Takeda Pharmaceutical is embarking on a restructuring plan with the goal of saving about $1.3 billion a year. Novo Nordisk’s generic version of semaglutide has arrived in India in a chaotic manner. Gilead Sciences is paying up to $2.2 billion to acquire China’s NewCo. moreover.
1. Takeda aims to cut costs by $1.3 billion through further restructuring
Takeda Pharmaceutical is embarking on further restructuring with the aim of achieving total annual savings of 200 billion yen ($1.26 billion) by fiscal year 2028. Resources will be reallocated to support future launches, late-stage programs, and strategic technology investments. In order to improve efficiency, the company is expected to incur restructuring costs of 150 billion yen in fiscal 2026.
2. As the patent for Novo’s semaglutide expires, Indian drugmakers are launching cheaper generic drugs.
A generic version of Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide has been launched in India. More than a dozen brands have started selling online and shortages are already occurring even as companies build up inventory, according to a March 26 memo from Jefferies. For the injectable version, monthly prices range from 1,290 rupees ($13.7) to 4,500 rupees ($47.8). “Companies are testing the limits of supply and demand, and we expect the market to calm down in the coming months,” Jefferies analysts said.
3. Gilead’s $2.2 billion acquisition of Ouro brings autoimmune T cell engager new purpose to Galapagos
Gilead Sciences is paying $1.675 billion upfront for Ouro Medicines, a “new company” formed with rights outside China to the BCMAxCD3 T-cell engager from China’s Keymed Biosciences and funding from GSK and Monograph Capital. The drug, known as gumgeltamig, or OM336, is being studied as a treatment for autoimmune diseases. Gilead plans for its Galapagos partner to essentially absorb Ouro.
4. Novartis joins Arizona Lilly’s expansion in China, investing $480 million to boost manufacturing, research and development
Novartis announced it will invest 1.5 billion yuan ($220 million) to upgrade its manufacturing facilities in Beijing and a further 1.8 billion yuan to start the second phase of its research and development campus in Shanghai. “China is critical to Novartis’ long-term development and innovation,” CEO Basu Narasimhan said at the 2026 China Development Forum.
5. Dizal’s Zegfrovy scores landmark Phase 3 win in NSCLC subtype, establishes challenge to J&J’s Rybrevant
A global Phase 3 trial of Dizal’s Zegfrovy met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival in first-line EGFR exon 20-mutant non-small cell lung cancer, China Biotechnology announced. The oral drug outperformed chemotherapy as a monotherapy, something Johnson & Johnson’s injectable drug Librevant achieved in combination with chemotherapy.
6. Novo Nordisk Triple G Candidate Passes Intermediate Diabetes Test in China, Prepares for Global Expansion
United Laboratories, licensor of Novo Nordisk’s GLP-1/GIP/glucagon triple agonist, has reported a medium-term victory over semaglutide in type 2 diabetes in China. After 24 weeks of weekly injections, HbA1c levels decreased by up to 2.16% in the UBT251 cohort, compared to 1.77% with semaglutide. Novo plans to begin a global Phase 2 trial in diabetes this year.
Other notable news:
7. Biogen pays $20 million upfront to access Alteogen’s subQ delivery technology
8. Massive class action lawsuit seeking RICO penalties against Takeda; Lilly advances SCOTUS order
9. Innovent achieves first-year net profit due to increased sales and global alliances (release)
10. InnoCare becomes profitable for the first time with two BD deals (release)
11. Hengrui saw annual sales increase 13%, but quarterly profit fell short of expectations (Reuters)
12. Sino Biopharm touts 26% sales growth from innovative medicines (release)
13. Innovent eyes a path to approval in China for eye disease treatment after third phase agreement with Eylea
14. WuXi Bio’s record number of new projects in 2025 was heavily dependent on US customers
15. Akeso advances oncology strategy with 44% revenue increase (Release, PDF)
16. Shionogi & Co. pays ApniMed $100 million for joint venture to awaken dreams in sleep disorders
17. BrightGene’s oral dual agonist shows up to 8% weight loss after 8 weeks in some initial data
18. GSK partners with Shanghai Pharma to bring hepatitis B vaccine back to China (Ekai)
