Biotechnology
Swiss pharma giant Roche has entered into another obesity focused collaboration, this time for rights for Rona Therapeutics' investigational RNAi candidate targeting activin receptor-like kinase 7 (ALK7) utilizing the company's proprietary extrahepatic delivery platform. 13 October 2026
Pharmaceutical
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has signaled a clear shift in how it intends to scrutinize clinical trial data generated outside the USA. In a September 2026 statement co-authored by the leaders of its drug, biologics, device, and oncology centers, the agency stated that good clinical practice (GCP) “is not a bureaucratic formality” and that geography does not change the evidentiary standard.1 12 October 2026
Pharmaceutical
Given the impact of the illegal medicines trade on public health in Latin America, on confidence in the health system and on patient safety, Colombia’s main pharmaceutical trade associations have signed the Alliance for the Legality of Medicines. 9 October 2026
Pharmaceutical
USA-based companies Viatris and Pacira BioSciences have entered into a definitive agreement under which Viatris has agreed to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Pacira for $36.50 per share in cash, with the news sending the latter’s shares up 44% to $36.30 in early trading. 8 October 2026
Biotechnology
US drug delivery company Halozyme Therapeutics has said that the specialized Dutch patent court in The Hague has found Merck & Co to be infringing one of its MDASE patents, EP 2,797,622, and has granted an injunction against sales of subcutaneous Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in several European countries. 7 October 2026
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Pharmaceutical
The Russian government plans to significantly reduce public procurements of cancer drugs in 2027, that will be mainly due to ongoing deterioration of economic situation in the country and the tightening sanctions’ regime, reports The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent. 13 October 2026
Biotechnology
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) bring together two familiar approaches to cancer treatment: an antibody that recognizes a target on a cell and a powerful drug that kills it. Connecting them offers a way to deliver chemotherapy more selectively, although it does not prevent the medicine from damaging healthy tissue. 12 October 2026
Pharmaceutical
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has signaled a clear shift in how it intends to scrutinize clinical trial data generated outside the USA. In a September 2026 statement co-authored by the leaders of its drug, biologics, device, and oncology centers, the agency stated that good clinical practice (GCP) “is not a bureaucratic formality” and that geography does not change the evidentiary standard.1 12 October 2026
Pharmaceutical
September 2026 brought a series of important advances in rare disease treatment, with several therapies receiving their first regulatory approvals. 12 October 2026
Company Spotlight
An RNA therapeutics platform company enabling discovery and development of modular and programmable RNA medicines.
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Pharmaceutical
The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) today authorised Onswik (insulin efsitora alfa) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults. The marketing authorization was granted Eli Lilly. 13 October 2026
Pharmaceutical
Boston, USA-based computational drug discovery company Nimbus Therapeutics has made three senior appointments as it expands its business development and research capabilities. 13 October 2026
Biotechnology
Swiss pharma giant Roche has entered into another obesity focused collaboration, this time for rights for Rona Therapeutics' investigational RNAi candidate targeting activin receptor-like kinase 7 (ALK7) utilizing the company's proprietary extrahepatic delivery platform. 13 October 2026
Pharmaceutical
US healthcare major Johnson & Johnson reported third-quarter 2026 sales of $25.4 billion, up 5.9% year-on-year from $23.99 billion and ahead of analyst consensus of around $25.28 billion. 13 October 2026
Biotechnology
US clinical-stage biotech Tortugas Neuroscience has announced positive Phase IIb trial results for obuprazine (TRTL-107), the company's investigational treatment for schizophrenia. 13 October 2026
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Pharmaceutical
25 August 2026 Spanish drugmaker PharmaMar has announced that health authorities in Canada, Qatar and South Korea have approved Zepzelca (lurbinectedin) in combination with atezolizumab (Roche’s Tecentriq) for the maintenance treatment for adult patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) whose disease has not progressed following first-line induction therapy with atezolizumab, carboplatin and etoposide.
Pharmaceutical
6 August 2026 There are "no discussions" ongoing between AstraZeneca and Bristol Myers Squibb over a potential deal, a senior source close to the matter told Reuters on Wednesday, quashing the prospect of a mooted mega merger between the drugmakers.
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Pharmaceutical
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has signaled a clear shift in how it intends to scrutinize clinical trial data generated outside the USA. In a September 2026 statement co-authored by the leaders of its drug, biologics, device, and oncology centers, the agency stated that good clinical practice (GCP) “is not a bureaucratic formality” and that geography does not change the evidentiary standard.1 12 October 2026
Pharmaceutical
September 2026 brought a series of important advances in rare disease treatment, with several therapies receiving their first regulatory approvals. 12 October 2026
Pharmaceutical
Given the impact of the illegal medicines trade on public health in Latin America, on confidence in the health system and on patient safety, Colombia’s main pharmaceutical trade associations have signed the Alliance for the Legality of Medicines. 9 October 2026
Pharmaceutical
For pharmaceutical companies bidding to supply England's National Health Service (NHS), carbon reporting is already part of the procurement process. Suppliers entering medicines tenders run by NHS England's Medicines Value and Access directorate must provide a valid sustainability assessment and a compliant carbon reduction plan alongside their commercial submissions. 9 October 2026
Pharmaceutical
When the World Health Organization (WHO) updates its Model List of Essential Medicines (EML), it gives governments a reference point for deciding which treatments their health systems should prioritize. Its choices can inform public purchasing and insurance coverage, although countries make their own decisions about what to fund. 9 October 2026
Pharmaceutical
The medicines reshaping obesity treatment grew out of research into how the body handles a meal. Long before weekly weight-loss injections became familiar, scientists were studying signals that travel from the intestine to the pancreas, helping it release insulin when nutrients arrive. 8 October 2026
Pharmaceutical
China uses two major mechanisms to negotiate medicine prices, offering manufacturers a route to substantial demand in exchange for terms acceptable to public purchasers and insurers. One organizes bulk purchasing, while the other determines which treatments qualify for reimbursement and the conditions attached to that coverage. 7 October 2026
One to Watch Companies
One to watch
A US clinical-stage vaccine company in San Carlos, California, whose 31-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine VAX-31 met every primary endpoint of its pivotal adult Phase III trial in October 2026, with a BLA planned for the first half of 2028 and $2.51 billion of cash to get there.
One to watch
A biotech company focused on the development of a p300/CBP inhibitor to treat specific cancer types.
One to watch
A clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel T-cell engagers for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, Candid Therapeutics launched in 2024 with $370 million in Series A financing and agreed to a $2.2 billion acquisition by UCB in May 2026.
One to watch
A privately-held French biotech advancing a clinical pipeline of gamma delta T-cell-focused antibodies for cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Boardroom
Pharmaceutical
Boston, USA-based computational drug discovery company Nimbus Therapeutics has made three senior appointments as it expands its business development and research capabilities. 13 October 2026
Biotechnology
Italy's Sibylla Biotech, an oncology firm developing small-molecule protein degraders that interfere with protein folding, has appointed Usman Azam as chief executive and Gianluca Fuggetta as chief financial officer, as it prepares to take its lead program into first-in-human studies. 13 October 2026
Pharmaceutical
Canadian eye health company Bausch + Lomb has appointed Thomas Appio interim chief executive following an agreement between Brent Saunders and the board that Mr Saunders will leave the company. 13 October 2026
Pharmaceutical
UK contract research organization (CRO) Concept Life Sciences, specializing in integrated drug discovery, development and analytical services, today announced the appointment of Dr Adrijana Vinter as chief executive (CEO). 12 October 2026
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