Lilly expands GLP-1 research to hypertension, neuro conditions

Morning. Today, we have a look at the White House’s reported plans to make major cuts across federal health agencies. Also, Eli Lilly is expanding the scope of its weight loss drugs to include indications in the fields of pain and neuropsychiatry. And more. 

The need-to-know this morning

• Bain Capital said this morning it will buy Mitsubishi Chemical‘s pharma business for $3.37 billion, in one of the private equity firm’s largest life science deals. Bain will acquire a centuries-old drugmaking division currently developing medicines for neurological and immune disorders, among other kinds of conditions, allowing Mitsubishi to focus on its core chemical business.

White House reportedly plans for sweeping cuts across health agencies

The White House is preparing an executive order to cut thousands of jobs at the Department of Health and Human Services, including the FDA, CDC, and NIH, the Wall Street Journal reports — though final decisions have not been made. The plan would require agencies to lay off a certain percentage of workers, potentially impacting drug approvals, disease tracking, and medical research. Agency officials have been told to compile lists of essential and non-essential workers, sources told the Journal. That said, the White House has denied that there’s an executive order of this nature underway.

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