Recon: FDA to replace some fired workers with contractors; Pfizer abandons development of GLP-1 weight-loss drug

• The trade war hits pause, but the biotech doom loop carries on (STAT)
• ‘Most-favored nation’ drug pricing has three significant problems (STAT)
• Pfizer to discontinue its GLP-1 pill for obesity due to liver toxicity (STAT)
• Inside U.S. health agencies, workers confront chaos and questions as operations come unglued (STAT)
• Novartis plans to invest $23 billion in US sites as Trump renews drug tariff threats (Reuters)
• FDA plans to phase out animal testing in drugs in what it calls a ‘paradigm shift’ (STAT)
• FDA to replace laid-off employees with contractors, sources say (CBS News)
• Pharma tariffs to arrive 'in the next month or two,' commerce secretary says (Endpoints)
• Trump health policy uncertainty sends biotech sector into deeper slump (Reuters)

• European Commission plans emergency measures to combat bird flu in Poland (Reuters)
• WHO members close to accord on tackling future pandemics, sources say (Reuters)
• Canada launches antitrust probe into Cigna's Express Scripts unit (Reuters)
• Medtech Strategy Must Be Priority, German Diagnostics Firms Tell Government (MedTech Insight)
• EU Regulators Push For Better Support For Sponsors On Using Animal Study Alternatives (Pink Sheet)

• Gilead is urged to rework licensing deals for groundbreaking HIV prevention drug (STAT)
• US FDA approves syringe version of Argenx's immune disorder drug (Reuters)
• Novo Nordisk warns consumers about counterfeit versions of Ozempic in US (Reuters)
• Verve gene-editing therapy lowers cholesterol without serious side effects in early study (STAT)
• Biotech investors: Stop expecting CRISPR science to make big leaps (STAT)
• Ironwood to look for alternative paths after FDA asks for another Phase 3 (Endpoints)
• Bristol Myers' immunotherapy combo nets approvals in colorectal and liver cancer (Endpoints)
• Recruiters say some biopharmas pause hiring as they struggle to make sense of ongoing uncertainty (Endpoints)
• Third Harmonic Bio to shutter; Future Pak once again targets Theratechnologies (Endpoints)

• Tariff turmoil: Hospitals, device makers welcome pause, but fear long-term pain (MedTech Dive)
• Dialysis firm DaVita hit by ransomware attack, says patient care continues (Reuters)
• Birmingham City University Develops New Defense Mechanism Against Cyberattacks On AI Systems (MedTech Insight)
• Opportunity For Medtech To Contribute To EU Cybersecurity Recommendations (MedTech Insight)
• Roar Of Eargo-hearX Merger Echoes Through US OTC Hearing Aid Market (MedTech Insight)

• Trump to end federal funding of certain non-medical services in Medicaid (STAT)
• Food manufacturers look to stay agile amid tariff uncertainty (Food Dive)

• Why CDC cuts are being called ‘the greatest gift to tobacco industry in the last half-century’ (STAT)
• Closure of CDC hepatitis lab imperils U.S. outbreak response, prevention (STAT)
• Tennessee officials find Express Scripts violated law governing commercial pharmacy claims (STAT)
• Tech modernization at community health centers in limbo after federal workforce cuts (STAT)
• Sandoz files US antitrust lawsuit against Amgen over arthritis drug (Reuters)
• Measles cases in Texas rise to 541, state health department says (Reuters)
• Déjà Vu: OPDP Again Targets Provider Branded Website of Accelerated Approval Drug in Second Untitled Letter of 2025 (FDA Law Blog)