Bristol-Myers Squibb and Henry Pharma have signed a major contract worth up to $15.2 billion. Takeda Pharmaceutical aims to reduce its workforce by 4,500 people by fiscal 2026. Daiichi Sankyo aims to become one of the world’s top five companies in the oncology field, expanding its business beyond antibody-drug conjugates. Even more.
1. Bristol-Myers Squibb signs $15 billion bioback deal to bag Hengrui assets, leveraging China’s R&D speed
Bristol-Myers Squibb and Henrui Pharma have entered into a wide-ranging partnership potentially worth $15.2 billion. The agreement includes Hengrui’s four oncology/hematology assets, BMS’s four immunology assets, and five other assets jointly discovered and developed by the companies. BMS will acquire the former Chinese rights to the Hengrui program, and Hengrui will acquire the Chinese rights to BMS Pharmaceuticals.
2. Takeda Pharmaceutical plans to cut 4,500 jobs in the latest restructuring drive as it slims down for a “new era”
Takeda Pharmaceutical’s multi-year 200 billion yen ($1.26 billion) cost-cutting plan through 2028 will lead to 4,500 job cuts in fiscal 2026, the company revealed in its earnings report. Additionally, this restructuring will result in a loss of approximately 170 billion yen for Takeda, and is expected to result in a total cost reduction of approximately 100 billion yen per year.
3. Daiichi Sankyo aims to be among the world’s top five oncology patients by 2035, driving $1.3 billion in efficiency gains in new five-year plan
Daiichi Sankyo takes $610 million profit hit due to ADC manufacturing overbuild
Daiichi Sankyo aims to become one of the top five oncology companies in the world by 2035. The antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) specialist envisages its revenue to reach more than 3 trillion yen ($19.1 billion) by 2030, up from 2.1 trillion yen in fiscal 2025, in a new five-year plan. In addition to next-generation ADC technology, the company is also focusing on multispecific antibodies, targeted proteolytic agents, and low molecular weight antibodies. Interfering RNA as a new platform. Daiichi is also aiming for cumulative cost savings of 200 billion yen over five years as it rebuilds external and internal manufacturing capacity after overconstruction.
4. CEOs of major pharmaceutical companies were conspicuously absent during President Trump’s arrival in China
It is notable that unlike recent state visits by British and German leaders, President Trump’s delegation to China did not include pharmaceutical CEOs. President Trump told reporters before leaving Washington during his two-day visit that he was focused on trade “first and foremost.” However, the relationship between the pharmaceutical industry and China does not seem to need any further promotion.
5. Takeda 0-for-4 with nausea and vomiting after firing another asset
Takeda Pharmaceutical has discontinued development of its nausea and vomiting drug TAK-004 due to strategic considerations, even though a spokesperson said the company remains “interested” in the therapeutic area. The peptide agonist completed a Phase 1 trial last year evaluating its safety and effects on heart rate and blood pressure in healthy adults.
6. Fosun pays $60 million for option on AliBio’s Phase 3 Alzheimer’s assets
Fosun Pharma paid $60 million for an option on AliBio’s Phase 3 Alzheimer’s disease candidate, once-daily oral PDE5 inhibitor AR1001. Fosun may decide whether to exercise the option covering rights in the US, Europe, Japan and other global markets within 90 days after the Phase 3 readout. Fosun already owns rights to the assets in China and some South Asian countries through previous agreements.
Other notable news:
7. Aptos, facing financial difficulties, withdraws from blood cancer agreement due to development obstruction due to acquisition of Hanmi
8. Bora acquires Macrogenics manufacturing and CDMO business for up to $127.5 million
9. Sun recalls U.S. chemotherapy batches over glass particle contamination concerns
10. Dr. Reddy’s discontinues CAR-T, plans to launch generic Ozempic in Canada (Reuters)
