Recon: Novartis, Matchpoint sign $1B deal to develop anti-inflammatory drugs; FDA reinstated a quarter of jobs cut by DOGE, Makary says

• FDA reinstated roughly a quarter of initial DOGE job cuts (Politico Pro)
• HHS Secretary RFK Jr. accepts recommendations to drop thimerosal from U.S. flu vaccines (STAT)
• Alnylam CEO: Congress must pass the MINI Act to protect future biotech breakthroughs (STAT)
• Medical groups and US states work to circumvent Kennedy's vaccine decisions (Reuters)
• Exclusive: Sarepta would have to conduct new studies to get back on market, FDA official says (Endpoints)
• FDA’s artificial intelligence is supposed to revolutionize drug approvals. It’s making up studies (CNN)
• FDA panel on the use of antidepressants during pregnancy is alarming experts (LA Times)
• Do fluoride supplements harm children? FDA panel discussion turns into heated debate (NBC) (CNN)

• Novartis to pay Matchpoint up to $1 billion to develop anti-inflammatory therapies (Reuters)
• Permira, Nordic in Takeover Talks for Vaccine Maker Bavarian (Bloomberg) (Reuters)
• Weak regulation causing deaths due to contaminated medicines, WHO says (Reuters)
• TCG Labs Soleil gets another $400M for single-asset biotechs, expands to China (Endpoints)
• Medtronic receives Type 2 label expansion for MiniMed 780G in Europe (MedTech Dive)
• Time For Medtech To Have Its Say On Critical Changes In EU Framework Legislation (MedTech Insight)
• Roche pauses shipments of Elevidys gene therapy outside US (Reuters)

• Why Sarepta may not survive its current gene therapy crisis (STAT)
• Contract research firms' strong earnings signal stabilizing biotech, pharma spending (Reuters)
• Political or professional? Makary's overhaul of CDER, CBER may reshape leadership norms (Endpoints)
• Roche profit beats forecast on strong sales of cancer, allergy drugs (Reuters)
• Roche May Sell Drugs Directly in US to Bypass Middlemen (Bloomberg)
• Sun Pharma to Settle US Generics Pricing Case for $200 Million (Bloomberg)
• AstraZeneca’s Autoimmune Medicine Reduced Disease Severity (Bloomberg)
• Sarepta's licensing partner Arrowhead expects near-term payments despite setbacks (Reuters)
• Rocket cuts 30% of staff as it plots path forward for gene therapies (Endpoints)
• Still in flux, Galapagos hires new execs, adjusts deal with Gilead, and considers selling its cell therapy business (Endpoints)
• Novo Nordisk to discontinue three insulin products; Thermo Fisher CFO to retire (Endpoints)
• LEO Pharma’s eczema cream is approved in the US; Abivax’s $650M offering (Endpoints)
• 'Crossing fingers': Boehringer awaits key FDA decisions to spearhead 'maturing' pipeline (Fierce Pharma)
• FDA delays Blenrep decision, putting GSK's multiple myeloma comeback dreams on ice (Fierce Pharma)

• Labcorp to buy some Community Health assets for $195M (MedTech Dive)
• Boston Scientific halves expected tariff hit (MedTech Dive)
• Intuitive Surgical tempers tariff impact expectations (MedTech Dive)
• Baxter recalls certain Novum pumps over issues tied to 79 injuries, 2 deaths (MedTech Dive)
• Medtech M&A Resurges: How To Define Startup Exit Strategy (MedTech Insight)
• ForSight Sets Its Sights On Automating Delicate Eye Procedures (MedTech Insight)

• HHS, FDA and USDA Address the Health Risks of Ultra-Processed Foods (HHS)
• Color Food Beautiful: FDA Approves Gardenia Blue and Continues Push to Phase Out (FDA Law Blog)
• How GLP-1 weight loss drugs are reshaping the food industry (Food Dive)

• UnitedHealth confirms DOJ investigations into Medicare practices, says it’s cooperating (STAT)
• How states can mitigate Trump’s Medicaid cuts – and set their health care systems on a better path (STAT)
• Molina Drops After Lowering Guidance Twice in One Month (Bloomberg)
• Missouri accuses Planned Parenthood of downplaying abortion drug risks (Reuters)
• 10M people will lose insurance due to GOP policy law: CBO (MedTech Dive)