Market Flash

On February 24, 2025, the European Commission announced a significant regulatory update by publishing Regulation (EU) 2025/352, which revises Annex II of Directive (EC) No 2002/46.

Eli Lilly has officially launched higher dose vials of its weight-loss drug Zepbound, priced $150 less than the existing auto-injector pen versions.

LG Chem announced that it will cooperate with HL Mando, a leading Korean automotive parts manufacturer, to jointly develop adhesives for automotive electronic parts. The move aims to expand LG Chem's share in the automotive adhesive market.

• LG chem
• HL Mando

Nexeo Plastics has reached an agreement with Shell Polymers to distribute a wide range of its high-density polyethylene (HDPE) injection and blow molding grades and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) film grades in the United States and Canada.

• Nexeo
• Shell Polymers

Global leaders in the injection molding industry, ENGEL, have partnered with CANNON, a top-tier provider of mixing and metering technologies for polyurethane and RTM processes.

On February 21, 2025, South Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance announced Notice No. 2025-5, imposing temporary anti-dumping duties on petroleum resins originating from mainland China and Taiwan for a duration of four months.

PepsiCo Pakistan is making significant strides in the country’s food industry with the launch of a state-of-the-art local production facility for flavorings that meets the highest global standards.

Gilead Sciences has announced that the European Commission (EC) has granted conditional approval for seladelpar, used in conjunction with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), for the treatment of patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) who do not respond

On February 24, BettaPharma announced the appointment of Dr. Mao Li as the new Chief R&D Officer and Chief Medical Officer. His responsibilities will include overseeing the company's new drug development and clinical research departments.

On February 24, Pfizer announced that former FDA drug chief Patrizia Cavazzoni is rejoining the company as Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President.

Recently, Ascletis Pharma has experienced a significant stock surge following the disclosure of promising Phase Ib clinical data for its weight loss drug ASC30.

Saudi Aramco, the world's leading energy and petrochemical company, has signed a final agreement to acquire a 25% stake in Unioil, one of the largest oil companies in the Philippines.

UBE Corporation has officially commenced construction of its Dimethyl Carbonate (DMC) and Ethyl Methyl Carbonate (EMC) plant in Louisiana, with a groundbreaking ceremony held on February 13.

The company is currently a defendant in a legal case involving a lawsuit amounting to 200 million yuan, which includes reasonable fees of 470,000 yuan paid by the plaintiff.

Bajaj Consumer Care Limited, a leader in the Indian consumer care space, has announced the acquisition of Vishal Personal Care, which owns the well-known and trusted hair and skin care brand Banjara's.

• Bajaj Consumer Care Limited
• Vishal Personal Care

Pritzker Private Capital (PPC), an American investment firm, has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Americhem, a family-owned American manufacturer of custom masterbatches, performance additives and engineered composite solutions.

• Pritzker Private Capital
• Americhem

Pittsburgh Paints Company (PPC) has announced the appointment of Brian Carson as its new CEO, marking a significant leadership change following the acquisition of PPG's North American architectural coatings business by American Industrial Partners (AIP).

On February 19, Hansai Aitai announced that its second phase clinical trial for HX009, in combination with the HER2-targeted antibody-drug conjugate trastuzumab deruxtecan, has been approved by China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA).

The European Commission has officially approved Finland's ambitious €2 billion plan aimed at fostering investment in strategic environmental sectors to assist industrial enterprises in transitioning to a net-zero economy.

On February 12, 2025, Novatek, Russia's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) producer, announced expectations of increased revenue and profit for 2024, driven by a rise in production.