FDA lays out new path to speed development of multiple myeloma drugs

In certain cases, regulators will now be open to clearing therapies based on their ability to eliminate tumor cells, a change that could accelerate cell therapies and other new medicines. 

J&J eyes $100B in sales amid gains for cancer, immune drugs

Amid patent expirations, litigation and tariff costs, J&J says it expects more growth ahead, fueled in part by its blood cancer medicines and a closely watched psoriasis pill.

Bristol Myers buys into Janux’s ‘masked’ T cell engagers

Worth up to $850 million, the partnership provides “further validation” for Janux at a time of heightened investor scrutiny regarding the potential of its top drug, one analyst wrote. 

Corvus shares nearly triple on positive data for eczema pill

While early, the results indicate drugs known as ITK inhibitors have the potential to match or surpass the efficacy observed with the injectable biologic Dupixent.

Kailera’s Ron Renaud on how a China-linked startup can compete in obesity

In an interview with BioPharma Dive, the veteran biotech CEO said there remains a “significant opportunity” for young companies in a market dominated by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.

GSK to buy Rapt in $2.2B deal for food allergy drug

The deal is the first for new CEO Luke Miels as the British drugmaker looks to overcome pressure on its HIV and vaccines businesses.

Moderna cancer vaccine holds up; IO Biotech considers a sale

Long-term data suggest Moderna’s personalized melanoma shot provides “durable tumor control,” one analyst said. Elsewhere, Insilico Medicine partnered with a startup on a popular drug target.

Biotech M&A is accelerating. Track the deals that are happening here.

The roughly $30 billion deal Merck had been discussing with Revolution Medicines before talks reportedly fell apart would’ve ranked as the largest drug company acquisition since Pfizer’s buyout of Seagen.

Updated Jan. 26, 2026

Valneva to withdraw Chikungunya vaccine from US amid safety woes

The decision comes months after the FDA had suspended the vaccine’s license. One analyst speculated the company might shelve the product altogether. 

JPM26: Paying cash for obesity drugs, renewed IPO optimism and pharma’s cell therapy view

Drugmaker CEOs see online sales channels as a budding opportunity, while some biotech investors told BioPharma Dive to expect a rebound in new stock offerings. 

JPM26: Biotech’s M&A lift, the ‘new’ Biogen and Merck’s $70B target

Venture investors are adopting a more aggressive mindset heading into 2026, while Merck, Moderna and Summit are all approaching crucial trial readouts.

JPM26: US biotech’s ‘Sputnik moment,’ Pfizer’s obesity ambitions and Bristol Myers’ big year

Four recent deals fueled more angst about China’s biotech progress, while Pfizer, Bristol Myers and Sarepta all worked to appease jittery investors. 

Wegovy pill off to a fast start; Ex-Emergent CEO sued for insider trading

More than 3,000 prescriptions were written for Novo’s GLP-1 pill in its first week on the market. Elsewhere, Emergent reached a settlement over a trading scandal and Sanofi is reportedly circling an eye drug biotech.

Tecvayli tops standard drugs in early multiple myeloma, J&J says

The results build on evidence U.S. regulators found so compelling last year they proactively awarded J&J a new kind of drug review voucher. 

Trump unveils healthcare affordability plan

The “Great Healthcare Plan” is vague, but would send money directly to ACA enrollees and entrench the pricing deals the administration has cut with more than a dozen drugmakers.

Biotech startups are built on venture capital. Track funding rounds here.

Corxel’s $287 million round ranks as the second-largest this month involving firms tracked by BioPharma Dive, trailing only Parabilis Medicines’ $305 million haul.

Updated Jan. 23, 2026

Lilly, chasing Novo, expects second-quarter FDA decision on obesity pill

Speaking at the J.P. Morgan conference, CEO David Ricks said he anticipates a “rapid review” for orforglipron that's currently speeding along “at pace.” 

Oxford Biomedica confirms takeover talks with biotech investor EQT

Oxford, major contract manufacturer to cell and gene therapy companies, has already rejected multiple, unsolicited take-private bids from EQT that it felt “undervalued” the company and its prospects.

Boston Scientific to acquire Penumbra for $14.5B

With the planned purchase, Boston Scientific will gain a portfolio of devices to remove clots from blood vessels.

Caldera starts up with $112.5M and a dual-targeting immune drug from China

The biotech is advancing a bispecific medicine aimed at two popular targets and being billed as a potential therapeutic advance for inflammatory bowel disease.

AbbVie pledges $100B to US production in drug pricing deal with Trump

As with the many other “most-favored-nation” deals between the White House and large pharmas, the agreement is short on details as well as its potential financial impact.

Eikon, a high-profile startup led by Merck vets, seeks an IPO

Run by Roger Perlmutter and backed by more than $1 billion in private funding, Eikon will use the IPO proceeds to advance a group of experimental cancer drugs. 

Digital health funding increases in 2025, spurred by AI: report

Startups raised $14.2 billion last year, the highest funding total since 2022. Health AI companies collected 54% of total funding, according to Rock Health.

5 FDA decisions to watch in the first quarter of 2026

By the end of March, the agency could approve multiple “national priority” voucher winners, as well as a gene therapy it rejected two years ago.

What Sanofi’s multiple sclerosis troubles could mean for the space

Regulatory and clinical roadblocks have set back its oral BTK inhibitor tolebrutinib, but the drug class still has many opportunities to make an impact.