Most Favored Nation
News Updates
Incubate is tracking the life sciences impacts of the Trump administration's Most Favored Nation (MFN) drug pricing policy, which seeks to tie U.S. prescription drug prices to those in countries that impose strict price controls.
Akero Therapeutics
Neutral Outlook
South San Francisco, CA
1-50 employees
On May 12, 2025, the Trump Administration published Executive Order 14297, “Delivering Most-Favored-Nation Prescription Drug Pricing to American Patients” which generally, among other things, directs the federal government to establish and communicate most-favored-nation price targets to pharmaceutical manufacturers to bring prices for American patients in line with comparably developed nations.
Evommune Inc
Neutral Outlook
Palo Alto, CA
1-50 employees
These actions, presently directed by executive orders or memoranda from the Office of Management and Budget, may propose policy changes that create additional uncertainty for our business. These actions include, for example…directing HHS and other agencies to lower prescription drug costs through a variety of initiatives, including by improving upon the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program and establishing Most-Favored-Nation pricing for pharmaceutical products…
MapLights Therapeutics Inc
Neutral Outlook
Redwood City, CA
51-200 employees
These actions, presently directed by executive orders or memoranda from the Office of Management and Budget, may propose policy changes that create additional uncertainty for our business. These actions and proposals include, for example, include…directing HHS and other agencies to lower prescription drug costs through a variety of initiatives, including by improving upon the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program and establishing most-favored-nation pricing for pharmaceutical products.
Cero Therapeutics Holdings Inc
Neutral Outlook
South San Francisco, CA
1-50 employees
In addition, multiple executive actions in the first half of 2025 signal the federal government’s increasing focus on lowering prescription drug prices, adding to the uncertainty surrounding future drug pricing and reimbursement frameworks. For example: On May 12, 2025, President Trump signed the executive order titled “Delivering Most-Favored-Nation Prescription Drug Pricing,” which directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) to identify and communicate most-favored-nation price targets for prescription drugs and to propose a rulemaking plan to impose such pricing if “significant progress” is not made.
Fortress Biotech
Negative Outlook
Bay Harbor Islands, FL
1-50 employees
In addition, on May 12, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order implementing the concept of most-favored nation pricing. Under this order, the Department of Health and Human Services, in coordination with other federal agencies, is directed to take actions to ensure that the price of prescription drugs paid by federal health insurers, including Medicare and Medicaid, is in line with the prices paid in comparably developed nations. Any reduction in reimbursement from Medicare, Medicaid, or other government programs may result in a similar reduction in payments from private payers.
Iterum Therapeutics plc
Neutral Outlook
Dublin, Ireland
1-50 employees
At the same time, Trump indicated that these tariffs could be avoided by building pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in the U.S. Thereafter, Trump delayed the October 1st effective date of the tariffs on branded or patented pharmaceutical products announcing that the Administration had now “begun preparing” tariffs on manufacturers that don’t build in the U.S. or enter into a most-favored-nation (MFN) drug pricing agreement with the Trump administration.
IO Biotech
Negative Outlook
Denmark
51-200 employees
For example, on May 12, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order directing federal agencies including the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) to pursue a “most-favored-nation” (“MFN”) pricing policy for certain prescription drugs, which would tie prices paid by Medicare to the lowest price available in certain other developed countries. The scope, timing, and implementation details of the MFN policy remain uncertain and may be subject to legal challenges, regulatory rulemaking, and changes in administrative priorities. If implemented, this policy could have a material impact on the pricing and reimbursement of our products in the United States, particularly those covered under Medicare Part B or Part D. Potential effects include reduced pricing flexibility, downward pressure on reimbursement rates, and changes to market access dynamics. The MFN policy could also influence pricing negotiations with commercial payors and international markets. Because the outcome, timing, and specifics of this policy are uncertain, we cannot predict its ultimate effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or prospects, but the impact could be material and adverse.
Forte Biosciences
Negative Outlook
Dallas, TX
1-50 employees
Such agreements and other government measures that use most-favored-nation pricing targets for prescription drugs, including the use of international pricing reference to set drug prices in the United States, or increases generic and biosimilar drug entry sooner than expected, can have a material adverse effect on our industry, ability to set adequate pricing for new drugs to recover R&D costs, ability to attract potential investors and potential buyers in the future.
Repare Therapeutics Inc
Neutral Outlook
Canada
51-200 employees
These actions, presently directed by executive orders or memoranda from the Office of Management and Budget, may propose policy changes that create additional uncertainty for our business. For example, on September 30, 2025, the current administration announced the first agreement with a major pharmaceutical company that requires the drug manufacturer to offer, through a direct to consumer platform, U.S. patients and Medicaid programs prescription drug Most-Favored Nation pricing equal to or lower than those paid in other developed nations, with additional mandates for direct-to-patient discounts and repatriation of foreign revenues.
Actinium Pharmaceuticals
Negative Outlook
New York, NY
1-50 employees
In addition, the concept of most-favored nation pricing has been raised that would seek to establish drug prices in the U.S. to the lowest level paid by comparable countries. Such policy action could cause us to amend, suspend or terminate the development of any or all of our product candidates if a viable commercial market did not exist, which could have a material adverse impact on our business and ability to operate.