Each week we highlight five things affecting the life sciences industry. Here’s the latest.
UK agrees to deal with Vietnam to remove pharmaceutical trade barriers
- A new trade agreement aims to streamline pharmaceutical sales, speeding up drug approvals and recognizing UK regulator standards, boosting market access for UK pharma in Southeast Asia, writes Reuters.
- This deal epitomizes the sentiment of the government’s recently published industrial strategy that emphasizes quick, industry-specific deals.
New center for pediatric CRISPR cures
- The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and Innovative Genomics Institute have launched a $20 million center to develop CRISPR gene therapies for infants with severe genetic diseases.
- According to Fierce Biotech, the center aims to treat genetic diseases affecting immunity and metabolism, starting with eight patients, and establishes a standardized process for delivering these therapies to more children globally.
FDA layoffs, policy changes and transparency
- Approximately 3,500 U.S. Food and Drug Administration employees received termination emails following a Supreme Court decision supporting the government’s overhaul of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- According to BioSpace, FDA Commissioner, Marty Makary, proposed lowering prescription drug user fees and offering faster reviews for companies willing to reduce drug prices. Additionally, the FDA released its cache of complete response letters to provide transparency on recent rejections.
EU Parliament elevates biotech in strategic biomanufacturing push
- The European Parliament voted overwhelmingly to prioritize biotechnology and biomanufacturing as one of 10 strategic sectors—calling for a coherent regulatory framework, a chief biotech officer in the EU Commission, faster approvals, investment incentives, and regulatory sandboxes to overcome scaling and legal hurdles for bio‑based innovations.
- Green Queen reports that the Parliament urged revamped funding (boosting research and development to 3% of GDP by 2030), strengthened public–private partnerships and tech transfer, and alignment with global standards.
Chinese biotech shares buoyed by Western licensing hopes
- Chinese biotech stocks have rallied sharply amid optimism that Western pharmaceutical giants will license innovative cancer therapies from local firms, reports the Financial Times.
- Investors are attracted to Chinese biotechs due to the quality of products and lower costs of innovation.
For more insights in life sciences, check out RSM’s industry outlook.
