STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about U.S. biotech’s China problem, a Regeneron flop, and much more

STAT PlusNewsletterPharmalot Pharmalittle: We’re reading about U.S. biotech’s China problem, a Regeneron flop, and much more Trump bought up to $680,000 in Lilly stock as the government pursued policies that help the company Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Ed SilvermanMay 18, 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-so familiar routine of online calls, dashing about, and deadlines has predictably returned. But what can you do? The world, such as it is, continues to spin. So why not give it a nudge in a better direction with a delicious cuppa stimulation? Our choice today is English breakfast, an old standby. Please feel free to join us. Meanwhile, we have assembled the latest laundry list of informative items for you to peruse. We hope you have a meaningful and productive journey today and, as always, do keep in touch. … There’s a schism in America’s drug business and the problem is China, STAT explains. Fledgling startups and pharmaceutical giants alike are addicted to Chinese drugs, filling their pipelines with would-be blockbusters developed at enviable speed and bought on the cheap. They’ve spent some $60 billion on Chinese molecules in the first three months of 2026 alone, according to state figures. That’s on pace to double last year’s total, which was already 10 times larger than the one from 2021. But the question of whether to partner with Chinese firms — or see them as rivals — is tearing biotech apart, pitting peers and partners against one another and souring relationships in an otherwise close-knit corporate community. Advertisement President Trump earlier this year bought as much as $680,000 in stock of Eli Lilly as the agencies he oversees undertook an agenda that largely benefited the company, KFF Health News reports. On May 14, the U.S. government released ethics disclosures revealing a list of stock and bond trades made on Trump’s behalf from January to March of this year. The trades for Lilly stand out. That’s because the timing of Trump’s purchases coincides with several favorable government decisions benefiting the drugmaker’s GLP-1 business, including progress toward a long-held goal: qualifying the drugs for reimbursement from Medicare, the government health insurance program primarily serving seniors, when they are prescribed for weight loss. 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 17, 2026 STAT Plus: U.K. advocacy groups threaten court action over a key provision in the pharma trade deal with the U.S. Pharmalot May 15, 2026 STAT Plus: Takeda will pay $13.6 million to settle allegations it paid kickbacks to doctors Advertisement Pharmalot May 15, 2026 STAT Plus: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Pharmalot May 15, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about U.S. pressuring Germany on drug prices, FDA upheaval and biotech clinical trials, and more Exclusive May 14, 2026 STAT Plus: CDC plans to transfer monkeys to nonprofit’s sanctuary as it seeks to reduce animal testing Subscriber Picks