Pharma News
This Week
Jun 17, 2025
[Reporter’s Insights] China Leads the Way in Cancer Research and Development, While Korea Faces Challenges in Keeping Up
At the ASCO 2025 meeting, a Korean expert noted China's dominance in clinical data, now accounting for over half globally, overshadowing Korean drug development. Companies like BeOne Medicines and Antengene are leading in China, while Korean firms like Hanmi Pharmaceutical and Yuhan Corp. face challenges. Experts suggest Korean biotechs must expand beyond technology transfer to enhance their competitiveness.
Jun 17, 2025
China's Biotechnology Surge Indicates Worldwide Aspirations - CBBC Focus
China's biotechnology sector is experiencing a significant resurgence, with the Hang Seng Biotech Index rising 60% in 2025, driven by innovations like DeepSeek's AI model. Companies such as Akeso, which has seen its lung cancer drug ivonescimab outperform Merck's Keytruda, exemplify this growth. Strategic partnerships and substantial investments are positioning China as a global leader in drug development.
Jun 17, 2025
China, known for its low obesity rates, emerges as a center for weight loss medication research - STAT News
China, despite having one of the lowest obesity rates in the developed world at 6%, has become a leading location for testing new weight loss drugs, ranking second for obesity trials after the U.S. This trend is driven by a growing number of overweight individuals in the country, presenting a significant market for obesity treatments, according to Novotech and Parexel.
Jun 17, 2025
AbbVie's Venetoclax for Cancer Fails to Meet Expectations in Phase 3 Combination Study - Benzinga
AbbVie Inc. announced that its Phase 3 VERONA trial of venetoclax combined with azacitidine for higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome did not meet its primary endpoint of overall survival. Despite this, no new safety concerns were reported. AbbVie also received FDA approval for Mavyret to treat acute hepatitis C, marking a significant advancement in treatment options.
Jun 17, 2025
US pharmaceutical companies invest heavily in China to acquire promising blockbuster medications - Pharmacy Business
US drugmakers are increasingly licensing molecules from China, signing 14 deals worth $18.3 billion through June, compared to just two last year. Companies like Pfizer and Regeneron are capitalizing on affordable, high-quality assets for potential treatments in obesity, heart disease, and cancer. Analysts predict this trend will continue, as US firms seek to replenish pipelines ahead of significant patent expirations.
Jun 17, 2025
Novo Nordisk will lose Canadian patent rights for a major medication due to the failure to pay a minor fee.
Novo Nordisk missed a chance to maintain its semaglutide patent in Canada by not paying a small fee, according to Science. The drug, marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy, has significantly boosted the company's revenue. Generic manufacturer Sandoz plans to launch a GLP-1 drug in Canada next year as exclusivity expires. Novo Nordisk's patent protection for semaglutide will end in 2026.
Jun 17, 2025
Collaboration among developing nations leads to more affordable and accessible lifesaving medications.
A recent study highlights the challenges low- and middle-income countries face in procuring lifesaving drugs, exacerbated by patent thickets and fragile supply chains. Pooled procurement strategies, particularly through the Global Fund, can reduce costs by 13-20%, but may lead to longer delivery times. Meanwhile, USAID's significant funding cuts threaten access to HIV treatments, risking a broader health crisis.
Jun 16, 2025
The Hidden $18.3 Billion Strategy of Major Pharmaceutical Companies: The Surge of Licensing Agreements in China by U.S. Drug Manufacturers
U.S. pharmaceutical companies are rapidly increasing licensing deals with Chinese biotech firms, with 14 agreements worth $18.3 billion signed through June. Notable deals include Pfizer's $1.25 billion agreement with 3SBio for a cancer drug and Regeneron's $80 million deal with Hansoh Pharmaceuticals. Analysts predict that by 2024, up to 50% of licensed assets could originate from China, highlighting its growing biotech capabilities.
Jun 16, 2025
American Universities Contribute 87 Percent of Academic Research for FDA-Approved Medications
A recent analysis reveals that U.S. universities contributed 87% of academic patents for FDA-approved drugs from 2020 to 2024, underpinning half of all approvals. This highlights the crucial role of academic research in pharmaceutical innovation and public health, showcasing the dominance of American institutions in drug development.
Jun 16, 2025
US Pharmaceutical Companies Invest Heavily in China to Acquire Promising Blockbuster Medications - US News Money
U.S. drugmakers are increasingly licensing molecules from China, signing 14 deals worth $18.3 billion through June, compared to just two last year. Notable transactions include Pfizer's $1.25 billion deal for a cancer drug from 3SBio and Regeneron's $80 million deal for an obesity drug from Hansoh Pharmaceuticals. Analysts predict this trend will continue as companies seek affordable, high-quality assets.
Jun 16, 2025
Pharmaceutical Companies' Hidden Strategy to Maintain High Medication Prices - The Lever
A new report reveals that pharmaceutical companies exploit the drug patent system to maintain high prices for essential medications, including blockbuster weight-loss drugs. By filing numerous patents for minor modifications, they delay generic competition and boost profits. Tahir Amin, CEO of Initiative for Medicines, Access & Knowledge, criticizes this practice as a corruption of the patent system.
Jun 16, 2025
U.S. pharmaceutical companies invest heavily in China to acquire promising blockbuster medications - The Japan Times
U.S. drugmakers are increasingly licensing molecules from China, signing 14 deals worth $18.3 billion through June, compared to just two last year, according to GlobalData. This trend aims to replenish pipelines as $200 billion in medicines face patent expirations by the decade's end, with upfront payments starting at $80 million.
Jun 16, 2025
US pharmaceutical companies invest heavily in China to acquire promising blockbuster medications - Yahoo Finance
U.S. drugmakers are increasingly licensing molecules from China, signing 14 deals worth $18.3 billion through June, compared to just two last year. This trend aims to replenish pipelines as $200 billion in medicines face patent expirations. Analysts note that Chinese companies are producing high-quality, affordable assets, particularly in areas like obesity, heart disease, and cancer treatments.
Jun 15, 2025
Is there a more effective method for creating new medications? - Cosmos Magazine
Johnson & Johnson has dropped its patents for bedaquiline, a tuberculosis drug, allowing generic versions to be produced in 134 low- and middle-income countries. This decision follows a campaign for affordable access, enabling prices to potentially drop from $67 to $8 per patient per month. The move highlights ongoing debates about drug pricing and public health priorities in the pharmaceutical industry.
Jun 15, 2025
Increasing Availability of Biosimilars and Generic Drugs May Reduce Patient Medication Expenses
A recent analysis suggests that expanding access to biosimilars and generics could significantly lower medication costs for patients. The report emphasizes the need for policy changes to improve transparency and accessibility in pharmaceutical markets, enabling patients to make informed choices and potentially alleviating financial burdens associated with high drug prices.
Jun 15, 2025
U.S. Universities Accounted for 87% of Academic Patents Backing the FDA ... - GeneOnline
A recent analysis reveals that American universities contributed 87% of academic patents supporting FDA-approved drugs from 2020 to 2024. These institutions were responsible for key discoveries underpinning half of all medications approved by the FDA, highlighting their significant role in pharmaceutical innovation. The findings emphasize the impact of academic research on advancing medical treatments.
Jun 15, 2025
Merck Receives FDA Authorization for Keytruda to Expand Treatment Options for Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Merck's Keytruda has received FDA approval for treating adult patients with resectable locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) expressing PD-L1. This approval is based on a trial showing a 30% reduction in disease recurrence risk. Keytruda generated $7.205 billion in sales in Q1 2025, despite MRK stock declining 17% this year.
