Abortion pill access at stake | Pfizer buys Seagan | Sanofi, Novo cut insulin costs

VIEW IN BROWSER | SUBSCRIBE Fri, Mar 17, 2023 EDITOR'S NOTE Think a friend or colleague should be getting this newsletter? Share this link with them to sign up.   A federal judge in Texas could issue a ruling at any time in a case challenging the FDA's approval of the abortion pill mifepristone.   U.S. Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk heard oral arguments in Amarillo this week. He told the attorneys involved in the case he will issue a decision "as soon as possible."    Abortion rights groups and legal experts are expecting a decision against the FDA in some shape or form. The case could have sweeping consequences for women's healthcare and drug development in the U.S.    If Kacsmaryk orders the pill withdrawn, women in states where abortion remains legal could lose access. The FDA approval powers that drugmakers rely on to develop new medications could also be weakened if such a ruling withstands the scrutiny of higher courts.   In corporate news, Pfizer bought Seagan in a $43 billion deal this week, part of the company's efforts to pivot beyond its windfall Covid sales and deliver cutting-edge cancer therapies. Annika Kim Constantino, who joined CNBC this week as our new pharma reporter, has that story for us.    Sanofi and Novo Nordisk this week said they'd dramatically slash insulin list prices, following Eli Lilly's lead and President Joe Biden's calls for drugmakers to reduce costs. Annika also has that story for us.  Feel free to send any tips, suggestions, story ideas and data to me at spencer.kimball@nbcuni.com. Spencer Kimball | Health Reporter @spencekimball Spencer Kimball | Health Reporter @spencekimball U.S. judge in Texas will soon rule on the abortion pill mifepristone. Here's what could happen U.S. Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk said he will rule as soon as possible in the case challenging FDA approval of the abortion pill mifepristone.   There are several possible outcomes. Kacsmaryk could try to immediately pull the pill; he could order the FDA to start a review; or he could impose tighter restrictions on access.    Abortion rights groups and legal experts don't think it's likely he'll rule in FDA's favor. - Spencer Kimball Pfizer CEO says it will be able to deliver Seagen's cancer therapy at a scale not seen before Pfizer's CEO on Monday said the company will be able to deliver Seagen's cancer therapy to the world "at a scale that has not been seen before" with its $43 billion acquisition.   Seagen will bulk up Pfizer's cancer treatment portfolio, bringing four approved cancer therapies with combined sales of nearly $2 billion in 2022. - Annika Kim Constantino Sanofi, Novo Nordisk slash insulin costs Drugmakers Sanofi and Novo Nordisk announced sweeping price cuts on their insulin products after Eli Lilly's similar move to curb the high cost of the life-saving hormone earlier this month.   The three companies make up about 90% of the insulin market in the U.S. and have been under increased public and federal pressure to make the drug more affordable for people with diabetes. - Annika Kim Constantino Veterans Health Administration will cover Alzheimer's treatment Leqembi The Veterans Health Administration will cover Eisai and Biogen's Alzheimer's treatment Leqembi, the companies announced Monday.   In a statement, drugmaker Eisai said veterans in the early stages of the disease who meet VHA criteria are eligible for coverage of Leqembi.   The decision by VHA stands in contrast with Medicare, which has declined to cover the treatment except in very limited circumstances. - Spencer Kimball WHO calls on China to release data linking Covid origin to raccoon dogs The World Health Organization on Friday called on China to release new data linking the Covid pandemic's origins to raccoon dogs at Wuhan Market after the country recently took down the research.   The new data doesn't provide a conclusive answer to how the pandemic began, "but it does provide more clues" about a potential host of the virus that spread it to humans, the global health agency said. - Annika Kim Constantino JOIN US REGISTER CONTRIBUTORS Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs Meg Tirrell @megtirrell Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs Meg Tirrell @megtirrell Unsubscribe Manage Newsletters Terms of Service Join the CNBC Panel   Digital Products Feedback Privacy Policy CNBC Events   © 2022 CNBC LLC. All rights reserved. A property of NBCUniversal. 900 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by THOMSON REUTERS