Nicholas Saraceno, Editor

This episode of Pharma Pulse discusses how the FDA’s new plausible mechanism pathway, WeightWatchers’ plans to offer oral Wegovy, and emerging evidence on berberine are shaping the future of obesity and metabolic health care.

In third part of his Pharma Commerce video interview, Faisal Khan, a GRC solutions expert with Vanta, emphasizes the need for a risk-based approach—grounded in clear policies, defined criteria, and tailored mitigation plans—to ensure third-party partnerships remain compliant and secure.

As FDA fast-tracks GLP-1 treatments under its new pilot National Priority Voucher program, WeightWatchers prepares to position itself to compete in the fast-evolving weight-loss drug market driven by affordability and accessibility.

This episode of Pharma Pulse discusses how Dr. Richard Pazdur’s appointment signals a new era for FDA drug evaluation, why hospitals are opposing the government’s 340B pilot program, and how Novartis is expanding its US manufacturing footprint with a new radioligand therapy facility in California.

In the second part of her Pharma Commerce video interview, Christy Christian, senior industry principal with Kinaxis, shares how transitioning from spreadsheets to AI-driven orchestration requires more than new technology—it demands clean, reliable data and a workforce ready to interpret and act on insights.

The pharma giant’s new 10,000-square-foot Carlsbad plant strengthens its US manufacturing network and supports its overarching $50 billion investment plan committed to operations.

This episode of Pharma Pulse explores how regulators modernize safety information for hormone therapy, new data that reinforces SGLT2 inhibitors’ clinical value, and Arsenal Capital expanding its life sciences logistics portfolio with the ThermoSafe acquisition.

In the first part of her Pharma Commerce video interview, Christy Christian, senior industry principal with Kinaxis, describes how manufacturers face mounting challenges managing long, complex supply chains, including limited inventory buffers, tight cash flow constraints, and constant policy changes.

The deal—with the potential to be valued at up to $725 million—positions ThermoSafe for accelerated growth and innovation in temperature-controlled packaging solutions, with Arsenalaiming to expand global reach and technological capabilities.

This episode of Pharma Pulse explores a major review finding no link between maternal acetaminophen use and autism or ADHD, CMS launching initiatives to cut Medicaid drug costs, and Eli Lilly expanding its gene therapy collaborations.

Launching next year, the new CMS Innovation Center initiative—known as the GENEROUS Model—aims to align Medicaid drug prices with global standards, reduce prescription spending, and strengthen the program’s long-term sustainability through fairer state purchasing and transparent pricing rules.

This episode of Pharma Pulse discusses FDA’s growing National Priority Voucher initiative, fresh data on oral semaglutide’s cardiometabolic impact, and Mark Cuban’s latest drug addition that signals key shifts in innovation, access, and affordability across the pharmaceutical landscape.

In second part of his Pharma Commerce video interview, Faisal Khan, a GRC solutions expert with Vanta, urges organizations to move beyond one-time vetting toward continuous monitoring, contractual accountability, and shared responsibility for HIPAA compliance.

In first part of his Pharma Commerce video interview, Faisal Khan, a GRC solutions expert with Vanta, explains how excessive data access and poor visibility into data flows remain leading causes of HIPAA-related incidents.

Lance Hill, CEO of Within3, discusses how AI-driven decision support tools are helping pharmaceutical companies achieve launch excellence while maintaining regulatory compliance and data integrity.

In the final part of her Pharma Commerce video interview, Jen Butler, CCO at Pleio, emphasizes that as digital tools become central to patient support, there is value to balancing technology with empathy.

In the third part of her Pharma Commerce video interview, Jen Butler, CCO at Pleio, argues that addressing patients’ emotional barriers is essential to maximizing ROI, improving adherence, and ensuring that existing support programs truly reach those who need them.

In the second part of her Pharma Commerce video interview, Jen Butler, CCO of Pleio, warns that without stronger education, communication, and pharmacist involvement, digital engagement risks becoming purely transactional.

This episode of Pharma Pulse discusses Novartis’ $12 billion acquisition of Avidity Biosciences to expand its RNA therapeutics portfolio, and President Trump’s proposed 10% tariff increase on Canadian imports that could disrupt pharma supply chains.

At LogiPharma USA, industry leaders from Tive, McKesson, and the broader healthcare logistics community discussed the sector’s transition from passive monitoring to real-time control, the growing influence of advanced therapies, and the importance of diversity and innovation in shaping the future of pharma supply chains.

The move adds new tension to US-Canada trade relations under the USMCA and raises questions about pending pharmaceutical import policies.

This episode of Pharma Pulse discusses new research linking cholesterol imbalance in obesity to higher depression risk, Eli Lilly’s acquisition of Aderum Biotechnologies to strengthen its neuroscience pipeline, and Cambrex’s $120 million investment to boost US. API manufacturing capacity.

The CDMO’s latest investment will boost capacity at its Charles City, IA facility by 40%, underscoring Cambrex’s focus on reshoring drug manufacturing, advancing peptide and small molecule production, and supporting the long-term stability of the US pharma supply chain.

In the final part of her Pharma Commerce video interview, Megan Wetzel, VP, product, access & affordability at CoverMyMeds, shares how the right field reimbursement model structure ensures field teams have the insights and tools they need to overcome coverage barriers and accelerate patient access to therapy.

This episode of Pharma Pulse covers Alkermes’ acquisition of Avadel Pharmaceuticals to expand its portfolio, BioNTech’s public exchange offer for CureVac to strengthen its mRNA pipeline, and a new report revealing how US medical device manufacturers are adopting digital-first models to boost compliance and patient engagement.

In the third part of her Pharma Commerce video interview, Megan Wetzel, VP, product, access & affordability at CoverMyMeds, explains that by educating provider offices on payer requirements, prior authorizations, and denial trends, field reimbursement managers help streamline complex reimbursement processes and reduce treatment delays.

The acquisition brings together two leaders in mRNA innovation, strengthening BioNTech’s oncology strategy and expanding its R&D and commercialization capabilities.

This episode of Pharma Pulse covers MJH Life Sciences’ acquisition of BPD Healthcare to deepen its reach into hospitals and health systems, investor reaction to Novo Nordisk’s recent board changes, and Mark Cuban’s latest partnership expanding his Cost Plus Drugs platform to disrupt traditional pharmacy pricing models.

In the second part of her Pharma Commerce video interview Megan Wetzel, VP, product, access & affordability at CoverMyMeds, describes how high development costs, personalized treatment models, and an aging population are intensifying the imbalance.

At HLTH 2025, the entrepreneur announced a collaboration between Cost Plus Drugs and President Trump’s TrumpRx platform aimed at improving transparency, reducing drug costs, and reshaping how Americans access their prescriptions.