STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a reticent FDA commish nominee, a Novo deal, and more

STAT PlusNewsletterPharmalot Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a reticent FDA commish nominee, a Novo deal, and more A jury found Eli Lilly breached a contract to co-develop an autoimmune drug with Nektar Therapeutics Manage alerts for this article Save this story for later Share this article By Ed SilvermanSept. 25, 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.

And so, another working week will soon draw to a close. Not a moment too soon, yes? This is, you may recall, our treasured signal to daydream about weekend plans.

Our agenda is, so far, rather modest. We plan to tidy up around the castle, catch up on our reading, and promenade with the official mascots. We also expect to hold another listening party, where the rotation will likely include this, this, this, this, this and this.

And what about you? Some distraction from the world at large may be in order and there is nothing like a romp through an apple orchard or pumpkin patch to lift the spirits. If the weather does not cooperate, though, you could always binge-watch something on the telly or cook up an exotic meal.

Or perhaps make time to see someone special. Well, whatever you do, have a grand time. But be safe.

Enjoy, and see you soon. … Heidi Overton, President Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, was grilled by senators on hot button topics like China, vaccines, and abortion access in her hearing before the committee that will decide whether to send her nomination for a vote of the full Senate, but revealed very little of her own feelings on top issues facing the agency, STAT writes.

Instead, she referred repeatedly to existing agency guidance and approvals for products like childhood vaccines and the abortion drug mifepristone — without saying whether she would endorse updating those guidances or altering approvals to satisfy the desires of Trump or health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Advertisement Novo Nordisk agreed to pay up to $1.3 billion to license and develop Nanexa’s drug delivery technology in a deal that could cut the frequency that patients need to inject its obesity and diabetes drugs, The Wall Street Journal writes. The deal covers Nanexa’s PharmaShell technology, which is designed to enable controlled and sustained release of active pharmaceutical ingredients through an ultra-thin coating applied to individual drug particles.

Under the exclusive deal, Novo licensed Nanexa’s technology in up to five development programs covering different drug administration frequencies, with the companies targeting monthly and quarterly administration. 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’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.

Newsletter Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day Recommended Pharmalot September 24, 2026 STAT Plus: Indonesian ruling against ‘patent evergreening’ by pharma industry sends critical message, patient advocates say Pharmalot September 24, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about the FDA commissioner nominee, a Lilly partnership in China, and more Advertisement Pharmalot September 23, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a closing loophole for importing meds, European competitiveness, and more Pharmalot September 22, 2026 STAT Plus: HHS unveils new initiatives to reduce animal testing in drug development Pharmalot September 22, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about pharma seeking to protect China deals, a Roche obesity drug, and more Subscriber Picks