Value-based pricing for drugs remains largely a pipe dream in the US, industry leaders say, even as drug pricing pressure mounts. 

Moving decisively but not hurriedly, Henlius is taking a two-pronged approach to join the global ADC race. The first two molecules developed via its in-licensed novel linker-payload platform have entered the clinical stage, while its own proprietary programs are seeing steady R&D progress, the Chinese firm's head of early R&D tells Scrip in an interview.

There may be a trend towards spinning off business units but Merck continues to sees its three-pillar structure as providing the best protection from downturns in any individual segment.