Recon: Abbott to acquire Exact Sciences in $21B deal; Merck KGaA pairs with Valo for AI drug discovery

• Under RFK Jr., CDC reverses course on stance that vaccines don’t cause autism (STAT) (Reuters)
• Inside RFK Jr.’s first nine months leading HHS (STAT)
• In new FDA role, Pazdur will decide the future of Sarepta’s Duchenne drugs (STAT)
• FDA will allow email 'clarifications' after pharma company meetings (Endpoints)
• New Flu Variant Spreads While Vaccination Rates Fall (Bloomberg)

• Flagship and portfolio companies do deals with GSK, Merck KGaA and Saudi Arabia (Endpoints)
• After Phase 3 hit, Innovent to seek China approval of high-dose obesity shot it got from Lilly (Endpoints)
• China Boosts South Africa HIV Drive, Huge US Funding Gaps Remain (Bloomberg)
• Novo Nordisk Powers Denmark’s Fastest Growth in Four Years (Bloomberg)
• EU health regulator urges immediate vaccinations amid early surge in flu cases (Reuters)

• Merck KGaA to draw on Valo's drug discovery AI in potential $3 billion deal (Reuters) (Bloomberg)
• The anti-aging gold rush should focus on quality of life, not just quantity (STAT)
• Can GLP-1 drugs treat Alzheimer’s? Novo Nordisk will soon announce key results (STAT)
• Function Health has won over consumers. When will it publish evidence? (STAT)
• Aspen gets $115M for Parkinson's cell therapy, potential IPO in sight next year (Endpoints)
• FDA approves new indication and monthly dose of Regeneron’s Eylea HD (Endpoints)
• Novartis raises the sales bar for key cancer drugs, tweaks yearly growth guidance (Endpoints)
• Moderna Gets Breathing Room With $1.5 Billion Loan From Ares (Bloomberg)
• Bayer Wins US Approval for New Drug Hyrnuo in Lung Cancer (Bloomberg)

• Abbott to buy cancer screening test maker Exact Sciences in $21B deal (STAT)
• Abbott Inks 2025’s Largest Bridge Loan to Finance Acquisition (Bloomberg)
• Neuralink Rival Paradromics Cleared to Start Brain Implant Trial (Bloomberg)
• Roche inks deal for rights to Freenome cancer tests outside US (MedTech Dive)
• Philips, Edwards team on AI-based guide for mitral valve repair (MedTech Dive)
• Distalmotion raises $150M to commercialize surgical robot (MedTech Dive)
• TEAM-NB Spells Out What Needs To Happen When Transferring Legacy Devices (MedTech Insight)
• Siemens’ 30% Healthineers Spin-Off Signals $23.2 Billion Unwind As Analysts Warn Of Pressure (MedTech Insight)
• BrainsWay Advances With Expanded Depression Indication, New Alcohol Dependence Trial (MedTech Insight)
• ResMed’s AirSense 11 Stands To Gain From Philips Recall, But Pricing Risks Remain (MedTech Insight)

• Tyson to stop selling ‘climate-smart’ beef as part of lawsuit settlement (Food Dive)
• Lower turkey prices slash Thanksgiving dinner costs in 2025 (Food Dive)

• Armed with AI and virtual care, K Health thinks it can make primary care more accessible (STAT)
• AI spun out of Berkeley proposes to detect hundreds of conditions on medical images (STAT)
• HHS names authors and releases peer review comments for gender dysphoria report (STAT)
• AbbVie, Novartis can proceed with legal fight against Utah 340B law (Endpoints)
• Republican antipathy during key Senate hearing darkens outlook for ACA subsidy extension (MedTech Dive)