Each week we highlight five things affecting the life sciences industry. Here’s the latest.
Federal judge places permanent injunction on NIH grant caps; HHS to appeal
- A federal judge permanently blocked the U.S. National Institutes of Health from capping indirect costs on research grants, ruling the violated federal rulemaking procedures and could harm scientific research.
- The NIH and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are appealing the decision, according to Fierce Pharma.
Biopharma seeing intense competition among major industry players
- There has always been competition between large pharmaceutical companies in key therapeutic areas. BioSpace provides a summary of the five most contested areas right now.
- Not surprisingly, the weight-loss drug market has become the most fiercely competitive arena in biopharma, with two leading treatments battling for dominance—one leveraging first-mover advantage and global reach, while the other is gaining ground through superior efficacy and rapid market expansion.
Kennedy’s appearance before Senate committee canceled
- HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. was set to appear before the Senate Committee of Health, Labor and Pensions this week to discuss a reorganization of the HHS department that has resulted in significant layoffs of employees.
- The hearing was canceled due to scheduling rules and has not yet been rescheduled, MedTech Dive reports. A hearing could still take place later.
Medicare declines coverage for weight-loss drugs
- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced it will not cover weight-loss medications for obesity treatment, reports Time.
- While these drugs are reimbursed for diabetes management, their use solely for weight loss remains uncovered, affecting approximately 7.5 million beneficiaries.
European Union pharma warns of U.S. tariff fallout
- European industry groups cautioned that proposed U.S. tariffs on drug imports could trigger a $100 billion+ shift in pharmaceutical investment away from the European Union.
- Per Fierce Pharma, the EU is urging strengthening the region’s commercial market, protecting IP, and developing a more robust regulatory and policy framework.
For more insights in life sciences, check out RSM’s industry outlook.
