STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about hackers extorting Novo, an FDA about-face, and more

STAT PlusNewsletterPharmalot Pharmalittle: We’re reading about hackers extorting Novo, an FDA about-face, and more FDA issued 25 warning letters to telehealth companies over claims about compounded GLP-1s Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Ed SilvermanJune 17, 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 welcome to the middle of the week. Congratulations on making it this far, and remember there are only a few more days until the weekend arrives. So keep plugging away. After all, what are the alternatives? While you ponder the possibilities, we invite you to join us for a needed cup of stimulation. Our choice today is maple bourbon. A shot of salvation, if you will. Meanwhile, here is the latest menu of tidbits to help you on your way. We hope you conquer the world and have a wonderful day. And as always, please do stay in touch. … A cyber extortion group claimed ​to have stolen more than a terabyte of data from Novo Nordisk and said it is ‌exploring selling parts of the data after unsuccessfully demanding $25 million from the company, Reuters reports. FulcrumSec, a cyber extortion group that emerged in October 2025, said in a long message posted to its website that it spent more than two months in Novo Nordisk’s networks stealing data. It said that data included company source code, proprietary information on ​released and unreleased drugs, trial data, employee, doctor, and patient data, information related to company processing facilities, and internal AI model ​information.Advertisement The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reversed its opposition to a closely watched experimental treatment for Huntington’s disease, clearing a path for UniQure to file for marketing approval, STAT writes. The decision comes after a recent meeting with FDA officials during which the agency agreed that a three-year analysis of an early-stage study that showed a benefit for patients with Huntington’s was “acceptable” to support a marketing application. These are the same data that former FDA officials, most notably Commissioner Marty Makary and Vinay Prasad, the agency’s top regulator of cell and gene therapies, previously concluded were insufficient to support a marketing application. 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 June 16, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Medicare and obesity drugs, Germany’s pricing plans, and more Pharmalot June 15, 2026 STAT Plus: FDA approves Colorado’s plan to import cheaper drugs from Canada Advertisement Pharmalot June 15, 2026 STAT Plus: A key European clinical trial registry lacks complete and timely results, an analysis finds Pharmalot June 15, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Pfizer’s emergency penicillin program, a Sanofi diabetes drug, and more Pharmalot June 12, 2026 STAT Plus: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Subscriber Picks