STAT+: Boehringer’s obesity drug shows 16.6% weight loss; more data needed

STAT PlusNewsletterThe Readout Boehringer’s obesity drug shows 16.6% weight loss; more data needed Eli Lilly’s deal with Profluent, Erasca’s RAS-targeting cancer pill, and more biotech news today Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Elaine ChenApril 28, 2026 National Biotech Reporter Elaine Chen[email protected]Elaine Chen covers biotech, co-writes The Readout newsletter, and co-hosts STAT’s weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud. You can reach Elaine on Signal at elaineywchen.70. Want to stay on top of the science and politics driving biotech today? Sign up to get our biotech newsletter in your inbox. Good morning. I started the morning reading this story of how a botched football kick may have saved someone’s life.Advertisement The need-to-know this morning Novartis shares were down in early trading after the company reported a drop in sales and operating profit in the first quarter, with generic competition hitting drugs like Entresto hard. The company affirmed its guidance for the year, with net sales expected to grow in the low single digits, and core operating profit forecasted to decline slightly. The FDA has taken further actions to withdraw the approval of Amgen’s rare-disease drug Tavneos and remove it from the market. Tavneos was approved in 2021, but new information indicates the drug is ineffective and the application used to support approval contained “untrue statements of material fact,” the FDA said. Amgen has refused to withdraw Tavneos voluntarily, insisting the drug is safe. Lilly bets on next-gen gene editors with new deal Eli Lilly this morning announced a deal with AI-focused biotech Profluent to develop new forms of gene editors potentially capable of inserting entire genes into patients. 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 biotechnology, drug development, Drug prices, research Submit a correction requestReprints Elaine Chen National Biotech Reporter Elaine Chen covers biotech, co-writes The Readout newsletter, and co-hosts STAT’s weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud. You can reach Elaine on Signal at elaineywchen.70. Newsletter Your morning rundown of the science, politics, and money driving biotech today Recommended Pharma April 28, 2026 STAT Plus: Eli Lilly enlists AI startup for next-generation gene editors Biotech April 27, 2026 STAT Plus: Erasca touts strong, though preliminary, results in trial of pancreatic and lung cancer therapy Advertisement The Readout April 27, 2026 STAT Plus: Astellas retries XLMTM gene therapy after deaths Biotech April 27, 2026 STAT Plus: Intellia says CRISPR-based treatment for rare disease reduced swelling attacks in pivotal trial Biotech April 27, 2026 STAT Plus: Veradermics’ hair loss drug succeeds in late-stage trial Subscriber Picks