Leading Japanese firm reports solid growth in its fiscal nine months as it hints more may be to come after recent major deals to expand the mid- to late-stage pipeline and highlights progress for some key internal assets.

In this week's podcast version of Five Must-Know Things: Merck & Co. tells Scrip oncology will remain a key priority; J&J is responsibly cautious on growth; Takeda pays big for HutchMed drug; industry looks at likely US IRA impact; and lecanemab misses out on EU fast-track treatment.

US president Mark Reisenauer talked to Scrip about the company's next growth drivers, including fezolinetant for vasomotor symptoms and zolbetuximab for gastric cancer.

Even before a new law granted FDA authority to require studies be underway before accelerated approval, review divisions have, in some cases, given sponsors years of advance notice on expectations around study timing, according to a Pink Sheet review of NME accelerated approvals.