By Ed SilvermanAug. 3, 2026
Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer
Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite was relaxing and invigorating because that oh-too-familiar routine of meetings, deadlines, and the like has returned with a vengeance. You knew this would happen, yes? To cope, we are relying, as always, on a cuppa stimulation. Our choice today is oolong. Please feel free to join us. Meanwhile, here is the latest menu of tidbits for you to peruse. We hope that your day is absolutely smashing and that you conquer the world. And of course, do keep in touch. We treasure your feedback and insights. …
AstraZeneca stock fell as investors balked at reports of merger talks with Bristol Myers Squibb about forming what would become one of the world’s biggest drugmakers, with a combined value of nearly $400 billion, Reuters explains. Shares in AstraZeneca were down 5.5% so far on Monday as investors and analysts noted the U.K.’s biggest drugmaker had little obvious need for a transformative acquisition despite potential financial benefits. Meanwhile, Bristol Myers shares were up about 5% in U.S. premarket trading. Jefferies analyst Michael Leuchten wrote in an investor note that a deal “would be more than a head scratcher.”
