The sun shines over a sector with multi-blockbuster products in their prime. But clouds are looming, and highly innovative products that cannot replace the sales shortfalls could lead to a re-rating of the sector’s growth prospects.

Private Company Edition: Regeneron launched a $500m venture fund and Canaan added $100m, bringing the venture firm’s recent total to $1bn-plus. Also, incubators plan to grow over the next decade and in recent financings Avenzo raised $150m and Nvelop launched with $100m.

Futura recorded its first notable revenues last year, generated by the launch of its Eroxon erectile dysfunction gel in the UK and Europe, marking the company's transition from an R&D startup to a consumer healthcare player in its own right. To mark the occasion, CEO James Barder outlines a new strategy, with a focus on innovation in sexual wellness, further global partnerships and sustained profitability. 

“FDA is seeking to encourage competition for new drugs by proposing to amend the Hatch-Waxman 3-year exclusivity provisions to ensure that this exclusivity is limited to situations where the new drug applicant is actually seeking such exclusivity,” according to legislative proposals document.