From new industry M&As to insights on how to recruit Gen Z talent, there’s plenty to discover in our latest pharma news round up
Words by Jade Williams
2 June: Sanofi snaps up Blueprint for $9.1bn
Sanofi announces plan to acquire Blueprint Medicines for $9.1bn, with the aim of bolstering its rare disease and immunology pipeline. Paul Hudson, CEO, Sanofi said the move “makes sense for science, for both companies, for healthcare professionals, and – most of all – for patients”.
3 June: Vantive bets big on kidney care
Vantive, newly spun out from Baxter, announces a more than $1bn investment over five years to boost R&D and manufacturing. The move comes as rising chronic kidney disease prevalence and costs strain global health systems, with the disease projected to be the fifth leading cause of death by 2040.
6 June: Want Gen Z? Get on TikTok
Pharma must modernise its outreach to attract Gen Z talent, according to a report from the ABPI, which encourages pharma to focus on authenticity and social media engagement. With over a third of young people using platforms like TikTok and Instagram for career inspiration, traditional methods need a rethink.
11 June: UK to pharma: Pay up
The UK announces a rise in the statutory scheme payment rate for newer branded medicines to over 30% of NHS sales, which is a doubling the current rate. This move puts the UK well above peers such as Germany at 7% and France at 5.7% in repayment levels.
13 June: UK bond boosts global vaccines
The International Finance Facility for Immunisation issues a £300m bond to support vaccination programmes in under-resourced areas through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Nearly 90% of the investment came from UK-based firms, highlighting the UK’s ongoing commitment to global health financing.
17 June: Trials go digital in NHS shake-up
The UK government sets out a new 10-Year Health Plan, which aims to transform clinical trials by integrating the ‘Be Part of Research’ service into the NHS App. Health Secretary Wes Streeting states that the initiative will “put NHS patients at the front of the queue for new cutting-edge treatments”.
24 June: Patients warm to AI – with limits
A survey by healthcare technology company ModMed finds that while patients remain cautious about AI in clinical decisions, 57% support its use if it allows for more face-to-face time with doctors. Many are open to AI tools like ambient listening, provided it enhances the patient-physician relationship.
26 June: US pulls plug on Gavi funding
Robert F. Kennedy Jr, US Health and Human Services Secretary, announces that the US plans to stop its financial contributions to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, ending over 20 years of support. Two reasons cited were Gavi’s pandemic decisions and the safety of its vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.
