GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) and BELLUS Health Inc. (TSX/NASDAQ: BLU) announced that they have entered into an agreement under which GSK will acquire BELLUS, a Canada-based, late-stage biopharmaceutical company working to better the lives of patients suffering from refractory chronic cough (RCC) for US$14.75 per share of common stock in cash representing an approximate total equity value of US$2.0 billion (£1.6 billion).

AstraZeneca, Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (publ) (Sobi) and Sanofi have updated and simplified their contractual arrangements relating to the development and commercialisation of nirsevimab in the US. Given the upcoming launch of nirsevimab in the US and other markets, simplification of the prior arrangements clarifies the roles and responsibilities of relevant parties.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review the Supplemental New Drug Applications (sNDAs) for BRAFTOVI® (encorafenib) + MEKTOVI® (binimetinib) for patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a BRAF V600E mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test.

The global shortage of qualified health professionals is an increasing challenge. According to the WHO, an additional 10 million health professionals will be needed by 2030. The demand is particularly acute in low- and middle-income countries, where health systems are already under immense pressure. With the launch of the Partnership for Education of Health Professionals (PEP), the Novo Nordisk Foundation takes a step towards reducing inequity in health by initially targeting the education of health professionals in underserved regions in India and East Africa.

At its annual Pharma Media Day 2023, Bayer presented the latest progress in the ongoing transformation of its pharmaceutical business focusing on accelerating innovative healthcare solutions for the benefits of patients and delivering long-term, sustainable business growth.

Novartis presented new data which underscore the transformational and sustained benefit of Zolgensma® (onasemnogene abeparvovec), an essential one-time gene therapy for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Latest data from two Long-Term Follow-Up (LTFU) studies, LT-001 and LT-002, show the continued efficacy and durability of Zolgensma across a range of patient populations, with an overall benefit-risk profile that remains favorable.

The 20th anniversary edition of the CPHI Pharma Awards is now open for entries, with three new categories created to reflect the surge of innovation sweeping the industry - from new methodologies to sustainability and philanthropic initiatives.

In the last year, pharma has continued its rapid rate of innovation embracing the speed of pandemic R&D, but added to this are new social goals that aim to improve the wider world as well as bottom lines and therapeutic/device options.