STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a pancreatic cancer drug approval, a Trump deal with biotechs, and more

Good morning, everyone, and how are you today? We are doing just fine, thank you, despite the soggy weather hovering over the Pharmalot campus right now, because our spirits remain sunny, nonetheless. Why? We will trot out a bit of insight from the Morning Mayor, who would say “Every new day should be unwrapped like a precious gift.” To celebrate the notion, we are brewing still more cups of stimulation and invite you to join us. Our choice today is the mysterious witch’s brew. Meanwhile, here are a few items of interest. Hope you have a smashing day and, of course, do stay in touch. …

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a life-extending treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer made by Revolution Medicines that is the first to attack a genetic cause of the aggressive, highly lethal malignancy, STAT says. The approval was supported by a practice-changing clinical trial showing patients with advanced pancreatic cancer who received the drug as a second-line treatment achieved a median overall survival of 13.2 months, compared to 6.7 months for patients given standard chemotherapy. 

The Trump administration plans to announce a new round of drug-pricing agreements with several midsized biotech companies on Monday, Bloomberg News reports. The companies will agree to provide discounts on outpatient drugs to state Medicaid programs so that the prices states pay align with what the companies charge in foreign countries. Participation by state Medicaid programs is optional. In exchange, the companies will be exempt from pilot programs forcing similar discounts in Medicare. Relief from tariffs is also part of some of the discussions.

Continue to STAT+ to read the full story…