Obesity drug makers Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have started 2026 with major developments in the weight loss treatment market. Novo Nordisk launched its oral GLP-1 pill, Wegovy, following the first FDA approval of an oral obesity drug at the end of 2025. The medication is now available starting at $149 per month for lower doses. Eli Lilly is awaiting potential FDA approval for its own oral weight loss drug, orforglipron, which could come as early as March. This move is part of Lilly’s plan to significantly increase its annual revenue over the next few years.
Nine pharmaceutical companies, including Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Boehringer Ingelheim, signed Most Favored Nation drug pricing agreements with the Trump administration before Christmas. These agreements are expected to protect their businesses from tariffs. However, experts told BioSpace that drug pricing will remain a central issue in 2026 since only about half of large pharmaceutical companies have signed similar deals, and smaller firms have not yet begun negotiations.
Industry leaders are also monitoring developments at the FDA after what many described as a difficult year in 2025, particularly due to workforce challenges. Despite these issues, the agency approved 56 novel drugs last year—a slight decrease from 59 approvals in 2024. According to a report by Jefferies, there was a notable decline in both the number and agreement rates of advisory committee meetings under increased scrutiny from FDA leadership. The sector is watching closely to see if new policies on rare diseases and cell and gene therapies will show results in 2026 and whether leadership changes at CDER will stabilize.
The CDC has made changes this year by removing several childhood vaccines from its recommended schedule. This decision could affect biopharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer and Merck.
Mergers and acquisitions are also anticipated to be active areas within biopharma this year. Last month, analysts highlighted Summit Therapeutics, Apogee Therapeutics, and Axsome Therapeutics as top acquisition targets in discussions with BioSpace.
BioSpace has announced its NextGen Class of 2026—featuring 15 biotech startups working through industry challenges. Senior editor Annalee Armstrong and news editor Dan Samorodnitsky will provide updates from the upcoming J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference.
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