FDA OKs first blood test to aid Alzheimer’s diagnosis

The FDA cleared the test for early detection of amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s in people aged 55 years and older with signs and symptoms of the disease.

By Nick Paul Taylor • May 19, 2025

Andrew Witty steps down as UnitedHealth CEO

Witty’s departure was unexpected, but follows a downturn in the healthcare company’s financial outlook. He will be replaced by Stephen Hemsley, chair of UnitedHealth’s board.

By Rebecca Pifer • May 13, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

Commercialization

New drugs for obesity and Alzheimer’s look set to become blockbusters, reshaping pharma marketing strategies just as many current top-sellers near looming patent cliffs.

By BioPharma Dive staff

Medicaid cuts could have ‘drastic impact’ on providers

Some providers may need to reduce services, lay off staff or close their doors if Congress enacts major cuts to the safety-net insurance program, experts say.

By Emily Olsen • May 9, 2025

Amgen’s Stelara biosimilar gets off to fast start

Sales of the company’s copycat to J&J’s blockbuster reached $150 million in the first quarter, adding to a surge in revenue for Amgen's biosimilar business.

By Jonathan Gardner • May 2, 2025

CVS strikes Wegovy deal with Novo Nordisk

The deal could expand access to its in-demand obesity drug at the expense of Eli Lilly, whose shares fell by double digits on Thursday.

By Rebecca Pifer • May 1, 2025

Madrigal’s MASH drug sales again top Wall Street projections

Rezdiffra sales reached $137 million for the quarter, beating consensus analyst estimates by more than $20 million and continuing a faster-than-expected drug launch.

By Kristin Jensen • May 1, 2025

BridgeBio sales of new heart drug outstrip expectations

In its first full quarter, Attruby made more headway than analysts anticipated in its competition with Pfizer’s market-leading drug.

By Kristin Jensen • April 30, 2025

Novo partners with telehealth companies in move to expand Wegovy market

Deals with Hims & Hers, LifeMD and Ro follow dismissal of a lawsuit that challenged the FDA's determination Wegovy is no longer in shortage.

By Jonathan Gardner • April 29, 2025

Biohaven stock slides on withdrawal of European marketing application

Currently under review in the U.S. for a rare genetic disorder, the drug is seen by some investors as critical to Biohaven’s future. Shares bounced back somewhat on Monday. 

By Jacob Bell • April 25, 2025

Bristol Myers says schizophrenia drug launch ‘off to a solid start’

Net sales of Cobenfy, whose success is imperative for Bristol Myers, totaled $27 million in the first quarter, handily beating Wall Street expectations.

By Jacob Bell • April 24, 2025

Trump rejects Biden-era plan to let Medicare cover obesity drugs

The decision is a setback for GLP-1 drugmakers, though it's not entirely surprising given the Trump administration’s focus on curbing federal spending.

By Rebecca Pifer • April 7, 2025

Oz confirmed by Senate to lead CMS

Mehmet Oz, a physician and TV personality, takes office as HHS lays off thousands of staffers and Republicans float potential cuts to Medicaid.

By Emily Olsen • April 3, 2025

FDA approves first-of-its-kind RNA drug for hemophilia

The Sanofi drug, known as fitusiran and now Qfitlia, was approved on Friday for a broad group of people with the rare bleeding disorder.

By Jacob Bell • March 28, 2025

Lilly hits same Alzheimer’s roadblock in Europe as Eisai, Biogen

Key regulators are not recommending Lilly’s Kisunla be cleared for the European market. The company says it plans to appeal the verdict, a strategy successfully employed by Eisai.

By Jacob Bell • March 28, 2025

Delayed CDC meeting on vaccines is rescheduled to April

A panel of CDC advisers, who had been set to meet in February, will discuss the current measles outbreak as well as guidelines for several types of shots.

By Delilah Alvarado • March 21, 2025

Optum Rx is reforming how it pays pharmacies

The PBM is pivoting to a cost-based reimbursement model, which it says will reduce variation in how pharmacies are paid. Pharmacy groups say that depends on the specifics of Optum Rx’s plan.

By Rebecca Pifer • March 21, 2025

Alnylam prices heart drug at premium to rivals

Initially, Amvuttra’s annual list price will be nearly double the yearly cost of rival medicines from Pfizer and BridgeBio. But executives argue its “compelling and highly differentiated value” justify the higher charge.

By Ben Fidler • March 21, 2025

Optum Rx says it will eliminate some prior authorization requirements

The PBM plans to stop requiring coverage reauthorization for about 80 drugs, including Vertex’s cystic fibrosis medicines and many MS treatments.

By Rebecca Pifer • March 19, 2025

Healthcare tackles AI oversight with no aid from Trump administration

The president’s deregulatory agenda will mean more responsibility rests on healthcare stakeholders to get artificial intelligence right.

By Rebecca Pifer • March 10, 2025

Walgreens to be acquired in $10B take-private deal

The struggling retail pharmacy chain entered an agreement to be purchased by private equity firm Sycamore Partners, which could end its nearly 100-year run as a public company.

By Emily Olsen • March 7, 2025

Vertex’s new pain drug gets first coverage nod from major insurer

Optum Rx, the pharmacy benefit manager owned by UnitedHealth Group, placed Journavx on some of its commercial formularies in an interim decision while a formal review continues.

By Jacob Bell • March 6, 2025

Leqembi, after delay, gets back on track toward EU approval

European regulators “reaffirmed” a positive view of Eisai and Biogen’s Alzheimer’s drug after conducting a new safety review.

By Jonathan Gardner • Feb. 28, 2025

Drug compounders sue FDA over declaration ending Wegovy shortage

Telehealth provider Hims & Hers said it will tell consumers they need to seek “alternative options on the commercial dosing,” but in earnings Monday still forecast higher revenue and profits in 2025.

By Jonathan Gardner • Feb. 25, 2025

FTC case against PBMs can move forward, judge rules

A Missouri district court judge said stopping the FTC’s suit against Caremark, Express Scripts and Optum Rx would be “against the public’s interest.”

By Rebecca Pifer • Feb. 20, 2025

BridgeBio’s heart drug launch gets off to a fast start

Prescription totals for Attruby, which is locked in a closely watched commercial battle with Pfizer’s tafamidis, have more than doubled since January and outpaced investor expectations.

By Ben Fidler • Feb. 20, 2025