PharmTech Weekly News Roundup - Week of September 15

In this PharmTech video feature, we highlight the week’s industry news in an easy-to-consume, fun format. New roundups will drop every Friday, so be sure to come back each week. And be sure to check the links below for more in-depth coverage.

Collectively, the week’s coverage discusses the pharmaceutical industry’s recent developments and current regulatory landscape. Read on for recaps of each story we’ve covered.

ABC Farmaceutici to Celebrate Centennial at CPHI Frankfurt

Italian pharmaceutical company ABC Farmaceutici will commemorate its 100th anniversary at CPHI Frankfurt from October 28–30, 2025, unveiling a special logo and hosting an event at its booth. The company, now part of ICE Pharma, has expanded globally into over 50 countries and developed expertise in active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), dermo-cosmetics, and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a treatment for a rare autoimmune liver disease.

CPHI Frankfurt Announces 2025 Pharma Awards Finalists

The CPHI Pharma Awards 2025 have announced finalists across 14 categories, highlighting innovations in synthetic biology, artificial intelligence and sustainable packaging. The awards underscore the industry's shift towards digital tools and green practices, with winners to be revealed at the CPHI Frankfurt opening ceremony on October 28.

Cancer Research UK and Nxera Launch Phase IIa Trial for Immuno-Oncology Drug

Cancer Research UK and Nxera Pharma have begun a Phase IIa clinical trial for HTL0039732, an investigational small-molecule immunotherapy for advanced solid tumors. The drug targets the EP4 receptor to address tumor-mediated immunosuppression, a different mechanism from traditional checkpoint inhibitors, and will be tested in cancers with high unmet needs, including colorectal and prostate cancers.

Competition Intensifies in MASH Treatment with New Drug Approvals

The market for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is expanding rapidly following the FDA's approval of Madrigal Pharmaceuticals' Rezdiffra and Novo Nordisk's Wegovy. With the MASH market projected to reach $31.8 billion by 2033, major pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly, GSK, and Boehringer Ingelheim are advancing their own innovative therapies, creating a highly competitive landscape.

FDA Issues Warnings Over Misleading Drug Promotions

FDA issued warning letters to Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Hims & Hers Health for misleading promotional communications regarding popular weight-loss drugs. The warnings specifically criticized a television program for omitting and minimizing significant risk information for drugs like Mounjaro and Ozempic, signaling heightened regulatory scrutiny of advertising practices across all media platforms.

FDA Approves Enbumyst, a Nasal Spray for Edema

Corstasis Therapeutics received FDA approval for Enbumyst, a bumetanide nasal spray for treating edema associated with congestive heart failure, liver, and kidney disease. Designed as a self-administered outpatient therapy, the nasal spray offers rapid absorption comparable to IV diuretics, potentially reducing hospitalizations and healthcare costs for the 6.7 million Americans with heart failure.