STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about fewer pharma investments in Germany, growing U.S. layoffs, and more

Top of the morning to you, and a fine one it is. Clear blue skies and cool breezes are wafting over the Pharmalot campus, where the official mascots are snoozing in their respective corners. This means we are free to focus on the matters at hand — rummaging through our to-do list and making cups of stimulation. Our choice today is wild mountain blueberry, a summer treat. Please feel free to join us. Meanwhile, here is the latest menu of tidbits to help you get started yourself. We hope your day is productive and meaningful. And of course, do keep in touch. We appreciate the insights and ideas. … Eli Lilly is halving its originally planned $2.67 billion investment in the production of weight-loss syringes in Germany, Handelsblatt reports. The reason is the announced cost-cutting law by Health Minister Nina Warken, which provides for higher discounts from pharmaceutical companies — meaning less money per medication — and stricter reimbursement rules. Furthermore, health insurance companies will be allowed to group comparable patented medicines and encourage doctors to prescribe the cheaper option. This is likely to significantly intensify the price war between brand-name drugs. At the same time, Boehringer Ingelheim will reduce investments in Germany by $1 billion due to a lack of investment predictability in the pharmaceutical sector in the country. Acting U.S. FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas ​met with rare disease groups as he seeks ‌to repair relations with a sector disappointed by his predecessor, Reuters tells us. Representatives for rare disease organizations including Friends of Cancer Research and the Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics are pushing Diamantas for greater certainty and support for treatments for small patient populations. Diamantas is seeking to steady operations and mend fences following Commissioner Marty ​Makary’s resignation last month. Some rare disease groups ⁠ha