1. In 2016, more than 4.4 billion prescriptions were filled in the U.S., with drugs treating high blood pressure, diabetes, and pain among the top ten. Almost half of all Americans are taking prescriptions at any given time. (Stat)

2. Sanofi and Belgian biotech company Ablynx signed a deal worth up to $2.8 billion to develop immunology drugs that treat inflammatory diseases. (Reuters)

3. The number of biotech mergers and acquisitions have slowed, while IPOs remained steady in the first half of 2017, a new report found. The top deals were in oncology and neurology. (Endpoints News)

4. Sarepta Therapeutics’ Duchenne muscular dystrophy drug Exondys 51 generated $35 million in sales in the second quarter of 2017, a figure that exceeded analyst expectations. The drugmaker also said it is launching a “managed access program” to allow physicians to prescribe the drug to certain patients in some countries where it is not yet approved. (Boston Business Journal)

5. ICYMI: MannKind will get advertising spots for its inhaled insulin Afrezza as the main sponsor of new reality show, Reversed, which follows four type 2 diabetes patients as they learn to improve their diet and exercise. The show began airing on Discovery Life this week. (Stat)