Takeda shareholders have approved the acquisition of Shire. Eighty-eight percent of shareholders voted in favor of the deal, despite a group of investors and former Takeda executives trying to block it. Shire will cost Takeda $58 billion and give it a portfolio of rare disease drugs. (Wall Street Journal)
CVS is planning to offer a benefit plan that gives 100% of rebates to health insurance clients. The move is meant to increase transparency and predictability of drug prices. It is also a response to criticism about the rebate system that exists between drugmakers and PBMs. (Reuters)
Uber has hired two health leaders to support its push into medical transportation. The company hired Aaron Crowell, a longtime health consultant, as the head of its health business, and Dan Trigub, who joins from rival Lyft, as a regional VP of healthcare. (CNBC)
The Trump administration is threatening to end an HIV research contract over its use of fetal tissue. The contract between the National Institutes of Health and the University of California at San Francisco was targeted by anti-abortion lawmakers and conservatives. The contract began in 2013 and is due to expire on Wednesday. With the future of the pact uncertain, researchers are preparing to shut down the lab. (Washington Post)
Roche immunotherapy Tecentriq is set to undergo a priority review for small cell lung cancer. The move could help Tecentriq catch up to immunotherapy competitors and give it another approved indication by next March. Both Keytruda and Opdivo are already approved for this type of a cancer. (Reuters)
