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This is the twenty-fourth edition (week ending 6-Sep-26) of our Pharma Weekly – In Case You Missed It. Key developments in the past week:

1) Aurobindo Pharma’s US subsidiary, Lannett, has launched the generic equivalent of GSK’s Advair Diskus (Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol) in the US in 100/50mcg and 250/50mcg strengths, marking the first commercialization from Aurobindo’s inhalation pipeline (relevant for Cipla which has an approval for all three strengths).

2) Aspen’s CEO, Stephen Saad, said the company expects to launch generic Semaglutide in FY ending Jun-27, with the Canadian launch dependent on API supplies from Dr Reddy’s. Aspen expects to have greater clarity regarding supplies from Dr Reddy’s in Sep-26. Aspen has also submitted its generic Semaglutide for approval in South Africa and is pursuing registrations in Brazil and other emerging markets.

3) Cipla’s US subsidiary, InvaGen, has entered into an exclusive licensing and supply agreement with Qilu Pharma for a biosimilar to Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) in the US. Qilu will handle development, regulatory registration, and supply, while Cipla will commercialize the product (relevant for Zydus, Dr Reddy’s, Ipca Labs, and Biocon).

4) Lupin's EMEA and Emerging Markets President, Thierry Volle, stated that the company intends to double its sales base in the region over a five-year period. The growth plan relies on expanding specialty care, making selective biosimilar investments, and advancing complex generics to establish EMEA as a major business division.

5) AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu (Trastuzumab Deruxtecan) plus Pertuzumab has received EU approval for first-line treatment of unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer. In the Phase 3 trial, the combination reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 44%, with median progression-free survival of 40.7 months (relevant for Cohance Lifesciences).

6) The USFDA has approved Stelara (Ustekinumab) for moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in pediatric patients aged 2 years and older, following its Apr-26 approval for pediatric Crohn’s disease. Stelara has received Orphan Drug Designation for this indication (relevant for Biocon).

7) Eli Lilly has cut the cost of the two lowest tablet strengths of Foundayo, with self-pay prices starting at $149/month for 2.5mg (vs $199 earlier) and $199 for 5.5mg (vs $299 earlier). Commercial insurance coverage can bring the monthly cost down to around $25 (relevant for Divi’s).

8) Medicare’s GLP-1 Bridge program has seen strong initial uptake, with ~600k seniors enrolling since its 01-Jul-26 launch and saving $216mn on weight-loss medicines. ~3.8mn Medicare beneficiaries are eligible for the Bridge program (temporary program that lets eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries get specific weight-loss medications for a flat $50 co-pay per month).

9) RPG Life Sciences’s MD, Ashok Nair, said the company plans to deploy the remaining Rs5bn of its Rs7bn committed capital over the next 12 months toward acquisitions to strengthen its manufacturing and API capabilities. He expects API to play a larger role going forward, while domestic formulations continue to grow ahead of the market, and targets Rs20-25bn revenue by CY30.

10) The USFDA has stepped up oversight of compounded GLP-1 drugs, establishing an import alert to block potentially poor-quality Semaglutide and Tirzepatide APIs while allowing compliant manufacturers to continue imports. The agency also flagged fraudulent compounded products, dosing errors, and use of unapproved Semaglutide salt forms

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