Recent developments
Obesity and diabetes
Novo Nordisk began U.S. distribution of Ozempic tablets. Lilly Q1 2026 revenue rose 56%, alongside U.S. approval of Foundayo (oral GLP‑1). R&D updates included ECO 2026 presentations on semaglutide and CagriSema, Phase III SYNCHRONIZE‑1 for survodutide achieving significant weight loss, and PIONEER TEENS supporting adolescent oral semaglutide.
Immunology and retina
Genentech will deliver presentations at the ARVO Annual Meeting on Vabysmo, Susvimo and vamikibart. Enspryng reduced MOGAD relapse risk by 68%. Fenebrutinib halved relapse rates in RMS and met non‑inferiority in PPMS. Obinutuzumab’s sBLA for systemic lupus erythematosus was accepted, and nipocalimab received FDA Priority Review for wAIHA.
Manufacturing and capacity
An additional $300 million U.S. manufacturing investment from Amgen centered on Juncos. WuXi Biologics obtained MFDS GMP certification for end‑to‑end bispecific supply and advanced its Chengdu microbial commercial manufacturing site. Evonik expanded biotech drug‑substance capabilities in Slovakia and completed a specialty hydrogen peroxide plant in Leshan; Evonik and Higuchi opened an Open Pharma Lab in Yokohama.
Components and approvals
Guidance tightened on elastomeric closures for biosimilars, stressing platformed E&L and CCI. Aptar cited growing demand in GLP‑1 therapies. BASF commissioned world‑scale menthol and linalool at Ludwigshafen. FDA approved IDVYNSO for HIV switch therapy; CAPLYTA won a relapse‑prevention label and a network meta‑analysis favored lumateperone; CHMP backed Redemplo; bepirovirsen received FDA priority review and efimosfermin secured Breakthrough and PRIME.