STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about California insulin sales, a Moderna patent battle, and more

Rise and shine, everyone, another busy day is on the way. And it is getting off to a pleasant start here on the Pharmalot campus, where clear blue skies and comfy breezes are greeting us. As for the official mascots, they are happily snoozing in their respective corners. As for us, we are firing up the trusty kettle for another cuppa stimulation. Our choice today is ginger peach. And here is a helpful tip — a teaspoon of honey enhances the flavors splendidly. Of course, you are invited to join us. For the full experience, we are now hawking replicas — take a look. Meanwhile, here are a few items of interest. As always, do keep in touch. We appreciate feedback, criticism, and tips. …

Novo Nordisk chief executive officer Mike Doustdar believes investors are underestimating the demand for differentiation among obesity drugs, ‌and that new treatment options like pills will keep it from becoming a winner-take-all battle with rival Eli Lilly, Reuters writes. Novo was first to bring a highly effective GLP-1 weight loss injection, Wegovy, to the U.S. market, but is under pressure to regain ground lost to Lilly’s Zepbound in a business that ​analysts expect will be worth more than $100 billion a year by 2030.

Drugmakers are holding back applications for health insurance coverage in Switzerland over concerns that lower prices there could affect their U.S. ​business under drug-pricing policies introduced by the Trump administration, Reuters says, pointing to a new survey. About one-third of new innovative medicines were not submitted for coverage under Switzerland’s mandatory health insurance system between January 2025 and June 2026, potentially limiting patient access to new ​treatments, saccording to the survey ​by Interpharma.

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