Health Sector Headlines: Key Legal Decisions and Pharma Developments

Current health news round-up: Australian judge dismisses a lawsuit against Bayer, EU backs GSK's RSV shot for adults aged 50-59, EU rejects Eisai-Biogen Alzheimer's drug, Mankind Pharma acquires Bharat Serums, WHO sends polio vaccines to Gaza, EU approves Dutch state aid for cancer isotopes, Bristol Myers reports strong Q2 results, Insulet expects high revenue, US admits anti-vax propaganda in the Philippines, and EU backs Novo's Wegovy for heart health in non-diabetics.

An Australian judge has dismissed a class action lawsuit alleging Bayer's Roundup weedkiller causes blood cancer. Bayer plans to leverage this ruling in similar U.S. cases, where over 1,000 have joined the lawsuit claiming Roundup's ingredient glyphosate caused their non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL).

The EU's health regulator recommended that GSK's respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine be used in adults aged 50-59. The recommendation by the EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use awaits formal approval by the European Commission.

The EU drugs regulator rejected Eisai and Biogen's Alzheimer's treatment, citing potential brain swelling risks outweighing the drug's limited cognitive benefits. This setback affected Biogen's shares negatively, which fell 6.3% in U.S. premarket trading.

Indian pharmaceutical company Mankind Pharma announced it would acquire Bharat Serums and Vaccines Ltd in a $1.6 billion deal. This acquisition will enhance Mankind's portfolio with products targeting women's health and fertility treatments.

To combat polio, the World Health Organization is dispatching over one million polio vaccines to Gaza. Despite no cases recorded, the vaccines aim to protect children following polio virus detection in sewage samples.

To support cancer treatment, the Netherlands received EU approval for a $2.2 billion state aid package to construct a nuclear reactor that produces medical isotopes. This decision aims to ensure the supply of essential medicines.

Bristol Myers Squibb reported better-than-estimated second-quarter results, thanks to sales of new drugs like Reblozyl and Camzyos, and its leading blood thinner, Eliquis. The company raised its full-year earnings forecast, reflecting positive market reception.

Insulet, driven by demand for its Omnipod insulin delivery devices, announced preliminary second-quarter revenue surpassing Wall Street expectations. These devices help diabetic patients avoid multiple daily injections.

The U.S. Defense Department acknowledged it spread anti-vaccine propaganda against China's Sinovac in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic. The revelation came from a June 25 document reviewed by Reuters.

The EU regulator has backed the use of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy to lower heart risks and strokes in overweight or obese adults without diabetes. This follows similar approvals by UK regulators and the U.S. FDA.

(With inputs from agencies.)