STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Sanofi settling an EU antitrust probe, ‘pharma bro’ Shkreli, and more

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the middle of the week. Congratulations on making it this far, and remember there are only a few more days until the weekend arrives. So keep plugging away. After all, what are the alternatives? While you ponder the possibilities, we invite you to join us for a needed cup of stimulation, which we hope to find shortly since we are on the road. Perhaps we can meet? Meanwhile, here is the latest menu of tidbits to help you on your way. We hope you conquer the world and have a wonderful day. And as always, please do stay in touch. We appreciate feedback, tips, and criticism. … Martin Shkreli is back, but the U.S. Federal Trade Commission is not happy, STAT says. The agency and seven states asked a U.S. court to hold Shkreli in contempt for “flagrantly and repeatedly” violating a court order banning him from working in the pharmaceutical industry. Shkreli, known as “pharma bro” for imperiously defending his decision to raise the price of a drug by 5,000%, was sentenced to seven years in prison for defrauding investors in 2018. Before his release in 2022, a court banned him from ever working in the industry again, saying he illegally tried to prevent generic competition to the drug. Since then, he became a prolific trader in pharma stocks, broadcasting his analysis in posts and livestreams on X and other platforms. European Union antitrust regulators accepted concessions from Sanofi to settle an investigation into an allegedly “misleading” campaign that disparaged the only rival flu vaccine recommended for vulnerable patients at risk for developing the illness, STAT tells us. In doing so, the company avoided being fined. The European Commission had suggested that Sanofi portrayed the Fluad vaccine marketed by CSL Seqirus as inferior to its own Efluelda vaccine in a communication campaign that primarily targeted health care professionals in Germany and France. Sanofi holds a dominant position in both countries, according to the EC. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe