Here are the latest stories being discussed in biopharma today:

FDA to remove old social media posts discouraging ivermectin use due to settlement agreement

In a surprising turn of events, the FDA has agreed to delete old social media posts discouraging the use of ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19. This decision follows a settlement agreement in a Texas federal court that stemmed from a 2022 case brought against the FDA by three doctors. The doctors claimed the FDA’s campaign, which discouraged the use of ivermectin for COVID-19 treatment, interfered with the doctor-patient relationship. Notably, this move does not automatically approve ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment.

Lenz Therapeutics opts for reverse merger instead of IPO

In a recent interview, Lenz Therapeutics CEO Eef Schimmelpennink revealed that the company decided to proceed with a reverse merger instead of an IPO. Schimmelpennink stated that the decision was driven by the financial benefits offered by the merger, adding $60 million in funding on top of what they could have achieved through an IPO.

Commercial Chief to join board at healthcare agency minds + assembly

Chip Romp, the former Commercial Chief of Seagen, is set to join the board of directors at healthcare agency minds + assembly. Romp brings a wealth of experience after supervising the launches of four cancer drugs during his tenure at Seagen. The new board member stated that he looks forward to helping improve the agency’s understanding of the marketplace and approach.

EU authorization of Leqembi delayed due to a procedural issue

Eisai’s Alzheimer’s drug lecanemab, marketed as Leqembi in the U.S, has had its EU review delayed due to a procedural issue at the European Medicines Agency. A court case between D&A Pharma and the EMA resulted in the annulment of advice from a scientific advisory group, leading to the need for a repeat session. Despite these setbacks, lecanemab remains authorised and is currently being sold in the U.S, Japan, and China.

Novo’s weekly insulin gets CHMP approval, FDA decision pending

Novo Nordisk’s once-weekly insulin drug icodec received a recommendation for marketing authorization from the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP). A final decision is expected within two months. An approval would make Novo the first to provide basal insulin on a weekly basis. Novo is also hoping to launch the drug in the US and China.