Okay, here are three major recent news items in the pharmaceutical industry based on the latest information available up to May 3, 2025:

1. Novo Nordisk Gains Advantage in Obesity Market with CVS Deal: Novo Nordisk has secured a significant commercial win for its popular weight-loss drug, Wegovy (semaglutide). US pharmacy benefit manager CVS Health has reportedly granted Wegovy preferred status on its drug formulary, potentially favoring it over Eli Lilly’s competitor, Zepbound (tirzepatide). This development intensifies the high-stakes competition between the two companies in the rapidly growing obesity drug market. (Mentioned May 2, 2025)

2. Potential Major US Health Policy Shifts: There are reports of significant policy changes potentially impacting the US pharmaceutical and research landscape under the current administration.¹ This includes a reported proposal to cut the National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget substantially (by $18 billion) as part of a “Make America Healthy Again” initiative.² Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is reportedly considering mandating placebo-controlled trials for all new vaccines before approval, and the NIH has introduced new restrictions on grant subawards to international partners.³ (Mentioned May 1-2, 2025)

3. Novartis Acquires Regulus Therapeutics: Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis announced an agreement to acquire Regulus Therapeutics for approximately $800 million.⁴ This deal gives Novartis access to Regulus’s promising Phase 3-ready drug candidate, farabursen, for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).⁵ This acquisition represents a significant investment in the renal disease space. (Announced April 30, 2025)