RxBriefing Daily — Tuesday, October 13, 2026https://rxbriefing.comMovers: HIMS -6.70% · HALO +6.57% · UNH +4.73% · MRNA +4.65% · BMY +4.61% · VKTX -4.43% · AZN +3.99% · GILD +3.80%. 40 healthcare stories from the last trading day.[FDA] Charles River Collaborates with Magellan Stem Cells to Advance Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Developmenthttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=cddde621353a46d82cf197be60342f9be17dd2d28c88a4b6ef3b00fae32ed5d78017ce28b69eTue, 13 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000CRL — WILMINGTON, Mass., October 13, 2026--Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL) and Magellan Stem Cells, a private Australian biotech and cell-therapy firm, announce their collaboration to support Magellan in the…[FDA] Morgan Stanley Maintains Overweight on Charles River, Raises Price Target to $340https://finnhub.io/api/news?id=93c15420dba820f73acdaf92c76e738f90d3f27ffc0b3533e13299a950b32e2a702c96b9c761Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:24:39 +0000CRL — Morgan Stanley analyst Ricky Goldwasser maintains Charles River (NYSE:CRL) with a Overweight and raises the price target from $300 to $340.[FDA] Moderna vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals: Which Healthcare Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?https://finnhub.io/api/news?id=4ff718c0d17dfa447f9637b4c4aecc5e4e89c933ebad91449ca247f2ad041a9e7474a8976643Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:37:05 +0000MRK, MRNA, VRTX — Vertex raised its full-year outlook in Q2 with a growing pipeline across multiple disease areas. Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine just cleared a key FDA hurdle with an expanding oncology pipeline behind it.[FDA] Reasons Why Investors Should Consider Betting on Arvinas Stockhttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=3f16b6c415c48e8f4a77b7acf9825ed4096b7652f1c18bc42f3f9276c60289bd79ca553e949aTue, 13 Oct 2026 14:27:00 +0000PFE — ARVN's first FDA-approved PROTAC degrader validates its technology, while a diverse pipeline targeting cancer and neurological disorders offers further growth potential.[FDA] Takeda Remains A Buy, Boosted By Recent Narcolepsy Drug Approval And Robust Pipelinehttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=01aca2f1352121261ab7bf804fad537cb037ec1167f833ad4c4ea561fd09a27e9613e966cb96Tue, 13 Oct 2026 15:48:06 +0000TAK — Takeda is rated a buy, reflecting recent drug approval, a robust future pipeline, global reach & an investment-grade rating. Click for more on TAK stock.[FDA] Samaritan Health Services, MultiCare Health System merger to close Nov. 1https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/samaritan-health-services-join-multicare-health-system8a66c394f395Tue, 13 Oct 2026 16:00:32 +0000The affiliation approved by the nonprofits' boards will create an 18-hospital system with more than $7.5 billion in revenue—and give MultiCare an acute-care foothold in Oregon.[FDA] ISRG Is Expanding Beyond Surgery: Here's Why the GI Opportunity Mattershttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=d4643b3a17cd63a799572f885eb84caf3c32471817891d8fb50fba5d6da03535f1e9bc68b0e7Tue, 13 Oct 2026 16:40:00 +0000GMED, ISRG — Intuitive Surgical is targeting GI care with a next-generation robotic endoscope submitted to the FDA, opening a potential growth avenue beyond surgery.[FDA] STAT+: Many patient and consumer reps on FDA advisory committees have ties to groups funded by pharma, analysis findshttps://www.statnews.com/pharmalot/2026/10/13/many-patient-and-consumer-reps-on-fda-advisory-committees-ties-to-groups-funded-by-pharma/?utm_campaign=rssb2acfda5e2e6Tue, 13 Oct 2026 18:00:13 +0000Nearly 40% of FDA advisory committee meetings over a 20-year period included either a patient or consumer rep with active ties to an advocacy group funded by pharma companies.[M&A] Best Growth Stocks to Buy for October 13thhttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=89320843c9701384843a7dc81b6122ce2b464bc220cd2d4aa3b942c8d10f7e39f83448a082c2Tue, 13 Oct 2026 09:15:00 +0000OSCR — WOOF, FIVE, and OSCR it to the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) growth stocks list on October 13, 2026.[M&A] Pfizer: The Earnings Test That Mattershttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=4b9342f81ff4b7efb2202fcc13f5f39cd8d2e4a9ae7477565f61b0f5860f195cfcb4337bf1bfTue, 13 Oct 2026 09:26:26 +0000PFE — Pfizer is rated a Buy with new and acquired products generated $3.2B in Q2, growing 18% YoY and $13B annualized run-rate. Read more on PFE stock here.[M&A] Paragon Labs Expands Leadership Team with Former Apogee Executives; Velaris Therapeutics Acquired by Alaunos Therapeutics, Inc.https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/paragon-labs-expands-leadership-team-with-former-apogee-executives-velaris-therapeutics-acquired-by-alaunos-therapeutics-inc-302906315.htmleca43a9b53e3Tue, 13 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000ABBV — Leadership team brings proven company-building and drug development experience to Paragon following $10.9 billion acquisition of Apogee by AbbVie Velaris is the ninth company launched around Paragon-discovered assets and the first…[M&A] Agilent to Acquire Proscia, Advancing AI-Enabled Digital Pathology and Scientific Intelligencehttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=6fc26925705f3d72cf48b269551fa1c08ea36bb23b3f1ba47d48926b51183b6e80b0cedf3018Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000A — SANTA CLARA, Calif. & PHILADELPHIA, October 13, 2026--Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Proscia®, a provider of digital pathology software for clinical and…[M&A] 3 Sales Growth Stocks to Buy as Q3 Earnings Get Underwayhttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=660c3b80c295fcaba4c9421b3a4a66da4ba71d105660608b3e9db3af49a563f42c24cb58359fTue, 13 Oct 2026 12:01:00 +0000ISRG — Chipotle, BP and Intuitive Surgical stand out for strong sales growth, solid cash flow and favorable valuation metrics as Q3 earnings begin.[M&A] Why is Alaunos Therapeutics Stock Trading 200% Higher on Tuesday?https://finnhub.io/api/news?id=c3445c40587dd6f68368df4f8cd794b9e2d33d42f3d409bcf38f5895a1b485541e3016498063Tue, 13 Oct 2026 13:20:09 +0000ABBV — Alaunos Therapeutics acquired Velaris and raised $350 million to advance clinical therapies for pulmonary arterial hypertension through 2029.[M&A] Biotech builder Paragon imports Apogee's top brass after AbbVie buyouthttps://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/biotech-builder-paragon-imports-apogees-leadership-wholesale-wake-abbvie-buyout32be57dc65e4Tue, 13 Oct 2026 13:35:58 +0000ABBV — It’s been a busy morning for Paragon Labs. In addition to bringing over much of the leadership team from AbbVie-acquired Apogee Therapeutics, Paragon has overseen a reverse merger to take its hypertension-focused spinout Velaris…[M&A] Steris inks $2.1B Xodus buyout to expand consumables portfoliohttps://www.medtechdive.com/news/steris-inks-21b-xodus-buyout-to-expand-consumables-portfolio/832822/a689f282d3efTue, 13 Oct 2026 14:00:00 +0000The takeover adds high-growth, high-margin products to Steris’ portfolio, analysts said.[M&A] Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) Upgraded to Buy: Here's Whyhttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=56f96c242046fc4dd00f2d652a538fbc934d8903ed62407ab05b381f1079aa64e96e929cb5a7Tue, 13 Oct 2026 15:00:03 +0000ISRG — Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), reflecting growing optimism about the company's earnings prospects. This might drive the stock higher in the near term.[M&A] MRNA Stock Gains Over $4B in a Week: Time to Buy, Hold or Sell?https://finnhub.io/api/news?id=288e96a0f39976996dc6855674ee391f80bb8691dcb257d54e15af7043c4f3ef01fc4d753d3aTue, 13 Oct 2026 15:01:00 +0000BNTX, MRK, MRNA, PFE — Moderna gains $4.2 billion in a week on cancer-vaccine optimism and Nasdaq-100 inclusion. Can its growth prospects justify its premium valuation?[M&A] Humana enters $2.8B primary care joint venture with BlackRockhttps://www.healthcaredive.com/news/humana-enters-28b-primary-care-joint-venture-with-blackrock/832872/9b200c1e13f3Tue, 13 Oct 2026 16:09:07 +0000HUM — Investment firm BlackRock will acquire a majority stake in nearly 150 senior primary care clinics owned by Humana’s senior healthcare division, CenterWell, the insurer announced Tuesday.[M&A] Humana enters $2.8B primary care joint venture with BlackRockhttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=b3ed7ed97081b39ca41dab17a48d1929eb3dfaf045001b56485978831fdb3c8160f571155aadTue, 13 Oct 2026 16:09:07 +0000HUM — Investment firm BlackRock will acquire a majority stake in nearly 150 senior primary care clinics owned by Humana’s healthcare division, CenterWell, the insurer announced Tuesday.[M&A] Humana (HUM) Forms New Joint Venture To Fund CenterWell Clinic Growthhttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=8860291f50f2b604f4723fe07dcfefd309331d5672f5a155cef32c244dd3a26159bf34d8cd8aTue, 13 Oct 2026 18:16:53 +0000HUM — Humana (NYSE:HUM) has created a new joint venture with BlackRock's HPS Investment Partners to grow CenterWell Senior Primary Care clinics. The partnership includes HPS acquiring Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe's equity interest in…[M&A] What Does Bristol-Myers Squibb Offer That Pfizer Does Not?https://finnhub.io/api/news?id=5bc081dc70d815ffa88823067c5acd0248f42961683e09e9d61876123ee214f325e57e23325bTue, 13 Oct 2026 19:59:31 +0000ABBV, BMY, JNJ, MRK, PFE — Pfizer (PFE) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) are bought for the same underlying reason: the search for new drugs to replace older ones losing market exclusivity. Both drugmakers point to 2028 as the year that matters. Pfizer is acquiring…[M&A] STAT+: BlackRock to buy majority stake in Humana’s CenterWell clinics for $2.8 billionhttps://www.statnews.com/2026/10/13/blackrock-humana-centerwell-deal-senior-care-medicare-clinics/?utm_campaign=rss676265150faeTue, 13 Oct 2026 20:25:40 +0000HUM — Humana is swapping out private equity sponsors for its CenterWell Senior Primary Care clinics. Good bye, Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe. Hello, BlackRock.[M&A] Another Paragon spinout goes public through reverse mergerhttps://www.biopharmadive.com/news/velaris-alaunos-paragon-reverse-merger-acquisition-fairmount/832869/99c1bd2fa9bcTue, 13 Oct 2026 20:35:00 +0000One lawyer involved in the deal noted how it's yet another example of Paragon and key investor Fairmount — which have helped transform the once-unsavory reputation for reverse mergers — quickly executing on a complicated transaction.[M&A] 3 Absurdly Cheap Stocks to Buy Before the End of 2026https://finnhub.io/api/news?id=0225fafa16770b8f902cb98304082528787d231134534da56943ba525d6461e19b5a35cd3364Tue, 13 Oct 2026 21:35:01 +0000VKTX — These stocks are priced incredibly low and possess significant upside.[M&A] Humana (HUM) Reshapes Its Clinic Partnership, Does The Stock Look Fully Valued?https://finnhub.io/api/news?id=68cf869ac5d3066eadbfe8bb61f6af9f482d76fe6463bcec139ddf935981650d38377bcb172dTue, 13 Oct 2026 22:15:46 +0000HUM — Humana (HUM) has just reshaped its primary care footprint by unveiling a joint venture with BlackRock’s HPS Investment Partners that will manage nearly 150 CenterWell Senior Primary Care clinics and acquire WCAS’s equity stake. Humana’s…[M&A] Agilent to buy Proscia for $240Mhttps://www.medtechdive.com/news/agilent-to-buy-proscia-for-240m/832933/6b938fca2bedWed, 14 Oct 2026 06:29:38 +0000A — The digital pathology firm “fits in very well” with Agilent and moves the company into a sector targeted by Roche, analysts said.[M&A] Agilent to buy Proscia for $240Mhttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=ca55eb1d7732b96a5721dd224220baa4cbf255435598a2e7e851fcfae6a23d8dbb293e20dfbbWed, 14 Oct 2026 06:29:38 +0000A — The digital pathology firm “fits in very well” with Agilent and moves the company into a sector targeted by Roche, analysts said.[M&A] Agilent spends $240M upfront to buy digital pathology specialist Prosciahttps://www.fiercebiotech.com/medtech/agilent-spends-240m-upfront-buy-digital-pathology-specialist-proscia9907fc4741d7Wed, 14 Oct 2026 07:45:20 +0000A — Agilent Technologies is buying up the digital pathology software company Proscia in an all-cash transaction valued at $240 million with an additional $30 million on the cards for future performance milestones.[Clinical] Merck Showcases First-Time Pivotal Phase 3 Results From Oncology Pipeline and Continued Innovative Potential of Existing Portfolio at ESMO 2026https://finnhub.io/api/news?id=3821e00c82972b755e611b671b06a10f68f3ab3b9ef5d049856faf7ea1ef9bac84dab5f0c5d3Tue, 13 Oct 2026 10:45:00 +0000MRK — RAHWAY, N.J., October 13, 2026--Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced that first-time results from three pivotal clinical trials will be presented during late-breaking Presidential…[Clinical] BioNTech Provides Update on Phase 2/3 Clinical Trial for mRNA Cancer Immunotherapy Candidate BNT113 in Metastatic HPV16-positive Head and Neck Cancerhttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=96d1fad20eda56440990084a4b405941b3fe6914d40ebb5c64db132dafd9a549407e5874dc0bTue, 13 Oct 2026 10:45:00 +0000BNTX — AHEAD-MERIT Phase 2/3 clinical trial did not meet its first dual primary endpoint of progression-free survival for the mRNA cancer immunotherapy candidate BNT113 plus pembrolizumab compared with pembrolizumab alone The trial will continue…[Clinical] Beam Therapeutics to Present Initial Data from Phase 1/2 Trial of BEAM-301 in Glycogen Storage Disease Type Ia (GSDIa) at the ESGCT 33rd Annual Congresshttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=1196c2b13f18c001dfcad28d60499ec9be29434d5e6993e3905322ae75ada6e7ef1fd4075b22Tue, 13 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000BEAM — BEAM-301 Achieves Clinical Proof of Concept for Genetic Correction of R83C Mutation in GSDIa Initial Phase 1/2 Data Show Restoration of Endogenous Glucose Production Following a Single Treatment, with Dose-Dependent Improvements in Key…[Clinical] Regeneron reports 84-week Phase III data for Pasatru in adult FOPhttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=08b7af3fc403da7b33bf4caa37f8c24d79b7e441c76506d5e0a00d60781d5931e45ff7979ae3Tue, 13 Oct 2026 11:00:37 +0000REGN — The trial showed that Pasatru prevented new heterotopic ossification lesions, compared to nine in the placebo cohort.[Clinical] Prelude Announces Clinical Trial Collaboration and Supply Agreement with Lilly to Evaluate KAT6A Selective Degrader PRT13722 in Combination with Verzenio® and Inluriyo® in Patients with HR+/HER2- Breast Cancerhttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=5f1d44ee9040cebe4a76a89e50cae884c71ec8c68ec1998c091446bcf93be2b21064db163868Tue, 13 Oct 2026 11:01:00 +0000LLY — Combination cohorts are part of Prelude’s Phase 1 trial evaluating PRT13722 in patients with HR+/HER2- breast cancer, on track to initiate enrollment in the fourth quarter of 2026 The collaboration is underpinned by pre-clinical data that…[Clinical] Thermo Fisher’s Expanded Drug Lifecycle Role Might Change The Case For Investing In Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO)https://finnhub.io/api/news?id=75e139aed4770546b0a8239bdcbf52cb2262d5fe8b034413dcc8194c6f4c45534e04d2493c78Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:16:13 +0000TMO — Earlier this month, Quantum BioPharma announced a Study Start-Up Agreement with Thermo Fisher Scientific’s clinical research business to implement a Phase 2 trial of Lucid-MS in progressive multiple sclerosis, while Thermo Fisher also…[Clinical] BioNTech stock falls after cancer trial misses key endpointhttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=7d94bf9870aa7272ed266c074910b85dd0e49afb8ffcb5bdcf5de6ff22ab1a82ee4eb8b4e404Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:19:46 +0000BNTX — Investing.com --BioNTech (NASDAQ: BNTX) shares fell 5% on Tuesday after the company announced that a mid-to-late-stage clinical trial for its experimental mRNA cancer drug, BNT113, missed its first major goal.[Clinical] Aficamten’s ACACIA-HCM Multi-Domain Gains Might Change The Case For Investing In Cytokinetics (CYTK)https://finnhub.io/api/news?id=21a756aa1d532db0fc08984901aabd2a00b0f4841043a66d4d2237b9213c485c5ae6a2b9cd9eTue, 13 Oct 2026 13:10:42 +0000CYTK — Cytokinetics recently presented additional Phase 3 ACACIA-HCM data at the 2026 HFSA meeting, showing aficamten improved global exercise performance in adults with non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy using the new BEAP-RS composite…[Clinical] BioNTech’s mRNA cancer vaccine fails phase 3 test, significantly denting analysts’ confidencehttps://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/biontechs-mrna-cancer-vaccine-fails-phase-3-test-significantly-denting-analysts-confidence38e0359c51e8Tue, 13 Oct 2026 13:15:21 +0000BNTX — A phase 2/3 clinical trial of BioNTech’s mRNA cancer immunotherapy BNT113 has missed one of its dual primary endpoints. But with immature overall survival data offering a path to redemption, the German biotech is continuing to track…[Clinical] What Could Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY) Two Phase 3 Wins Change?https://finnhub.io/api/news?id=3b9b1b0a2b7d057257aeecd7ba057dc4a7069f53a740f22f20ba3a36878759e76d767830facbTue, 13 Oct 2026 14:12:36 +0000BMY — Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) reported positive Phase 3 data for admilparant in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and RYZ101 in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Admilparant showed significant clinical benefits and a favorable…[Clinical] AbbVie Announces Data From Its Phase 3 AFFIRM Study Of SKYRIZI Demonstrates 35.8% Of Patients With Crohn's Disease Achieved Endoscopic Remission After Treatmenthttps://finnhub.io/api/news?id=930e582a1adbb6085a071d163150ab250381e1501d137c1faff64734668d44e921ff2f769000Tue, 13 Oct 2026 15:20:30 +0000ABBV — AbbVie today announced new findings from the Phase 3 AFFIRM study evaluating a new option for induction treatment with SKYRIZI® (risankizumab-rzaa) in adults with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease (CD).