Reuters Health News Summary

The US Senate has confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as the new director of the US CDC, marking a rare win for the Trump administration in filling top health posts.

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

US Senate confirms Schwartz as CDC director

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as director of the U.S. CDC, handing the Trump administration a rare win after repeated failed attempts to fill top health posts. Schwartz, President Donald Trump's third pick to run the Centers for ​Disease Control and Prevention, was confirmed 51-44. She will be the first permanent CDC director since Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. last year fired Trump's second pick, Susan Monarez, after less than a month over a ​clash on vaccine policy.

Lilly beats estimates on resilient demand for injectable GLP-1 drugs, widens gap with Novo

Sales of Eli Lilly's Zepbound and Mounjaro injectable weight-loss ‌and diabetes drugs ​soared during the second quarter, easily beating Wall Street estimates and widening the gap with Danish rival Novo Nordisk. The trillion-dollar company also posted better-than-expected quarterly results and raised its full-year revenue forecast, and its shares were up 3.6%.

Why Congo's Ebola outbreak is spreading faster than previous epidemics

The Ebola epidemic in Democratic Republic of Congo is on track to surpass 4,000 cases this week and has been described as the fastest spreading on record since it was officially declared in May. It is already the world's second-largest epidemic after West Africa's 2014-16 outbreak in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, when the World Health Organization recorded more than 28,000 cases and 11,000 deaths.

McKesson raises annual profit forecast on strong growth in specialty drug business

Drug distributor McKesson on ‌Wednesday raised its annual profit forecast after beating first-quarter earnings estimates, on strength in its oncology and specialty drug businesses. The company now expects fiscal 2027 adjusted profit to be in the range of $44.20 to $45 per share, from its previous projection of $43.80 to $44.60 per share. Analysts were expecting a profit of $44.26 per share, according to data compiled by LSEG.

Medicover to sell India hospital business to KKR for €1.2 billion

Swedish healthcare provider Medicover agreed on Thursday to sell its India hospital business to funds managed by global investment firm KKR for €1.2 billion ($1.39 billion). Medicover said the deal would help it focus strategically and operationally on Poland, Germany and Romania.

US cyclosporiasis probe linked to lettuce widens to 15 states

U.S. health authorities have widened their probe into a cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce from central Mexico after detecting cases in six additional states, raising the total to 15 states, the FDA and CDC said on Wednesday. The newly linked states are Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, New Hampshire and North Carolina, the source said.

Exclusive-'No discussions' over AstraZeneca-Bristol Myers deal, senior ‌source says

There are "no discussions" ongoing between AstraZeneca and Bristol Myers Squibb over a potential deal, a senior source close to the matter told Reuters on Wednesday, quashing the prospect of a mooted mega merger between the drugmakers. "There is no deal between AstraZeneca and BMS. There never was a deal to be done, and there are no discussions between the companies," said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Mexico investigating tourist hub for cyclospora after UK alert

Mexico's health ministry ‌is testing food and water at more than a dozen hotels in the tourist hub of Quintana Roo after British health authorities reported cases of cyclosporiasis in travelers who had stayed there, the ministry said on Wednesday. The ministry said that results from the laboratory analysis would be released once testing is complete. Mexico has logged 33 cases of cyclosporiasis, which causes stomach illness, across several states.

AI finds previously undetected health risks during sleep studies

We also report on another promising experimental non-opioid pain drug for use following surgery. AI HELPS FIND UNTAPPED HEALTH PREDICTORS IN SLEEP STUDIES

CVS profit outlook overshadows strong quarter, shares fall

CVS Health reported better-than-expected second-quarter results on Wednesday, but its updated 2026 forecast and 2027 profit outlook appeared to underwhelm some investors, and its shares fell nearly 6%. The company increased its 2026 earnings forecast to $7.90 to $8.10 per share, raising both ends by 60 cents, which was less than the magnitude of the second-quarter beat, and set the new 2027 earnings bar of at least $8.44 per share.

US FDA approves first mRNA flu shot from Moderna

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Moderna's flu vaccine for people aged 50 and older, the company said on Wednesday, marking the first approval of a messenger RNA-based vaccine for seasonal ⁠flu. The shot, mFlusiva, was given ​a traditional approval for adults aged 50 to 64, and an accelerated approval for those 65 years and older.

Mexican jalapenos tied to Salmonella ⁠outbreak in 27 US states

U.S. health officials are investigating a Salmonella outbreak linked to Mexican jalapeno peppers that has sickened 345 people in 27 states, prompting supplier Coast Citrus Distributors to recall peppers sent to restaurants including Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said 36 hospitalizations and no deaths have been reported, while the investigation remains ongoing.

Glanbia hikes profit forecast as weight-loss drugs boost demand for protein products

Nutrition supplement maker Glanbia hiked its full-year profit forecast on Thursday following bumper demand for its protein products, including from customers using them ⁠in tandem with weight-loss drugs. The Irish company expects adjusted earnings per share growth of 17% to 20% at constant currencies this year after EPS jumped 30% in the first half. It had guided in late April that it would hit the upper end of a 7% to 11% range.

Tarsus to expand eye disease pipeline with up to $800 million Alkeus acquisition

Eye drug maker Tarsus Pharmaceuticals said on Thursday it would acquire privately held Alkeus Pharmaceuticals in a cash-and-stock deal worth up to $800 million, adding an experimental oral therapy for a rare inherited retinal disorder with no ​approved U.S. treatment. Tarsus shares were down 3% in premarket trading.

Novo CEO looks to speed up R&D as share drop shows gap with Lilly

Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar sought to reassure investors on Wednesday that the drugmaker can strengthen its pipeline, pledging faster research and bolt-on acquisitions after an upgraded 2026 outlook failed to lift sentiment. The Danish drugmaker raised its full-year profit and sales outlook, but investors focused instead on slightly weaker-than-expected sales for its new ⁠Wegovy pill and another setback for next-generation obesity drug CagriSema.

Zoetis cuts annual forecasts as pet healthcare demand slows

Animal health company Zoetis cut its annual forecasts on Thursday after missing Wall Street estimates for second-quarter revenue, as softer demand for pet healthcare products and increased competition weighed. Shares of the company were down about 3% in premarket trading.

Solventum to hive off healthcare software business, raises profit forecast

Solventum, one of the largest providers of hospital consumables and sterilization devices, said on Wednesday it is planning to separate its health information systems business as part of its ongoing turnaround strategy. The company also raised its full-year forecast for organic sales and adjusted profit, driven ⁠by ​strong demand for its wound care and sterilization products.

MetLife profit rises on underwriting strength, volume growth

Life insurer MetLife posted a jump in second-quarter adjusted profit on Wednesday, powered by strong underwriting and broad volume growth, with standout results in Asia and Latin America. The industry has continued to benefit from resilient demand, robust sales growth and disciplined underwriting, while elevated interest rates have lifted investment returns.

US will nearly double financial commitment to Ebola response

The U.S. State Department on Wednesday nearly doubled its financial commitment to the Ebola response in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, announcing plans to provide an additional $242 million to combat the second-largest outbreak of the disease in history. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott told reporters that the money would fund up to six months of activity and bring the total amount of direct U.S. assistance to $512 million.

Cencora lifts annual profit view on strong demand for specialty medicines

U.S. drug distributor Cencora raised its annual adjusted profit forecast on Wednesday after quarterly results beat Wall Street expectations, driven by strong ⁠demand for specialty medicines, sending its shares up 3.7% in morning trade. Here are the details:

Pfizer beats earnings estimates, targets $2.5 billion in additional cost cuts

Pfizer reported better-than-expected second-quarter results on Tuesday, powered by strong demand for blood thinner Eliquis and recently acquired drugs, and announced plans for an additional $2.5 billion in cost-cutting. The New York-based drugmaker expects $9.7 billion in total net savings from its cost reductions through 2029 as it seeks to offset declining COVID-related revenue and restore sustainable growth.

Merck ⁠raises 2026 profit guidance, beats quarterly estimates

Germany's Merck KGaA raised its 2026 core profit guidance and beat quarterly expectations on Thursday, helped by ⁠continued strong demand for semiconductor materials and drug production supplies. The diversified family-controlled group said it expects adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of between 5.9 billion euros and 6.3 billion euros ($6.8 billion-$7.3 billion) in 2026, up from previous guidance of between 5.7 billion euros and 6.1 billion euros.

US FDA approves Takeda's sleep disorder pill

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Takeda Pharmaceuticals' oral drug for narcolepsy, the health regulator said on Wednesday, backing the first treatment that targets all the symptoms of the rare sleep disorder. Here are more details:

Kenvue misses quarterly estimates as inflation, tariffs squeeze margins

Kenvue narrowly missed Wall Street estimates for second-quarter results on Thursday as inflation, tariffs and currency-related costs squeezed margins. The consumer-health company, currently in the midst of a $40 billion ‌buyout by Kimberly-Clark, expects the deal to close in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Novavax lifts annual ‌revenue forecast as licensing bets offset weak vaccine demand

Novavax raised its annual revenue forecast after beating quarterly expectations on Thursday, as the vaccine maker's licensing-driven milestone payments helped offset waning demand.

The Maryland-based company has been moving away from direct vaccine commercialization to ​focus on licensing its protein-based vaccine technology and Matrix-M vaccine adjuvant, alongside a broad cost-cutting effort to restore growth and profitability.