Despite reporting strong fourth-quarter (Q4) organic sales growth of $5.29 billion, up 12.7% year-on-year, Boston Scientific Corp. saw its shares plunge more than 17% in early trading. Investors appeared disappointed by weaker U.S. sales in the electrophysiology and Watchman businesses, two of the company’s growth engines, and concern over the 2026 organic growth guidance provided by management of 10% to 11%, down from the 15.8% seen in 2025.
Reauthorization of the rare pediatric disease priority review voucher (PRV) was included in the spending package signed into law Feb. 3 by U.S. President Donald Trump, removing at least one aspect of uncertainty facing rare disease companies, many of which have relied on the PRV’s transferrable option as a lucrative source of funding.
Veradermics Inc. raised $256.3 million from an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange Feb. 4. The proceeds will fund three ongoing phase II/III clinical trials of VDPHL-01, its novel oral formulation of Rogaine (minoxidil) to treat pattern hair loss in men and women.
Amgen Inc.’s head of R&D James Bradner said his firm was “surprised” by the request from the U.S. FDA Jan. 16 to take Tavneos (avacopan) off the market – and the company said no. “We're in discussions with FDA, and we'll answer questions as we talk with them,” he added.
In a one-two-punch to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), the U.S. FTC announced Feb. 4 what it’s calling a “landmark settlement” with the Cigna Group’s Express Scripts Inc. and its affiliates that will require fundamental changes to the company’s business practices.
The U.S. FDA released the latest version of its premarket cybersecurity guidance regarding medical devices, replacing the 2025 edition and offering recommendations on implementing measures for preventing digital attacks or authorized access.
Elevar Therapeutics Inc. appointed Kim Dong-gun (DG) as CEO Jan. 29, as the company focuses on post-NDA strategies for lirafugratinib in bile duct cancer, and the twice-rejected rivoceranib-camrelizumab combination for liver cancer.
At a recent Cabinet meeting, U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert Kennedy reportedly said he expected Trumprx to probably go live within 10 days. That was Jan. 29, two days before HHS was once again forced to shut down many of its activities due to a congressional gridlock over a fiscal 2026 appropriations package to keep the department and several others open beyond Jan. 30.
Medtronic plc is continuing to put its money where its mouth is as it plans to exercise its option to acquire Cathworks Ltd. for up to $585 million. The company said last month it was committed to expanding its pipeline through strategic investments and targeted acquisitions. The move for Cathworks comes on the heels of Medtronic’s $90 million investment in Anteris Technologies Global Corp.
Another data cut from Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. regarding UX-111 (rebisufligene etisparvovec), an AAV9 gene therapy for type A Sanfilippo syndrome, continued to brighten the picture for the compound, recently taken under review again by the U.S. FDA.