Pharma News
This Week
Feb 4, 2026
[Why&Next] Biotech Industry Confronts a 580 Trillion Won "Patent Cliff," with SC Conversion as a Crucial Survival Strategy
Celltrion and Alteogen are adopting contrasting strategies in the competitive subcutaneous (SC) formulation market, projected to reach 80 trillion won by 2030. Celltrion targets big pharma directly with its own biosimilars, while Alteogen supports big pharma by supplying its hyaluronidase platform, exemplified by MSD's Keytruda SC. The global market is set to grow significantly as patents expire.
Feb 3, 2026
Merck Faces Profit Challenges as Patent Expiration Approaches | Health - Devdiscourse
Merck & Co has issued a cautious forecast for 2026, predicting revenue shortfalls due to patent expirations for key drugs like Januvia. Despite a strong fourth quarter driven by Keytruda, the company is exploring acquisitions in oncology and immunology to address future financial challenges, following recent deals with Cidara Therapeutics and Verona Pharma.
Feb 3, 2026
Weight-loss medications are leading to an ecological crisis—an innovative water-based approach seeks to address this issue...
A new water-based method for peptide drug synthesis has been developed, replacing toxic organic solvents like dimethylformamide (DMF) with water, significantly reducing environmental waste. This breakthrough, involving researchers from the University of Melbourne and SpheriTech Ltd, could transform the production of peptide therapeutics, including GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic, enhancing sustainability in the pharmaceutical industry.
Feb 3, 2026
Pfizer surpasses profit expectations as sales of established medications compensate for decline in COVID-related revenue.
Pfizer reported a sales increase to $17.56 billion, surpassing analyst expectations, driven by strong demand for its blood thinner Eliquis and RSV vaccine Abrysvo. Despite challenges from declining COVID-19 product demand and patent expirations, CEO Albert Bourla emphasized 2026 as a pivotal year for new drug developments, particularly in obesity treatments following the $10 billion acquisition of Metsera.
Feb 3, 2026
Merck exceeds Q4 profit forecasts but provides a less optimistic outlook for 2026 - TradingView
Merck reported fourth-quarter earnings and revenue exceeding Wall Street estimates, driven by strong sales of its cancer drug Keytruda, which generated $8.37 billion. However, the company’s 2026 revenue guidance fell short of expectations due to patent expirations and pricing pressures. Merck plans to cut costs by $3 billion by 2027 to offset future revenue losses.
Feb 3, 2026
Pfizer Seeks Expansion Opportunities Despite Obstacles | Technology - Devdiscourse
Pfizer reported fourth-quarter earnings of $17.56 billion, surpassing Wall Street expectations, driven by strong sales of Eliquis and the RSV vaccine Abrysvo. Despite challenges from declining COVID-19 product sales and patent expirations, Pfizer remains optimistic, planning to develop new obesity treatments following its $10 billion acquisition of Metsera, with potential approvals by 2028.
Feb 3, 2026
Duty-free but still unaffordable: The reason behind a 'waived' cancer medication priced at Rs 1 crore - India Today
AstraZeneca's Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) offers hope for advanced breast cancer patients but comes at a high cost, ranging from Rs 50 lakh to over Rs 1 crore annually. Despite a customs duty exemption in Budget 2024, prices remain unaffordable for most, with advocates calling for stronger policies to improve access to life-saving medications.
Feb 3, 2026
Union Health Minister Addresses Concerns About Pharmaceutical Quality and Substandard Medications in Rajya Sabha
Union Health Minister addressed the Rajya Sabha on February 3, 2026, discussing issues related to pharmaceutical quality, substandard drugs, fake vaccines, and antibiotic regulation. The Minister emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring drug safety and efficacy in response to growing public concerns.
Feb 3, 2026
Merck projects 2026 revenue to fall short of expectations due to patent expirations - The Globe and Mail
Merck & Co. forecasted 2026 sales and profits below Wall Street estimates, primarily due to the loss of patent exclusivity on diabetes drug Januvia and related medicines. Despite a strong fourth quarter driven by Keytruda, shares fell 1.2%. Merck expects 2026 revenue of $65.5-$67 billion, below analysts' average estimate of $67.6 billion.
Feb 3, 2026
Concept Medical's Manufacturing Expertise: Sirolimus Coated Balloon - OC Academy
Concept Medical Group has been recognized as one of India’s Top 30 Best Workplaces™ in Manufacturing 2026, highlighting its commitment to a high-trust workplace culture. The company is known for its MagicTouch™ Sirolimus Coated Balloon (SCB), a pioneering device in vascular care, supported by extensive clinical trials. Its manufacturing facility in India produces over one million devices annually, ensuring high-quality medical technology.
Feb 3, 2026
Merck exceeds quarterly projections and provides conservative guidance for 2026 amid impending generic competition.
Merck reported fourth-quarter earnings of $2.09 per share and revenue of $16.4 billion, exceeding estimates due to strong demand for Keytruda. However, the company provided a modest 2026 outlook, anticipating revenue between $65.5 billion and $67 billion, below analyst expectations. Merck faces upcoming patent expirations for drugs like Januvia and Janumet, which may pressure sales.
Feb 3, 2026
Struggle for affordable HIV medications: Remarkable tales from an individual in India and another in South Africa.
The article highlights the struggle for affordable healthcare against the backdrop of high pharmaceutical prices, particularly in the context of HIV/AIDS treatment. Activist Zackie Achmat led protests in South Africa demanding access to life-saving drugs, while Indian pharmaceutical company Cipla, under Yusuf Hamied, offered affordable AIDS medications, significantly reducing costs and inspiring global health movements.
Feb 3, 2026
Merck projects 2026 revenue to fall short of expectations due to patent expirations | WKZO | Everything Kalamazoo
Merck & Co. forecasts 2026 sales and profits below Wall Street estimates, citing the loss of exclusivity for diabetes drug Januvia and other legacy products. Despite a strong fourth quarter driven by Keytruda, Merck anticipates a $2.5 billion impact from generic competition and price negotiations. The company aims for 5% to 8% revenue growth over time, focusing on long-term growth opportunities.
Feb 3, 2026
Merck Confronts Upcoming Obstacles Despite Present Achievements | Health - Devdiscourse
Merck & Co. forecasts lower-than-expected 2026 sales and profits due to patent expirations on drugs like Januvia, despite a strong Q4 report boosted by Keytruda, which generated $8.37 billion in sales. Shares fell 1.2% in premarket trading. CEO Rob Davis remains optimistic about the company's strategy, including recent acquisitions of Cidara Therapeutics and Verona Pharma.
Feb 3, 2026
Police in India confiscate controlled prescription medications as diversion networks expand...
Police in India have seized regulated prescription drugs, particularly codeine-based medications, amid rising concerns over drug diversion and addiction. Recent operations have led to multiple arrests across various states, underscoring the challenges of cross-border trafficking and the misuse of these substances.
Feb 3, 2026
NPPA sets retail prices for 36 newly introduced medications, according to DrugsControl Media Services.
The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has set the retail prices for 37 new drugs, including hypertensive and anti-diabetic medications, in accordance with the Drugs Prices Control Order (DPCO), 2013. This decision was made during a recent meeting held in New Delhi.
Feb 3, 2026
Pfizer Unveils Preliminary Obesity Results Indicating Weight Loss of Up to 12.3% - TradingView
Pfizer Inc. reported early data from its newly acquired obesity treatment, showing weight loss of up to 12.3% at 28 weeks. This follows Pfizer's $10 billion acquisition of Metsera Inc. However, shares fell 2.1% amid concerns over efficacy and competition from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. Pfizer also reported strong fourth-quarter sales, despite declining Covid-related revenue.
Feb 3, 2026
FDA introduces 'PreCheck' initiative; AstraZeneca and Acadia face delays with their medications - BioPharma Dive
The FDA has launched the "PreCheck" initiative to expedite U.S. drug manufacturing. AstraZeneca's request for a subcutaneous version of lupus drug Saphnelo was rejected, while its cancer drug Datroway received priority review. Acadia Pharmaceuticals faces a negative trend vote for Rett syndrome drug trofinetide in Europe. MeiraGTx partners with ZipBio to develop gene therapy for geographic atrophy.
Feb 3, 2026
PharmaTher Aims for Early Involvement in Canada's Growing Generic Semaglutide Sector
PharmaTher Holdings Ltd. has announced plans to seek Health Canada approval for a generic version of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, aiming to enter the Canadian market post-regulatory exclusivity. The company, known for its FDA-approved ketamine, targets a cost-effective manufacturing strategy to supply the growing GLP-1 market. Current analyst ratings suggest a Sell for TSE:PHRM stock.
Feb 2, 2026
FDA Alert: Updates on Sanofi/Regeneron, Merck, REGENXBIO, and Others - BioSpace
REGENXBIO anticipates an FDA decision on its Hunter syndrome gene therapy RGX-121 by February 8, following a delay for additional data review. Merck seeks to expand Keytruda's indications for ovarian cancer, with a decision expected by February 20. Vanda Pharmaceuticals awaits verdict on Bysanti for bipolar I and schizophrenia by February 21, while Taiho proposes Inqovi for leukemia by February 25. Eton's ET-600 for diabetes insipidus and Ascendis Pharma's TransCon CNP for dwarfism also await decisions by February 25 and 28, respectively. BioMarin targets a label expansion for Palynziq by February 28, and Sanofi and Regeneron propose Dupixent for allergic fungal rhinosinusitis, with a decision due the same day.
Feb 2, 2026
GLP-1 medications are driving a fresh surge in healthcare mergers and acquisitions - BenefitsPRO
Pharma deals are evolving, becoming larger and more complex, according to Bain. Companies are increasingly forming manufacturing partnerships to address production bottlenecks and are investing in oral formulations and dual- and triple-agonist therapies to enhance weight loss and blood sugar control.
Feb 2, 2026
Chong Kun Dang Reports Record Earnings Driven by Successful Co-Marketing, While Profit Margins Decline
Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical reported record-high revenue of KRW 1.6924 trillion in 2023, driven by co-marketing blockbuster drugs like Wegovy, Prolia, Atozet, and Januvia. However, operating profit fell 19% to KRW 80.5 billion, and net profit declined 30% to KRW 77.8 billion due to rising costs and the absence of a prior-year tax refund.
Feb 2, 2026
Novo's obesity treatment combination achieves success in diabetes study - BioPharma Dive
Novo Nordisk's CagriSema, an experimental combination shot for diabetes and obesity, outperformed Wegovy in a Phase 3 trial, achieving greater blood sugar reduction and weight loss. CagriSema combines semaglutide with cagrilintide and aims for FDA approval. While it shows promise, it still trails Eli Lilly's Zepbound in overall efficacy. Results from a head-to-head trial with Zepbound are anticipated by March.
Feb 2, 2026
Novo Nordisk's new obesity medication surpasses Wegovy in advanced diabetes study.
Novo Nordisk's experimental weight-loss drug CagriSema demonstrated superior reductions in blood sugar and body weight compared to Wegovy in a late-stage trial involving 2,728 type 2 diabetes patients. CagriSema led to a 14.2% weight loss versus Wegovy's 10.2%. The combination of cagrilintide and semaglutide also resulted in greater blood sugar reduction, positioning CagriSema as a strong competitor to Eli Lilly’s Zepbound.
Feb 2, 2026
Bristol Myers Squibb's confidence in an old medication's potential for Alzheimer's treatment - STAT News
Bristol Myers Squibb is pursuing approval for Cobenfy, a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s-related psychosis, based on a pivotal 1990s clinical trial. The company awaits results from three key studies later this year, aiming to revive the drug's promise. The journey of Cobenfy involved collaboration with Karuna Therapeutics, which innovatively reintroduced the drug after initial setbacks.
Feb 1, 2026
Budget 2026-27: Government reduces customs duties on 17 medications to alleviate financial strain for cancer patients.
In the 2026-27 budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced customs duty exemptions on 17 cancer drugs, including AbbVie's venetoclax, Eli Lilly's abemaciclib, and Novartis's Mekinist. This initiative aims to enhance access to life-saving treatments for cancer patients. The list also features India's first CAR-T therapy, talycabtagene autoleucel, marketed by ImmunoAct as NexCAR19.
Feb 1, 2026
Pfizer Confronts Patent Expiration Issues While Seeking a Recovery | Intellectia.AI
Wall Street analysts predict a rise in Pfizer Inc. (PFE) stock, with a 12-month average price target of $28.56. Cantor Fitzgerald raised its target to $27, while UBS initiated coverage with a $25 target, both maintaining Neutral ratings. Analysts emphasize the importance of upcoming data on obesity treatments and Lyme disease vaccines over quarterly results.
Feb 1, 2026
AstraZeneca lists on the NYSE while investing $15 billion in China - CNBC
AstraZeneca is set to list on the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, following a $15 billion investment plan in China through 2030 and a partnership with CSPC Pharmaceuticals for obesity treatments. The company aims to balance its U.S. market presence while tapping into China's innovation, amidst increasing pricing pressures in the U.S. market.
Feb 1, 2026
Union Budget 2026: Significant Support for Pharmaceuticals, Biologics, and Healthcare Advancements
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a significant boost for India's pharmaceutical, biologics, and healthcare sectors in the Union Budget 2026-27. The package aims to enhance innovation and provide key reliefs to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases.
Feb 1, 2026
Reasons to Consider Pfizer Stock as a Good Investment | The Motley Fool
Pfizer (PFE) faces challenges as it falls behind in the GLP-1 drug market and approaches patent cliffs. Despite a significant stock decline since its COVID-19 vaccine success, the company is pursuing growth by acquiring a promising GLP-1 pipeline and agreeing to distribute a Chinese GLP-1 therapy. Investors are advised to adopt a long-term perspective amid these developments.
Feb 1, 2026
Study reveals popular weight loss supplement ineffective for reducing belly fat - New York Post
A recent study found that berberine, a popular herbal supplement touted for weight loss, had no significant effect on reducing visceral or liver fat compared to a placebo. Despite claims that it mimics GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, experts caution that berberine alone won't lead to drastic weight loss and may interact with other medications.
