Health care industry

• Pfizer says obesity injection shows promise as monthly treatment in mid-stage trial - The data on Pfizer's GLP-1 offer early evidence that the injection can be administered less frequently than existing drugs without sacrificing efficacy.
• Pfizer beats quarterly estimates despite Covid product decline, reaffirms modest outlook - The pharmaceutical giant reaffirmed the modest 2026 outlook that rattled investors in December.
• Merck tops quarterly estimates, posts modest 2026 guidance as generic competition looms - Merck posted a modest 2026 outlook that fell short of estimates, as it prepares for some drugs to go off patent later this year and face generic competition.
• Eli Lilly CEO says Medicare coverage of obesity drugs could 'change the game' for upcoming pill launch - Lilly CEO Dave Ricks is confident in the ability of the company's pill to compete and is preparing for a "full launch" in the second quarter.
• What obesity drugmakers see next in the market: More pills, easier access and drug combinations - CNBC spoke to executives from Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer and other drugmakers at the annual JPMorgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco.
• OpenEvidence, the 'ChatGPT for doctors,' doubles valuation to $12 billion - OpenEvidence, based in Massachusetts, has topped a $12 billion valuation in a funding round led by Thrive and DST.
• 2026 is the year of obesity pills. Here's how they could reshape the GLP-1 market - Patients can already access the first GLP-1 obesity pill from Novo Nordisk, and a rival oral drug from Eli Lilly is slated for U.S. approval later this year.
• CNBC's Becky Quick details daughter's rare disease journey - CNBC Squawk Box anchor Becky Quick details her daughter's rare disease journey, and explains why it inspired her to launch CNBC Cures.
• Shares in Wegovy-maker Novo Nordisk pop 6% after GLP-1 pill approval - The FDA on Monday approved the first-ever GLP-1 pill from the Danish pharmaceutical giant.
• FDA approves first GLP-1 pill for obesity from Novo Nordisk - Health and ScienceFDA approves first GLP-1 pill for obesity from Novo NordiskPublished Mon, Dec 22 20256:06 PM ESTUpdated 1 Min AgoAnnika Kim Constantino@annika