Pharma Updates: Amgen Overcomes Concerns, AstraZeneca Expands, and Pfizer Considers Sale

Recent health news highlights include Amgen addressing bone density concerns, AstraZeneca revising its financial outlook after strong Q3 results, and Pfizer considering the sale of its hospital drugs unit. Other updates include a slowing of STIs in the US and BioNTech's acquisition to bolster its oncology strategy.

Amgen has refuted concerns linking its experimental weight-loss drug MariTide to changes in bone density. This clarification came after the company's market value dipped by over $12 billion due to the concern, as analysis from Cantor Fitzgerald suggested a possible risk.

AstraZeneca has raised its annual sales and profit forecast following a robust third-quarter performance. The London-based pharmaceutical giant plans to invest $2 billion more in U.S. expansions, focusing on developing biologics medicines and cell therapies.

The CDC notes a decrease in sexually transmitted infections in the U.S., hinting at a potential slowdown in the epidemic. Last year saw a 2% reduction in STIs, with the majority of cases reported among young adults aged 15–24.

(With inputs from agencies.)