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By PharmaCompass
2026-04-02
Impressions: 1,009 Article || 18 Video || 1 Listen
In Phispers this week, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Eli Lilly’s Foundayo (orforglipron), a once-daily weight-loss pill that targets the GLP-1 hormone. FDA also approved Rocket Pharmaceuticals’ gene therapy Kresladi (marnetegragene autotemcel) that treats an ultra-rare disease.
The week saw several acquisitions. Eli Lilly acquired Centessa Pharmaceuticals in a deal worth up to US$ 7.8 billion to gain its sleep disorder pipeline. It also extended an existing partnership with Insilico Medicine, thereby obtaining exclusive worldwide rights to manufacture and sell best-in-class oral treatments across multiple therapeutic areas discovered using Insilico’s AI platform.
Novartis announced the acquisition of Excellergy for up to US$ 2 billion to gain access to its next-generation allergy treatments. Otsuka acquired Transcend Therapeutics for its rapid-acting treatments for neuropsychiatric diseases. Biogen bought Apellis Pharmaceuticals for about US$ 5.6 billion in cash for its approved immunology medicines Empaveli and Syfovre (both pegcetacoplan). And CVC Capital Partners offered US$ 12.6 billion to buy out Italian drugmaker Recordati, in which it already has a 47 percent stake.
In news from clinical trials, AstraZeneca’s experimental drug tozorakimab has shown benefits in reducing flare-ups of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Merck reported that its oral cholesterol drug enlicitide decanoate reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by over 64 percent in a late-stage trial. And FDA identified cases of liver injury in patients taking Amgen’s Tavneos (avacopan) for a group of rare autoimmune diseases.
FDA approves weight loss med Foundayo; Lilly seeks approval in 40 other nations
FDA has approved Eli Lilly’s once-daily oral weight loss pill Foundayo (orforglipron) that targets the GLP-1 hormone. The drug is meant for adults with obesity, or overweight with weight-related medical problems. When used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, Foundayo helps individuals lose excess body weight and keep it off. Lilly will begin selling Foundayo in the US from April 6 through its LillyDirect program. CEO David Ricks said the company has submitted the drug for approval in over 40 countries.
Okays Rocket’s Kresladi for ultra-rare disease in children: FDA has approved Rocket Pharmaceuticals’ Kresladi (marnetegragene autotemcel), the first gene therapy for the treatment of severe leukocyte adhesion deficiency type I, an ultra-rare disease that leaves children vulnerable to life-threatening infections.
Approves high-dose Spinraza: FDA has approved a high dose regimen of Biogen’s spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) drug Spinraza (nusinersen). Spinraza had bagged FDA approval nearly a decade ago.
Lilly in US$ 7.8 bn deal to acquire Centessa for its sleep disorder pipeline
Eli Lilly has announced the acquisition of British drugmaker Centessa Pharmaceuticals in a deal worth up to US$ 7.8 billion. Centessa is developing a new class of treatments designed to target orexin, a molecule in the brain that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. Its lead drug, cleminorexton, is in mid-stage studies for narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia, disorders that cause excessive daytime sleepiness.
Extends partnership with Insilico: In 2023, Eli Lilly and clinical-stage biotech Insilico Medicine had signed an initial AI software licensing deal. The two companies are now deepening their ties through a global licensing and drug discovery collaboration wherein Lilly will obtain exclusive worldwide rights to manufacture and sell best-in-class oral treatments across multiple therapeutic areas discovered using Insilico’s artificial intelligence platform, Pharma.AI. The deal could be worth up to US$ 2.75 billion, including milestone payments.
Novartis bets on next-gen allergy treatment, buys Excellergy for up to US$ 2bn
After buying US biotech Pikavation Therapeutics (subsidiary of Synnovation Therapeutics) last week for US$ 3 billion, Novartis has announced the acquisition of California-based private biotech company Excellergy. Novartis is betting on Excellergy’s next-generation allergy treatment — Exl-111. It will pay up to US $2 billion in upfront and milestone payments to Excellergy. The deal, expected to close in the second half of 2026, will expand the Swiss drugmaker’s anti-allergy portfolio.
Otsuka buys Transcend in US$ 1.2 bn deal: Otsuka will acquire New York-based clinical-stage biotech Transcend Therapeutics, which is developing rapid-acting treatments for neuropsychiatric diseases. Otsuka will pay US$ 700 million upfront to Transcend and up to US$ 525 million in milestone payments with a total potential consideration of US$ 1.225 billion. Transcend’s lead asset, TSND-201, is a potential neuroplastogen for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychiatric conditions.
Biogen buys out Apellis Pharma for US$ 5.6 bn in rare disease push
Biogen has announced the acquisition of Apellis Pharmaceuticals for about US$ 5.6 billion in cash, adding approved immunology medicines Empaveli and Syfovre (both pegcetacoplan) to its portfolio. The acquisition gives Biogen a foothold in kidney diseases, including late-stage kidney drug felzartamab. Apellis’ Empaveli is approved for two rare kidney diseases as well as a rare blood disorder while Syfovre is approved to treat geographic atrophy, an advanced eye condition that is a leading cause of blindness.
CVC offers US$ 12.6 bn to buy out Recordati: Luxembourg-based investment firm CVC Capital Partners has offered €10.9 billion (US$ 12.6 billion) to buy out Italian drugmaker Recordati. At present, CVC has a 47 percent stake in Recordati. It plans to delist Recordati.
AstraZeneca’s drug reduces COPD flare ups in two late stage trials
AstraZeneca’s experimental drug tozorakimab has shown benefits in reducing flare-ups of COPD in two late-stage trials. In both studies, tozorakimab met the main goal and reduced the annualized rate of moderate-to-severe COPD flare-ups versus a placebo. COPD is a chronic condition that causes restricted airflow and breathing problems.
Merck’s cholesterol med meets goal: Merck reported that its oral cholesterol drug enlicitide decanoate reduced LDL cholesterol, commonly known as bad cholesterol, by over 64 percent from baseline in a head-to-head late-stage trial, when added to background treatment with a statin.
Takeda’s plaque psoriasis med: Takeda’s experimental drug zasocitinib demonstrated rapid and durable skin clearance in pivotal phase 3 studies in adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.
FDA warns of liver injury cases tied to Amgen’s rare disease drug
FDA has identified cases of liver injury in patients taking Amgen's Tavneos (avacopan) for a group of rare autoimmune diseases. The agency has urged healthcare providers to discontinue the treatment promptly if damage to the organ is suspected. The agency said it has identified 76 cases of drug-induced liver injury with evidence suggesting a causal link to Tavneos, including seven cases of vanishing bile duct syndrome (VBDS), a rare condition characterized by progressive destruction and disappearance of the bile ducts in the liver.
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