STAT+: Trump celebrates closing first round of drug pricing deals, promises more ahead

STAT PlusBiotech Trump celebrates closing first round of drug pricing deals, promises more ahead Despite the fanfare, the impact of the deals has fallen short of the president’s promises Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Daniel PayneApril 23, 2026 Washington Correspondent Daniel Payne[email protected]Daniel Payne reports on how the health industry and Washington influence and impact each other. He joined STAT in 2025 after covering health care at POLITICO. You can reach Daniel on Signal at danielp.100. WASHINGTON — President Trump heralded a drug pricing agreement with Regeneron on Thursday, closing the last of 17 deals initially sought by the White House last year. Regeneron, as part of the private deal, will reduce prices on drugs to Medicaid, provide cholesterol medicine Praluent on TrumpRx for $225, and invest $27 billion in drug development in the United States.Advertisement On the same day, Regeneron also announced Food and Drug Administration approval of Otarmeni, the first gene therapy to be greenlit under the agency’s new National Priority Voucher program. In early trials, the drug provided modest hearing gains for people with a rare type of hearing loss, though its development has received pushback from parts of the Deaf community. Regeneron plans to offer the drug at no cost to American patients. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily coverage and analysis of the biotech sector — by subscribing to STAT+. 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, Donald Trump, Drug prices, Pharmaceuticals, Policy, STAT+, White House Submit a correction requestReprints Daniel Payne Washington Correspondent Daniel Payne reports on how the health industry and Washington influence and impact each other. He joined STAT in 2025 after covering health care at POLITICO. You can reach Daniel on Signal at danielp.100. Newsletter The latest updates in federal health agencies, research institutes, and U.S. policy Recommended Biotech April 24, 2026 STAT Plus: FDA to speed up review of three psychedelics as mental health treatments The Readout April 24, 2026 STAT Plus: Sanofi MS drug gets positive review in Europe following FDA Advertisement The Readout April 23, 2026 STAT Plus: Sanofi research priorities in flux as new CEO logs in D.C. Diagnosis April 23, 2026 STAT Plus: RFK Jr. backs off some MAHA issues Adam's Biotech Scorecard April 23, 2026 STAT Plus: Can Erasca be biotech’s next big thing? We’ll see Subscriber Picks