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North America

PSEG Long Island Secures LIPA Operating Contract Extension as New Leadership Takes Charge

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PSEG Long Island Secures LIPA Operating Contract Extension as New Leadership Takes Charge

SHERIDAN, WYOMING - December 30, 2025 - Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) says New York State's comptroller has granted final approval for an extension of PSEG Long Island's operations services agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), locking in continued grid-operations responsibilities through the end of 2030.

Contract extension now fully cleared

PSEG said the LIPA Board of Trustees awarded PSEG Long Island a five-year extension of the existing contract on September 25, followed by approval from the New York State attorney general in October and final approval from the comptroller this week. The extension begins January 1, 2026, and runs through December 31, 2030. PSEG Long Island has operated the electric grid on behalf of LIPA since 2014, covering Long Island and the Rockaways.

Yokohama's GEOLANDAR X-CV Targets Premium EV SUV Segment with New Lexus RZ Fitment in North America

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Yokohama’s GEOLANDAR X-CV Targets Premium EV SUV Segment with New Lexus RZ Fitment in North America

SHERIDAN, WYOMING - December 26, 2025 - Yokohama Rubber is sharpening its focus on electric-vehicle OEM business in the automotive & mobility sector, confirming that its GEOLANDAR X-CV highway terrain tire is now factory-equipped on the newly updated Lexus RZ battery-electric SUV for the North American market. The 235/50R20 100V fitment positions Yokohama's SUV-focused GEOLANDAR line squarely in the premium BEV arena, supporting automakers' push for quieter, more efficient and more durable EV drivetrains.

Premium EV SUV fitment strengthens North American footprint

Yokohama AVID GT Selected as OEM Tire for New Nissan LEAF, Advancing EV-Focused Tire Strategy

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Yokohama AVID GT Selected as OEM Tire for New Nissan LEAF, Advancing EV-Focused Tire Strategy

SHERIDAN, WYOMING - December 26, 2025 - Yokohama Rubber has expanded its presence in the electric vehicle supply chain as Nissan chooses the AVID GT as original equipment for the new Nissan LEAF in the United States, underlining the growing role of EV-optimized tire technology in improving range, comfort and safety for mainstream electric cars.

EV-Optimized Tires for a Core Mass-Market Electric Vehicle

Yokohama Rubber has begun supplying its AVID GT in size 215/55R18 95H as factory equipment for the latest Nissan LEAF EV launched in the U.S. market in 2025. Positioned as a key electric model for drivers transitioning from internal combustion engines to battery-electric vehicles, the new LEAF benefits from a tire package specifically engineered to support higher curb weights, instant torque and demanding efficiency targets.

BMS Signs $1B-Plus Multi-Specific Antibody Pact With China's Harbour BioMed

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BMS Signs $1B-Plus Multi-Specific Antibody Pact With China’s Harbour BioMed

SHERIDAN, WYOMING - December 19, 2025 - Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) has struck a potential $1B-plus partnership with Harbour BioMed to collaborate on next-generation multi-specific antibody programs, underscoring how China-based innovation is increasingly shaping global biologics dealmaking.

Deal scope and economics in brief
BMS will pay $90 million upfront to work with Harbour on developing and advancing multi-specific antibody therapies, with additional development and commercial milestones that could total up to $1.035 billion. The partners did not disclose how many programs are covered, nor did they specify initial targets, indications, or therapeutic areas.

For business development teams and portfolio planners, the structure reflects a familiar "platform-plus-programs" model: BMS buys early discovery leverage and optionality, while Harbour positions itself for milestone upside and downstream royalties if programs progress.

Voyager Cuts 30 Roles After Novartis Drops Two Early Gene Therapy Programs

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Voyager Cuts 30 Roles After Novartis Drops Two Early Gene Therapy Programs

SHERIDAN, WYOMING - December 19, 2025 - Voyager Therapeutics is laying off 30 employees after partner Novartis discontinued two undisclosed discovery-stage programs under the companies' gene therapy collaboration, underscoring how quickly platform-driven R&D bets can be reprioritized even inside marquee pharma partnerships.

Commercial partnerships can shift overnight
Voyager disclosed last month that Novartis had stepped away from two early programs tied to their ongoing relationship, without naming the assets or detailing the rationale. The biotech framed the change as manageable, stating that Novartis' decision will "not impact Voyager's cash runway guidance." Still, the workforce reduction signals that operational resets often follow partnership scope changes-especially when programs are preclinical and the near-term value is concentrated in a smaller set of advancing assets.

Merck Secures Positive CHMP Opinion to Expand WINREVAIR Use in PAH, Potentially Extending Treatment to WHO FC IV in Europe

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Merck Secures Positive CHMP Opinion to Expand WINREVAIR Use in PAH, Potentially Extending Treatment to WHO FC IV in Europe

SHERIDAN, WYOMING - December 19, 2025 - Merck said the EMA's CHMP has recommended approval of an expanded European indication for WINREVAIR (sotatercept) in adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a move that-if confirmed by the European Commission-could broaden use to include WHO Functional Class (FC) IV patients and strengthen the product's positioning around morbidity and mortality benefit.

EXZOLT CATTLE-CA1 Wins FDA Conditional Approval, Expanding Options to Prevent and Treat New World Screwworm in Cattle

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FDA Conditionally Approves Merck Animal Health’s EXZOLT CATTLE-CA1 to Address New World Screwworm Risk in U.S. Beef and Heifer Herds

SHERIDAN, WYOMING - December 19, 2025 - Merck Animal Health says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted conditional approval for EXZOLT™ CATTLE-CA1 (fluralaner topical solution), positioning the pour-on as a new systemic parasiticide option for U.S. beef operations and replacement dairy heifers facing New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) larvae (myiasis) risk and cattle fever tick (Rhipicephalus microplus) pressure.

FDA Weighs National Priority Vouchers for Merck's Enlicitide and Sacituzumab Tirumotecan, Potentially Compressing Review Timelines

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FDA Weighs National Priority Vouchers for Merck’s Enlicitide and Sacituzumab Tirumotecan, Potentially Compressing Review Timelines

SHERIDAN, WYOMING - December 19, 2025 - The FDA is considering awarding Commissioner's National Priority Vouchers to two investigational Merck programs-PCSK9 pill enlicitide decanoate and antibody-drug conjugate sacituzumab tirumotecan-an early signal that the agency may be willing to accelerate reviews for high-impact products even before formal filings, according to a Reuters report.

A new FDA lever that can reshape launch timing
Commissioner's National Priority Vouchers are designed to shorten the FDA's regulatory review window from the typical 10-12 months to 1-2 months. For large pharma, that time compression can meaningfully shift competitive dynamics-pulling forward commercialization, altering payer and guideline sequencing, and increasing the urgency of manufacturing readiness, launch supply, and field execution.