Sanofi, a French drugmaker, is in talks to sell a 50% stake in its consumer health business, Opella, for $16 billion to a U.S. private equity firm. Camp4 Therapeutics raised $75 million in an IPO, while Genentech won FDA approval for a breast cancer drug.
There is a growing conflict between Eli Lilly and compounding pharmacies over the production of off-brand versions of Lilly’s popular drugs. The FDA recently put an end to drug shortages, but patients still struggle to afford the expensive branded medications.
An FDA advisory panel recommended the approval of a drug for Barth Syndrome, a rare mitochondrial disease. However, concerns were raised about the drug’s efficacy data during the meeting.
Senator Elizabeth Warren is calling for an FTC investigation into Novo Nordisk’s acquisition of Catalent, citing concerns about unfair competition. The Denali-Sanofi partnership, focusing on a promising target called RIPK1, has faced setbacks in clinical trials for ALS and multiple sclerosis.
A study found that nearly 60% of medical journal reviewers received significant payments from industry, raising concerns about conflicts of interest in peer review processes.
In other news, Sarepta’s gene therapy approval did not boost its stock, Pfizer discovered an activist investor’s plan through an accidental email, and Gritstone filed for bankruptcy to continue its research and development efforts.