STAT News – Biotech
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Merck acquisition, the rise of former Loxo execs at Lilly, and more
Hi there, and happy Wednesday from STAT’s London bureau, with Andrew Joseph here tag-teaming today’s edition with Mr. Pharmalot. We’re in the midst of those confusing weeks when the U.S. has changed clocks but we here in the U.K. have yet to (it’s our turn this weekend). And while we have to keep double-checking our time differences, one thing that remains apace is the headlines. …
Merck intends to buy Terns Pharmaceuticals, the developer of a promising leukemia treatment, for $6.7 billion, STAT brings us. The deal values Terns at $53 per share, or a 6% premium to its Tuesday closing price. Terns’ stock price increased six-fold over the past six months, based on the blockbuster potential of its leukemia drug, called TERN-701. For Merck, acquiring Terns deepens its cancer drug pipeline as the pharma giant prepares to lose patent protection and revenue from its blockbuster cancer immunotherapy drug Keytruda.
Eli Lilly acquired the biotech Loxo Oncology in 2019, and since then, Loxo’s executives have become key players in the pharma company’s leadership team, STAT highlights. Jacob Van Naarden, who was Loxo’s chief operating officer, now not only now runs all of Lilly’s oncology efforts, both research and development as well as sales and marketing, but as of 2025 served as Lilly’s head of business development, overseeing all dealmaking for a company that now claims the highest stock market value in the pharmaceutical industry. Other top players include Nisha Nanda, who runs Lilly’s Catalyze360 effort, and David Hyman, Lilly’s chief medical officer.
WASHINGTON — Food and Drug Administration officials briefed senators on the agency’s plans for food policy for 2026, according to a person familiar with the meeting.
The agency plans to focus on infant formula safety, updating food labels, defining ultra-processed foods, expanding inspections of food processing plants, and bolstering seafood safety programs, according to a document shared with lawmakers, obtained by STAT.
The meeting comes amid a shift in the administration’s health agenda toward food issues and away from vaccine policy. In recent polls, food reforms have been more popular than the vaccine agenda, catching the attention of administration officials looking to sharpen their message for the midterms.
STAT News – Biotech
STAT+: In private meetings, White House works to win pharma companies’ support for drug pricing bill
WASHINGTON — The White House has drafted legislative text for its drug pricing policy, and officials are in the process of sharing it with more than a dozen major pharmaceutical companies, according to people familiar with the meetings.
The legislative text, according to a White House official, closely follows the outlines of the voluntary deals the administration made with pharma companies. The draft includes a policy that would allow drugs purchased in cash to count toward a patient’s deductible.
The Trump administration’s push for drug price legislation is part of a larger effort to get health reforms signed into law. The president’s focus on his affordability agenda in an election year has heightened the profile of the effort.
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The NIH’s foreign subaward crackdown is scrambling global collaborations, while China’s rapid ascent is reshaping drug development. Meanwhile, Wave Life Sciences sheds half its value on underwhelming obesity results.
Also, breaking: I’m adopting a rogue backyard tortoise and will name it Philbert.
Illinois’ financial crisis could bring the state to a halt
The final 6 ‘Game of Thrones’ episodes might feel like a full season
New Season 8 Walking Dead trailer flashes forward in time
Mod turns ‘Counter-Strike’ into a ‘Tekken’ clone with fighting chickens
Meet Superman’s grandfather in new trailer for Krypton
Disney’s live-action Aladdin finally finds its stars
Gilead Swallows Another Partner, Paying up to $5B for ADC Specialist Tubulis
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about FDA backing domestic production, another Gilead deal, and more
FDA Seeks Expanded Authority To Regulate Postapproval Manufacturing Changes
Sanofi Bispecific Scores in Asthma, Rhinosinusitis, but Eczema Bet Doesn’t Pay Off
STAT+: Gilead to buy cancer biotech Tubulis for more than $3 billion
Gilead continues dealmaking streak with $3.15B Tubulis buy for ADCs
Illinois’ financial crisis could bring the state to a halt
The final 6 ‘Game of Thrones’ episodes might feel like a full season
New Season 8 Walking Dead trailer flashes forward in time
Mod turns ‘Counter-Strike’ into a ‘Tekken’ clone with fighting chickens
Meet Superman’s grandfather in new trailer for Krypton
Disney’s live-action Aladdin finally finds its stars
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