Pharma News

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) has selected five research teams to develop new technologies aimed at making individualized, RNA-based genetic medicines faster and more accessible.

The initiative is part of ARPA-H’s Genetic Medicines and Individualized Manufacturing for Everyone (GIVE) program, which could receive up to 125 million USD in research and development funding. The program seeks to establish an automated, distributed manufacturing network capable of producing genetic medicines on demand and closer to the point of care.

Novartis has announced positive topline results from the Phase III REMODEL-1 and REMODEL-2 trials evaluating remibrutinib, an oral Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, in adults with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS).

The investigational therapy met the primary endpoint in both trials, demonstrating a statistically significant reduction in annualized relapse rate (ARR) compared with teriflunomide. The studies also reported favorable results across key secondary endpoints, including measures of inflammatory brain lesions seen on MRI.

Zydus Lifesciences has announced positive topline results from its global EVIDENCES-X™ Phase II(b) clinical trial evaluating Saroglitazar Magnesium in patients with Metabolic dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) and fibrosis. The company said the study successfully achieved its primary endpoint, marking an important milestone in its ongoing MASH development programme.

The Trump administration has announced agreements with nine additional pharmaceutical manufacturers aimed at reducing prescription drug prices in the United States under its Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) pricing initiative.

The latest agreements bring the total number of pharmaceutical manufacturers participating in the administration's MFN arrangements to 26 companies, covering approximately 89% of the branded drug market, according to a White House fact sheet released on August 31.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Mimrylo (rusfertide), a new treatment for adults with polycythemia vera, a rare blood disorder that causes the body to make too many red blood cells. The excess cells can thicken the blood and increase the risk of cardiovascular issues, such as blood clots, stroke and heart attack.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Lisraya (brepocitinib) tablets for the treatment of dermatomyositis in adults. For decades, dermatomyositis patients have had limited treatment options to manage their symptoms. The approval of Lisraya offers patients an important new alternative by providing an effective oral treatment option.

The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has cancelled the recruitment process for Drug Inspector, Group-B posts under the Food and Drug Administration Department, citing concerns over the integrity of the screening examination.

The recruitment advertisement, No. 116/2025, was issued on July 29, 2025. The screening examination was conducted offline on March 22, 2026, at examination centres located in six divisional headquarters across Maharashtra. The result was declared on June 12, 2026, with 506 candidates qualifying for interviews.