As Prescribed

Several members of our firm’s life sciences team were on the ground at the 43rd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco from January 13 to 16, 2025. It was an exciting and sunny four days, during which key players from across the life sciences industry gathered to engage in deal discussions and consider upcoming trends for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare industries. Although there was a notable increase in the level of security at the conference given recent events, the overall sentiment of the conference was one of optimism.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a notice of noncompliance to the FADOI Foundation, citing the organization’s failure to submit required clinical trial results to ClinicalTrials.gov. The notice reflects FDA’s increasing attention toward noncompliance with the agency’s requirements for submission of clinical trials information and may signal an increase in enforcement that we may see from FDA going forward.

The life sciences industry has long been at the forefront of innovation, and 2025 promises to continue this trajectory with exciting developments in intellectual property (IP), licensing, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A). As the sector navigates a dynamic landscape of scientific advancements, economic pressures, and regulatory changes, stakeholders are increasingly leveraging strategic transactions to gain a competitive edge.

As the healthcare and life sciences industry gears up for the highly anticipated JP Morgan Healthcare Conference later this month, stakeholders across the sector are focusing on key trends and strategies to make the most of this unparalleled networking and deal-making event. To help attendees make the most of the 2025 conference and related events, Morgan Lewis recently hosted its second annual Pre-JPM Conference Networking Event featuring a panel discussion of industry leaders, who offered insights into what they are prioritizing in the run-up to the conference and how they are positioning themselves for a successful conference.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a final rule expanding the approval pathway for nonprescription drug products by allowing the approval of a nonprescription drug product with an “Additional Condition for Nonprescription Use” (ACNU). This rule aims to expand consumer access to certain nonprescription drugs—that would otherwise be available only via prescription—by permitting their retail sale with an additional condition beyond labeling, such as a digital questionnaire to help the consumer decide if the medication is right for them.

340B litigation remains full speed ahead. Manufacturer and covered entity (CE) disputes, not all of which are being actively litigated, include, but are not limited to, federal and state regulation of contract pharmacies, manufacturer restrictions on contract pharmacies and 340B distribution, CE data submission requirements, and the definition of “patient.” With billions of dollars at stake, it is unlikely that manufacturers or CEs will change course any time soon. And while federal and state legislation has been proposed to address these issues, we cannot know whether such legislation will be enacted.

In response to rising prescription costs and overall state-level healthcare spending, numerous states, including Maryland and Oregon, have established prescription drug affordability review boards (PDABs) to review certain high-cost prescription drugs and determine if states should take action to reduce those prices.

Aiming to expedite drug development, enhance the body of clinical evidence supporting new and existing therapies, and improve participation and diversity in clinical trial populations, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued three guidance documents that impacted the clinical trial landscape and established a new hub for clinical trial innovation.

While audits are part of doing business in the ordinary course, businesses are generally less than eager to open the books. And the same is true when it comes to the 340B Drug Pricing Program. Audits are now making the list of ongoing disputes between manufacturers and covered entities (CEs) participating in the program.

Recognizing the importance of diversity and inclusivity in clinical trials, drug development, and regulatory decision-making, Congress amended the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) in connection with the Food and Drug Omnibus Reform Act (FDORA) provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, requiring sponsors of certain clinical studies of drugs, biological products, and medical devices to submit Diversity Action Plans to the FDA (FDCA Sections 505(z) and 520(g)(9)).