J&J’s $3B Halda Deal Sets Up $50B Oncology Push
J&J is acquiring Halda Therapeutics for $3.05B, gaining a precision prostate cancer therapy and a breakthrough induced-proximity platform.
Industry Trends
UK VPAG DECISION DEADLINE EXTENDED AGAIN
The UK and ABPI have agreed to a third extension of the VPAG withdrawal deadline, moving it to December 16, 2025.
ABL Bio’s Grabody lands record heigh $2.6B deal with Lilly
ABL Bio has signed a major license and research collaboration with Eli Lilly worth up to $2.602 billion, granting access to its Grabody bispecific platform.
Cidara Therapeutics Stock sky-Rockets on $9B Merck buyout
Merck’s $9.2 billion acquisition of Cidara brings CD388, a Phase 3 long-acting influenza antiviral, into its pipeline while adding the Cloudbreak® drug-Fc conjugate platform for future oncology and infectious-disease programs.
Spain Expands Newborn Screening Portfolio and Launches National Asbestos Injury Certification in Dual Public Health Overhaul
Spanish health official displays a Ministry of Health certificate for asbestos-related injury, as Spain rolls out its new national certification system alongside expanded neonatal screening reforms. (Editorial illustration.) CISNS approves sweeping updates to neonatal diagnostics and formalizes a nationwide system to certify asbestos-related disease for compensation Spain’s Interterritorial Council of the National Health System (CISNS) … Read more
ICER Releases Draft Scope on COVID-19 Vaccines
The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) has posted a draft scoping document outlining its plans to assess the long-term clinical and economic value of updated COVID-19 vaccines.
Lilly Doubles Down on Genetic Medicines with $1.6B RNAi and Gene Therapy Alliances
Eli Lilly has signed back-to-back collaborations with SanegeneBio and MeiraGTx, advancing its genetic medicine portfolio across RNA interference and ophthalmic gene therapy. Together, the agreements deepen Lilly’s position in next-generation RNA- and DNA-based therapeutics.
TLV Endorses Keytruda Combo for Advanced Cervical Cancer with Cost-Effectiveness Caveats
Sweden’s TLV has published its health economic assessment of Merck’s Keytruda for locally advanced cervical cancer, finding clear efficacy benefits when added to chemoradiation. However, the agency warns that cost-effectiveness hinges on price transparency and real-world survival durability.
CMS’ Medicaid drug payment model brings Trump’s MFN push
CMS’ Medicaid drug payment model links value-based pricing and international benchmarks to lower costs and improve patient outcomes. (Editorial illustration.) US government aims to lower Medicaid drug prices and align costs with global rates under new GENEROUS model The US government has launched a sweeping initiative to reduce prescription drug costs under the Medicaid program, … Read more
Pfizer wins $10 billion bidding war for Metsera after competitive bidding with Novo Nordisk
Months of legal challenges, court rulings, and regulatory probes define the industry’s fiercest metabolic takeover fight Pfizer has signed a definitive agreement to acquire metabolic biotech Metsera, ending months of one of the most aggressive takeover battles in recent biopharma history. The deal concludes a dramatic contest with Novo Nordisk, which had initially secured Metsera’s … Read more