Tariffs

In the second part of Generics Bulletin’s interview with Róbert Wessman, the Alvotech founder, chairman and CEO discusses global moves towards biosimilar streamlining – as well as talking PBMs, price negotiation, US trade tariffs and the push towards reshoring manufacturing.

An executive order has given the go-ahead for US tariffs on Japan to be amended to “zero percent” for generics, just weeks after the EU revealed an effective exemption from its own US tariffs. Meanwhile, a separate order suggests that generics could enjoy broader global exemptions from tariffs.

ANVISA, the Brazilian medicines regulator, has a new president, Leandro Pinheiro Safatle, who says that public private partnerships could help counter the impact of US tariffs on the pharmaceutical industry.

As US-India ties rupture, what could it mean for joint calls by the two nations to de-risk the pharma supply chain and could New Delhi consider non-tariff tools to make a point?

With Stada’s growth ramping up in 2025, the German giant pointed to biosimilars – in particular its Alvotech-partnered Uzpruvo rival to Stelara – as helping to drive its financial success in the first half. Meanwhile, CEO Peter Goldschmidt also provided the latest update on a potential IPO.

The European generics industry has welcomed news that generic medicines will be exempt from tariffs under the latest EU-US trade agreement.

Pfizer showed how to come out on top with investors during earnings season. Post strong sales growth – and avoid mentioning tariffs, most favored nation pricing or Medicare modernization impacts.

Viatris is conducting a company-wide strategic review to boost long-term competitiveness, targeting cost savings and a shift to complex, high-margin products. CEO Scott Smith says it’s timely after four divestitures. An update is due in the Q3 2025 earnings call in November.

When consumer health and beauty firms announce results for current quarter, they likely will note trend many reported after first quarter, an uptick in revenues and volume due to consumer concern about Trump’s tariffs gambit leading to higher product prices.

The investor enthusiasm that greeted initial second-quarter pharma earnings announcements was dampened by the results from Sanofi and Merck & Co. Sanofi was particularly punished by investors despite overall growth, while Merck’s revenue fall was probably baked into expectations.

Lupin is hoping moves like intellectual property transfer for some products to the US will help mitigate the tariff impact even as it counts on growth from planned launches of GLP-1s and biosimilars while riding high on tolvaptan launched in Q1.

Amphastar plans three- to five-year expansion to quadruple production capacity for its US manufacturing operations at its Rancho Cucamonga, CA, headquarters. Primatene Mist Q2 sales reached $22.88m from $22.86m a year ago.