Global Health Update: Germany's Vaccine Donation, Emergent Layoffs, and McKesson's Big Move

Germany will donate 100,000 mpox vaccine doses from its military stocks to Africa. DR Congo won't get mpox vaccines this week. Emergent BioSolutions will cut up to 70 roles in Michigan. Belgian UCB selling its China business for $680 million. Philippines confirms two mild mpox cases. McKesson to buy a $2.5 billion stake in Florida Cancer Specialists' unit.

Germany has announced plans to donate 100,000 mpox vaccine doses, sourced from its military stocks, to assist African countries in the short term. The move aims to curb the ongoing outbreak and will be coordinated through the World Health Organization and the GAVI vaccination alliance, according to a government spokesperson.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has stated that it no longer expects the arrival of its first mpox vaccine delivery this week. This comes as the country battles a variant that has spread beyond its borders. The World Health Organization had earlier declared mpox a global public health emergency.

Emergent BioSolutions revealed plans to reduce its workforce in Lansing, Michigan, by up to 70 positions. The decision is part of a broader restructure to shift focus from its contract manufacturing business to sales growth for its opioid overdose reversal drug, Narcan, amid sluggish demand.

Belgian pharmaceutical company UCB announced the sale of its China-based neurology and allergy business for $680 million to Singapore's CBC and Abu Dhabi's Mubadala. The sale includes popular drugs such as Keppra, Vimpat, and Zyrtec.

The Philippines has confirmed two new cases of the milder mpox clade 2 variant, bringing the number of active cases in the country to three. Health Minister Teodoro Herbosa continues to monitor the situation closely.

In a notable business move, McKesson will acquire a controlling stake worth $2.5 billion in the Florida Cancer Specialists' business unit, Core Ventures. The acquisition will allow McKesson to manage non-clinical administrative functions at clinics across Florida.

Cigna has announced plans to exclude AbbVie's Humira from some of its drug reimbursement lists in 2025, favoring more affordable biosimilar options. This change affects lists managed by Cigna's pharmacy benefits unit, Express Scripts.

Africa is set to receive its first 10,000 mpox vaccines next week, highlighting ongoing disparities in global healthcare despite the lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials remain concerned about a new variant of the virus in the region.

A suspected case of mpox at Brazil's main international airport is likely chickenpox, according to the state-owned infectious disease hospital Emilio Ribas. Health officials are awaiting laboratory test results to confirm the case.

Diagnostics firm Labcorp is considering expanding its mpox testing capacity in collaboration with U.S. health regulators, particularly as new cases are detected outside Africa. Currently processing 500 tests monthly, the company can scale to around 25,000 if required, stated Chief Scientific Officer Marcia Eisenberg.

(With inputs from agencies.)