French pharma giant navigating vaccines and biotech bets
The NHS in England and Wales has approved teplizumab, the first drug that can delay onset of type 1 diabetes. The immunotherapy offers up to three extra years before symptoms require lifelong insulin, with rollout backed by NICE and a commercial deal with Sanofi.
The FDA has approved Lipfendra, Merck’s oral PCSK9 inhibitor, to lower LDL cholesterol in patients on statins. Trials show ~55-60% LDL reductions; the pill will be sold at about $315/month and must be taken on an empty stomach. Analysts see potential peak sales in the billions as injectable rivals face competition and access barriers.
Companies like Kalshi are expanding prediction markets to biotech trials, linking drug trial outcomes to tradable contracts. Bloomberg and The Guardian report Kalshi’s pilot, its safeguards, and regulatory concerns, as markets push for open data on trial probabilities amid regulatory decisions.
Moderna has won FDA approval for its mRNA flu vaccine mFlusiva for adults 50–64 and accelerated approval for those 65 and older. The decision follows a contentious review earlier this year, a unanimous advisory panel recommendation in June and political disputes inside US health agencies over mRNA vaccines. Retail availability is expected in coming weeks.
President Trump has signed an executive order directing federal health officials to cut the federal recommended childhood vaccine list, to split the combined MMR vaccine into separate measles, mumps and rubella doses once single‑disease products are available, and to space routine immunisations across separate medical visits. Public health groups and drugmakers have said the changes lack scientific support and will increase missed vaccinations during a major U.S. measles outbreak.
Major U.S. medical societies have published coordinated guidance for flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccinations after the FDA approved updated COVID and flu shots. The American Medical Association and partner groups have compiled evidence and tailored recommendations for age and risk groups while the CDC advisory process remains delayed by political and legal disputes. Enhanced and mRNA flu options are available for older adults.
This week has seen several medical research and regulatory developments: a mid‑stage trial has reported that Insilico Medicine's experimental drug rentosertib altered blood‑protein patterns that aging clocks read as three to four years younger; Stanford teams have published studies implanting human cortical organoids into mice and showing separate developmental origins for hindbrain neurons; and US regulators have named permanent directors for three FDA centers, stabilising leadership after months of upheaval.
Arm Holdings chief executive Rene Haas says AI could one day help cure cancer, but the path is constrained by chip shortages and a demand surge for AI data centres. Multiple outlets report Haas’s remarks, framing a broaderAI-driven push in healthcare and manufacturing, while flagging supply constraints and broader market excitement.
Flu vaccines are underway and updated COVID-19 shots are arriving nationwide after FDA approval. RSV remains a threat, prompting guidance from medical societies as Trump health officials rethink autumn vaccine policies. An advisory panel remains in a legal dispute, while doctors push clear, science-based guidance. Older adults and high-risk groups are urged to vaccinate, with a new mRNA flu shot showing improved effectiveness.