Aurora sets out to capitalize on FDA’s new framework for bespoke drug therapies

Co-founded by Jennifer Doudna and Fyodor Urnov, the company intends to simultaneously develop many gene editing treatments for rare conditions by using the agency’s “plausible mechanism” pathway.

AbbVie buys into PD-1/VEGF sweepstakes; Alnylam and Vertex set expectations

AbbVie is paying $650 million for a dual-targeting immunotherapy from China’s RemeGen. Elsewhere, Alnylam missed an earnings target and the FDA flipped its position on a cell therapy from Atara.

Aktis raises $318M in 2026’s first biotech IPO

With partner Eli Lilly’s help, the radiopharmaceutical drugmaker priced one of the sector’s largest new stock offerings in the last two years.

Insmed’s ‘ginormous’ lung drug sales; J&J’s US pricing deal

Insmed’s Brinsupri blew past consensus estimates in its first full quarter on the market. Elsewhere, J&J inked pharma’s latest deal with the Trump administration and Madrigal licensed a Pfizer drug.

Alveus launches with $160M to advance MariTide-like obesity drug

The hefty funding will fuel Phase 2 testing of a drug with a similar mechanism to Amgen’s closely watched obesity drug, as well as an amylin-targeting weight loss medicine.

Lilly snaps up Ventyx for $1.2B in pursuit of oral immune drugs

The buyout is a bet by Lilly on an increasingly popular drug target known as NLRP3 inflammasomes, which are implicated in an array of conditions.

Updated Jan. 8, 2026

Parabilis, chasing ‘undruggable’ targets, nabs $305M amid VC funding blitz

The financing, which will back a novel type of cancer drug, is the largest of a series of startup fundings announced at the top of 2026.

Diagonal banks another $125M for ‘clustering’ antibody drugs

Backed by more than a dozen prominent investors, the startup is advancing into human testing a drug it believes capable of treating two disparate conditions, one of which is the target of Merck’s fast-selling Winrevair. 

GSK, Ionis claim study success for RNA-based hepatitis B drug

The companies didn’t provide details, but said global regulatory filings are now planned for the therapy, an oligonucleotide meant to provide “functional cures” for chronic hepatitis B infections.

EpiBiologics raises $107M for its protein-degrading cancer drug

The startup is developing a medicine that can very specifically degrade cancerous forms of EGFR, the target of several marketed therapies.

CDC, following Trump’s orders, weakens US stance on childhood vaccinations

In a drastic decision made outside of its typical review process, the agency declared it would recommend 11 childhood shots going forward, down from 17.

Updated Jan. 6, 2026

Arrowhead showcases early obesity data; Instil bails on PD-1/VEGF drug

Arrowhead’s RNA drugs could aid with “high-quality” weight loss, according to one analyst. Elsewhere, the PD-1/VEGF field got less crowded and Amgen and Lilly struck startup deals.

Alumis soars as TYK2 drug hits mark in psoriasis trials

Shares more than doubled in value after Phase 3 results suggested Alumis’ pill may compare favorably with other emerging oral options for psoriasis, among them drugs from Takeda and Johnson & Johnson.

Amgen buys protein-degrading startup Dark Blue for up to $840M

The deal hands Amgen a drug that destroys two proteins known to drive certain types of acute myeloid leukemia, a profile that could set it apart from current medications. 

Zenas shares crash after top drug misses expectations in immune disease study

While the company’s bispecific medication obexelimab met its objectives in a trial in IgG4-related disease, it didn’t appear to match the effectiveness of a recently approved Amgen drug.

Moderna, searching for a rebound, to seek approval of mRNA flu shot

The company submitted an application for a seasonal flu vaccine it believes to be a key growth driver in the years ahead. 

Novo launches Wegovy pill; Argenx to swap CEOs

Novo Nordisk officially began marketing the pill version of its popular weight loss drug. Elsewhere, Sanofi bought a vaccine maker and an eczema therapy J&J acquired in a billion-dollar deal failed a key test. 

Biopharma climbs higher as 9 drugmakers ink ‘pandering’ drug price deals with Trump

Analysts see little effect on the bottom lines of biopharma companies, as they stand to stave off tariff pressure and receive other benefits from the agreements.

Biopharma CEO optimism is wavering in the US

The overall leadership outlook was positive in a recent survey but varied between executives in the U.S. and those overseas.

Novo Nordisk’s weight loss pill approved by FDA

The clearance brings an oral form of Novo’s Wegovy to market ahead of Lilly’s rival medication and kicks off the next phase of an escalating battle for control of the obesity drug market. 

The top biopharma conferences in 2026

Medical meetings often feature important clinical trial results, making them barometers of biotech and pharma companies’ research progress. Here’s a list of conferences to watch next year.

Cytokinetics set to battle Bristol Myers as FDA approves heart drug

The clearance is the first in Cytokinetics’ lengthy history and pits its drug Myqorzo against Bristol Myers’ Camzyos, which is on its way to topping $1 billion in sales this year.

Radiopharmaceutical specialist Aktis seeks an IPO

The startup’s filing comes during a broader biotech recovery that’s made some industry watchers optimistic IPOs could rebound next year.

Lilly obesity pill, headed for quick FDA review, hits mark in ‘maintenance’ trial

Orforglipron helped keep weight down when used after initial therapy with an injectable, a new treatment strategy that could broaden its use in obesity. 

Trump to test ‘most favored nation’ pricing for Medicare; Shionogi pays $2.5B for ALS drug

Two pilot programs would tie Medicare costs and rebates in the U.S. to what’s paid in comparable countries. Elsewhere, AstraZeneca reported a setback and an “off the shelf” cell therapy showed promise.