GSK has sold around 300 million shares in Haleon, reducing its stake in the consumer healthcare company to 4.2%. The shares were sold at 326 pence per share, raising £978 million ($1.24 billion) for GSK. This move comes as part of GSK’s ongoing efforts to divest its consumer healthcare business. Haleon is the world’s largest standalone consumer healthcare company.
The European Central Bank (ECB) has reportedly asked some lenders to provide details about their exposure to Spanish drugmaker Grifols and its related entities. This comes after Grifols was accused by a short-seller of manipulating its financial accounts. Grifols has denied these allegations. The ECB’s inquiry is aimed at assessing the potential risks faced by banks that have lent money to Grifols.
In other news, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declined to approve Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories’ treatment for acute migraines. The FDA cited manufacturing concerns as the reason for the rejection. This decision has had an impact on the stock price of Shin Nippon, with shares falling 12.2% following the announcement.
The Philippines’ farm ministry has temporarily banned poultry imports from Japan due to an outbreak of avian influenza. The ban is aimed at protecting the local poultry population from exposure to the H5N1 avian influenza strain. The import suspension highlights the strict measures being taken to prevent the spread of animal diseases.
Private equity owners of Netsmart Technologies are exploring a potential sale of the US healthcare software firm. The owners hope that the sale will value Netsmart at more than $5 billion, including debt. Netsmart is working with investment banks Goldman Sachs Group and William Blair to launch a sale process in the coming weeks. This move comes amid increased investor interest in healthcare technology companies.
In another development, a former employee of Pfizer Inc has been convicted of insider trading. The employee, Amit Dagar, was found guilty of buying stock options just before Pfizer announced the positive results of a clinical trial for its COVID antiviral drug. Dagar was charged with securities fraud for engaging in insider trading.
The US government has finalized a rule aimed at speeding up insurance approvals. Under this rule, health insurers will be required to set time targets for the prior authorization process for patients seeking approval for medical services under government-backed insurance plans. This move is intended to reduce delays and ensure timely access to necessary healthcare services for patients.
Spain has broken its own organ transplant record in 2023, performing a total of 5,851 procedures. This represents a 9% increase from the previous year. Spain has long been a global leader in organ transplants, with one in four donors in the European Union and 5% of all donors worldwide coming from the country.
Finally, privately-held device maker DermaSensor has received clearance from the FDA for its AI-powered device that detects skin cancer. The hand-held device uses artificial intelligence and light to help primary care physicians identify the presence of cancer in suspicious moles or lesions. This technology has the potential to improve the early detection of skin cancer and enhance patient outcomes.
In conclusion, these developments highlight various aspects of the healthcare industry, including divestments, regulatory scrutiny, treatment approvals, international trade restrictions, potential company sales, legal convictions, insurance reforms, medical achievements, and technological advancements. These news items provide insights into the evolving landscape of the global healthcare sector.
