Life science news 27 July 2026: GSK wins its first lung cancer approval with a selective ROS1 inhibitor, Lilly’s triple agonist retatrutide delivers up to 22.6 per cent weight loss in two pivotal trials, and the MHRA clears what it calls the world’s first lower-carbon asthma inhalers in a busy week for pharma, biotech and healthcare.
GSK announced on 22 July that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved Jideytro (zidesamtinib), a ROS1-selective kinase inhibitor, for adults with locally advanced or metastatic ROS1-positive non-small cell lung cancer who have received at least one prior ROS1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor. The approval is GSK’s first in lung cancer and arrives ahead of the original target action date of 18 September 2026, following Breakthrough Therapy and Orphan Drug designations. Zidesamtinib came to GSK through its $10.6 billion acquisition of Boston-based Nuvalent, completed on 15 July. In the single-arm Phase 1/2 ARROS-1 trial, the FDA reported a confirmed overall response rate of 49 per cent among 59 patients who had received one prior ROS1 inhibitor and 38 per cent among 58 patients who had received two or more, with GSK citing an overall response rate of 44 per cent across the 117-patient efficacy population. The drug is brain-penetrant and designed to retain activity against ROS1 resistance mutations, and is dosed at 100 mg orally once daily.
Eli Lilly reported topline results on 23 July from TRIUMPH-2 and TRIUMPH-3, two pivotal Phase 3 trials of retatrutide, an investigational first-in-class GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon triple hormone receptor agonist. In TRIUMPH-2, which randomised 1,152 adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity or overweight, participants lost an average of 12.7 per cent, 19.1 per cent and 20.8 per cent of body weight at the 4 mg, 9 mg and 12 mg doses respectively at 80 weeks, against 4.0 per cent on placebo. In TRIUMPH-3, which randomised 1,949 adults with severe obesity and established cardiovascular disease, weight loss reached 21.6 per cent at 9 mg and 22.6 per cent at 12 mg, compared with 3.2 per cent on placebo. Both sets of weight-loss figures are reported on an efficacy estimand basis. The highest dose also cut triglycerides by 37.0 per cent, non-HDL cholesterol by 16.5 per cent and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein by 51.2 per cent, and reduced systolic blood pressure by 9.3 mmHg. Cardiovascular event reduction was not statistically significant, with a pre-specified five-component major adverse cardiovascular event hazard ratio of 0.82 and a wide confidence interval reflecting low event rates. A pre-specified three-component major adverse cardiovascular event analysis gave a hazard ratio of 1.12, also with a wide confidence interval. Neither result was statistically significant. Lilly plans to submit a Biologics License Application to the FDA in the first quarter of 2027.
Samsung Biologics announced on 20 July an all-cash public tender offer for 100 per cent of the fully diluted share capital of PolyPeptide Group AG, a Swiss contract development and manufacturing organisation specialising in peptide-based active pharmaceutical ingredients. Shareholders will receive CHF 44.31 per share, implying an equity value of approximately CHF 1.46 billion, or about $1.8 billion, a 40 per cent premium to the undisturbed closing price of CHF 31.65 on 10 April 2026, the last trading day before takeover speculation emerged. PolyPeptide’s board unanimously recommended the offer, and its largest shareholder, Draupnir Holding, which holds about 55.65 per cent of shares outstanding, has given an irrevocable undertaking to tender. The tender offer is expected to launch by the end of August and to complete towards the end of 2026, subject to a minimum acceptance threshold of two thirds and regulatory clearances. The deal extends Samsung Biologics beyond antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates into peptide manufacturing, a segment driven by demand for GLP-1 therapies in obesity and type 2 diabetes, and adds sites across Sweden, Belgium, France, the United States and India.
Repligen announced on 22 July a definitive agreement to acquire BioLife Solutions for a total enterprise value of approximately $1.5 billion, comprising 64 per cent Repligen common stock and 36 per cent cash. BioLife shareholders will receive $11.25 in cash plus 0.1442 Repligen shares for each share held, valuing BioLife at $31.00 per share and representing a 24 per cent premium to its 90-day volume-weighted average price through 21 July. The transaction adds BioLife’s biopreservation media portfolio, led by CryoStor, which supports 18 commercially approved cell and gene therapies, to Repligen’s bioprocessing business. Both boards approved the deal unanimously, and closing is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory and BioLife shareholder approval. Repligen expects cost synergies of at least $20 million in the first year rising to at least $30 million in the second, and accretion to adjusted earnings per share of at least five cents in year one and 25 cents in year two.
In further life science news 27 July 2026, the week brought a regulatory filing acceptance for a closely watched pancreatic cancer drug, half-year and quarterly results from two of Europe’s largest pharmaceutical companies, and two significant UK developments spanning medicines regulation and biotech financing.
Revolution Medicines announced on 22 July that the FDA has accepted for review its New Drug Application for daraxonrasib, an oral RAS(ON) multi-selective inhibitor, for adults with previously treated metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The application was selected for the FDA Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher pilot programme, which the FDA says is intended to shorten review timelines for medicines addressing national health priorities. The filing is supported by the global Phase 3 RASolute 302 trial, which compared daraxonrasib monotherapy with investigator’s choice of standard chemotherapy and met its primary and key secondary endpoints, showing improvements in overall survival and progression-free survival alongside delayed deterioration in cancer-related pain, overall health status and quality of life. Results were presented at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting and published simultaneously in The New England Journal of Medicine. Daraxonrasib holds Breakthrough Therapy and Orphan Drug designations, and the European Medicines Agency has begun a phased review of the data.
Roche published half-year results on 23 July showing group sales of CHF 30.4 billion for the first six months of 2026, up 6 per cent at constant exchange rates but down 2 per cent as reported in Swiss francs because of the currency’s appreciation against the US dollar. Pharmaceuticals Division sales rose 6 per cent at constant rates to CHF 23.6 billion, with Xolair, Hemlibra, Ocrevus, Phesgo and Vabysmo the leading growth drivers, while Diagnostics Division sales rose 3 per cent to CHF 6.7 billion. Core operating profit increased 10 per cent at constant rates to CHF 11.9 billion, outpacing sales growth, and core earnings per share rose 9 per cent at constant rates. IFRS operating profit fell 6 per cent in Swiss francs to CHF 9.7 billion, reflecting currency effects alongside impairment and restructuring charges taken in the period.
Novartis reported second-quarter results on 21 July with net sales of $14.4 billion, up 3 per cent in US dollars and 1 per cent at constant currencies. Core operating income was flat at $5.9 billion, with the core operating margin down 70 basis points at constant currencies to 41.2 per cent, while net income fell 19 per cent to $3.3 billion on higher taxes and interest costs. Growth was led by Kisqali, up 43 per cent at constant currencies, Scemblix up 89 per cent, Leqvio up 59 per cent, Pluvicto up 43 per cent and Kesimpta up 32 per cent, offsetting a steep decline in Entresto amid generic competition. Chief Executive Vas Narasimhan pointed to updated Kisqali overall survival data in early breast cancer and an FDA accelerated approval submission for del-zota in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Full-year guidance was reaffirmed, with net sales expected to grow at a low single-digit rate and core operating income to decline at a low single-digit rate. Net debt stood at $39.4 billion at the end of June, up from $21.9 billion at the end of 2025, reflecting heavy acquisition activity alongside dividend payments and share buybacks.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency approved on 21 July new versions of Chiesi’s Clenil Modulite 100 micrograms and Clenil Modulite 200 micrograms inhalers, containing beclometasone dipropionate for the maintenance treatment of asthma in adults and children. The MHRA said the decision marks the world’s first authorisation of pressurised metered-dose inhalers using the next-generation propellant HFA-152a, which is designed to lower the carbon footprint of inhaled medicines. The propellant is not an active medicine but delivers the inhaled dose, and no changes have been made to the active ingredient, recommended doses or therapeutic indications. Julian Beach, MHRA Executive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access, said the approval showed how innovation can support both patient care and environmental sustainability. The new versions will be available in the UK later in 2026, with current versions of Clenil Modulite remaining available in the meantime, and the agency said it will continue to monitor the inhalers’ safety and effectiveness closely, as it does with all medicines.
Scancell Holdings and Neuphoria Therapeutics announced on 23 July an all-share merger under which Oxford-based Scancell will acquire Nasdaq-listed Neuphoria, alongside up to $89 million of equity and debt financing. The combined company will operate as Scancell, retain its AIM listing and apply to trade on Nasdaq under the ticker SCLT, with existing Scancell shareholders holding 85.5 per cent and Neuphoria shareholders 14.5 per cent on a pro forma basis. Neuphoria stockholders will also receive contingent value rights linked to potential future payouts from Neuphoria’s partnered assets. The financing is intended to fund a global registrational Phase 3 trial of iSCIB1+, Scancell’s lead active immunotherapy for advanced melanoma, which holds FDA Fast Track designation. The transactions are inter-conditional and expected to complete concurrently in late Q4 2026, subject to shareholder approvals, Nasdaq listing and SEC review. Neuphoria launched a strategic review after its Phase 3 study of BNC210 in social anxiety disorder missed its endpoints.
That’s your life science news digest for 27 July 2026, back next Monday with the latest from pharma, biotech and healthcare at www.lifesciencedaily.news. Catch up on the 20 July news roundup.
