Federal Agencies Lose Over 10,000 STEM Ph.D.s Under Trump
Summary:
More than 10,000 STEM and health Ph.D.s – about 14% of the federal government’s doctoral scientific workforce – left U.S. agencies in the year after President Trump took office, driven largely by retirements, resignations, and position eliminations rather than formal layoffs. The losses were especially severe at science-heavy agencies like the NSF, NIH, EPA, and DOE, raising concerns about a major erosion of federal research expertise.
Congress Moves to Block Trump’s Proposed Cuts to US Science Funding
Summary:
The US Congress is set to reject the Trump administration’s sweeping science budget cuts, approving legislation that would modestly increase NIH funding and raise overall basic research spending by more than 2%, far above what the White House proposed. While some agencies still face small reductions and inflation remains a concern, lawmakers largely preserved federal research support after strong pushback from the scientific community.
FDA Lifts Partial Hold on Intellia’s CRISPR Trial After Patient Death
Summary:
FDA has lifted the clinical hold on one of Intellia’s two late-stage CRISPR therapy trials, allowing the ATTRv-PN Phase 3 study to resume after new risk-mitigation measures were implemented, following a severe liver event and patient death in a related study. The decision boosted Intellia’s stock and was viewed positively by analysts, though safety concerns around the therapy remain a key overhang pending further regulatory clarity.
CMS Names 15 More High-Cost Drugs for Medicare Price Talks Under IRA
Summary:
Trump administration, through CMS, has added 15 high-spend drugs – including Biktarvy, Botox, Entyvio and Trulicity – to the next round of Medicare price negotiations under the Inflation Reduction Act, with new prices set to take effect in 2028. Analysts expect limited financial impact for most companies, with Gilead’s Biktarvy as a notable exception, as the administration advances IRA negotiations alongside its separate most-favored-nation pricing push.
Surgical Robotics Heats Up as New Entrants Challenge Intuitive in 2026
Summary:
In 2026, soft-tissue surgical robotics will see intensifying competition as Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson, and smaller startups expand into new specialties, care settings, and outpatient centers, challenging long-time leader Intuitive Surgical. While Intuitive is expected to maintain near-term dominance through continued innovation, growth areas such as cardiac surgery and highly specialized robotic applications are set to reshape the market.
