RxBriefing Daily — Friday, October 09, 2026https://rxbriefing.comMovers: MRNA +14.21% · HUM +11.56% · CERT +5.67% · BNTX +5.32% · CLOV +4.59% · IONS +4.57% · IRTC +4.00% · VEEV +3.96%. 40 healthcare stories from the last trading day.[FDA] How Investors Are Reacting To Medtronic (MDT) Advancing Altaviva, Symplicity Spyral And Spinning Off MiniMedhttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=33d3bad27deccee3142c328e554d290f632bfce37c139fbb0df1f96bd17200b2d0f5cb3a4bf9Fri, 09 Oct 2026 11:13:28 +0000MDT — In early October 2026, Medtronic announced new clinical evidence and program updates for its Altaviva™ tibial neuromodulation device, AMA-approved Category I CPT® codes for both Altaviva™ and the Symplicity Spyral™ renal denervation…[FDA] FDA Grants Breakthrough Device Designation for Natera’s Multi-Cancer Early Detection Assayhttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=33304947fdc21978c00c6ca528323471a1724c8bbc900c01174a8d12bf87ac041b62099236cbFri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000NTRA — AUSTIN, Texas, October 09, 2026--Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRA), a global leader in cell-free DNA and precision medicine, today announced that its multi-cancer early detection (MCED) assay has been granted Breakthrough Device designation…[FDA] Natera Receives FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for Multi-Cancer Early Detection Blood Testhttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=820e6ce3ddb0f9ccb67237b36d39726ad845f26df91dd80b6150110a9e30990c3e4251e94537Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:41:04 +0000NTRA — Natera (NASDAQ:NTRA) has received Breakthrough Device Designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its investigational multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood test, marking a regulatory milestone in the company’s…[FDA] STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a setback for Argenx, Lilly suits over copycat versions of an obesity drug, and morehttps://www.statnews.com/pharmalot/2026/10/09/pharmalittle-were-reading-about-a-setback-for-argenx-lilly-suits-over-copycat-versions-of-an-obesity-drug-and-more/?utm_campaign=rss5c30f3757763Fri, 09 Oct 2026 13:17:20 +0000ARGX, LLY — The FDA flagged a potential safety signal after four patient deaths in a trial testing a schizophrenia drug, Argenx faces an unusual setback, and more pharma news.[FDA] Roche Gets FDA Approval for Another Label Expansion of Tecentriqhttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=02cdd7e218180e1ef8c43c5d4ebf47f999556f4b012901882002fd3f4f5802e8cd2e15e1b5eaFri, 09 Oct 2026 13:24:00 +0000PFE — Roche wins FDA approval for Tecentriq in stage III dMMR colon cancer, with trial data showing a 50% lower risk of recurrence or death.[FDA] Frontline TUKYSA Maintenance Approval Could Be A Game Changer For Pfizer (PFE)https://finnhub.io/api/news?id=5e5e761beb5938e44ca5f23b527254c0189bdfccfe581a0cb4a1e5ec7c5fa50e16717e29a633Fri, 09 Oct 2026 14:16:03 +0000PFE — Pfizer recently received U.S. FDA approval for TUKYSA (tucatinib) in combination with trastuzumab and pertuzumab as a chemotherapy-free maintenance treatment for adults with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive breast…[FDA] EDIT Set to Begin First-in-Human Study in Hypercholesterolemiahttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=d531453d19a6897e88193554a7c30d7c518090e2943e850d48972bec8ef1f3155df40f674570Fri, 09 Oct 2026 14:53:00 +0000ALNY — Editas Medicine gains approval to launch the first-in-human phase I/II study of EDIT-401 in Australia, targeting LDL cholesterol through gene editing.[FDA] FDA review docs spark Revolution sell-off; Zealand diabetes data underwhelm analystshttps://www.biopharmadive.com/news/rasonque-fda-zealand-tukysa-ultragenyx-tcgx-china/832492/4dbde197dcf7Fri, 09 Oct 2026 15:18:00 +0000RARE — The new disclosure suggested Rasonque might not be as broadly effective as previously thought. Elsewhere, Ultragenyx got a much-needed cash infusion and TCGX started a China-focused fund.[FDA] FDA review docs spark Revolution sell-off; Zealand diabetes data underwhelm analystshttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=5303042f76b11e46fe69ae362144922a3b9f39443320de2aceb8efca12f0eca6d577fb9a9fc3Fri, 09 Oct 2026 15:18:00 +0000PFE, RARE, RVMD — The new disclosure suggested Rasonque might not be as broadly effective as previously thought. Elsewhere, Ultragenyx got a much-needed cash infusion and TCGX started a China-focused fund.[FDA] Teva: 'Hold' On FDA Approval Of Weltruza And Pivot To Growth Strategyhttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=f307b2d1a1e83fdee2a7232a2ab96f9babb7f42a111200ba2eb0f6e82646116e737bf21d6241Fri, 09 Oct 2026 16:55:56 +0000SNY — SeekingAlpha[FDA] Alumis snags set of Phase III psoriasis pill victories, but analysts lukewarm on impacthttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=450bd746f6107068467344271d2c19332b14377bb6d85805eb7b1026032d61539697aeb86c4aFri, 09 Oct 2026 17:11:39 +0000AMGN — If envudeucitinib gains approval, it will join an increasingly competitive market flanked by drugs like J&J’s Icotyde, Amgen’s Otezla and BMS’ Sotyktu.[FDA] Does The Move In Merck Stock Change Anything?https://finnhub.io/api/news?id=8ec035baab86cf7792f8c473ed9d920f88a6b869215a9474bf070dbaea0125ad2af417c22d88Fri, 09 Oct 2026 18:12:18 +0000ABBV, BMY, JNJ, LLY, MRK, PFE — Merck (MRK) stock returned 69.6% over the year to October 8, 2026, against 16.3% for the S&P 500. The gain built up over a year of drug approvals and clinical trial results, arriving just as the company prepares for the patent loss on…[FDA] Stocktwits Biotech Dealmaker — Viatris And GE Healthcare Buy What They Can Sell; Biohaven And Alector Sell Rightshttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=d733ecca87bddd4bf3849907b5495fbcfde613e7b73fda30673e9657cfaec768bfe5d5f24804Sat, 10 Oct 2026 01:12:20 +0000NVO, NVS — Drugmakers this week did not purchase experimental drug candidates but invested in approved drugs and a factory that makes imaging agents.[FDA] What Does AbbVie (ABBV) Winning Two FDA Breakthrough Tags Mean For Its Oncology Pipeline?https://finnhub.io/api/news?id=0314de4f307d014e1b059754bc12bdca5f4e1c709e1220dd2844e54000f68bd484aefa9fd3fbSat, 10 Oct 2026 07:11:53 +0000ABBV — AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) received two FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designations for its experimental cancer drug telisotuzumab adizutecan in colorectal and non small cell lung cancer. The designations apply to biomarker defined patient groups in…[M&A] Option Care Health (OPCH) Stock May Be Undervalued Despite The $5.8 Billion Buyouthttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=49dcab10b88a6e931005c6a6946230572ef84117f1fee25d712af82f91297e101c0903a07aafFri, 09 Oct 2026 09:19:04 +0000MCK, OPCH — Option Care Health shares have jumped into focus after a sharp move higher and a US$5.8b buyout agreement, which raises a straightforward question for investors who care about valuation. Does the current price around the deal level make…[M&A] Viatris to Buy Pacira for $1.65B to Expand Non-Opioid Pain Portfoliohttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=2c0ab1334d76195151a435b63cd5037292573e87cb646d93ebb8b2afe58ef06ca1ecd2316a9fFri, 09 Oct 2026 13:37:00 +0000ALNY — VTRS is set to acquire PCRX for $1.65 billion in cash, adding two marketed pain therapies and a clinical-stage gene therapy candidate to expand its non-opioid pain portfolio.[M&A] Option Care Health (OPCH) Faces Legal Review Of Its Proposed Takeoverhttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=9498b5cb98287f1f74d6cf582c78552f57037c256cff903ea892d9090ca6cee75322b209cf45Fri, 09 Oct 2026 14:16:00 +0000MCK, OPCH — Option Care Health (NasdaqGS:OPCH) faces shareholder investigations into its proposed sale to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice and McKesson Corporation. Several securities law firms announced probes into whether OPCH's board secured a fair price…[M&A] This week in charts: What’s driving biotech’s recent pullback?https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/biotech-charts-xbi-private-public-merger-acquisition-deals/832398/4a4369ccbbd0Fri, 09 Oct 2026 14:28:00 +0000The latest installment in BioPharma Dive’s data visualization series features a look at the factors pressuring biotech stocks of late and the frenetic pace of startup buyouts this year.[M&A] A Stock Market Crash Is Coming By the End of 2027, According to Some Economists. Here Are 2 Stocks to Buy Before That Happenshttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=6fdf316f2d5ebe8c061465fe438ca485dfe8aabf63f03dc5c9d92f0f44f43b9ed8aa718f788eFri, 09 Oct 2026 14:50:02 +0000ABBV, AMGN — These companies might bend during a downturn, but they won’t break.[M&A] Deal Dispatch: Uber Buys ezCater For $2.3B, Skydance Takes Over Warner Bros., True Food Kitchen Bankruptcyhttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=92546e8c535001a9c91c7067dcd42374edac84cda7c9007070044664e3809f119ca9a5412badFri, 09 Oct 2026 15:03:28 +0000MCK, OPCH — Major M&A deals this week include Viatris buys Pacira BioSciences, TowneBank acquires blueharbor, Energy Transfer buys Vacquero Midstream.[M&A] Grail (GRAL) vs Guardant Health (GH): Which is a Better Stock to Buy?https://finnhub.io/api/news?id=98522e1cd57d0410bf0c8e27a592366a72cebcf836a5513d407d966cefd72ab364e626d1684eFri, 09 Oct 2026 15:38:34 +0000GH — GRAIL, Inc. (NASDAQ:GRAL) traded at around $133 on October 7, down 3.19% on the day, though still 93.00% higher over twelve months. Guardant Health, Inc. (NASDAQ:GH) traded near $168 over the same session, up 161.55% across the year. Both…[M&A] CVS Health (CVS) vs Cigna (CI): Which is a Better Stock to Buy?https://finnhub.io/api/news?id=cb65bc3c8f651216c4f536f3c6506dc59a42c62604b287d1bb1583250cc5ffc25f33be0631bfFri, 09 Oct 2026 15:40:54 +0000CI, CVS — CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS) traded at around $88 on October 7, up 1.76% on the day and 12.63% higher over twelve months. The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) traded near $279 over the same session, down 10.56% across the year. Cigna earns…[M&A] McKesson (MCK) Joins $5.8 Billion Option Care Health (OPCH) Acquisition. Is the Valuation Justified?https://finnhub.io/api/news?id=fd6a7f2f5da2fe7193f181a051c1c9f775a76cc192965320d7c5f49ddd378d57d8f36e99ec74Fri, 09 Oct 2026 17:49:18 +0000MCK, OPCH — McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK) is expanding its specialty healthcare operations through a $5.8 billion acquisition (including debt) of Option Care Health, Inc. (NASDAQ:OPCH), partnering with private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice…[Clinical] BioMarin Pharmaceutical To Present New Data From Studies Of VOXZOGO In Children With Achondroplasia And Hypochondroplasia And From Studies Of Investigational Long-Acting BMN 333 At American Society For Bone And Mineral Research Meeting; New Analysis Showcases Impact Of VOXZOGO In Foramen Magnum And Craniocervical Junction Growthhttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=fda3b184d68c3c7d6f32aa731e8f878618501ef90ab23f0536146c7f11e20c4d530222d80f35Fri, 09 Oct 2026 09:09:32 +0000BMRN — The data include encouraging new imaging results from a post-hoc analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the effect of VOXZOGO on the growth of the foramen magnum and craniocervical[Clinical] CVS Health's Aetna Says Strong Medicare Star Ratings Boost Confidence in Return to Appropriate Marginshttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=60aede96f59d59723d053df628088cd033bee45a07a1a660ee67b23e0b5c13a5063fd259fa7aFri, 09 Oct 2026 09:56:29 +0000CVS — CVS Health reports 69%+ of Aetna's 2027 Medicare Advantage enrollees are in 4-star or higher plans, reflecting high clinical quality.[Clinical] argenx: The Sjögren's Selloff Looks Overdonehttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=ce1e51832ed045e2db16490615d7dfe99422cb017b299bc9868b6babbf67900b06fc7824b087Fri, 09 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000ARGX — argenx shares fell after halting its Phase 3 Sjögren's trial, but the selloff appears to overstate the lost opportunity. Read more on ARGX stock here.[Clinical] New Johnson & Johnson ICOTYDE® (icotrokinra) long-term data demonstrate robust 2-year results in the treatment of adults and adolescents with plaque psoriasishttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=1d9fdf1b275991a36a5a060bd9ccc4d73c9e3a6e5a653fdc64ee18c35955c90aa631906bc767Fri, 09 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000JNJ — Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) today announced new two-year results from the Phase 3 ICONIC-LEADa study evaluating ICOTYDE® (icotrokinra), the first and only targeted oral peptide that precisely blocks the IL-23 receptor1, in adults and…[Clinical] Glaukos Announces Positive Topline Results from Phase 4 Prospective Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Evaluating iDose® TR in Combination with Cataract Surgeryhttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=d73a8cee41d0762254cc2c4a0c9f63b9567fcc94d6a81bfc27053075636601370e973900e02bFri, 09 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000GKOS — ALISO VIEJO, Calif., October 09, 2026--Glaukos Corporation (NYSE: GKOS), an ophthalmic pharmaceutical and medical technology company focused on novel therapies for the treatment of glaucoma, corneal disorders, and retinal diseases, today…[Clinical] argenx (ENXTBR:ARGX) Gets Mixed Trial News, Is It Still Overvalued?https://finnhub.io/api/news?id=b025b0375d85610ce2d036e88ba3cf87dc0ce4d3b9a5f4bb13b75a1fc3423a703605f71ac9c2Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:13:15 +0000ARGX — Argenx (ENXTBR:ARGX) is back in focus after twin clinical updates. The company reported positive Phase 2 data for FB102 in celiac disease while deciding to halt its Phase 3 UNITY trial in Sjögren's disease. Over the past month argenx’s…[Clinical] MMI raises $125M to scale up in robotic microsurgeryhttps://www.medtechdive.com/news/mmi-raises-125m-to-scale-up-in-robotic-microsurgery/832607/3750766455b6Fri, 09 Oct 2026 14:06:16 +0000The Symani surgical robot maker said the financing will help broaden adoption of the system in the U.S. and global markets and support a clinical trial for Alzheimer’s disease.[Clinical] Does UnitedHealth (UNH) Present a Case for Patience in a Margin-Repair Story?https://finnhub.io/api/news?id=79084aa210e26e535689ef16226e54f4e61a72d1e8b7b97e652fc6560352153cae5903d36db0Fri, 09 Oct 2026 15:22:40 +0000UNH — The investment case for UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:UNH) rests on how management can restore the company’s profitability margins and reignite its topline expansion to justify an earnings turnaround, which the current forward P/E…[Clinical] argenx Meets Primary Endpoint in Phase II Celiac Disease Studyhttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=776b14446d4eb8093753d7f39a3520e7e05899abe38e16916ce433b14d74fce54aa8f0cd9941Fri, 09 Oct 2026 16:55:00 +0000ALNY, ARGX — ARGX's FB102 achieves its primary endpoint in a phase II celiac disease study, paving the way for late-stage development despite a nearly 12% stock drop.[Clinical] Vertex to Present New Data on ALYFTREK® at the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conferencehttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=992912428f38dc107073c12c6a342e476503b1ef0a2f1fdff7eb3e860085c08dc9ea46a9f647Fri, 09 Oct 2026 17:15:00 +0000VRTX — BOSTON, October 09, 2026--Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) today announced new interim data from the ALYFTREK® (vanzacaftor/tezacaftor/deutivacaftor) 2 to 5 years old open-label extension study, highlighting recovery of…[Clinical] What Could Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY) Phase 3 Myeloma Data Mean For Investors?https://finnhub.io/api/news?id=e0a836e28706d2bde28d57ad02ce600b67348a228f81549f9b31f82c57cd9d7701f4e33a8933Fri, 09 Oct 2026 17:15:21 +0000BMY — Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) reported new Phase 3 EXCALIBER-RRMM data for its Zenbexus combination in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. The regimen achieved significant progression free survival in the trial, alongside high…[GLP-1] New Phase 3b data on Lilly's Taltz (ixekizumab) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) advance understanding of the interconnected immune and metabolic biology in adults with psoriasis and obesityhttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=ccbf14ed235f2d8bb983bc42c2a97a577806902d1834893bef0069f54f627258b58a5483efe7Fri, 09 Oct 2026 10:45:00 +0000LLY — Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced new exploratory data from the TOGETHER-PsO Phase 3b clinical trial evaluating the concomitant use of Taltz (ixekizumab) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) compared with Taltz alone in adults with…[GLP-1] Eli Lilly (LLY) As Zepbound And Retatrutide Updates Test Whether More Upside Is Priced Inhttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=b488b27c7742e4894e65fd2f1fea6d85930809624c4fe6a4103b6eed0444cf66161b6d865924Fri, 09 Oct 2026 15:12:45 +0000LLY — Eli Lilly (LLY) has shifted back into the spotlight after a run of high profile drug updates, with fresh data on Zepbound, Foundayo and the triple agonist retatrutide resetting market attention on its pipeline. After a choppy few months…[Earnings] Zoetis (NYSE:ZTS): A Quality Dividend Stock for Income Investors With Room to Growhttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=4baa07edb0173cb3c6df8828e8bb1501f402c4c9b2b857651a7bc282ce58221e1f9ff1156afeFri, 09 Oct 2026 09:40:36 +0000ZTS — Zoetis is a dividend stock with strong profitability, low payout ratio, and 20.56% dividend growth, but slower earnings remain a risk.[Earnings] The Cigna Group's Third Quarter 2026 Earnings Release Detailshttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=1817fe41a145dc28b74a23b850d6d737860e2d5b2ed224fdacfdaaa3c43eed4c87247d313237Fri, 09 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000CI — Global health company The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) will release its third quarter 2026 financial results on Thursday, November 5, 2026, and will host a conference call the same day.[Earnings] Jazz Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:JAZZ): An Undervalued Biopharma Value Stockhttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=066441d43cc2eede9107216f83a96e90b9987190b1129a365118c8d17b0749183d5a9ed1ebf6Fri, 09 Oct 2026 10:41:10 +0000JAZZ — Jazz Pharmaceuticals looks undervalued on earnings and cash flow with strong profitability and decent growth, per the Decent Value screen.[Earnings] What to Expect From Incyte’s Next Quarterly Earnings Reporthttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=36685ffd3e97ab8486e6f47bfc46d2ef5b32cd0ec6791a1304605903a25a0dcc1c1f1d8ef220Fri, 09 Oct 2026 10:42:18 +0000INCY — Incyte will report its third-quarter earnings soon, with analysts forecasting a steep triple-digit plunge in its bottom line compared with the year-ago quarter.