Pharma Pulse: FDA Fast-Tracks Merck Blockbusters, GSK’s Precision Data Bet, and DHL’s Massive PA Hub

Welcome to Pharma Pulse, a Pharmaceutical Commerce podcast where we bring you the latest insights shaping patient access, supply chain/logistics, data & tech, and healthcare innovation. I’m your host, and let’s get into today’s headlines.

• We lead with the FDA’s latest move to accelerate life-saving medicine. The agency has awarded two National Priority Vouchers to Merck for its potential blockbusters: enlicitide decanoate, an oral cholesterol-lowering pill, and sacituzumab tirumotecan, a targeted cancer therapy. These vouchers, granted under a new pilot program focused on affordability, slash review times from nearly a year to just two months.
• In R&D news, GSK has entered a multi-year collaboration with Helix to integrate large-scale genomic and clinical data into its discovery engine. By leveraging Helix’s massive database, GSK aims to improve target identification and tailor treatments to specific genetic profiles.
• Turning to the supply chain, DHL Supply Chain has completed a massive one-million-square-foot center of excellence in Annville, Pennsylvania. Strategically located near major East Coast interstates, the facility is designated as a Foreign Trade Zone, allowing for tariff mitigation and faster customs processing for imported life science goods. The site features state-of-the-art, temperature-controlled zones specifically for biologics and specialty drugs, all powered by sustainable solar energy and EV-ready infrastructure.

That’s it for this episode of Pharma Pulse. For more insights on trends transforming pharmaceutical access and care delivery, visit pharmaceuticalcommerce.com.

Thanks for listening—until next time, stay well and stay informed.

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