STAT+: Pharmalittle: China arrests an Astellas exec accused of spying; weight-loss drugs are being tested in children
China formally arrested an Astellas Pharma executive from Japan who had been detained since March over suspicion of spying.
And so, another working week will soon draw to a close. Not a moment too soon, yes? This is, you may recall, our treasured signal to daydream about weekend plans. Our agenda: a trip to check in on the Pharmalot ancestors, tidying up the official grounds, and some overdue promenading with the official mascots. If time permits, we may also hold a listening party and, if so, the playlist may include this, this, this and this. And what about you? This is a fine time for a drive in the country. In fact, the Great Pumpkin may be waiting for you. Or if the weather does not permit, you could curl up with a book or binge-watch on the telly. Or maybe this is an opportunity to reach out to someone special. Well, whatever you do, have a grand time. But be safe. Enjoy, and see you soon. …
China formally arrested an Astellas Pharma executive from Japan who had been detained since March, The Wall Street Journal writes. Hirokazu Matsuno, Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, said the executive, whom China previously identified as Hiroshi Nishiyama, was arrested in mid-October. Matsuno said Tokyo had made strong appeals to Beijing for the early release of the executive and would continue doing so. Nishiyama, a prominent member of the Japanese business community in China, disappeared in late March on what was supposed to be his last day in China after wrapping up his assignment there. A few days later, China’s Foreign Ministry said he was suspected of espionage.
As demand for weight-loss treatments intensifies, Eli Lilly has filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission against nearly a dozen online pharmacies that are allegedly selling unapproved versions of the Mounjaro diabetes drug, which is frequently used to combat obesity, STAT writes. The drugmaker maintained the companies are marketing “low grade” versions of products purporting to contain tirzepatide, which is the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Mounjaro. But Lilly contended the products actually contain impurities and testing showed one company is selling “nothing more than sugar alcohol.”
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