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Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc. engages in the development and commercialization of therapies for high unmet medical needs. The firm intends to treat schizophrenia, jet lag disorder, atopic dermatitis, central nervous system disorders, and circadian rhythm sleep disorder. Its product portfolio includes HETLIOZ, Fanapt, Tradipitant, Trichostatin, and AQW051. The company was founded by Mihael Hristos Polymeropoulos and Argeris N. Karabelas in 2002 and is headquartered in Washington, DC.

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc

Vanda Pharmaceuticals is trending after receiving FDA approval for its motion sickness drug, NEREUS, marking the first new treatment in this category in decades. The community is actively discussing the significant upside potential, fueled by this approval and upcoming PDUFA dates for other pipeline candidates, with many highlighting its potential off-label use for GLP-1 induced nausea. Traders are debating whether to hold for long-term growth driven by a diversified portfolio or capitalize on immediate short-term volatility.

Webull Corp. engages in the provision of financial services. It offers trading, wealth management product distribution, market data and information, user community, and investor education. The company was founded by An Quan Wang in 2016 and is headquartered in St. Petersburg, FL.

Webull Corp. - Ordinary Shares - Class A

Webull Corp

Webull Corp ($BULL) is trending amid intense community debate, largely driven by ongoing price depreciation attributed to tax loss harvesting and persistent selling pressure from SPAC-related share overhang. Despite recent inclusion in the Russell 2000/3000 indexes and reported strong revenue growth in its latest quarter, sentiment remains highly polarized. Bulls view the stock as deeply undervalued with significant long-term potential from user growth and international expansion, while bears warn of continued dilution and question the company's valuation.

BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. engages in data-driven decision dominance and advanced analytics that provide its customers with a competitive advantage in a world driven by data that is growing in terms of volume, variety, and velocity. The firm operationalizes artificial intelligence and machine learning at scale through its end-to-end data analytics platform. It deploys its observe, orient and dominate products to customers throughout the defense, intelligence, and commercial markets. The company was founded in 2020 and is headquartered in McLean, VA.

BigBear.ai Holdings Inc

BigBear.ai is trending due to significant community discussion surrounding an ongoing, repeatedly postponed proxy vote on share authorization, creating considerable market uncertainty. Investors are sharply divided, with many expressing frustration over potential dilution and management's communication, while others advocate for the shares as crucial for strategic acquisitions like Ask Sage and future growth. Despite current price stagnation, a core of optimism persists for the company's potential to secure substantial government contracts and leverage its AI capabilities within the defense and national security sectors.

RAGE GUY (RAGE) is a cryptocurrency inspired by the Rage Guy meme, one of the earliest and most recognizable characters from internet rage comics. The project captures the cultural legacy of early meme history and brings it onto the blockchain in tokenized form. It is designed as a community-driven digital asset that celebrates internet culture, nostalgia, and the role memes play in shaping online communities.

Rage Guy

RAGE CRYPTO is a top trending meme coin, fueled by an exceptionally active community passionately advocating its status as an "OG meme" originating from Rage Comics. This dedicated base is consistently building out an ecosystem with projects like RageMaker and RageGames, expressing strong conviction for substantial long-term growth and widespread recognition in the crypto space. They are frequently seen battling other meme coins for trending dominance and market attention.

Hims & Hers Health, Inc. operates a telehealth consultation platform. It connects consumers to healthcare professionals, enabling them to access medical care for mental health, sexual health, dermatology and primary care. The company was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA.

Hims & Hers Health Inc - Ordinary Shares - Class A

Hims & Hers Health Inc

Hims & Hers Health is trending amid sharp investor division, primarily driven by the recent FDA approval of Novo Nordisk's oral Wegovy pill and speculation around potential distribution partnerships for GLP-1 treatments. While many note the stock's significant drawdown and high short interest as bearish indicators, others view the current valuation as a prime long-term buying opportunity, citing strong fundamentals, institutional accumulation, and the company's expansion into new health verticals and international markets. The community is actively debating whether the current dip sets the stage for a short squeeze or further decline for the direct-to-consumer telehealth provider.

Lucid Group, Inc. manufactures electric vehicles. It designs, develops, and builds energy storage systems for electric vehicles and supplies automakers with the battery pack system needed to power hybrid, plug-in, and electric vehicles. The company was founded in December 2007 and is headquartered in Newark, CA.

Lucid Group Inc

Lucid Group is trending amidst growing investor frustration as the stock continues to mark new lows, fueling intense debate around its management team and the prolonged absence of a permanent CEO. The community is actively discussing the disconnect between the acclaimed vehicle technology and the company's market performance, with many questioning impending production targets and speculating on potential short squeezes or further strategic shifts.

Dogecoin is a cryptocurrency based on the popular "Doge" Internet meme and features a Shiba Inu on its logo. Dogecoin is a Litecoin fork. Introduced as a "joke currency" on 6 December 2013, Dogecoin quickly developed its own online community and reached a capitalization of US$60 million in January 2014. Compared with other cryptocurrencies, Dogecoin had a fast initial coin production schedule: 100 billion coins were in circulation by mid-2015, with an additional 5.256 billion coins every year thereafter. As of 30 June 2015, the 100 billionth Dogecoin had been mined.   Dogecoin was created by Billy Markus from Portland, Oregon and  Jackson Palmer from Sydney, Australia. Both wanted to create a fun cryptocurrency that will appeal beyond the core Bitcoin audience. Dogecoin is primarily used as a tipping system on Reddit and Twitter where users tip each other for creating or sharing good content. The community is very active in organising fundraising activities for deserving causes.  The developers of Dogecoin haven’t made any major changes to the coin since 2015. This means that Dogecoin could get left behind and is why Shibas are leaving Dogecoin to join more advanced platforms like Ethereum. One of Dogecoin strengths is its relaxed and fun-loving community. However, this is also a weakness because other currencies are way more professional.  To purchase Dogecoin, it involves downloading a crypto wallet, setting up a crypto exchange account and then trading away for your desired crypto currency. Once we have set up an account with a DOGE currency exchange and deposited some funds, you are ready to start trading.

Dogecoin

Dogecoin is currently seeing divided community sentiment, with many anticipating a potential rebound in the new year following year-end tax loss selling. Enthusiasts are holding strong, highlighting its robust community and long-term potential, while critics dismiss it as a "shit coin" with no utility. This dynamic conversation reflects the ongoing speculation about its future trajectory within the volatile crypto market.

Ekso Bionics Holdings, Inc. engages in the provision of design, development, and sale of exoskeleton technology that currently has applications in healthcare and industrial markets. The company was founded on January 30, 2012 and is headquartered in San Rafael, CA.

Ekso Bionics Holdings Inc

Ekso Bionics Holdings is capturing market attention following a proposed business combination with Applied Digital, which would see Applied Digital's cloud GPU business spun off into ChronoScale, an AI compute platform. The potential "AI merger" is fueling fervent discussion among traders, with many anticipating a significant run due to the stock's low float, while others express concerns about potential shareholder dilution.

Corcept Therapeutics, Inc. is a commercial-stage pharmaceutical company, which engages in the business of discovering and developing pharmaceutical products and medications to treat severe endocrinologic, oncologic, metabolic, and neurologic disorders by modulating the effects of the hormone cortisol. The company was founded by David B. Singer and Joseph K. Belanoff on May 13, 1998 and is headquartered in Redwood City, CA.

Corcept Therapeutics Inc

Corcept Therapeutics is at the center of investor attention with a highly anticipated regulatory decision for its Cushing's syndrome drug, relacorilant, prompting intense community debate and significant trading volume. Traders are closely watching for an approval or a potential Complete Response Letter, weighing recent sector approvals against CORT's price action and broader pipeline, including its ovarian cancer program, which fuels long-term bullish sentiment despite short-term uncertainty.

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. engages in the development and sales of scientifically-created and clinically-proven eyecare and skincare. Its products include Avenova, NeutroPhase and DERMAdoctor. The company was founded on January 19, 2000 and is headquartered in Emeryville, CA.

Novabay Pharmaceuticals Inc

Novabay Pharmaceuticals is gaining significant attention following its substantial special cash dividend and a strategic shift towards evaluating blockchain-based assets, sparking both bullish excitement and investor debate. The community is actively discussing the stock's impressive rally, with many weighing short squeeze potential against concerns of a pump-and-dump scenario fueled by future dilution or offerings.

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<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>MFN pricing extended nationwide through Medicaid and to future new medicines.</li><li>Steep direct-to-patient discounts rolled out via TrumpRx, including $35 insulin.</li><li>Additional pharma companies, including Johnson &amp; Johnson, are expected to ink similar deals next week.</li></ul>U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday announced nine new agreements with pharmaceutical companies to lower prescription drug prices for Americans to the lowest levels paid in other developed nations, under what the administration calls a “most-favored-nation” (MFN) pricing framework.With these additions, 14 of the 17 pharmaceutical companies targeted by the administration in August have now signed on.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Big Pharma Roster Expands</h2>The companies named in Friday’s agreements are Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Genentech, Gilead Sciences, GSK, Merck, Novartis and Sanofi.Trump said additional companies, including Johnson &amp; Johnson, are expected to announce similar agreements next week, as the administration continues to expand the program.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Medicaid Savings And Future Drug Pricing</h2>The White House said the agreements apply to drugs used to treat an array of expensive, long-term conditions including type two diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hepatitis B and C, HIV and certain cancers.The administration said every state Medicaid program in the U.S. will benefit from MFN prices on products from the nine companies, which it estimates will save billions of dollars. The agreements also require MFN pricing for all new innovative medicines these companies bring to market.Trump also floated the idea of calling a meeting with insurance companies to discuss further ways to lower healthcare costs, suggesting insurers could significantly reduce prices or face alternative approaches that would direct savings to consumers.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Deep Discounts Via TrumpRx</h2>The administration said the companies are required to offer medicines at steep discounts off list prices when selling directly to American patients through TrumpRx, a government-backed direct-to-patient drug purchasing platform.The administration said patients would see steep price cuts, citing examples such as Amgen’s Repatha at $239 versus&nbsp;list price of $573, Bristol Myers Squibb’s Reyataz at $217 versus $1,449, and Sanofi’s Plavix at $16 versus $756, alongside similar reductions for drugs from Gilead, GSK, Merck and Novartis. The administration also said Sanofi will list its insulin products on TrumpRx at $35&nbsp;for every&nbsp;month’s supply.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Drugmakers Pledge Domestic Investment</h2>Trump said the participating companies have committed to invest at least $150 billion collectively in U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturing in the near term.The administration also said several companies will donate active pharmaceutical ingredients to the Strategic Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Reserve to strengthen emergency preparedness. GSK will contribute 98.8 kg of Albuterol, Bristol Myers Squibb will contribute tablets representing 6.5 tons of Apixaban, and Merck will contribute 3.5 tons of Ertapenem.<h2 class="st-heading-2">How Did Stocktwits React?</h2>On Stocktwits, Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) showed 'bearish' retail sentiment amid 'high' message volume, while iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) saw 'bullish' sentiment with 'high' activity.<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/XLV">XLV</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/IXJ">IXJ</a> have risen 14% so far this year.For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

Trump announced his plan to lower drug prices would tie their cost to drug prices paid in foreign nations. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Trump Locks In Drug-Price Cuts With Roche, Novartis, Merck — More Big Pharma Deals Coming Next Week

The deals expand the pricing program to several drugmakers in exchange for temporary tariff relief.

Equity

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>The Trump administration is preparing a Section 301 investigation to assess whether U.S. trading partners underpay for prescription drugs, a move that could pave the way for new tariffs.</li><li>Earlier this month, the White House confirmed generic drugs would be excluded from potential duties, reversing earlier discussions under the Section 232 national security review.</li><li>The probe expands Trump’s broader effort to pressure pharmaceutical companies and foreign governments to “equalize” drug prices globally.</li></ul>President Donald Trump’s administration reportedly is stepping up pressure on U.S. trading partners over drug costs, preparing a Section 301 investigation under the Trade Act of 1974 to determine whether countries are underpaying for prescription medicines.The move could pave the way for new tariffs and marks a renewed escalation in Trump’s campaign to “equalize” drug prices globally, according to a Financial Times&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ft.com/content/bce66d6e-57f7-40a2-8225-06a8f50ff657">report</a>, citing three people familiar with the matter.Trump has long argued Americans pay disproportionately high prices for the same drugs sold abroad, citing last week that “in London, you’d buy a certain drug for $130 … and in New York, you pay $1,300 for the same thing.”&nbsp;U.S. drug prices average nearly three times higher than in other developed economies, according to the Rand Corporation. Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic, for instance, costs about $936 per month in the U.S., versus $147 in Canada and $83 in France, KFF data show.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Generic Drugs Excluded From Tariff Plans</h2>Earlier this month, the White House<a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/trump-walks-back-generic-drug-tariffs-after-white-house-clash-over-prices-supply-risks/ch67JdhR30E"> said it isn’t planning tariffs on generic drugs</a>, narrowing the scope of its trade actions. Officials had been weighing such duties under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, which permits tariffs on national security grounds.White House spokesman Kush Desai said the administration “is not actively discussing imposing Section 232 tariffs against generic pharmaceuticals.” The Commerce Department also said such tariffs were unlikely, marking a reversal from Trump’s 2023 campaign pledge to restore domestic production of all essential medicines.Advisers, including members of the Domestic Policy Council and health aide Theo Merkel, warned tariffs on generics could raise prices and cause shortages, given that India supplies nearly half of U.S. generic drugs. Commerce officials, however, continue to explore quotas or incentives to rebuild U.S. drug manufacturing capacity.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Broader Pharma Trade Push&nbsp;</h2>The Section 301 move expands Trump’s broader effort to tie drug pricing policy to trade leverage. Earlier this year, he demanded that pharmaceutical companies offer the U.S. their best global price or face penalties.Major firms, including Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk, and Eli Lilly, have all held pricing talks with the White House. Trump previously reached a deal with the EU to cap drug import tariffs at 15% and is negotiating with the U.K. for lower duties in exchange for higher payments to drugmakers.While Trump last month threatened 100% tariffs on branded drugs to force companies to expand U.S. manufacturing, those measures have yet to materialize. Officials said firms will be given time to invest domestically and demonstrate pricing reforms.Desai said the White House is pursuing a “multi-faceted approach” that could include federal grants or loans, potentially with funding from foreign partners like Japan, to strengthen U.S. drug supply chains and reduce dependence on imports.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Stocktwits Traders See Muted Interest For Healthcare ETFs</h2>On Stocktwits, retail sentiment toward the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) was ‘bearish’ and toward the iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) was ‘neutral,’ both amid ‘low’ message volume.So far this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/XLV">XLV</a> is up 7%, while&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/IXJ">IXJ</a> has gained 9%.For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

U.S. President Donald Trump answers questions after making an announcement on “significant medical and scientific findings for America’s children” in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on September 22, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Trump Steps Up Pressure On Trading Partners Over Drug Costs, Plans Section 301 Review: Report

The probe expands Trump’s broader effort to pressure pharmaceutical companies and foreign governments to “equalize” drug prices globally.

 If the AI Bubble Bursts, Here Are Some Defensive ETFs to Consider 

As AI-fueled gains spark bubble warnings, investors are eyeing defensive ETFs in consumer staples, utilities and healthcare for safety. 

The Trump administration said it isn’t planning to impose tariffs on generic drugs, easing months of debate over levies on most U.S.-dispensed medicines.Officials have been weighing the duties under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, which allows tariffs tied to national security concerns. Trump had earlier proposed 100% tariffs on name-brand drugs starting Oct. 1 but excluded generics and later delayed the move for further talks, The Wall Street Journal&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.wsj.com/health/pharma/trump-generic-prescription-drug-tariffs-3029e024?mod=hp_lead_pos2">reported</a>.“The administration is not actively discussing imposing Section 232 tariffs against generic pharmaceuticals,” said White House spokesman Kush Desai. The Commerce Department, which is leading the investigation, also stated that tariffs on generics aren’t expected.The decision, which could still change, narrows the Commerce Department’s investigation that initially covered both branded and generic drugs. It marks a reversal of Trump’s 2023 campaign pledge to restore U.S. production of all essential medicines.Opponents within the administration, including members of the Domestic Policy Council and healthcare adviser Theo Merkel, reportedly warned that tariffs on generics could raise prices and cause shortages. They argued that low-cost production in countries like India, which is the source of nearly half of U.S. generics, would make tariffs ineffective.Meanwhile, Commerce Department officials have called for tariffs or quotas to stimulate domestic manufacturing and cut dependence on foreign suppliers in the wake of pandemic-era supply chain disruptions. Protectionists have also described foreign reliance on generics as a national security vulnerability and argued that tariffs, combined with government assistance, could make U.S. production profitable.Desai said there was “no daylight or disagreement” between the White House and Commerce Department on the issue.The debate underscores Trump’s challenge in reshoring industries deemed vital to national security. While the administration wants to spur U.S. output of antibiotics and other everyday drugs, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer recently said officials are still assessing how best to apply “economic tools” to generics, which are mostly tariff-free.The decision could anger GOP protectionists such as Sen. Rick Scott, who urged tariffs on both branded and generic drugs. Meanwhile, officials are reportedly exploring executive actions such as federal grants or loans to boost domestic generic-drug manufacturing, potentially funded by money from foreign partners like Japan under recent tariff agreements.Desai said the administration is pursuing “a nuanced and multi-faceted approach to onshore manufacturing of generic pharmaceuticals” to avoid future dependence like that seen during the Covid era.On Stocktwits, retail sentiment for the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) was ‘extremely bullish’, while sentiment for the iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) was ‘bullish’, with both seeing ‘high’ message volume.So far this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/XLV">XLV</a> is up 6.4% so far this year, while&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/IXJ">IXJ</a> has gained 8.5%.For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

U.S. President Donald Trump announces a deal with Pfizer to lower Medicaid drug prices in the Oval Office of the White House on September 30, 2025.  (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Trump Walks Back Plan To Slap Tariffs On Generic Drugs After White House Clash Over Prices, Supply Risks: Report

The administration is now exploring alternative measures, such as federal grants or loans, to encourage the domestic production of critical generic drugs, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, including India.

Unlocking Cures: How AI is Reshaping Cancer Research & Healthcare ETFs?

AI's growing role in cancer research, and a new federal push for pediatric oncology, are powering gains in key healthcare ETFs. 

U.S. President Donald Trump’s campaign pollster reportedly briefed Republican congressional staff on Wednesday about survey results showing strong bipartisan support for routine childhood vaccines, even among Trump supporters.The Fabrizio Ward poll found deep partisan divisions over COVID-19 shots, but broad backing for measles and hepatitis B immunizations, Bloomberg&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-04/trump-pollster-briefed-republicans-on-support-for-vaccines">reported</a>, citing people familiar with the meeting.&nbsp;Just 22% of surveyed Trump voters said the COVID-19 vaccine was important, compared with 77% for measles and 69% for hepatitis B. By contrast, at least 90% of Kamala Harris supporters backed all three vaccines.&nbsp;The national poll of 1,000 voters, dated Aug. 26, did not specify its sponsor.The briefing came one day before Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/cdc-turmoil-escalates-kennedy-to-testify-in-senate-after-director-fired-senior-officials-quit/chtRCdURdZ4">scheduled to testify</a> before the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday on Trump’s healthcare agenda.&nbsp;Chairman Mike Crapo said the hearing will review the department’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiatives to date and future plans.Kennedy faces mounting criticism over his overhaul of federal vaccine policy, including the firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez and dismissal of the entire CDC vaccine advisory panel.&nbsp;More than 20 medical groups and over 1,000 current and former HHS employees have called on him to resign, while California, Oregon and Washington have formed a new health alliance to issue independent vaccine recommendations.&nbsp;He is now apparently weighing seven new members for the reconstituted CDC vaccine panel, which is expected to vote on hepatitis B and other shots later this month.On Stocktwits, retail sentiment for the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) was described as ‘extremely bearish’ with ‘low’ message volume, while sentiment for the iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) was ‘neutral’ with ‘normal’ message volume.So far this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/XLV">XLV</a> is up 0.4% while&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/IXJ">IXJ</a> has gained 2.8%.For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

So far this year, XLV is up 0.4% while IXJ has gained 2.8%. (Photo credit: Getty Images)

Trump Pollster Quietly Tells Republicans: Voters Still Trust Childhood Vaccines, Doubt COVID Shots

The Fabrizio Ward survey of 1,000 voters found 77% of Trump supporters back measles shots and 69% support hepatitis B, while at least 90% of Kamala Harris voters backed all three vaccines.

More than 20 health groups and medical associations urged U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to resign on Wednesday, warning that his sweeping changes to vaccine policy and recent moves at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) threaten decades of medical progress.The joint statement followed criticism from multiple former CDC directors under both Republican and Democratic administrations, who said Kennedy’s actions, which culminated in&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/cdc-chief-susan-monarez-pushed-out-after-weeks-on-job-as-rfk-jr-overhauls-agency-she-s-fighting-back/chsCsP4Rdli">last week’s firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez</a>, are putting public health at risk, Reuters&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/medical-groups-call-us-health-secretary-kennedy-step-down-2025-09-03/">reported</a>.“Our country needs leadership that will promote open, honest dialogue, not disregard decades of lifesaving science, spread misinformation, reverse medical progress and decimate programs that keep us safe,” the groups said. “We are gravely concerned that American people will needlessly suffer and die as a result of policies that turn away from sound interventions.”The letter was signed by the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma &amp; Immunology, the American Public Health Association and the American Association of Immunologists.&nbsp;Over 1,000 current and former employees of the Health and Human Services Department sent an open letter demanding that Kennedy either resign or be fired.State-Level ResponsesAmid the federal shake-up, states have&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/california-oregon-washington-form-health-alliance-amid-federal-vaccine-tensions-2025-09-03/">begun to chart their own paths</a> on immunization policy. California, Oregon and Washington on Wednesday announced the formation of the West Coast Health Alliance, which will issue unified vaccine recommendations guided by national medical associations, even if they diverge from federal guidance.An alternative standard to the one set by the federal government could cause confusion among providers and patients, health experts warned, but state officials said they acted to prevent disruption to fall vaccination campaigns.&nbsp;Erica Pan, California’s state public health officer, said, “The dismantling of public health and dismissal of experienced and respected health leaders and advisors, along with the lack of using science, data and evidence to improve our nation’s health, are placing lives at risk.”Meanwhile, Florida announced plans to end all state vaccine mandates, including requirements for schoolchildren, marking another sign of growing divisions over immunization policy across the country.A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services sought to reassure providers, saying: “ACIP remains the scientific body guiding immunization recommendations in this country, and HHS will ensure policy is based on rigorous evidence and Gold Standard Science, not the failed politics of the pandemic.”Policy Overhaul And FiringsSince taking office, Kennedy has withdrawn federal recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination in pregnant women and healthy children, and in June, he dismissed all 17 members of the CDC’s expert vaccine advisory panel, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), replacing them with hand-picked advisers, including fellow vaccine skeptics. The move raised concerns over compromising the panel’s independence.Monarez, who was sworn in less than a month before her dismissal, said through a spokesperson that she was asked to rubber-stamp policy changes and resisted. Her firing triggered the resignation of four top CDC officials, citing pressure to support anti-vaccine positions advanced by Kennedy.In a social media post on Wednesday, Kennedy defended his decisions, saying his mission was “to restore the CDC’s focus on infectious disease” and “rebuild trust through transparency and competence.”New ACIP PanelKennedy has reportedly selected seven new members for the ACIP, which advises on vaccine use after FDA approval and whose recommendations shape insurance coverage, Reuters&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/kennedy-picks-seven-new-members-us-cdc-vaccine-panel-document-shows-2025-09-04/">reported</a>, citing an internal CDC document.Among the names listed is Raymond Pollak, a semi-retired transplant surgeon with a background in immunology, who confirmed he is under consideration. Others include Joseph Fraiman, an emergency medicine specialist; John Gaitanis, a pediatric neurologist; Catherine Stein, an epidemiology professor; Hillary Blackburn, a pharmacist; Evelyn Griffin, an obstetrician-gynecologist; and Kirk Milhoan, a pediatric cardiologist.The group is expected to convene on Sept. 18, with votes scheduled on vaccines for hepatitis B, measles-mumps-rubella-varicella, and respiratory syncytial virus, according to the Federal Register.&nbsp;Normally, the CDC director has final approval of ACIP recommendations, but Monarez’s removal leaves that process uncertain.On Stocktwits, retail sentiment for the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) was described as ‘extremely bearish’ with ‘low’ message volume, while sentiment for the iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) was ‘neutral’ with ‘normal’ message volume.So far this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/XLV">XLV</a> is up 0.4% while&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/IXJ">IXJ</a> has gained 2.8%.For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during a cabinet meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on August 26, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

CDC In Crisis: Kennedy Pressured To Quit As States Revolt Over Vaccine Board Shake-Up

Medical groups and more than 1,000 health officials have urged Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to resign, warning his vaccine policies are putting public health at risk. 

A White House decision on the results of its national security probe into pharmaceutical imports and planned sector-specific U.S. tariffs is reportedly weeks away, later than initially expected, as the White House focuses on other priorities.Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in April&nbsp;that the review, launched under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, would conclude between mid-May and mid-June, Reuters&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-pharma-tariffs-likely-weeks-away-trump-plans-alaska-sources-say-2025-08-13/">reported</a>, citing four sources familiar with the matter.The investigation covers imports ranging from finished prescription drugs to active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and other raw materials, and will form the basis for tariffs that President Donald Trump has said&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/trump-plans-gradual-tariff-hike-on-imported-pharma-to-250-over-18-months-to-boost-us-production/chr1KgrRd2x">could start small and rise to 250</a>%.The delay follows repeated extensions, with Lutnick most recently projecting a completion in mid-August.&nbsp;An announcement before the end of August is reportedly unlikely, with the administration expected to release findings from a separate semiconductor probe first. The U.S.-Russia summit in Alaska on Friday is likely another reason for no immediate action.The pharmaceutical sector has so far been exempt from sweeping Trump-era tariffs but could face new duties unless covered by bilateral trade deals the U.S. has reached with the UK, Japan, South Korea and the European Union, which promise more favorable terms.Trump has said the plan would phase in tariffs to give drugmakers time to shift their manufacturing to the U.S.&nbsp;However, drugmakers have warned that such duties could raise costs and undercut efforts to lower drug prices.On Stocktwits, retail sentiment for the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) was 'neutral' amid 'low' message volume, while sentiment for the iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) was 'bearish' with 'extremely low' activity.So far this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/XLV">XLV</a>&nbsp;has fallen 2.3%, while&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/IXJ">IXJ</a>&nbsp;has edged up&nbsp;0.2%.For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

U.S. President Donald Trump awaits the arrival of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the White House. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Trump’s Big Pharma Tariff Call Delayed Again As White House Juggles Trade Battles And Diplomatic Showdowns: Report

The administration is expected to release findings from a separate semiconductor investigation first, with other high-profile events also contributing to the delay.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the U.S. would begin imposing a “small tariff” on pharmaceutical imports, with plans to raise it to 150% within 18 months and ultimately to 250%, in an&nbsp;effort to&nbsp;encourage drugmakers to manufacture domestically.&nbsp;While he did not specify the initial rate, he said the increases would&nbsp;be implemented over time. “In one year, one and a half years maximum, it's going to go to 150% and then it's going to go to 250%,” Reuters&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-initially-impose-small-tariff-pharma-imports-trump-says-2025-08-05/">reported</a>, citing a CNBC interview.The comments follow&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/trump-threatens-200-tariffs-on-drug-imports-says-big-pharma-will-get-some-time-to-get-their-act-together/chFUKjPR5h7">earlier threats from Trump in July</a>, when he told a Cabinet meeting that tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals could rise as high as 200%, though implementation would be delayed by up to 18 months to allow companies time to relocate manufacturing to the U.S.&nbsp;At the time, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that final tariff details would be released&nbsp;after the completion of ongoing national security reviews on pharmaceuticals and semiconductors.On Tuesday, Trump also said tariffs on semiconductors and chips will be announced in the “next week or so,” without providing further details. Both sectors remain under investigation as part of a Section 232 national security probe launched in April.Several major pharmaceutical companies have already responded to the tariff push with investment pledges&nbsp;in the U.S. AstraZeneca recently committed $50 billion to expand its American footprint, while Eli Lilly, Johnson &amp; Johnson, and AbbVie have also ramped up domestic operations.Industry groups, however, have pushed back. In July, PhRMA, the sector’s main lobbying group, reiterated its opposition to the tariff plan.&nbsp;“Every dollar spent on tariffs is a dollar that cannot be invested in American manufacturing or the development of future treatments and cures,” said Alex Schriver, PhRMA’s senior vice president of public affairs. He called the policy “counterproductive,” citing long-standing exemptions for medicines due to risks of shortages and cost inflation.Under a current framework agreement between the U.S. and&nbsp;the EU, tariffs on pharmaceuticals and semiconductors are set at zero; however, any hikes following an import investigation would be capped at 15%.On Stocktwits, retail sentiment toward the&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/XLV">Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV)</a> was 'bullish' with 'high' message volume, while sentiment for the&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/IXJ">iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ)</a> was 'neutral' amid 'low' message volume.While XLV has declined 3.7% so far this year, IXJ fell 1.9% over the same period.&nbsp;For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

U.S. President Donald Trump is visiting his Trump Turnberry golf course, as well as Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Trump Plans Gradual Tariff Hike On Imported Pharma To 250% Over 18 Months To Boost US Production

Several drugmakers, including AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly, have already pledged major investments in U.S. manufacturing.

Shares of Moderna (MRNA), Pfizer (PFE), and Sanofi (SNY) drew increased attention on Tuesday as traders reacted to the U.S. government’s move to halt future mRNA vaccine development under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).&nbsp;Meanwhile, retail sentiment soured on AstraZeneca (AZN) after its vaccine partnership was identified as part of the federal wind-down.The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said that it will terminate or restructure 22 mRNA vaccine-related projects under BARDA, affecting nearly $500 million in funding.&nbsp;The decision follows a review of pandemic-era investments in mRNA technologies and represents a pivot in vaccine development strategy.“We reviewed the science, listened to the experts, and acted,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.HHS stated that its decision to terminate 22 mRNA vaccine development projects under BARDA was&nbsp;based on scientific data indicating the limited effectiveness of such vaccines in preventing upper respiratory infections, such as COVID-19 and influenza.&nbsp;The agency plans to redirect funding toward alternative vaccine platforms that offer broader protection and remain effective against evolving viruses.The canceled programs include BARDA’s award to Moderna and the University of Texas Medical Branch for an mRNA-based H5N1 avian flu vaccine.&nbsp;Contracts with Emory University and Tiba Biotech are also being terminated.&nbsp;Existing agreements with Luminary Labs, ModeX, and Seqirus, Sanofi’s vaccine subsidiary, are being revised to exclude mRNA components.Several pre-award solicitations have been rejected or canceled, including proposals from Pfizer, Sanofi Pasteur, CSL Seqirus, Gritstone, and others under BARDA’s Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle and VITAL Hub.&nbsp;HHS is also restructuring collaborations with the Department of Defense’s Joint Program Executive Office (JPEO), impacting nucleic acid-based vaccine efforts by AAHI, AstraZeneca, and HDT Bio.While some late-stage contracts, such as those with Arcturus and Amplitude, will be allowed to conclude, HHS said that no new mRNA projects will be initiated under BARDA.&nbsp;Additionally, the department has directed the Global Health Investment Corporation, which manages BARDA Ventures, to stop all equity investments in mRNA technologies.&nbsp;Other uses of mRNA technology within HHS are not impacted by the announcement.“Let me be absolutely clear: HHS supports safe, effective vaccines for every American who wants them. That’s why we’re moving beyond the limitations of mRNA and investing in better solutions,” said Kennedy.On Stocktwits, retail sentiment was&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/MRNA">‘bullish’ for MRNA</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/SNY">SNY</a>, while&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/PFE">PFE saw ‘extremely bullish’ sentiment</a> with ‘extremely high’ message volume. In contrast,&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/AZN">sentiment turned ‘bearish’ for AZN</a>, with message volume remaining ‘normal’.So far this year, MRNA is down 34.6%, PFE is down 7%, SNY is down 0.7%, while AZN is up 13.1%.For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

So far this year, MRNA is down 34.6%, PFE is down 7%, SNY is down 0.7%, while AZN is up 13.1%. (Photo credit: Getty Images)

Moderna, Pfizer, Sanofi In Focus As US Winds Down mRNA Vaccine Plans; Retail Turns Bearish On AstraZeneca 

The U.S. health department is canceling or scaling back 22 BARDA-backed mRNA projects worth nearly $500 million, shifting funding toward broader vaccine platforms.

Current Price	$97.79
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