Pfizer/BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty toppled after recording the highest ever annual sales for a pharmaceutical in 2022, while Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic climbed rapidly. But Merck & Co’s immuno-oncology blockbuster Keytruda was secure in the number one spot in 2023 as COVID-19 receded.

Xbrane Biopharma was riding the crest of a wave with the EU launch of its biosimilar to Lucentis, following years of toil and investment. However, plans to roll out the product in the US will have to be pushed back – likely – into the middle of 2025, following a US FDA complete response letter.

Medtronic will launch a new feature that allows for live streaming of surgical procedures in more than 20 countries and the addition of 14 AI-driven algorithms to enhance surgical workflow.

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.