Recon: FTC says PBMs inflated drug prices to generate $7.3B in revenue; GSK to buy IDRx for $1B upfront

• US FTC finds major pharmacy benefit managers inflated drug prices for $7.3 billion gain (Reuters)
• Will MAHA add alcohol to its list of health foes? (STAT)
• Former Trump White House, HHS aide Abe Sutton likely to lead Medicare, Medicaid innovation center (STAT)
• Former Trump FDA, CMS heads lay out how his return could reshape health policy (STAT)
• Eli Lilly scientific chief Skovronsky says Scorpion deal ‘checked all the boxes’ (STAT)
• Can the Pfizer machine fight back against an activist investor? (Endpoints)
• CMS starts Medicare coverage analysis for Medtronic, Recor renal denervation devices (MedTech Dive)
• Trump health alum tapped as RFK Jr.'s chief of staff (Politico)
• BIO’s Crowley to advise Trump on FDA reform (BioCentury)

• GSK to buy cancer-focused IDRx in $1 billion deal (STAT)
• Australia's BioCina and NovaCina join forces to make one CDMO (Endpoints)
• EU weighs curbs on Chinese medical device makers in public bids (Reuters)
• EU medtech regulations reducing options for patients, companies say (MedTech Dive)
• Over 27,000 And Growing: The Evolving Role Of Medtech’s EU Responsible Person (MedTech Insight)
• UK Pathology Champions Bigger Role For Biomedical Scientists In Evolving NHS (MedTech Insight)

• A legendary biotech investor warns that shorting industry stocks isn’t easy (STAT)
• Eli Lilly’s stock falls after 2024 guidance misses forecasts (STAT) (Reuters)
• Truveta enlists health systems, drugmakers to launch ambitious new genomic database (STAT)
• Cytokinetics is not looking to be acquired, CEO says (STAT)
• #JPM25 live blog day 2: Nvidia makes it fun; The year's 10th megaround (Endpoints)
• Umoja’s $100M Series C will advance its bid for more convenient cell therapies (Endpoints)
• Regenxbio sells Hunter syndrome license with FDA filing underway (Endpoints)
• Exclusive: Day after GSK buyout, IDRx chair takes new investing role at Curie.Bio (Endpoints)
• Health tech funding in 2025 kicks off with megarounds (Endpoints)
• Daiichi Sankyo brings Glycotope antibody in-house for $132.5M (Endpoints)
• Pfizer to cut stake in Sensodyne-maker Haleon to 7.3%, says bookrunner (Reuters)
• Bayer pharma chief sees no big acquisitions in near future (Reuters)

• No longer a rocket ship, Teladoc promises stability to impress investors (STAT)
• As deadline looms, health systems rush to ensure clinical algorithms don’t discriminate (STAT)
• Philips recall of heart monitor software tied to 109 injuries, 2 deaths (MedTech Dive)
• CEO Geoff Martha tells JPM crowd Medtronic is ‘stacking growth drivers’ (MedTech Dive)
• Medtronic inks distribution deal with Contego with option to buy firm (MedTech Dive)

• Want to start a fight among virus experts? Ask about HIV’s new name (STAT)
• Tariffs on medical items should be reinvested in the health care supply chain (STAT)
• Q&A: How this federal court ruling helps nursing home residents with disabilities (STAT)
• Raw milk can be safe — but it depends on something in short supply (STAT)
• Jonathan Kanter on health care monopolies, and a new MA rule boosts payments (STAT)
• Crest, Colgate lawsuits target fluoride in kids' toothpaste, mouth rinse (Reuters)
• To Be or Coco-Not To Be: That’s One Question Answered in FDA’s Final Guidance Documents on Food Allergens (FDA Law Blog)