Each week we highlight five things affecting the life sciences industry. Here’s the latest.
Medline closes largest IPO of the year
- Medline, a medical supply company, raised $6.26 billion making it the largest initial public offering of the year, selling 216 million shares at $29 each, giving the company a valuation of over $50 billion.
- Proceeds will primarily be used to repay debt, which analysts expect will improve Medline’s credit rating, reduce interest expense and enhance financial flexibility for future growth, reports The Wall Street Journal.
Study suggests 1 in 10 people over 70 in UK could have Alzheimer’s-linked brain changes
- Ten percent of people aged 70 and over in the UK show brain changes linked to Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting higher prevalence than previously estimated, reports The Guardian.
- Researchers say blood tests can detect these changes before symptoms appear, though not everyone will go on to develop dementia.
EU proposes Biotech Act
- The European Commission introduced a plan, the Biotech Act, to position Europe as a biotech leader by accelerating clinical trial timelines, extending intellectual property protections and supporting bio-manufacturing through training sites and development accelerators.
- The proposal includes a €10 billion ($11.7 million) health biotech pilot program to boost startups and mid-sized firms, aiming to close the gap with the U.S., which currently dominates global biotech investment, reports Endpoints News.
FDA receives mixed feedback on AI performance monitoring
- Industry groups urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to rely on existing regulatory frameworks and adopt a risk-based approach regarding artificial intelligence monitoring, while hospitals and medical associations supported post-market monitoring, but said manufacturers should handle it related to monitoring of AI-enabled devices.
- According to Medtech Dive, patient advocates emphasized that approval is only the starting point, requesting clear disclosures, equitable testing and performance metrics that reflect real-world experiences, including emotional and logistical burdens.
Biosecure Act advances within U.S. defense bill
- Both chambers of Congress have passed the $901 billion defense package, which includes the updated Biosecure Act aimed at restricting federal contracts involving “biotechnology companies of concern,” primarily linked to China.
- According to Fierce Pharma, unlike earlier versions, the bill avoids broad payer contract restrictions, delegates company identification to the Office of Management and Budget, and could affect major players, raising uncertainty about future biopharma supply chains.
For more insights in life sciences, check out RSM’s industry outlook.
