Global Pharma Movements: Key Health Updates

Agilent Technologies announced the acquisition of Biovectra for $925 million. Notable health news includes settlements over Robitussin's 'non-drowsy' claims, a Nipah virus fatality in Kerala, EU antitrust actions, IQVIA's revised profit forecast, a goat plague outbreak in Greece, and multiple pharma deals amid Sino-US tensions.

Agilent Technologies will acquire Biovectra for $925 million, aiming to expand its biotech services. Biovectra specializes in fill-and-finish services and active ingredient production for drugs, including GLP-1 weight loss treatments.

Haleon, formerly part of GSK, agreed to a $4.5 million settlement over 'non-drowsy' claims on Robitussin products. The agreement, awaiting judicial approval, requires the removal of the 'non-drowsy' label.

In Kerala, India, a 14-year-old boy died from the Nipah virus, prompting preventative measures for 60 at-risk individuals, according to local health officials.

EU regulators accepted Vifor Pharma's proposal to avoid anti-competitive actions after a two-year investigation into misleading marketing practices against Pharmacosmos' Monofer iron deficiency treatment.

IQVIA Holdings raised its annual profit forecast on strengthened demand for its healthcare analytics services, with its TAS unit seeing a 2.7% revenue increase.

After detecting 'goat plague' in nine animals, Greece tested over 16,500 goats and sheep to control the outbreak of peste des petits ruminants virus.

French firm Ardian acquired a majority stake in Italian pharma company Masco, valuing the deal at approximately 700 million euros.

The Chinese embassy in the Philippines demanded an explanation from the U.S. regarding propaganda against China's COVID-19 vaccine, following a Reuters report on a U.S. military disinformation campaign.

Nelson Peltz's Trian Fund Management has become a leading shareholder in 3M's healthcare spinoff Solventum, boosting its stock by 3.4% after market hours.

Despite Sino-U.S. tensions, major drugmakers like AstraZeneca and Novartis continue pursuing significant deals in China, demonstrating the country's strategic importance in the pharmaceutical industry.

(With inputs from agencies.)