Global Scans · Pharmaceuticals · Weekly Summary

• [New] Looking ahead to 2026, PhaseV plans to deepen its work with global sponsors and expand its vertical AI platform to further accelerate drug pipelines, optimize study design and site selection, and improve patient outcomes across diverse therapeutic areas. Cision PR Newswire
• [New] The 2025 Nobel Prize in medicine honored advances in regulatory T cell (Treg) therapy, and the first Treg-based therapy could be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for blood cancers as early as in 2025. Scientific American
• [New] ACO LEAD will include incentives for Medicare beneficiaries to participate, including through cost-sharing for outpatient services and, by 2029, the option to buy down their Medicare prescription drug premiums. Healthcare Dive
• [New] The regulatory filing in the EU seeks approval for a 7.2 mg dose of the drug, which Novo Nordisk claims provides an option for greater weight loss potential than what is currently being offered by the available doses (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg). Yahoo Finance
• [New] Novo's patents on semaglutide are set to start expiring in 2026, and biosimilar producers are gearing up to compete, which will inevitably lead to a drop in prices. Chemistry World
• [New] The Trump administration will direct the Food and Drug Administration to send warning letters to 12 manufacturers and retailers they say are conducting illegal marketing of breast binders to children. Healthcare Dive
• [New] Forthcoming guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will shape the compliance landscape quickly. JD Supra
• [New] The first cohort of 10 negotiated drug prices will take effect in 2026, projected to save beneficiaries $1.5 billion in annual out-of-pocket expenses, setting a precedent for expanded affordability across Part D plans. Total RX
• [New] The U.K. government's drug rebate tax will fall to 14.5% for new drugs in 2026 - down from nearly 23%. MM+M - Medical Marketing and Media
• [New] Recruitment will begin by midyear 2026, subject to the completion of clinical-grade drug manufacturing and regulatory approvals. GlobeNewswire
• [New] By technology platform, the AI-driven drug discovery tools segment is set to grow at a notable CAGR between 2026 and 2035. Precedence Research
• [New] A major drug price deal between the U.S. and U.K. governments could be finalized as early as this week. MM+M - Medical Marketing and Media
• [New] Drug resistance threatens progress made over the last two decades and could reverse gains toward ending AIDS and controlling hepatitis and STIs as public health threats. Contagion Live
• [New] WHO leaders emphasize that the next five years will be critical for strengthening prevention coverage, improving retention in care, and scaling systems capable of detecting and responding to emerging drug resistance. Contagion Live
• [New] The federal government has announced the results of the latest round of Medicare drug price negotiations: 15 lower drug prices for Medicare to go into effect in 2027. NPR
• [New] Researchers are studying an oral version of semaglutide along with another experimental GLP-1 drug, orforglipron, for weight loss - with expectations for FDA approval in 2026. Oprah Daily
• Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk will launch its blockbuster diabetes drug Ozempic in India this month, three sources familiar with the matter said, as it seeks to strengthen its foothold in the world's most populous nation. Economic Times
• Two novel peptides derived from Protagonist's proprietary discovery platform are currently in advanced Phase 3 clinical development, with New Drug Application for icotrokinra submitted to the FDA in July and in the NDA submission for rusfertide expected by end of 2025. financialpost

Last updated: 23 December 2025