AbbVie keeps M&A rolling, FDA’s reversal train chugs along, BIO 2026 dispatch, more

Biopharma M&A activity remains robust, highlighted by AbbVie’s $10.9 billion acquisition of Apogee Therapeutics to bolster its immunology pipeline and address patent cliffs. Regulatory landscapes are shifting, with the FDA reversing previous stances on gene therapies from uniQure and REGENXBIO, signaling a potential move toward accelerated approval pathways for rare disease treatments. Meanwhile, industry leaders at the Bio conference in San Diego report cautious optimism, though concerns persist regarding the financial impact of new drug pricing policies and the competitive rise of Chinese innovation. Eli Lilly continues to dominate market projections, with its weight-loss brands Mounjaro and Zepbound expected to generate over $70 billion in sales by 2032. Additionally, new FDA initiatives aim to shorten clinical trial timelines by leveraging collaborations with U.S. research institutions to reshore early-stage development.