Three decades of trial-and-error, and the resulting safety data, in the oligonucleotide-based therapeutic space have paved way for the present-day innovations and the promise of “programmable,” precision medicine for patients, speakers at Bio Korea 2026 said April 28.

Now that the FDA is on board with doing away with the U.S.’ unique two-tier biosimilar pathway, the biosimilar industry is urging Congress to pass the bipartisan Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act, which would recognize that biosimilars and interchangeables are one and the same.

BioWorld tracked 209 clinical trial readouts across phases I through III in March 2026, up from 152 in February and 144 in January. Among late-stage programs, 26 phase III trials reported positive results, two produced mixed results, and three failed to meet key endpoints. By phase, March updates included 62 from phase I, 74 from phase II and 73 phase III.

A flurry of deals focused on the neurological disease space in 2026 suggest large biopharma companies are searching for the next best therapeutics for everything from epilepsy and narcolepsy to post-traumatic stress disorder and hyperphagia.

Biopharma deal value reached $79.22 billion in the first quarter (Q1) 2026, marking a strong start to the year and an increase of about 17% from $67.6 billion in Q1 2025 and similar to $78.93 billion in Q4 2025. The total is the highest first-quarter tally in recent years, and the highest quarter since Q4 2025 brought $80.65 billion.

Shares in Aussie hearing implant maker Cochlear Ltd. plummeted nearly 39% April 22 after the company slashed fiscal 2026 earnings guidance and warned that weaker-than-expected demand in developed markets was exposing a more cyclical and discretionary side to its business than investors had assumed.

The U.S. FDA and CMS are teaming up to give Medicare beneficiaries quicker access to breakthrough medical devices and provide manufacturers with certainty of reimbursement.