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American Manufacturing Surges to Four-Year High as Factory Activity Expands

The White House announced on April 22, 2026, that the Institute for Supply Management's key manufacturing index registered its third consecutive month of expansion at its highest reading since 2022. Major companies announced significant U.S. manufacturing investments including U.S. Steel restarting its Gary Tin Mill in Indiana (225 jobs), Apple committing $600 billion over four years, Nvidia pledging $500 billion for AI chip production, and Johnson & Johnson investing $55 billion in new U.S. manufacturing. Foreign pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca ($50 billion), Bristol Myers Squibb ($40 billion), and GSK ($30 billion) also announced major U.S. manufacturing expansions.

AstraZeneca Complement C3 Inhibitor Patent Application EP4326876A1

The European Patent Office published AstraZeneca patent application EP4326876A1 for compositions and methods inhibiting complement component 3 expression. The application names AstraZeneca Ireland Limited as applicant with inventors including Lasaro, Melissa and McKnight, Susan. Designated states cover all EPC contracting states including Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, and others.

PhRMA v. Maryland - Fourth Circuit Vacates Preliminary Injunction Denial Regarding State 340B Drug Pricing Restrictions

The Fourth Circuit vacated the District Court for the District of Maryland's denial of a preliminary injunction in consolidated cases 24-1949 and 24-1978, remanding for reconsideration. The appeals involved pharmaceutical manufacturers Novartis, Allergan, AstraZeneca, and PhRMA challenging Maryland's H.B. 1056, which restricts 340B drug manufacturers from limiting distribution of 340B drugs to contract pharmacies. The appellate court reversed the district court's finding that manufacturers were unlikely to succeed on federal preemption grounds.

CHMP Meeting Agenda Annex Lists 22 Products Under Review

EMA's CHMP published an agenda annex for the March 23-26, 2026 meeting, listing 22 pharmaceutical products across multiple procedure types: 3 annual reassessments (Lojuxta, Raxone, Defitelio), 7 periodic safety update reports (CARVYKTI, Fycompa, Tecvayli, Qdenga, RINVOQ, Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine, Kapruvia, Voxzogo, ALTUVOCT), 5 renewals (Ezmekly, Lytgobi, Rozlytrek, Duvyzat, Aucatzyl, Fingolimod Mylan, Cometriq), and several variation type IB submissions. Rapporteurs, co-rapporteurs, and PRAC rapporteurs are assigned to each procedure.

USPTO Patent Grant for PCSK9 Inhibitors

The USPTO has granted a patent (US12584120B2) to AstraZeneca AB for novel PCSK9 inhibitors and methods of use. The patent covers specific heteroaryl compounds that bind the PCSK9 protein, aiming to advance treatments for conditions related to cholesterol regulation.

Burnett v. AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP - Employment Retaliation

The Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court's grant of summary judgment in favor of AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP in an employment case brought by Tiffany Burnett. The court found that Ms. Burnett's claims for retaliation and violations of the Equal Pay Act lacked sufficient evidence to proceed.