Novo Nordisk Launches Oral Wegovy®, Marked as First-Ever GLP-1 Weight Loss Pill Available in the U.S.

Wegovy pill

Novo Nordisk has officially launched the Wegovy® pill, the first-ever oral GLP-1 medication for weight management in adults. Following FDA approval in late 2025, this once-daily pill offers a needle-free alternative to injections, demonstrating an average weight loss of up to 17% in clinical trials. With tiered pricing starting at $149 per month for self-pay patients, oral Wegovy is now available through major U.S. pharmacies and select telehealth platforms.

Johnson & Johnson Completes $3.05 Billion Acquisition of Halda Therapeutics to Advance Next-Gen Cancer Care

JohnsonAndJohnson

Johnson & Johnson has finalized a landmark $3.05 billion acquisition of Halda Therapeutics, integrating the clinical-stage biotech’s proprietary RIPTAC™ platform. This strategic move adds HLD-0915—a next-generation oral therapy for prostate cancer to J&J’s portfolio, signaling a major shift toward precision, “cell-killing” mechanisms designed to overcome traditional treatment resistance.

Eli Lilly Cuts Zepbound Prices for Self-Pay Patients Following White House Deal

Eli Lilly and Company

In a major move to improve affordability and counter the compounded drug market, Eli Lilly has cut the monthly cost of Zepbound to $299 for the starter dose. Available exclusively through LillyDirect, these new single-dose vials offer a significant discount for patients without insurance coverage. Read the full details on the new pricing structure and how it impacts the weight-loss drug market.

Merck Supercharges Global R&D with Launch of Sustainable High-Performance Computer in Munich

merck group news

Merck has successfully launched a new, energy-efficient high-performance computer in Munich to accelerate research across its three sectors. Developed with Lenovo ThinkSystem servers featuring Neptune liquid cooling and hosted in an Equinix AI-ready data center, the hybrid cloud system enhances drug discovery, product development, and materials science while supporting Merck’s sustainability goals.

Merck to Acquire Cidara Therapeutics for $9.2 Billion, Gaining Late-Stage Antiviral Agent CD388

Merck MSD

Merck has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Cidara Therapeutics for approximately $9.2 billion in an all-cash deal. The strategic acquisition centers on Cidara’s lead candidate, CD388, a potentially first-in-class, long-acting antiviral designed for the universal prevention of influenza A and B, which is currently in Phase 3 trials. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.

Merck Group Q3 2025: Strong Organic Growth Across All Sectors

merck group news

Merck delivered solid Q3 2025 results, achieving 5.2% organic growth that successfully offset significant currency headwinds. This resilience was seen across all three business sectors, driven by strong demand for Process Solutions in Life Science, the new Rare Diseases franchise in Healthcare, and AI-driven demand for Semiconductor Solutions.

AstraZeneca Posts Strong Q3 Results, Citing 11% Revenue Growth in 2025 Driven by Oncology and Pipeline Success

AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca has reported strong Q3 2025 results, driven by an 11% increase in Total Revenue for the first nine months of the year. The company’s success is fueled by a 16% growth in Oncology and significant advancements in its R&D pipeline, which has seen 16 positive Phase III trials year-to-date. AstraZeneca also reiterated its full-year guidance and highlighted strategic investments, including a new $4.5 billion manufacturing facility in the US.

Amgen Q3 Revenue Jumps 12% to $9.6 Billion, Driven by Strong Volume Growth

amgen

Amgen announced strong third-quarter 2025 financial results, with total revenues increasing 12% to $9.6 billion, driven by a 14% surge in product sales volume. While GAAP EPS rose 14% to $5.93, non-GAAP EPS saw a modest 1% increase due to a 31% jump in R&D spending to advance its late-stage pipeline, including the obesity drug MariTide.