The Big Three PBMs’ 2026 Formulary Exclusions: MFP, Private Label Biosimilars, and Direct-to-Patient Threats for PBMs (rerun)
Drug Channels
This week, we’re rerunning some popular posts while we prepare for Friday’s live video webinar: PBM Industry Update 2026: Trends, Challenges, and What’s Ahead .
Aspect Biosystems receives funding for cellular medicine project
Pharmaceutical Business Review
The project will enhance Aspect Biosystems’ clinical development capabilities and bolster its integrated platform for developing and manufacturing advanced cellular medicines.
MSD secures EC clearance for Keytruda combination therapy for ovarian cancer
Pharmaceutical Technology
MSD has received the EC approval for Keytruda along with paclitaxel, with or without bevacizumab, as a treatment for PD-L1-positive ovarian cancer.
Trump revives pharma tariffs with 100% charges, but leaves loopholes
BioPharma Dive
Section 232 national security levies won’t apply to a wide array of drugs, meaning the overall threat to the sector should be low, according to one analyst.
BioNTech Starts Shuttering Singapore mRNA Manufacturing Site Amid Pipeline Pivot
BioSpace
BioNTech envisioned the site making hundreds of millions of vaccines a year, but has since shifted its pipeline to other modalities while mRNA technology continues to face headwinds in the U.S.
US pharma tariffs of up to 100% finalised by Trump
Pharmaphorum
Trump signs his pharma tariffs executive order, which won’t affect most large pharma groups but could deal a hefty blow to smaller companies.
Trump Hits Drugmakers With 100% Tariff but Carve-outs Soften the Blow
BioSpace
While some large companies could start paying the full tariff in 120 days, many products, including orphan drugs, cell and gene therapies, and antibody-drug conjugates, will enjoy exemptions that waiv
Pharma’s M&A Train Is on Track for Record Highs With More Deals To Come: Analysts
BioSpace
After a flurry of deals over the past week from Eli Lilly, Merck and Biogen, analysts predict more M A action from other big names, including Novartis, Amgen and AbbVie.
Approvals in Hand, Lilly and Novo Obesity Pills Will Battle It Out on Hairline Differences
BioSpace
After Eli Lilly achieved the milestone approval of the weight loss pill Foundayo, Novo Nordisk launched a full-court press to defend oral Wegovy, which has been enjoying a record-breaking launch since
Rare Disease Leaders Call for Regulatory Clarity as FDA Balances Urgency With Rigor
BioSpace
With CBER director Vinay Prasad set to depart the agency at the end of the month, a coalition of patient groups and biotech executives penned a letter imploring the Trump administration to “restore re
Insurers’ Prior Authorization Data Offers Little Insight Into What Gets Approved or Denied
KFF Medicare
Certain insurers must now publicly report specific prior authorization metrics, but the new data offer limited insight, providing no information on what types of services are being approved and denied
ACC 2026: sotatercept meta-analysis backs disease-modifying role in PAH
Pharmaceutical Technology
New data presented at ACC 2026 clarifies sotatercept’s role alongside vasodilator-based regimens in PAH patients.
Pharma’s Reluctance To Serve Europe To Dodge MFN Drug Pricing Is Chilling
BioSpace
As Big Pharma companies consider foregoing European drug launches to avoid reducing drug prices in the U.S.
Pfizer, BioNTech Halt Large US COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Over Slow Enrollment
BioSpace
COVID-19 partners Pfizer and BioNTech have been unable to recruit healthy adults aged 50 to 64 fast enough to deliver relevant post-marketing data.
AZ claims another win for Imfinzi in frontline liver cancer
Pharmaphorum
AstraZeneca has built the case for Imfinzi in earlier-stage liver cancer with a second phase 3 trial readout in its EMERALD programme.
ACC 2026: Meta-analysis supports CagriSema as superior first-line therapy in obesity
Pharmaceutical Technology
KOLs note that CagriSema could cannibalise semaglutide’s market share in obesity due to its improved weight loss and HbA1c reduction efficacy.
Eli Lilly wins FDA approval for weight loss pill, tees up Novo rivalry
Pharmaceutical Technology
Lilly’s product, known under the brand name Foundayo, has a clear route to early blockbuster status.
Building What’s Next: Join Industry Leaders to Shape Access and Affordability Trends Ahead of Asembia AXS26
Drug Channels
Today’s guest post comes from Chrissy Hand, Chief Product and Commercial Officer at CoverMyMeds.
Merck KGaA acquires JSR chromatography business
Pharmaceutical Business Review
This follows the company’s signing of a definitive agreement in October 2025 to acquire the business.
Biocytogen and Sihuan partner to advance new therapeutics for weight loss
Pharmaceutical Business Review
Under the agreement, Biocytogen’s fully human antibody discovery platform will be combined with Sihuan Pharmaceutical’s capabilities in drug development, manufacturing, and commercialisation.