Pharmaceutical Advances and Challenges: Today's Health Headlines

Today's health news covers strategic moves in the pharmaceutical sector, including Novavax's $200 million sale, a U.S. court decision favoring generic drugs, FDA approvals of new treatments, and weight loss drug trial outcomes. Also, CMS agreements aim to broaden access to crucial gene therapies.

In a strategic move to refocus efforts, Novavax announced the sale of its Czech manufacturing facility to Novo Nordisk for $200 million. The U.S.-based vaccine maker aims to use the proceeds to strengthen its vaccine pipeline, as it struggles against competitors Moderna and Pfizer.

Legal battles in the pharmaceutical industry saw a significant development as a U.S. appeals court ruled against Novartis, allowing MSN Pharmaceuticals to proceed with a generic version of the heart drug Entresto. The ruling by the Federal Circuit supports an earlier decision, paving the way for affordable alternatives.

On the innovation front, the U.S. FDA has approved new therapies, including Merus NV's Bizengri for difficult-to-treat cancers and AstraZeneca's Imfinzi for lung cancer. The sector also witnessed a notable trial result from Eli Lilly, whose obesity drug Zepbound outperformed Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, enhancing its market position.

(With inputs from agencies.)