Each week we highlight five things affecting the life sciences industry. Here’s the latest.
Biosimilars gain momentum as patent expirations approach
- According to Fierce Pharma, biosimilar adoption in the United States is increasing as more biologic drugs face patent expirations, creating significant opportunities for developers despite concerns about a future shortage of biosimilar candidates.
- Industry experts noted that reimbursement challenges and intellectual property disputes continue to affect biosimilar market growth, even as physician acceptance and utilization improve.
FDA authorizes more medical devices despite longer review periods
- According to MedTech Dive, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized more medical devices during the first half of 2026 than during the same period in 2025, indicating continued activity in the medical technology sector.
- Despite the increase in authorizations, approval timelines lengthened across several FDA review pathways, raising concerns about the impact of extended review periods on device developers and commercialization efforts.
Cancer and immune therapies continue to dominate venture funding
- BioPharma Dive reports that developers of cancer and immune-related therapies accounted for more than 40% of biotechnology venture funding activity during the first half of 2026, reflecting continued investor interest in those therapeutic areas.
- The larger venture rounds have been focused on innovative approaches to finding new medicines including artificial intelligence drug development, and companies that have been leveraging assets acquired from China.
Companies prepare for pharmaceutical tariffs deadline
- Major drugmakers have until July 31, 2026, to reach onshoring agreements with the Trump administration that would cut a looming tariff on branded pharmaceutical imports from 100% to 20%, Pharmaceutical Executive reports.
- Companies that already struck deals under the administration’s most-favored-nation drug pricing initiative can avoid the tariff altogether. Attorneys tracking the issue say the industry has pledged more than $500 billion in new U.S. manufacturing investment.
UK researchers uncover new cell death mechanism linked to Alzheimer’s and dementia
- Researchers at a London university, working with the UK Dementia Research Institute, have identified a cell death process called karyoptosis that may explain neuronal loss in Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia, reports ScienceDaily.
- The study used computational analysis of brain cells with the neurodegenerative disease and identified specific protein interactions that control the process. In laboratory models that target these interactions, researchers demonstrated how the interactions could slow cell death and potentially open new avenues for treating currently incurable neurodegenerative conditions.
For more insights in life sciences, check out RSM’s industry outlook.
