Pharmaceuticals & Biopharmaceuticals

San Mateo, Calif. – September 16, 2026 -- Helix has launched Whole Exome+ Sequencing (WES+), a diagnostic test that combines exome sequencing, mitochondrial genome analysis, and genome-wide digital karyotype into a single order for patients with unexplained developmental delay, neurological conditions, and rare genetic disease.

WES+ integrates four diagnostic capabilities in one order

The test covers 99% of clinically relevant exome regions, includes mitochondrial testing that other labs typically bill as a separate add-on, and performs high-resolution chromosomal copy number analysis via a digital karyotype. Helix says the digital karyotype feature may eliminate the need for a standalone chromosomal microarray (CMA) in many clinical scenarios, though the company notes CMA or additional cytogenetic testing may still be clinically indicated in some cases.

Boston – September 16, 2026 -- EMD Serono, Inc., the U.S. and Canada healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, has acquired two preclinical fertility drug programs from Boston-based biotech PostEra, the companies announced.

EMD Serono takes over two AI-designed oral fertility candidates

The deal covers PostEra's Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Receptor (FSHR) agonist program for ovarian stimulation in IVF and its Luteinizing Hormone/Choriogonadotropin Receptor (LHCGR) agonist program for male infertility and ovulation triggering. Both programs originated from PostEra's proprietary Proton AI platform, developed over the past two years to target small-molecule alternatives in Women's Health and Fertility, markets the company describes as almost entirely dependent on injectable medications.

Columbia, Md. – September 16, 2026 -- The Foundation Fighting Blindness has renamed its venture philanthropy arm, formerly the Retinal Degeneration Fund (RD Fund), to the Gund Vision Fund, honoring more than 50 years of support from Gordon Gund and the Gund family.

Fund has deployed $100 million into 20 companies since 2018

Since launching in 2018, the vehicle has managed more than $140 million in strategic capital and deployed over $100 million directly into a portfolio of 20 companies. It has syndicated with more than $1.5 billion in institutional capital from over 60 co-investors, positioning it as one of the most active venture philanthropy models in the retinal disease space.

Las Vegas – – September 16, 2026 -- The obesity therapeutics market across the seven major markets was valued at approximately USD 16 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow at a 27% CAGR through 2036, according to DelveInsight, as a wave of next-generation candidates threatens to disrupt the Eli Lilly-Novo Nordisk duopoly.

Oral GLP-1 Therapies Accelerate Patient Uptake

Novo Nordisk's oral WEGOVY surpassed 5 million cumulative U.S. prescriptions within 30 weeks of launch, while Eli Lilly's oral FOUNDAYO (orforglipron) gained significant traction among patients initiating obesity treatment by mid-2026. Aparna Thakur, Project Manager of Forecasting & Analytics at DelveInsight, said FOUNDAYO's once-daily oral formulation positions it for rapid uptake as a more convenient alternative to injectable therapies.

Atlanta – September 16, 2026 -- Medication nonadherence costs the U.S. healthcare system as much as $300 billion annually, a gap Response Media is targeting with the launch of a new health and life sciences practice called RE:HEALTH.

Response Media debuts AdherenceIQ to predict patient drop-off before it happens

The agency introduced AdherenceIQ, a proprietary AI-powered behavioral intelligence platform designed to predict which patients will discontinue therapy and why. The tool combines behavioral science, privacy-compliant AI and advanced analytics to identify emotional and functional barriers to treatment, including concerns about side effects, necessity, distrust and stigma.

Grand Rapids – September 16, 2026 -- Headlands Research has established a new clinical trial site in Grand Rapids, Michigan, led by board-certified rheumatologist Eric Slavin, MD, FACP, FACR, expanding the network's capacity for rheumatology, autoimmune disease, and cardiometabolic trials in the Midwest.

New de novo site targets high-demand therapeutic areas

Headlands Research - Grand Rapids is currently under development and expected to open later in 2026. The site will focus on rheumatology, bone and joint conditions, and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, while also conducting studies in general medicine, chronic kidney disease, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and vaccines.

Kyle Burtnett, CEO of Headlands Research, said sponsor demand for rheumatology and autoimmune disease trials continues to climb, positioning the new site to address that gap in the Midwest market.

Cambridge, Mass. – September 16, 2026 -- Vincere Biosciences has been awarded a $2.7 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health, to fund IND-enabling development of its USP30 inhibitor for acute kidney injury (AKI).

NIH funding targets a disease affecting 13 million people annually

Acute kidney injury impacts more than 13 million people worldwide each year following ischemia, major surgery, or exposure to nephrotoxic drugs, yet treatment remains largely supportive. The two-year grant will fund genotoxicity and toxicology studies, 28-day GLP toxicology studies, and cardiovascular, respiratory, and CNS safety pharmacology required before Vincere can file an Investigational New Drug (IND) application.

Tel Aviv and Oslo – September 16, 2026 -- BioLineRx Ltd. (NASDAQ/TASE: BLRX) and Hemispherian AS will present two abstracts on their oncology candidate GLIX1 at the 21st Meeting of the European Association of Neuro-Oncology (EANO 2026) in Rome, Italy, September 24-27, with one abstract selected for oral presentation.

Burlington, N.C. – September 16, 2026 -- Labcorp (NYSE: LH) reaffirmed its full-year 2026 guidance and unveiled a long-term outlook through 2029 projecting compound annual revenue growth of 5% to 8% and compound annual adjusted earnings per share growth of 8.5% to 11.5%, the company said at its 2026 Investor Day.

Labcorp projects adjusted operating margin expansion of 75 to 150 basis points by 2029

The diagnostics and drug development laboratory company also targets compound annual free cash flow growth in line with adjusted earnings growth through the same period. Guidance assumes foreign exchange rates effective as of September 16, 2026, and reflects anticipated capital allocation including acquisitions, share repurchases and dividends.

Munich – September 16, 2026 -- Up to 3,000 registered pharmacists, pharmacy technicians (PTA) and pharmacy clerks (PKA) are set to attend the APOTHEKENTOUR in Munich on September 12-13, the event's second stop after Berlin drew more than 2,500 attendees and a 15% year-on-year increase in visitors.

Munich stop packs 170 talks and pharma-partner cases into one weekend

The Munich edition, powered by APOTHEKE ADHOC and PTA IN LOVE, will feature more than 170 lectures, several live talks and new product showcases connecting attendees directly with pharmaceutical industry partners. The event is scheduled deliberately the weekend before the Deutscher Apothekertag, where Health Minister Carsten Linnemann (CDU) is expected to address the sector's political future.