strong Phase 3 Results in Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis
Lebrikizumab achieved significant skin clearance and symptom improvement in children with atopic dermatitis in a Phase 3 trial, PharmaTimes reported. The IL-13 inhibitor demonstrated robust efficacy in the pediatric population. This signals potential label expansion into younger patient populations where treatment options remain limited.
Elevara Initiates Phase 2b Trial of ELV001 in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Elevara has begun a Phase 2b study evaluating oral therapy ELV001 in rheumatoid arthritis patients with inadequate response to TNF inhibitors, PharmaTimes reported. The trial targets a patient population with significant unmet need. Worth watching because oral alternatives for TNF-refractory RA patients could address a gap in current treatment algorithms.
Sentynl Therapeutics Secures Licensing Deal with PRG S&T for Progerinin
Sentynl Therapeutics entered into a licensing agreement with PRG S&T to advance development of Progerinin, according to PharmExec. Details on the therapeutic target and deal terms were not disclosed. The partnership suggests continued appetite for early-stage asset in-licensing despite broader market headwinds.
Nadia Care Raises $12M to Scale Medicaid-Focused Maternal Care Model
Maternal care startup Nadia Care (formerly Cayaba Care) secured $12 million in new funding after pivoting from commercial insurers to focus exclusively on Medicaid patients, per Endpoints News. The company offers both virtual and in-person maternal care services. This move suggests the Medicaid maternal health market may offer more attractive unit economics than commercial plans for specialized care models.
NIH Grant Awards Lag Despite Increased Budget Allocation
Despite a recent budget increase, the National Institutes of Health has awarded only 1,189 grants this fiscal year compared to 2,322 at the same point last year, according to an analysis by a former NIH center director cited by Fierce Biotech. The slowdown in grant distribution raises concerns about research funding velocity. Worth watching because delays in NIH grant cycles can create cash flow challenges for academic labs and early-stage biotechs dependent on federal funding.
What to Watch
- Oral GLP-1 Competition: Structure Therapeutics' Phase 3 entry will test whether oral formulations can capture meaningful market share from Lilly and Novo's injectables, with implications for patient compliance and pricing pressure.
- TrumpRx Adoption Metrics: The addition of blockbuster brands like Amgen's Repatha and GSK's Ellipta-branded inhalers to the government platform warrants monitoring for utilization data and potential impact on traditional pharmacy benefit managers.
- Macrocycle Validation: Unnatural Products' Novartis partnership and $45M raise highlight growing Big Pharma interest in this modality—watch for proof-of-concept data that could trigger broader sector investment.
- NIH Funding Bottleneck: The 49% year-over-year decline in NIH grant awards despite budget increases suggests administrative or policy friction that could constrain academic drug discovery pipelines in 2026.
Market Snapshot
- Obesity Market Dynamics: With multiple oral GLP-1 candidates advancing, the obesity market—projected by analysts to exceed $100 billion—is shifting from a duopoly to a multi-player competitive landscape, potentially compressing margins but expanding patient access.
- Specialty Drug Distribution: Government-backed platforms like TrumpRx entering direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical distribution could disrupt traditional specialty pharmacy economics if payer-mandated channeling emerges.
- Biomedical Research Funding: The NIH's slower grant cadence amid a 49% drop in awards year-over-year signals potential headwinds for translational research throughput and early-stage biotech formation in 2026-2027.