Summary

News of the week:

• Promising mRNA cancer vaccines begin to arrive.

The most significant healthcare news stories of the week:

• Biomedicine: A personalized, mRNA-based anti-cancer vaccine shows, for the first time, a clinical benefit for patients.
• Global Health: As the Ebola epidemic progresses, the DR Congo pins its hopes on vaccine trials.
• International Health Policy: The opioid epidemic in the Americas reaches a turning point.
• National Health Policy: The health of the Spanish population is in decline.
• Business: Moderna shares plummet following reports that results for its cancer drug have fallen short of expectations.

Biomedicine

• A personalized anti-cancer vaccine shows, for the first time, a clinical benefit for patients. This innovative therapeutic approach has reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 42% in patients with melanoma. Developed by Moderna and MSD, it is based on mRNA technology. While a major clinical success, it has proven to be a failure on the stock market.
• An Amgen drug, when combined with immunotherapy, extends survival in lung cancer. An Amgen medication, used in combination with an AstraZeneca drug, has increased survival rates for patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer.

Global Health

• As the Ebola epidemic progresses, the DR Congo pins its hopes on vaccine trials. The first doses are expected to be administered within weeks.
• Digital determinants of health: a new era for global public health. The WHO’s 2025 health report has identified access to digital technologies as a determinant of health.
• Shamonda virus: what is known about the first human case reported globally? The virus had previously been detected in Nigeria, but this case in France marks the first identification in Europe.

International Health Policy

• The American opioid epidemic is at a turning point. After more than a decade of rising mortality, the U.S. is experiencing a promising decline in opioid overdose deaths.
• There are notable generational differences in the perception of the NHS; young people in Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012) hold a much more negative view of the NHS than older generations.
• An agreement between the U.S. and the U.K. regarding drug pricing calls the NICE model into question. The primary measure involves raising the cost-effectiveness threshold used by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), shifting it from a range of £20,000–£30,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) to a range of £25,000–£35,000 per health unit.
• A man in France has died after being infected with the Shamonda virus—the first known human case. The European Union is investigating the implications of this case. The pathogen primarily affects farm animals and has been detected in several European countries, including Spain, since the summer.
• IMSS (Mexican Social Security Institute) workers have taken to the streets to demand salary increases and changes within their labor union. Dissident union members plan to protest again in Mexico City to call for better working conditions, as well as the provision of necessary supplies and medications.
• Extreme heat has set a historic record in Europe, resulting in more than 50,300 deaths in a single summer. Anthropogenic climate change is responsible for two-thirds of these fatalities. In Spain, it caused more than 5,200 preventable deaths, with Barcelona and Madrid among the hardest-hit European cities.
• New training pathways for healthcare professionals are being explored across OECD countries as a potential solution to the ongoing shortage of personnel. The OECD proposes promoting modular courses, micro-credentials, and practical training to facilitate entry into the sector, particularly for adults with experience in caregiving.

National Health Policy (Spain)

• The health of the Spanish population is deteriorating: chronic illnesses, depression, and obesity are on the rise, while smoking rates are falling. According to the INE (National Statistics Institute), 68.3% of the Spanish population rates their health as good or very good—a decline of 5.8 percentage points compared to 2023.
• Physicians have firmly rejected the new “Framework Statute” (*Estatuto Marco*) and remain determined to secure one tailored specifically to their profession. A survey conducted by Sigma Dos for *Redacción Médica* shows that doctors give a failing grade to the text approved by the Council of Ministers.
• Feijóo has indicated that, should he reach the Moncloa (the seat of the Spanish government), he intends to review policies regarding abortion for minors and euthanasia. Regarding abortion, the goal is to strengthen the role of parents when minors seek such procedures. As for euthanasia, it is well known that the legislation was passed as a “private member’s bill” (*proposición de ley*) rather than a government-sponsored bill (*proyecto de ley*), thereby bypassing reviews by various advisory bodies—and potentially lacking the kind of broad social debate that took place in France.

Companies

• International
  • Moderna shares plummet following a leak that results for its cancer drug have fallen short of expectations. A treatment that had raised hopes for a cancer vaccine based on mRNA technology has turned into a stock market failure.

• Domestic
  • Vivanta is seeking alternatives to sustain its business after an offer from Vitaldent expired. The company is analyzing an emergency survival plan while awaiting a response from Brussels; the European Commission’s stance on a bailout by the SEPI (Spanish State Industrial Holding Company) has blocked the sale of 61 dental clinics.

Biomedicine

• A personalized cancer vaccine has, for the first time, demonstrated a clinical benefit for patients. This innovative therapeutic approach has reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 42% in patients with melanoma. Developed by Moderna and MSD, it is based on mRNA technology (https://www.lemonde.fr/sciences/article/2026/10/23/un-vaccin-anticancer-personnalise-montre-pour-la-premiere-fois-un-benefice-chez-des-patients_6799027_1650684.html).
• An Amgen drug, when combined with immunotherapy, extends survival in cases of lung cancer. A drug from Amgen, combined with another from AstraZeneca, increased survival in patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/amgen-drug-combined-with-immunotherapy-extends-survival-lung-cancer-trial-2026-10-24/). Access the article in the NEJM: https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/pais-vasco/el-gobierno-vasco-exige-a-sanidad-un-fondo-de-cohesion-justo-y-avisa-de-un-desequilibrio-de-51-millones.html
• Can drones deliver platelet concentrates? A pilot study. The availability of blood products poses a logistical challenge in remote locations or during armed conflicts. The use of drones has expanded access to these products (https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0002934326004249)
• Digital health technology: for well-being, not harm. A series in *The Lancet* defines the “digital determinants of health”—such as access to specific technologies and digital health environments (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)01991-4/fulltext)
• Scientists have identified a link between early brain development and conditions such as autism. One company is investigating this connection in search of new therapies (https://www.ft.com/content/01085941-f97f-44a1-8a37-f7bb84955e49?syn-25a6b1a6=1)
• The battle over robotic knee replacement. Smith & Nephew is competing with Stryker in this technology (https://www.ft.com/content/dce5c4bf-0839-4910-b3bc-abe6d948d8b9?syn-25a6b1a6=1)
• The evolution of the human brain: prone to failure. Its characteristics make it susceptible to this disease—a vulnerability not shared by monkeys (https://www.theatlantic.com/health/2026/10/alzheimers-evolution/689062/)
• A new type of depression discovered. An Australian study reveals that a quarter of depression cases are of a type termed “circadian,” linked to the biological clock (https://www.larazon.es/salud/descubren-nuevo-tipo-depresion_202610216ad7acc50f5414177237224f.html)
• Outpatient CAR-T therapy: a future-oriented approach focused on safety. The administration of CAR-T therapies on an outpatient basis or through hospital-at-home care is taking its first steps in Spain (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/hematologia/car-t-ambulatoria-apuesta-futuro-ligada-seguridad.html)
• AI to reduce deaths from sepsis. Early detection cuts mortality by half (https://cincodias.elpais.com/extras/ciencia-salud/2026-10-16/ia-para-reducir-las-muertes-por-sepsis.html)
• A start-up for designing children—breaking a taboo (https://www.ft.com/content/3dd30c88-235d-4272-b028-9646749cacf6)

Global Health

• As the Ebola epidemic progresses, the DR Congo is pinning its hopes on vaccine trials. It is expected that the first doses could be administered within weeks (https://www.science.org/content/article/ebola-epidemic-rages-congo-bets-high-stakes-hope-vaccine-trial)
• Taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks can reduce disease and facilitate healthcare financing—a proposal put forward by the WHO (https://www.nature.com/articles/s44360-026-00135-9)
• Digital determinants of health: a new era for global public health. The WHO’s 2025 health report has identified access to digital technologies as a determinant of health (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)01292-4/fulltext)
• Ebola: Africa faces a more complex epidemic following its spread to Nigeria, according to the WHO. This disease has caused the deaths of more than 15,000 Africans over the last 50 years (https://sante.lefigaro.fr/social/sante-publique/ebola-l-afrique-fait-face-a-une-epidemie-plus-complexe-apres-sa-diffusion-au-nigeria-selon-l-oms-20261022)
• Ebola spreads to West Africa. • Nigeria is tracking many individuals who have tested positive for the virus (https://www.ft.com/content/fe7fa078-8aa5-4802-963d-d88d3013c158?syn-25a6b1a6=1)
• Kenya confirms 8 new cases of Ebola (https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/kenya-confirms-eighth-ebola-case-regional-outbreak-spreads-2026-10-18/)
• Is rabies making a comeback? Although rabies was once considered a thing of the past in the U.S., several recent outbreaks have been detected (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/21/science/rabies-virus-animals.html)
• Shamonda virus: what is known about the first human case reported worldwide. The virus had previously been detected in Nigeria, but this French case is the first to be identified in Europe (https://www.expansion.com/estilo-vida/salud/2026/10/22/confirmada-muerte-hombre-francia-virus-shamonda-francia-primer-contagio-humano-mundo.html)

International Health Policy

• USA
  • The American opioid epidemic at a turning point. After more than a decade of rising mortality, the U.S. is seeing a promising decline in opioid overdose deaths (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)01610-7/abstract)
  • Medicaid haunts Republicans in key battleground states. Cuts to Medicaid have become a powerful weapon for Democrats (https://www.politico.com/news/2026/10/19/medicaid-cuts-haunt-republicans-in-battleground-states-01127064)
  • Trump signs an executive order creating a task force on “Women’s Health” within the NIH. The order was signed in the presence of his wife, Melania (https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/trump-create-new-nih-division-task-force-womens-health-2026-10-19/)
  • The CDC reports that measles cases could reach 4,588 as the outbreak continues. The number of cases requiring hospitalization has reached 479 (https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/us-cdc-says-measles-cases-rise-4588-outbreak-continues-2026-10-23/)
  • A lawsuit challenging the “GLOBE” model opens a new front in the battle to lower drug prices in the U.S. Stephen J. Ubl, president and CEO of PhRMA—the trade association for pharmaceutical manufacturers in the U.S.—stated that “GLOBE is illegal and clearly exceeds the authority of the CMS (Medicare & Medicaid). The policy does not make medicines more affordable for the majority of beneficiaries, while simultaneously putting future medical innovation and patient access at risk” (https://elglobalfarma.com/industria/demanda-modelo-globe-batalla-reducir-precio-medicamentos-eeuu/)

• United Kingdom
  • Notable generational differences in the perception of the NHS: Young people from Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012) have a much more negative view of the NHS than older generations (https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/long-reads/generational-differences-attitudes-nhs)
  • How to build a heat-resilient NHS: Temperatures in some NHS buildings exceeded 41°C this summer (https://www.bmj.com/content/395/bmj-2026-101151)
  • Many immigrants contribute 60% more to the NHS than the cost of the healthcare services they consume (https://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/many-migrants-pay-60-more-to-the-nhs-than-costs-of-the-health-care-they-use)
  • Burnham calls for a study on the unequal health impacts of air pollution. This is a response to a study by 150 scientists, who report that lower-income areas experience higher levels of pollution than wealthier areas (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/oct/19/andy-burnham-government-inquiry-unequal-health-impacts-air-pollution)
  • Many care homes for the elderly in England have never been inspected by the regulator. (https://www.ft.com/content/d5cc68cd-1c12-4617-8584-c731b4c8aa81?syn-25a6b1a6=1)
  • The agreement between the US and the UK regarding the pricing of medicines calls the NICE model into question. The primary measure involves increasing the cost-effectiveness threshold used by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), shifting it from a range of £20,000–£30,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) to a range of £25,000–£35,000 per health metric (https://diariofarma.com/2026/10/23/el-acuerdo-entre-reino-unido-y-ee-uu-abre-el-debate-sobre-los-limites-del-modelo-nice)

• France
  • Access to healthcare in “medical deserts”: the government defends its track record, but fails to convince healthcare professionals (https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2026/10/19/acces-aux-soins-et-deserts-medicaux-le-gouvernement-defend-son-bilan-sans-convaincre-des-professionnels-de-sante-eprouves_6797508_3224.html)
  • A man in France has died after being infected with the Shamonda virus—the first known human case. The European Union is investigating the “implications” of the incident. The pathogen primarily affects farm animals and has been detected in several European countries, including Spain, since the summer (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2026-10-22/muere-en-francia-un-hombre-infectado-por-el-virus-shamonda-en-el-primer-caso-conocido-en-un-ser-humano.html)
  • It appears there is no risk to the general population from the Shamonda virus. This is an exceptional case involving an immunocompromised patient, according to the French Ministry of Health (https://sante.lefigaro.fr/social/sante-publique/le-virus-shamonda-detecte-pour-la-premiere-fois-chez-un-humain-un-patient-est-mort-en-france-20261022)

• India
  • India reduces the price of 137 medicines by 70% (https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/india-widens-cancer-drug-price-caps-lowering-prices-137-medicines-2026-10-18/)

• Brazil
  • The SUS (Unified Health System) begins offering new, high-tech cancer medications across all regions of the country (https://www.gov.br/saude/pt-br/assuntos/noticias-ms/2026/outubro/ministerio-da-saude-inicia-oferta-no-sus-de-nove-medicamentos-oncologicos-de-alta-tecnologia-em-todas-as-regioes-do-pais?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

• Mexico
  • IMSS (Mexican Social Security Institute) workers take to the streets to demand salary increases and a change in union leadership. Union dissidents are set to protest again in Mexico City to demand better working conditions, as well as supplies and medications (https://elpais.com/mexico/2026-10-21/los-trabajadores-del-imss-vuelven-a-las-calles-para-exigir-un-alza-salarial-y-un-cambio-en-el-sindicato.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

• Peru
  • Inter-ministerial agreement to strengthen mental health (https://www.tvperu.gob.pe/noticias/nacionales/minsa-mimp-y-minedu-articulan-acciones-para-fortalecer-la-atencion-de-la-salud-mental-en-el-pais?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

• European Union
  • Extreme heat sets a historic record in Europe, with more than 50,300 deaths in a single summer. Anthropogenic climate change is responsible for two-thirds of these fatalities. In Spain, it caused more than 5,200 preventable deaths, with Barcelona and Madrid among the hardest-hit European cities (https://www.elmundo.es/salud/2026/10/23/6ada5bb9e9cf4a6b638b456d.html)
  • The EU is mobilizing 680 million euros to advance the “Safe Hearts” (Corazones Seguros) plan, the Critical Medicines Act, and the European Health Data Space (EHDS). The European Commission has approved the financial roadmap for the EU4Health programme, structured around five priority areas—ranging from crisis preparedness to the management of non-communicable diseases (https://www.consalud.es/politica/la-ue-moviliza-680-millones-de-euros-para-impulsar-el-plan-corazones-seguros-la-ley-de-medicamentos-criticos-y-el-eeds.html)
  • Europe is making progress on “EU Inc.,” a fast-track pathway for access to technology. One of the main bottlenecks for the growth of the biotech sector in Europe lies in legislative fragmentation regarding the structuring of cross-border consortia, subsidiaries, or investment vehicles (https://diariofarma.com/2026/10/23/europa-avanza-en-el-eu-inc-la-via-rapida-para-la-financiacion-de-la-biotecnologia)

• WHO
  • The WHO launches an ambitious AI-driven plan to detect and neutralize pandemics in just 24 hours (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/politica/internacional/20261018/la-oms-lanza-un-ambicioso-plan-con-ia-para-detectar-neutralizar-pandemias-en-apenas-horas/362124_0.html)

• OECD
  • New pathways for healthcare training in OECD countries, seeking a solution to the shortage of professionals. The OECD proposes promoting modular courses, micro-credentials, and practical training to facilitate entry into the sector—particularly for adults with experience in caregiving (https://www.consalud.es/profesionales/nuevas-vias-de-formacion-sanitaria-en-los-paises-de-la-ocde-la-solucion-frente-a-la-escasez-de-profesionales.html)

National Health Policy

• Central Administration
  • The Ministry of Agriculture confirms that Spain is on “alert” due to the Shamonda virus. Surveillance has been intensified following the death of a man in France caused by this pathogen, which until now had only affected animals (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2026-10-22/agricultura-confirma-que-espana-esta-en-alerta-por-el-virus-shamonda-pero-pide-calma.html)
  • A contentious meeting of the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System (SNS) saw the rejection of the Ministry’s plan regarding waiting lists; Minister García stated that the proposal will now be submitted for public consultation (https://gacetamedica.com/politica/bronco-interterritorial-campana-29-n-ccaa-pp-tumban-reforma-listas-espera/)
  • The Interterritorial Council (CISNS) has approved access criteria for proton therapy within the National Health System (SNS). The agreement establishes common clinical criteria and a referral pathway to ensure access to treatment, regardless of the patient’s autonomous community of residence (https://www.consalud.es/politica/ministerio-sanidad/el-cisns-aprueba-los-criterios-de-acceso-a-la-protonterapia-en-el-sistema-nacional-de-salud.html)
  • The State Public Health Agency is still awaiting its formal statute; the Spanish Society of Public Health and Health Administration (SESPAS) has called for its approval before the upcoming elections. After years of calling for its creation, the Spanish Society of Public Health and Health Administration (SESPAS) fears that a lack of regulatory development could once again delay an institution that already has legal backing and an assigned headquarters (https://medicinaresponsable.com/politica-sanitaria/agnecia-estatal-salud-publica-pendiente-estatuto-sespas-pide-aprobarlo-antes-elecciones)

• Regional administrations
  • Andalusia will allocate 17.037 billion euros to public healthcare by 2027—the most significant reform of the Andalusian Health Service (SAS) in decades, according to the regional government. (https://www.vozpopuli.com/espana/andalucia/andalucia-destinara-17037-millones-a-la-sanidad-publica-en-2027-para-financiar-la-mayor-reforma-del-sas-en-decadas.html)
  • Castilla-La Mancha has approved a comprehensive cancer plan for 2026–2030. President Emiliano García-Page stated that, starting in 2027, half of all healthcare resources will be dedicated to oncology care—though “without neglecting other areas.” (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/politica/castilla-mancha-aprueba-plan-integral-cancer-2026-2030.html)
  • Catalonia is moving forward with a decree that will determine which residential care facilities are required to have their own on-site pharmacy. The measure seeks to implement Article 6 of the Royal Decree on urgent measures to ensure the sustainability of the National Health System (SNS) (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/autonomias/catalunya/20261020/cataluna-avanza-el-decreto-que-determinara-las-residencias-deben-tener-farmacia-propia/362650_0.html)
  •  The doctors’ union *Metges de Catalunya* questions the primary care reform in Catalonia. The pilot project for “Comprehensive Reference Health Centers” (CSIR) will continue for another year in Catalonia. The Department of Health has decided to extend this primary care transformation project—promoted by the Generalitat government—following recommendations from the Committee for Evaluation, Innovation, and Operational Reform of the Health System (CAIROS). Meanwhile, *Metges de Catalunya* calls for addressing the shortage of physicians and the excessive clinical workload (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/cataluna/los-medicos-cuestionan-la-reforma-de-la-atencion-primaria-en-cataluna-aun-no-hay-suficientes-evidencias.html)
  • The Basque Government demands a fair cohesion fund (https://www.consalud.es/autonomias/pais-vasco/el-gobierno-vasco-exige-a-sanidad-un-fondo-de-cohesion-justo-y-avisa-de-un-desequilibrio-de-51-millones.html)

• Health Survey in Spain
  • The health of the Spanish population is deteriorating: chronic illnesses, depression, and obesity are on the rise, while smoking rates are declining. 68.3% of the Spanish population rates their health status as good or very good—a decrease of 5.8 percentage points compared to 2023, according to the INE (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2026-10-20/la-salud-de-los-espanoles-empeora-suben-las-enfermedades-cronicas-la-depresion-y-la-obesidad-pero-baja-el-tabaquismo.html)
  • Press release from the Spanish National Survey (2025): 66.2% of the population aged 15 and older reported having a chronic illness, compared to 57.7% in 2023 (https://www.ine.es/dyngs/Prensa/ESdE2025.htm)

• Medicinal cannabis
  • Anesthesiologists, oncologists, and neurologists: these are the specialists who will be authorized to prescribe medicinal cannabis (https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/observatorios/sanidad/20261020/anestesistas-oncologos-neurologos-especialistas-podran-prescribir-cannabis-medicinal/1003744426616_0.html)

• Conflict regarding the medical professional statute
  • Doctors have firmly rejected the new Framework Statute (*Estatuto Marco*) and remain steadfast in their determination to secure a statute of their own. According to a survey by Sigma Dos for *Redacción Médica*, physicians clearly give a failing grade to the text approved by the Council of Ministers (https://www.redaccionmedica.com/profesionales/medicina/20261019/rechazo-rotundo-de-los-medicos-al-nuevo-estatuto-marco-firme-voluntad-para-conseguir-uno-propio/362375_0.html)

• Crisis in Ceuta
  • The hospital in Ceuta calls for strengthened prevention and protection measures due to an increase in demand for care (https://www.eldebate.com/sociedad/20261019/hospital-ceuta-pide-reforzar-medidas-prevencion-proteccion-incremento-demanda-asistencial_471004.html)

• Mental health
  • New regulations on voluntary access to mental health institutions come into effect, despite opposition from psychiatrists. Law 4/2026 takes effect this Thursday, aiming to bolster safeguards for mental health care. While the Ministry of Health emphasizes the protection of rights, psychiatrists warn of legal uncertainty and obstacles to admission (https://diariofarma.com/2026/10/22/entra-en-vigor-la-ley-que-exige-agotar-las-vias-voluntarias-en-salud-mental)

• Medicines
  • AFI estimates that medicines contribute more to the State than the cost of funding them. A study conducted by Analistas Financieros Internacionales (AFI) for Farmaindustria estimates that the savings and tax contributions linked to medicines and the sector’s activity exceed 27.3 billion euros annually, compared to a public investment of 24.8 billion euros in 2024. The industry association argues that these findings suggest there is room to increase funding for pharmaceutical innovation (https://diariofarma.com/2026/10/20/afi-calcula-que-los-medicamentos-aportan-al-estado-mas-de-lo-que-cuesta-financiarlos)

• Feijóo’s statements on healthcare
  • Feijóo proposes reviewing policies regarding abortion for minors and euthanasia should he reach the Moncloa (the Prime Minister’s office). Regarding abortion, the aim is to strengthen the role of parents in cases involving minors. As for euthanasia, it is well known that the legislation was passed as a private member’s bill (rather than a government-sponsored bill), thereby bypassing reviews by various advisory bodies and potentially lacking the kind of broad public debate that took place in France (https://diariofarma.com/2026/10/23/29n-feijoo-plantea-revisar-el-aborto-en-menores-y-la-ley-de-eutanasia-si-llega-a-la-moncloa).

Companies

• International
  • AstraZeneca partners with Oracle to develop AI for clinical trials (https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/astrazeneca-partners-with-oracle-ai-driven-clinical-trials-2026-10-20/)
  • Big Pharma accused of “free-riding” (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/oct/22/cop17-cali-conservation-fund-pharmaceutical-freeriding-nature-aoe)
  • Biotech investment emerges as a new front in the U.S.-China commercial rivalry (https://www.politico.com/news/2026/10/22/biotech-investment-is-the-new-front-in-the-u-s-china-trade-fight-01132819)
  • GLP-1 boom in China, India, and Brazil could create a $22 billion market by 2025 (https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/glp-1-boom-china-india-brazil-could-create-22-bln-market-by-2035-jp-morgan-says-2026-10-23/)
  • Moderna shares plummet following a leak that results for its cancer drug have fallen short of expectations. The emergence of a treatment—which had raised hopes for a cancer vaccine based on mRNA technology—has turned into a stock market failure (https://www.ft.com/content/9e59746f-9b63-4adb-b868-14088d638b8a?syn-25a6b1a6=1)
  • Roche puts its investments in Germany on hold (https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/roche-moves-future-germany-investments-on-hold-2026-10-19/)
  • Why are pharmaceutical companies rushing into the ketamine market? (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/20/science/ketamine-fda-spravato-ketafree.html)
  • Germany: from pharmaceutical cradle to an exodus of investment (https://www.diariomedico.com/medicina/empresas/alemania-cuna-farmaceutica-fuga-inversiones.html)

• Domestic
  • Clínicas MI acquires a center in Tarragona and expands its hospital in Lleida. The hospital group—backed by the Masfurrol family and Portobello—is investing 40 million [euros] to acquire Policlínica El Vendrell and open a new outpatient building in the capital of the Segrià region (https://www.expansion.com/catalunya/2026/10/20/clinicas-mi-compra-centro-tarragona-amplia-hospital-lleida.html)
  • Sanitas secures over 300 million [euros] through partnerships with Generali, BBVA, and Sabadell. A co-insurance arrangement was agreed upon with the banks, while the Italian firm (Generali) has ceded 50% via reinsurance (https://www.eleconomista.es/banca-finanzas/noticias/14021772/10/26/sanitas-capta-mas-de-300-millones-por-sus-alianzas-con-generali-bbva-y-sabadell.html)
  • Vivanta is seeking alternatives to sustain its business following the expiration of an offer from Vitaldent. The company is evaluating an emergency plan to survive while awaiting a response from Brussels; the European Commission’s stance regarding a bailout by SEPI (the Spanish state holding company) has blocked the sale of 61 dental clinics (https://cincodias.elpais.com/companias/2026-10-24/vivanta-busca-alternativas-para-mantener-vivo-el-negocio-tras-caducar-la-oferta-de-vitaldent.html)

 

 

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