Takeda is launching a restructuring, targeting nearly $1.3 billion in annual savings. Generic versions of Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide reached India in chaotic fashion. Gilead Sciences is paying up to $2.2 billion to purchase a Chinese “NewCo.” And more.
1. Takeda targets $1.3B in cost savings in further restructuring
Takeda is launching another round of restructuring, aiming to achieve 200 billion Japanese yen ($1.26 billion) in annual gross savings by its 2028 fiscal year. Resources will be reallocated to support upcoming launches, late-stage programs and strategic technology investments. To achieve increased efficiency, the company expects to incur 150 billion yen in restructuring expenses in fiscal 2026.
2. With Novo’s semaglutide going off patent, Indian drugmakers set to launch their cheaper generics
Generics to Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide have launched in India. More than 10 brands have launched online, and shortages have already happened despite inventory build-ups by companies, according to a March 26 note by Jefferies. For injectable versions, the monthly prices range between 1,290 rupees ($13.7) to 4,500 rupees ($47.8). “Companies are testing the waters with demand and supply, and they expect the market to settle down in the next few months,” Jefferies’ analysts said.
3. Gilead’s $2.2B Ouro buyout delivers autoimmune T-cell engager, new purpose for Galapagos
Gilead Sciences is paying $1.675 billion upfront for Ouro Medicines, a “NewCo” built on ex-China rights to a BCMAxCD3 T-cell engager from China’s Keymed Biosciences and funding from GSK and Monograph Capital. Known as gamgertamig, or OM336, the drug is being studied for autoimmune disorders. Gilead is planning for its partner Galapagos to essentially absorb Ouro.
4. Novartis joins Lilly, AZ in China expansion with $480M commitment to boost manufacturing, R&D
Novartis said it will invest 1.5 billion yuan ($220 million) to upgrade its manufacturing facility in Beijing and will spend another 1.8 billion yuan to initiate a second phase of its Shanghai R&D campus. “China is crucial to Novartis’ long-term development and innovation,” CEO Vas Narasimhan said at the 2026 China Development Forum.
5. Dizal’s Zegfrovy clinches landmark phase 3 win in NSCLC subtype, setting up challenge to J&J’s Rybrevant
A global phase 3 trial of Dizal’s Zegfrovy has met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival in first-line EGFR exon 20-mutated non-small cell lung cancer, the Chinese biotech announced. The oral drug—as a monotherapy—beat chemo where Johnson & Johnson’s injectable Rybrevant achieved in combination with chemo.
6. Novo Nordisk prepares to go global as triple-G prospect passes midphase diabetes test in China
The United Laboratories, licensor of Novo Nordisk’s GLP-1/GIP/glucagon triple agonist, reported a Chinese midphase win against semaglutide in Type 2 diabetes. After 24 weeks of once-weekly injections, levels of HbA1c fell up to 2.16% in the UBT251 cohorts, compared to declines of 1.77% for semaglutide. Novo plans to start a global phase 2 trial in diabetes this year.
Other News of Note:
7. Biogen pays $20M upfront to tap into Alteogen’s subQ delivery tech
8. Massive class action seeking RICO penalties against Takeda, Lilly presses forward with SCOTUS order
9. Innovent delivers first year of net profit amid growing sales, global partnerships (release)
10. InnoCare achieves profitability for the first time thanks to 2 BD deals (release)
11. Hengrui posts 13% annual revenue growth, but quarterly profit misses forecasts (Reuters)
12. Sino Biopharm touts 26% sales growth from innovative drugs (release)
13. Innovent sees path to China approval after eye disease drug matches Eylea in phase 3
14. WuXi Bio’s record number of new projects in 2025 leaned heavily on US clients
15. Akeso advances oncology strategy as revenue jumps 44% (release, PDF)
16. Shionogi pays Apnimed $100M for joint venture to awaken sleep disorder dream
17. BrightGene’s oral dual agonist sees up to 8% weight loss at 8 weeks in slice of early data
18. GSK partners with Shanghai Pharma to bring hepatitis B vaccine back to China (Yicai)
