Pharma

Recent developments

Oncology pipelines advance

FDA accepted subcutaneous Lunsumio VELO plus Polivy and granted Priority Review to Tecentriq plus chemotherapy for stage III dMMR/MSI‑H colon cancer. Trials reported benefits for TALVEY plus DARZALEX FASPRO in myeloma and Jaypirca plus venetoclax‑rituximab in CLL/SLL. Platforms expanded via the VENTANA PTEN (SP218) companion diagnostic, BTK degrader bexobrutideg, and acquisition of Firefly Bio.

Anti-infectives progress

Anti-infective options broadened with U.S. approval of the oral carbapenem Utebzi (tebipenem pivoxil) for cUTIs and non-inferior once-weekly islatravir/lenacapavir in Phase 3 switch studies. Regional manufacturing capacity advanced as Vacsera’s vaccine facility preparation was backed by EIB Global.

Autoimmune and hematology

Immunology and rare-disease programs progressed: zasocitinib outperformed deucravacitinib in psoriasis; the FDA accepted ENTYVIO IV for pediatric UC and Crohn’s; and maintenance dosing of EBGLYSS every eight weeks was approved. Hematology updates included Priority Review for IMAAVY (nipocalimab) in wAIHA, orphan status for momelotinib in VEXAS, and first-in-class data for AJ1‑11095, a type II JAK2 inhibitor.

Metabolic therapeutics surge

Metabolic portfolios accelerated across oral and incretin-based agents: the UK approved the Wegovy pill; Phase 3 data showed Lilly’s Foundayo (orforglipron) and CagriSema improved glycemia and weight; and novel combinations delivered benefits with survodutide and Lilly’s retatrutide. Novo Nordisk also reported Phase 2 zenagamtide (amycretin) results.

Supply chain and materials

Pharma inputs and manufacturing expanded: WACKER opened a specialty silicones site; Evonik won CPHI China Pharma Excipients Awards; Avanti Polar Lipids partnered with NovoArc to broaden lipid options; N‑Sorb patent was allowed for nitrosamine mitigation; WuXi Biologics topped out its Singapore DP facility; and Mitsui Chemicals moved to acquire Ultradent to build a dental materials platform.