Each week we highlight five things affecting the life sciences industry. Here’s the latest.
Pharma tariffs set to arrive
- A new transatlantic trade agreement includes a 15% tariff on most branded pharmaceutical exports from the European Union to the United States, ending decades of duty-free treatment, according to Pharmaphorum.
- EFPIA (the European pharma lobby) has criticized the move, arguing that such “blunt instrument” tariffs could disrupt supply chains, reduce research and development investment, and ultimately harm patient access to medicines on both sides of the Atlantic.
Medtech AI faces global trust gap
- Artificial intelligence in health care is trusted less than general AI, especially in Western nations; emerging economies show higher confidence levels, reports TechHQ.
- Most patients and providers remain skeptical due to concerns about transparency, safety and lack of human oversight.
FDA vaccine chief resigns
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s top vaccine regulator resigned following criticism from both political activists and scientific peers over his handling of gene therapy approvals and regulatory reversals, per AP News.
- His brief tenure highlighted tensions between demands for faster access to treatments and the need for rigorous scientific oversight.
FDA launches listening tour with pharma and biotech leaders
- FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, together with top agency leaders, is hosting a national “CEO Forums” listening tour to gather industry leader feedback on ways to modernize regulatory frameworks and accelerate patient access to therapies, reports the FDA.
- The initiative is designed to provide a direct channel for executives overseeing active Investigational New Drug, New Drug Application or Biologics License Applications to share input on innovation, processes, communication and policy.
Major medtech companies reduce expected tariff costs
- Top medtech companies have significantly reduced their projected 2025 tariff costs, citing improved trade conditions and revised forecasts—some by as much as half compared to earlier estimates, reports MedtechDive.
- Despite the lowered expectations, companies remain cautious, anticipating that most tariff-related costs will still hit in the second half of the year, keeping the impact of U.S. trade policies a key concern for the industry.
For more insights in life sciences, check out RSM’s industry outlook.
