The 19 breakthrough therapy designations awarded so far this year run the gamut from areas that traditionally have not fared well with BTDs, like cardiovascular and respiratory disease, alongside the traditional cancer and orphan disease tentpoles.

The major will use funds from the sale of its male hypogonadism product to invest in future innovation, which is likely to focus on high-risk high-reward cell and gene drug candidates.

Pfizer is reportedly among a clutch of drug makers said to have been summoned to provide information in China's latest investigation of drug prices, which has apparently been prompted by rising public complaints over medicine costs. Chinese regulators could also impose hefty new fines on multinationals if they refuse to provide relevant materials or information, under a draft of revised antitrust regulation.

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group is continuing on an acquisitive streak with a plan to buy an initial 65% stake in Suzhou Erye Pharmaceutical, and may eventually fully acquire the company in a deal worth nearly $250 million in total.