STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a pancreatic cancer drug approval, a Trump deal with biotechs, and more

STAT PlusNewsletterPharmalot Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a pancreatic cancer drug approval, a Trump deal with biotechs, and more U.S. appeals court rejects PhRMA challenge to the Medicare drug price negotiation program Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Ed SilvermanAug. 27, 2026 Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed Silverman[email protected]Ed’s stories explore prescription drug pricing, affordability and access, as well issues surrounding patents, litigation, and legislation.

He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. Good morning, everyone, and how are you today? We are doing just fine, thank you, despite the soggy weather hovering over the Pharmalot campus right now, because our spirits remain sunny, nonetheless.

Why? We will trot out a bit of insight from the Morning Mayor, who would say “Every new day should be unwrapped like a precious gift.” To celebrate the notion, we are brewing still more cups of stimulation and invite you to join us. Our choice today is the mysterious witch’s brew.

Meanwhile, here are a few items of interest. Hope you have a smashing day and, of course, do stay in touch. … The U.S.

Food and Drug Administration approved a life-extending treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer made by Revolution Medicines that is the first to attack a genetic cause of the aggressive, highly lethal malignancy, STAT says. The approval was supported by a practice-changing clinical trial showing patients with advanced pancreatic cancer who received the drug as a second-line treatment achieved a median overall survival of 13.2 months, compared to 6.7 months for patients given standard chemotherapy. Advertisement The Trump administration plans to announce a new round of drug-pricing agreements with several midsized biotech companies on Monday, Bloomberg News reports.

The companies will agree to provide discounts on outpatient drugs to state Medicaid programs so that the prices states pay align with what the companies charge in foreign countries. Participation by state Medicaid programs is optional. In exchange, the companies will be exempt from pilot programs forcing similar discounts in Medicare.

Relief from tariffs is also part of some of the discussions. 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.

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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’s stories explore prescription drug pricing, affordability and access, as well issues surrounding patents, litigation, and legislation. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter.

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