The U.S. will impose a 100% tariff on drug imports with some exceptions. Takeda plans to cut 634 jobs in the U.S. as part of its $1.26 billion savings plan. Eli Lilly deepened its relationship with AI drug-discovery expert Insilico Medicine through a deal worth up to $2.75 billion. And more.
1. Trump slaps 100% duties on imported drugs but leaves plenty of exceptions
President Donald Trump unveiled a new 100% tariff on some patented drug products and ingredients after a “Section 232” investigation found a national security risk tied to these imports. Companies that have signed “most favored nation” agreements will be exempt until Jan. 20, 2029, and certain specialty medicines, such as orphan drugs, will be exempt. Country-specific trade deals supersede the new drug tariffs.
2. Takeda begins US layoffs as part of massive $1.3B restructuring
Takeda plans to cut 634 U.S. jobs at its U.S. headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as part of a restructuring designed to save the company more than 200 billion Japanese yen ($1.26 billion) in annual costs. The affected roles include 247 located in the Bay State and 387 in other states.
3. Lilly further embraces Insilico’s AI tech, inking R&D collab worth up to $2.75B
Eli Lilly is paying Insilico Medicine $115 million upfront in an AI drug discovery and development collaboration worth up to $2.75 billion. Lilly will gain an exclusive worldwide license to certain oral therapeutics for undisclosed indications. Insilico’s website recently showed that a GLP-1 candidate has been out-licensed to an undisclosed partner.
4. AstraZeneca’s in vivo CAR-T bet eradicates cancer in 3 of 5 patients, but death mars dataset
Early data from AstraZeneca’s in vivo CAR-T program, part of its its potential $1 billion acquisition of EsoBiotec, have failed to impress. In a Chinese phase 1 study, the BCMA candidate achieved objective responses in four of the five multiple myeloma patients. But all patients experienced grade 3 or higher adverse events, including one death and three cases of grade 3 cytokine release syndrome.
5. Otsuka buys Transcend in $1.2B deal, nabbing MDMA analog for psychiatric conditions
Otsuka has agreed to acquire Transcend Therapeutics for $700 million upfront and up to $525 million in potential milestones. The deal features an MDMA analog for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychiatric conditions. The drug, currently in phase 3, reported positive phase 2 data in PTSD last year.
6. BioNTech telegraphs closure of Singapore vaccine facility amid efforts to ‘align capacity’
BioNTech is closing its planned Singapore plant and regional headquarters by the end of February 2027. The mRNA specialist bought the site from Novartis at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022. The company will continue to “align capacity with our clinical portfolio and long-term strategic direction,” a spokesperson said.
Other News of Note:
7. Samsung Biologics union gathers votes to strike as tension over wage, governance mounts
8. Takeda clears path to FDA with phase 3 data on $4B psoriasis bet
9. KBP hopes to revive troubled heart drug at center of deal fraud dispute with Novo Nordisk
10. Kailera plots IPO to fund obesity pipeline after one of the biggest raises of 2025
11. Astellas axes early Sjögren’s trial in latest setback for autoimmune disease community
12. Thousands of clinical trial sites impacted by Middle East conflict: report
