Eli Lilly’s earnings, shares lifted by obesity drug sales

The drugmaker’s financial forecasts topped Wall Street’s expectations, reassuring investors after it overestimated demand for its weight loss medicines in January.

By Kristin Jensen • Feb. 6, 2025

Bristol Myers gives first peek at closely watched launch of schizophrenia drug

Cobenfy, the main asset acquired through Bristol Myers’ $14 billion purchase of Karuna, had $10 million in sales in the fourth quarter and around 1,000 prescriptions weekly by late January.

By Jacob Bell • Feb. 6, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from BioPharma Dive

Looming patent expiries this decade and intensifying competition from China are forcing drugmakers to adapt, while new opportunities open up in oncology and in neuroscience.

By BioPharma Dive staff

Pfizer taps former Novartis exec to lead cancer drug push

The pharmaceutical giant named Jeffrey Legos the head of a division it is counting on to overcome investor pressure and grow sales in the years ahead. 

By Ben Fidler • Feb. 6, 2025

GSK, Pfizer sales of RSV shots slow as vaccination rates ebb

Revenue for Arexvy and Abrysvo fell sharply year over year in the fourth quarter due to narrower U.S. guidelines for their use.

By Delilah Alvarado • Feb. 5, 2025

Novo outlines new late-stage study of obesity drug CagriSema

CagriSema, which underperformed expectations in its first Phase 3 test, will be studied at different doses and for longer duration in the new trial.

By Jonathan Gardner • Feb. 5, 2025

Amgen obesity drug on hold; Regeneron sets first dividend

Elsewhere, cell therapy developer Turnstone Biologics announced a second round of layoffs and plans to explore “strategic alternatives.”  

By Ned Pagliarulo • Feb. 5, 2025

Merck shares tumble as company pauses Gardasil shipments to China

Executives pulled back on a 2030 sales target of $11 billion as demand for the HPV shot shrinks amid China market turmoil.

By Jonathan Gardner • Feb. 4, 2025

Pfizer drug acquired in $11B buyout confirms benefit in colon cancer

The results could sway U.S. regulators to convert Braftovi’s accelerated clearance in colorectal tumors into a full approval — boosting an oncology portfolio Pfizer is looking to for revenue growth.

By Jonathan Gardner • Feb. 3, 2025

Novartis sets ‘ambitious’ target; Skyrizi, Rinvoq sales climb

Novartis issued stronger guidance than Wall Street expected. Elsewhere, Eisai and Biogen’s Alzheimer’s drug will get a closer look in Europe and Daiichi Sankyo is switching CEOs.

By BioPharma Dive staff • Jan. 31, 2025

Christophe Weber, veteran Takeda CEO, to retire next year

Julie Kim, currently Takeda’s U.S. head, will replace Weber in June 2026 and become one of the few female CEOs of a top drugmaker.

By Kristin Jensen • Jan. 30, 2025

Trump administration affirms drug price talks, but will seek input to ‘improve’ program

Democrats sought answers from RFK Jr. on how the Trump administration would handle Medicare price negotiations after a short CMS statement didn’t clear things up.

By Jonathan Gardner • Updated Jan. 30, 2025

FDA clears use of Ozempic to protect kidney health

The approval adds a new indication for GLP-1 drugs and gives Novo an advantage over Lilly’s rival diabetes drug Mounjaro, which hasn’t yet proven it can improve outcomes in kidney disease. 

By Kristin Jensen • Jan. 29, 2025

BioAge drops obesity drug; Akero, 89bio cash in on MASH data

BioAge scrapped the drug at the center of its $198 million initial public offering last year. Elsewhere, Akero and 89bio raised $600 million combined and Allakos laid off staff. 

By BioPharma Dive staff • Jan. 29, 2025

FDA clears monthly dosing of Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi

The approval is the first to come from the FDA since the Trump administration paused external communication by health agencies last week.

By Delilah Alvarado • Jan. 27, 2025

Muscle-building drug improves body composition in obesity trial, Veru says

Shares in Veru fell by nearly half following the news, despite positive results in preserving lean muscle mass.

By Jonathan Gardner • Jan. 27, 2025

Retail pharmacies: Biopharma’s bridge to better patient experiences and outcomes

Pharmacies play a key role in improving drug development and patient care, offering insights, clinical trial support and personalized patient programs.

Jan. 27, 2025

Novo shares climb on early data for dual-acting obesity drug

An experimental drug called amycretin showed signs it could be more potent than Eli Lilly’s rival Zepbound, though analysts cautioned certain aspects of the study may have inflated its performance. 

By Jonathan Gardner • Jan. 24, 2025

The biopharma industry outlook on 2025: Uncertainty and change

The Trump administration is bringing new instability to a sector already grappling with a shaky market as well as threats like competition from China.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Jan. 24, 2025

Mixed results for Keytruda; AbbVie to work with Neomorph

Merck and Eisai reported new data for a drug regimen of Keytruda and Lenvima. Elsewhere, AstraZeneca expanded in Canada and the FDA delayed a decision on Stealth’s Barth treatment.

By BioPharma Dive staff • Jan. 24, 2025

Senate sets date to vet RFK Jr.’s nomination to lead HHS

The Senate Finance Committee will meet on Jan. 29 to discuss the confirmation of RFK Jr., whose stances on vaccines and abortion have raised questions from Democrats and Republicans alike.  

By Kristin Jensen • Jan. 23, 2025

J&J joins Pfizer in detailing impact of Part D redesign

The pharma expects a modest financial headwind this year from changes to Medicare prescription drug benefits under the Inflation Reduction Act.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Jan. 22, 2025

J&J oncology sales grow, but shares slide on outlook

CEO Joaquin Duato said the company is positioned for sustained growth in coming years, due in good part to drugs like Darzalex and Carvykti. 

By Kristin Jensen • Jan. 22, 2025

Intellia makes progress on HAE study; 2 more China drug deals

The biotech said it has dosed the first participant in a Phase 3 study of its in vivo gene editing treatment. Elsewhere, the FDA imposed a hold on Atara and lifted another on Amylyx.

By BioPharma Dive staff • Jan. 22, 2025

AstraZeneca, Daiichi’s Enhertu successor gets first FDA OK in breast cancer

The clearance of Datroway comes months after the companies narrowed approval plans in lung cancer and opens up a market opportunity analysts estimate to be worth about $500 million annually. 

By Jonathan Gardner • Jan. 21, 2025

What will 2025 hold for biopharma?

What does 2025 hold for pharma? Find out the top drugs, companies and therapy areas for the year ahead.

Jan. 21, 2025