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Amgen reports 4% product sales growth in Q1 2026 amid patent challenges
Amgen Inc reported a 4% increase in product sales for the first quarter of 2026, driven by a 24% year-over-year growth in its six key drivers including Repatha, Evenity, and Tezspire, which generated $5.6 billion. The company highlighted progress in its R&D pipeline and AI integration. However, the report noted anticipated sales erosion for Prolia and Xgeva due to biosimilar competition and ongoing tax litigation with the IRS. Additionally, enrollment in a Blinatumomab trial was paused due to inflammatory reactions. CEO Robert Bradway confirmed continued activity in business development and M&A.
Pacira BioSciences reports strong Q1 2026 results driven by product growth
Pacira BioSciences Inc reported strong first-quarter 2026 results, with its 5x30 strategy delivering intended business outcomes. Flagship product EXPAREL showed renewed growth, while ZILRETTA and iovera sales increased by 15% and 21% year-over-year respectively. Despite temporary impacts from winter storms on shipping and surgery schedules, the company highlighted advancements in its clinical pipeline and strong partnerships with Johnson & Johnson MedTech and LG Chem. Non-GAAP gross margin decreased slightly to 80%, and R&D expenses rose due to Phase 2 study advancements.
Syndax Pharmaceuticals reports record Q1 2026 revenue growth driven by Revuforj and Niktimvo sales
Syndax Pharmaceuticals Inc reported combined net revenue exceeding $100 million for Revuforj and Niktimvo in Q1 2026. Revuforj saw double-digit growth due to new NPM-1 patients and adoption, while Niktimvo generated $55 million. The company holds $352.1 million in cash. Challenges include patient attrition due to transplant procedures and competition in the menin inhibitor market. Management expects maintenance therapy restarts to drive future growth.
DexCom Inc reports 15% revenue growth and launches 15 Day CGM system
DexCom Inc reported a 15% increase in first-quarter 2026 revenue, driven by global demand for continuous glucose monitoring products and the launch of the DexCom G7 15 Day system. Gross profit margins rose to 63.5%, and the company holds $2.4 billion in cash. While US market growth slowed and new patient starts did not hit records for four consecutive quarters, international expansion in France and Canada continues. The company faces potential margin risks from geopolitical factors and uncertainty regarding CMS coverage for type 2 non-insulin patients.
Emergent BioSolutions reports strong Q1 2026 revenue and strategic debt management
Emergent BioSolutions Inc reported first-quarter 2026 revenue of $156 million, exceeding guidance. The company reduced net debt by 22% in 2025 and repaid $110 million in debt. International medical countermeasure revenue now accounts for 37% of total MCM revenues. While the company faces challenges in maintaining Narcan pricing and does not expect to repeat a large 2025 international order, it secured a favorable interest rate and established a new $75 million delayed draw term loan facility. CEO Joe Popham highlighted upcoming Narcan innovations and expansion of the Canton manufacturing facility.
Guardant Health and Nuvalent partner on precision oncology diagnostics
Guardant Health and Nuvalent have entered a multi-year strategic collaboration to support the development and potential commercialization of Nuvalent's oncology pipeline using the Guardant Infinity platform. The partnership involves using Guardant's tissue and liquid biopsy tests for Nuvalent's global clinical studies and evaluating companion diagnostic development. Both companies plan to collaborate on the global commercialization of Nuvalent's product candidates and Guardant companion diagnostics across key international markets.
Renibus Phase 3 PROTECT trial for RBT-1 fails to meet primary endpoint
Renibus Therapeutics announced that data from the Phase 3 PROTECT trial of RBT-1 will be presented at the American Association for Thoracic Surgery annual meeting in Chicago on 4 May 2026. The randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 433 patients across 34 sites in the United States and Canada. The study did not meet its primary endpoint, a hierarchical composite win ratio of death, dialysis-requiring acute kidney injury, 30-day cardiopulmonary readmission, and ICU days. Key secondary endpoints were also not statistically significant. The study population was predominantly low-risk. Renibus claims post-hoc analyses suggest potential benefit in higher-risk subgroups and stated it will further evaluate the data to define next steps in development.
Stealth Biotherapeutics reports FORZINITY launch momentum and pipeline progress
Stealth Biotherapeutics provided a commercial and research update on FORZINITY (elamipretide), noting 33 patients have initiated therapy in the U.S. with 85% full coverage. The company deployed a field medical team in April and plans a sales team launch in May. Regulatory progress includes FDA alignment for label expansion for patients under the current weight threshold, with a potential supplemental NDA submission in 2027. A Phase 4 trial site opened in Bristol, UK, and the company continues development of its broader mitochondrial disease pipeline.
Alector discontinues Phase 2 trial of Nivisnebart in early Alzheimer's disease
Alector confirmed the discontinuation of the Phase 2 PROGRESS-AD trial for Nivisnebart (AL101/GSK4527226) in early Alzheimer's disease. An independent data monitoring committee concluded the study was unlikely to meet its primary endpoint of slowing disease progression. Alector and GSK co-developed the investigational monoclonal antibody. The company will inform participants and share full results at a future medical meeting. Alector restated its focus on advancing its pipeline via the Alector Brain Carrier platform.
LEO Pharma to Acquire Replay for Rare Skin Disease Gene Therapy Platform
LEO Pharma has entered a definitive agreement to acquire Replay for $50 million upfront, plus milestone payments and royalties. The acquisition expands LEO's dermatology pipeline by adding Replay's herpes simplex virus-based gene therapy platform designed for rare genetic skin disorders. Replay's technology delivers large therapeutic genes to skin cells via topical gel, with a lead candidate targeting dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.
Q-linea AB reports record instrument deployments and FDA clearance amid operational streamlining
Q-linea AB achieved a record quarter by deploying seven instruments and secured FDA clearance for its V2 panel, expanding its US value proposition. Consumable sales rose 60% year-on-year, while operating expenses were reduced to below 11 million SEK monthly through restructuring. Despite these gains, net sales declined due to lower capital sales and challenges converting the US commercial pipeline. Economic constraints in Italy and financing hurdles for ASTAR placements also limit immediate growth. The company plans to launch a dedicated isolate kit in Q3 2026.
Bristol-Myers Squibb reports Q1 2026 growth portfolio sales increase amid Opdivo decline
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co reported a 9% year-over-year increase in growth portfolio sales for Q1 2026, driven by Reblozyl, Breyanzi, and Opdualag. The company achieved FDA breakthrough therapy designation for iberdomide. However, Opdivo revenue fell 8% due to inventory drawdowns and conversion to Cobenfy, while gross margins declined 280 basis points. Management highlighted $2 billion in projected cost savings by 2027 and strong cash reserves of $11 billion. Clinical programs for iberdomide, mezigdomide, and Milvexian are progressing.
NovoCure reports double-digit revenue growth and FDA approval for Optune Pax in Q1 2026
NovoCure Ltd reported double-digit year-over-year growth in active patients and net revenues for Q1 2026, driven by the launch of Optune Pax for pancreatic cancer. The company secured FDA approval for Optune Pax and certified 868 healthcare providers within seven weeks. Gross margins increased to 78%. NovoCure also secured its first major US payer coverage policy with Elevance Health. However, the company reported a net loss of $71 million, up from $34 million in the prior year, due to a $43 million share-based compensation charge and increased R&D and sales expenses.
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals reports record Q1 2026 revenue growth driven by TTR franchise
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc reported Q1 2026 net product revenues exceeding $1 billion, a 121% year-over-year increase driven by its TTR franchise. AMVUTTRA and ONPATTRO generated over $900 million combined. The company holds $3 billion in cash and maintains 25 clinical programs. While collaboration revenue fell 17% due to a prior milestone, gross margins decreased 5% due to increased royalties. Non-GAAP R&D and SG&A expenses rose significantly due to Phase 3 studies and AMVUTTRA launch support. International revenues faced headwinds from pricing updates in Germany.
Merck reports Q1 2026 revenue growth of $16.3 billion amid pipeline milestones and acquisition charges
Merck & Co Inc reported Q1 2026 revenue of $16.3 billion, a year-over-year increase driven by oncology and animal health. The company achieved FDA approval for IDVYNSO and priority review for I-DXd. However, GARDASIL sales fell 22% due to demand drops in China and Japan. A $1.28 per share loss included a $9 billion one-time charge for the Cidara Therapeutics acquisition and an expected $0.12 EPS impact from the proposed Terns Pharmaceuticals deal. Merck highlighted a robust pipeline with 20+ new product launches and partnerships with Google Cloud, Tempus AI, and Mayo Clinic.
Kymera Therapeutics reports Q1 2026 cash balance of $1.55 billion with strategic partnerships
Kymera Therapeutics Inc reported a cash balance of $1.55 billion on April 30, 2026, providing a financial runway into 2029. The company highlighted strategic partnerships with Gilead and Sanofi and advancements in its pipeline, including oral therapies like KT-621 for atopic dermatitis. CEO Nello Mainolfi and CMO Jared Gollob discussed clinical trial timelines, noting expected enrollment completion for the KT-621 AD study by year-end. The company faces risks from increased R&D expenses and a competitive immunology landscape.
Eli Lilly reports record Q1 2026 revenue growth and raises full-year guidance
Eli Lilly and Co reported a 56% revenue increase in Q1 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, driven by Zepbound and Mounjaro. The company raised its full-year revenue guidance, citing strong performance. Key developments include positive Phase 3 data for Jaypirca and Ebglyss, the acquisition of Centessa and Orna, and early positive feedback for the new oral GLP-1 therapy, Foundayo. Despite a 1 percentage point decrease in gross margin and a 7% US price decline, the company expressed confidence in future growth across obesity, immunology, neuroscience, and oncology sectors.
CuraTeQ Biologics Receives Health Canada Approval for Bevqolva Bevacizumab Biosimilar
CuraTeQ Biologics Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Aurobindo Pharma, received a Notice of Compliance from Health Canada for its bevacizumab biosimilar, Bevqolva. The approval grants formal marketing authorization for the drug, used in cancer treatment, confirming it meets safety, efficacy, and quality standards comparable to the reference biologic. This marks a key market entry for the product, which is available in 100 mg and 400 mg formulations.
Experts call for rethinking chemoprophylaxis strategies for leprosy control
Global leprosy prevalence has plateaued since 2000, prompting a re-evaluation of chemoprophylaxis strategies. Trials like COLEP and PEOPLE showed limited long-term protection from single-dose rifampicin (SDR) and double-dose rifampicin (SDDR), with efficacy waning after two years. Concerns include rising rifampicin resistance, ethical issues regarding stigmatisation and drug exposure, and poor cost-effectiveness, particularly for high-risk household contacts. Emerging data suggests a paradoxical rise in disabilities following SDR campaigns. Experts recommend redirecting resources toward early case detection, treatment adherence, and systematic contact tracing rather than mass prophylaxis.
Microneedle biosensor detects impaired kidney drug clearance in rats
Sam Emaminejad and colleagues developed a minimally invasive microneedle biosensor capable of real-time assessment of liver and kidney drug clearance. Tested in a rat model, the device correlated interstitial fluid measurements with blood-equivalent pharmacokinetic parameters. The sensor successfully detected prolonged drug half-life in rats with liver damage and lower drug clearance in rats with adenine-induced kidney injury. Notably, the biosensor identified decreases in drug clearance before blood creatinine levels increased, indicating early detection of kidney function decline.