Here are the latest stories being discussed in biopharma today:

**Headlines**

– US Officials Allege WuXi Transferred IP to Chinese Authorities
– WuXi Builds US Presence Amidst Political Tensions
– Sanders Calls Novo Out for Drug Prices
– Nestlé Health Science plots next steps for C. diff drug Vowst after robust uptake
– Walgreens Reports $5.8 Bil Charge Over VillageMD
– Judge Allows J&J to Challenge Evidence in Talc Litigation
– Genentech Aims for Clinical Trial Diversity

**Story 1**
US Intelligence officials recently informed Congress that WuXi AppTec transferred a US client’s intellectual property to Chinese authorities without consent. The transfer is deemed contrary to US interests, stoking worry about the dealings of WuXi and other Chinese companies. Transpiring before the US Senate’s vote on the BIOSECURE Act, if passed, the legislation would limit WuXi and other Chinese healthcare firms’ activities in the US or with US companies.

**Story 2**
Meanwhile, WuXi AppTec and WuXi Biologics are continuing to expand their operations in the US, despite heightened political pressure. The companies reconfirmed their growth in North America, stating that they are monitoring the situation as they progress. They’ve both faced scrutiny since the proposed BIOSECURE Act, which would prevent federally funded entities from working with companies connected to ‘foreign adversaries,’ which notably includes the WuXi companies.

**Story 3**
Senator Bernie Sanders is urging Novo Nordisk to significantly lower the costs of Ozempic and Wegovy. The Senator pointed out that the drugs’ prices are considerably lesser in other regions, such as Canada, where costs run up to $155. However, the current list price of the drugs in the US stands at $936 for Ozempic and $1,350 for Wegovy.

**Story 4**
Nestlé Health Science is charting the next steps for its C. diff drug Vowst following commendable uptake since its launch. Nestlé credits the drug’s success to increasing awareness among doctors about the workings of the microbiome. Nestlé’s sales team of 170 includes representatives dealing with gastroenterology healthcare professionals and hospital and infectious disease reps.

**Story 5**
Walgreens has reported a net loss of $5.9 billion during quarterly earnings due to an impairment charge of $5.8 billion on its investment in primary care chain VillageMD. The company plans to close 160 clinics as part of cost-cutting operations to help fast-track VillageMD’s profitability, according to CEO Tim Wentworth.

**Story 6**
A federal judge in New Jersey has allowed Johnson & Johnson to present new challenges against the evidence brought by plaintiffs amid the company’s multidistrict talc litigation. The company believes it a fitting time to reassess the plaintiff’s evidence due to the emergence of new relevant science and changes to the federal rule governing expert testimony.

**Story 7**
Biotech company Genentech has prioritized the increase of clinical trial diversity as a ‘business imperative’. The firm also announced intentions to provide resources and training to sites to advance progress toward diversity and inclusion in clinical trials. The company is additionally providing education to clinical trial designers to reduce the underlying barriers that may thwart those from diverse populations from enrolling in trials.