STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Roche and Sanofi reactions to Trump, R&D rankings, and more
Roche warned that President Trump's executive order on drug pricing threatens its planned $50 billion investment in the United States
Rise and shine, another busy day is on the way. We can tell because the official mascots got an early start chasing down cats, squirrels, and other creatures darting about the Pharmalot campus. And then there is the noisy parade of vehicles passing nearby on their way to who knows what? As for us, we are firing up the trusty coffee kettle to brew another cup of stimulation. Our choice today is coconut rum. Please feel free to join us. Meanwhile, the time has come to get cracking. So here is the latest laundry list of interesting items for you to peruse. We hope you have a smashing day and, of course, do keep in touch. Best of luck, everyone. …
Roche warned that President Trump’s executive order on drug pricing threatens its planned $50 billion investment in the United States, Reuters writes. The order directs drugmakers to lower prices of brand-name medicines to align with those in other wealthy nations. Analysts and legal experts say the policy would be difficult to implement. “Should the proposed EO (Executive Order) go into effect, Roche’s ability to fund the significant investments previously announced in the U.S. will be in question,” the company said in a statement. Roche said it did not expect the executive order to affect its business in 2025, and that it would continue engaging with the Trump administration and Congress. Roche in April announced it would invest $50 billion in the U.S. over the next five years, creating more than 12,000 jobs. Several drugmakers, including Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, and Novartis, have announced large-scale U.S. investments in response to Trump’s push to onshore pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Meanwhile, Sanofi announced plans to invest at least $20 billion in the United States through 2030 to boost manufacturing and research, joining other drugmakers in expanding their U.S. presence in response to President Trump’s trade policies, Reuters continues. The drugmaker, one of the world’s largest vaccine makers and a leader in anti-inflammatory drugs, plans to expand its U.S. manufacturing capacity through direct investments in Sanofi sites, and partnerships with other domestic manufacturers. The U.S. made up about 47% of Sanofi’s total revenue in the first quarter of 2025. Sanofi said money would also go toward a substantial increase in spending on research and development in the country, and is expected to create “a significant number of high-paying jobs in multiple states in the coming years.” Analysts and industry executives have said any new manufacturing facility could take at least five years to begin production. But last week, Trump signed an executive order that aims to reduce the time it takes to approve pharmaceutical plants in the country.
