STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about an abortion pill controversy, another UCB deal, and more news

STAT PlusNewsletterPharmalot Pharmalittle: We’re reading about an abortion pill controversy, another UCB deal, and more news Takeda drug for primary ​immunodeficiency disease met main goal of a trial Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Ed SilvermanMay 4, 2026 Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed Silverman[email protected]Ed Silverman, a senior writer and Pharmalot columnist at STAT, has been covering the pharmaceutical industry for nearly three decades. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite was relaxing and invigorating because that oh-too-familiar routine of meetings, deadlines, and online calls has returned with a vengeance. You knew this would happen, though, yes? To cope, we are relying, as always, on a cuppa stimulation. Our choice today is laced ginger honey. Please feel free to join us. Remember, no prescription is required. Meanwhile, here is a menu of items of interest to help you along. We hope you conquer the world today and, of course, do keep in touch. … Two drugmakers asked the U.S. Supreme Court to restore mail-order access to mifepristone, a move that would continue to allow women access to one of the most widely used abortion methods pending ​ongoing legal challenges, Reuters notes. Danco Laboratories and GenBioPro both filed applications with the top court on Saturday, one day after an appeals court temporarily blocked ‌deliveries, significantly curtailing access to the drug nationwide and particularly in states that have banned abortion. The lower court ruling, while temporary, is the first to significantly curtail access to mifepristone in a series of lawsuits challenging the drug’s initial approval in 2000 and subsequent rules making it easier to obtain.Advertisement UCB has made its second acquisition of the year, agreeing to a front-loaded takeover of Candid Therapeutics, a move designed to build its presence in therapies for autoimmune diseases, Pharmaphorum writes, The deal — which includes an upfront payment of $2 billion with another $200 million in potential milestones — will give UCB a pipeline of four T-cell engager candidates, of which two are in early-stage clinical testing. For Candid, hitching its wagon to UCB means that it has opted not to complete a reverse merger agreement with Rallybio — announced at the start of March — that would have delivered a Nasdaq listing and $505 million in concurrent financing. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In pharmalittle, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Ed Silverman Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed Silverman, a senior writer and Pharmalot columnist at STAT, has been covering the pharmaceutical industry for nearly three decades. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. Newsletter Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day Recommended Pharmalot May 1, 2026 STAT Plus: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Pharmalot May 1, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about obesity drugs and a compounding list, an AstraZeneca setback, and more Advertisement Pharmalot April 30, 2026 STAT Plus: FDA wants to exclude weight loss drugs from a compounding list Pharmalot April 30, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Supreme Court hearing on ‘skinny labels,’ AstraZeneca U.K. expansion, and more Pharmalot April 29, 2026 STAT Plus: Supreme Court justices appear to signal ‘skinny labeling’ can survive Subscriber Picks