Pharma Pulse: Federal Funding Averts Shutdown and Pfizer’s Adjuvant Play

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.

• First, Congressional negotiators have unveiled a massive bipartisan funding bill to avert a Jan. 30 shutdown. While the deal secures year-long stability for HHS and health programs, it has ignited a firestorm over PBM reform. The bill includes provisions for "delinking" pharmacy benefit manager fees, which critics argue could spike Medicare premiums while handing a significant windfall to drug manufacturers.
• In other news, Novavax has entered a definitive $530 million licensing agreement with Pfizer. Pfizer gains non-exclusive rights to Novavax’s proprietary Matrix-M adjuvant for use in up to two disease areas. This deal validates Novavax’s non-aluminum, saponin-based technology as a critical asset for next-gen immunizations, netting the Maryland biotech a vital $30 million upfront payment.

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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