Just As We Said Last Night -- Homan's Move To Designate Liberia... Stayed.

Just as expected, the able USDC Judge Paula Xinis this morning has stayed all deadlines on the underlying actions while she resolves the attempt to remove to Liberia.

The largely hapless AUSAs being asked to willingly serve up nonsense in the courts, to placate these malign monsters. . . ought to noisily resign, and enter private practice, rather than carry on with this lawless, vindictively cruel goon show. That is my considered view.

. . .ORDER granting [262] Petitioner's Motion to Stay Deadlines; case is Stayed until the resolution of the Government's Motion to Dissolve Injunctions at ECF No. 142 in Abrego Garcia II, No. 8:25-cv-02780-PX.

Signed by Judge Paula Xinis on 3/23/2026. . . .

And in more trivial news, I am within striking distance of catching Mr. Obama -- even though both of our brackets have been busted by No. 1 seed Florida getting dumped, and Texas pulling an upset. This is the madness. . . we love (even though that is last year's graphic at left)! Onward.

नमस्ते

These Are The Awful Wages -- Of Refusing To Accept Modern Vaccine Science, And Public Health Recommendations, From The CDC.

It is also (in part) the foreseeable outcome, from destroying USAID in nations where these viral vectors are multi-year epidemics.

But here we are -- Chicago saw cases last summer; SF as well. Then last week, a case appeared in NYC. Now Mizzou has seen. . . two. Welcome to the chaos theory of governing -- as implemented by the federal public health authorities (thanks, Tangerine, and RFK, Jr.):

. . .The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said this is the first known case in Missouri and the 13th and 14th cases nationally. Both of the residents recently traveled internationally, where mpox is more prevalent. The two cases are unrelated and are not believed to be connected to any locally acquired mpox cases.

“While risk to the general public remains low, mpox is still active,” said Dr. George Turabelidze, state epidemiologist. “We recommend those who are at risk for mpox infection to get vaccinated and ensure they complete the 2-dose series.”

According to the health department, this type of mpox is more likely to cause severe illness and death, especially in those who are immunocompromised. . . .

Now you know. Onward -- into the sunshine and high 30s here.

नमस्ते

Team Abrego Has The Homan-ites By The Short Hairs, Now -- In Maryland: A Sunday Afternoon Filing.

Well, Mr. Hecker's associated counsels / firms worked over the weekend -- Sunday included -- to make sure that Noem's succcessor, Homan -- and his Homan-ites won't prevail here.

The able USDC Judge Xinis awaits a scheduling agreement, on the motion for sanctions against the government -- and an amended complaint. She is going to be hot, that Homan decided to try to end run around the prior misconduct from Noem and Miller. Here's the Team Abrego pleading, for tomorrow, Monday -- and a bit:

. . .[O]n March 20, 2026 reached agreement on both a sanctions briefing schedule and, at Defendants’ request, a schedule for briefing on the amended complaint, with the intention of submitting both proposed schedules to the Court in a status report on Monday, March 23, 2026. See Exhibit A (March 20, 2026 Email from O. Horton to E. Molina agreeing on briefing schedules).

That same day, however, the Government filed a Motion to Dissolve Injunction Against Petitioner’s Detention (ECF 141) and Injunction Against Petitioner’s Removal (ECF 13) in the related habeas case, Abrego Garcia v. Noem, No. 8:25-cv-02780-PX (“Abrego Garcia II”). See Abrego Garcia II, ECF 142 (“Motion to Dissolve Injunctions”). . . .

Given the pressing deadlines, Plaintiffs attempted to contact the Government on Saturday, March 21, 2026, via email, see Exhibit A, and once more this afternoon by telephone, but received no response. Plaintiffs therefore file this motion without the benefit of the Government’s position. For these reasons, Plaintiffs respectfully request that the Court temporarily stay all deadlines in this case relating to the amended complaint and the sanctions briefing pending resolution of the Motion to Dissolve Injunctions. . . .

So -- as I said this morning, Homan will lose here, and lose completely.

And, indeed -- lots of upsets, in the Sweet 16 roadway, now. Sweet.

नमस्ते

Sunday Tangent: “Elect A Clown — Expect A Circus.” BTC Is Now The Ticket Price, To His "Dumb Show"...

Bitcoin’s ongoing winter is driven at least in part by Tangerine 2.0’s wild and conflicting gyrations, as to what he’s doing in Iran. And that in turn is driven by his forgetfulness on his meds.

Bitcoin bros beware: he’s only too happy to throw you under the bus — whenever his morning Adderall dosages fail to level his delusions out.

See here:

. . .Friday. . . Trump said he was thinking about "winding down" the military operation.

Going from winding down to threatening civilian infrastructure in 24 hours whipsawed a market that had spent the previous week building confidence around de-escalation. . . .

The Bitcoin Bros^® [Musk included here] ought to prepare for the Ice Age to last to November 2028. At least.

Hilarious — once again near $68,500, on Sunday morning — down from a “high” of $75,000 last week in a “relief mini-rally”.

Now: no relief, in sight.

Out.

नमस्ते

A Truly Insipid Motion -- To End An In-Force Injunction, So ICE/DHS Can Try To [Again!?] Snatch Abrego, Off To Liberia. It's A Loser.

In the Maryland federal trial courts, there are no fewer than five orders preventing the Homeland Security goons from grabbing Mr. Abrego Garcia. And I can think of two more, off the top of my head, in the federal trial courts in Nashville.

But the loons licking Tangerine 2.0's boots -- the same losers now in charge of DHS. . . want to keep trying to arrest and deport him, even after admitting they tried (and failed) to doctor a 2019 order, here in late 2025. That 2019 order did NOT grant them authority to remove him. They re-wrote it, via a third admin. law judge, in December 2025 -- and claimed it gave them the right to dump him in. . . Sudan, Saudi Arabia or even Liberia. [All three are places he'd never been to, lived in, or had any connections with. And that general approach has already been ruled unlawful -- by several appellate courts.]

The original 2019 ALJ order -- as USDC Judge Xinis correctly ruled -- actually prohibited removal, until all issues related to his potential persecution in El Salvador were finally resolved. That process, in addition to all the others, is still in play. So this will doubtless fail.

But Rubio or Homan or Miller or someone in Trump World feels embarrassed that they couldn't just run rough-shod over the due process clause of the US Constitution. So they yell at the lawyers -- get back in court and file some (specious) papers.

This 13 pager is a pure loser -- so we won't quote it -- we have just linked it for a complete record, in Maryland, from Friday afternoon.

[I should note also that the the idiot Todd Lyons, acting in some dubious capacity for Tangerine (at some agency, as a bureaucrat), has filed a letter with the court -- opposing Costa Rica, as a possible settlement / agreed position, per my earlier graphic at right. Yawn -- they just hate the idea of Abrego "winning" -- anything.]

Onward, resolutely.

This afternoon is. . . Sweet 16 Dance invite time!

नमस्ते

Fly Well, Robert S. Mueller III — You've Served Your Nation Quite Honorably.

"Bobby Three Sticks" has passed -- at age 81.

Donald Trump is a unctous pig, as he is scathing in his diatribe against him only minutes after learning he has passed away. This petulant lil' handed guy is less a statesman and more a monster -- day by day. Per the NYT:

. . .Robert S. Mueller III, who led the Federal Bureau of Investigation for 12 tumultuous years, brought politically explosive indictments as a special counsel examining Russia’s attack on the 2016 presidential election, and then concluded that he could neither absolve nor accuse President Trump of a crime, died on Friday. . . .

His family confirmed the death in a statement but did not say where he died or give the cause.

Mr. Trump remained unforgiving of Mr. Mueller’s investigation even after Mr. Mueller’s death. On learning of it on Saturday, he posted on Truth Social: “Good, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!”. . . .

Trump is about as far from innocent as anyone could possibly be over the last 30 years.

And just to remind everyone, Mueller was a Marine platoon leader in Vietnam [whilst Trump was feigning bone spurs, Mueller volunteered], Mueller was shot and later returned to lead his platoon after his recovery. He received a Bronze Star for valor, a Purple Heart, two Navy/Marine Commendation medals, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Valor, as a partial listing. Damn.

That is all I've got as I get on the plane.

नमस्ते

On Haiti -- And Syria -- And Removals, Attempted By Tangerine 2.0: At The Supremes

There will be expedited briefing, and a one hour argument at the Supremes in April, to resolve whether Trump can avoid the lower courts' rulings holding that he cannot, with a Sharpie alone, revoke the temporary protected status of asylum seekers from Syria and Haiti.

Do read all of this. It accurately sets out the black letter law. Trump will lose [the animation at right depicts the last major hurricane -- Melissa -- to strike Haiti]:

. . .The government will suffer no irreparable harm if the district court’s order remains in effect pending the government’s appeal of it. Haiti has been designated for Temporary Protected Status since 2010. Since then, hundreds of thousands of Haitian TPS holders have lived in and contributed to American communities across the country. The government identifies no emergency requiring their immediate expulsion. . . .

Respondents, by contrast, will suffer irreparable -- potentially fatal -- injury if the district court’s order is stayed.

Respondents would be subject to immediate detention and removal to Haiti, “a maelstrom of disease, poverty, violence (including sexual violence) and death.” Indeed, the State Department (Editorial note: at least, as imagined by the MAGAts now in control of it) advises that you should not travel to Haiti for any reason but that if you nevertheless do, then you should “[l]eave DNA samples with your medical provider and dental records with your family in case it is necessary for your family to access them to identify your remains.”

It is, moreover, respondents rather than the government who are likely to prevail on the merits. . . .

Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, armed gangs have gained control over much of [Haiti’s capital] Port-au-Prince, creating a power vacuum that has made governing a challenge and fueled further violence, homelessness and starvation. More than 5,600 people were killed and 1,400 were kidnapped amid gang conflicts last year, according to the United Nations. The violence has rendered 1 million people homeless in Haiti, forcing many into makeshift shelters and exacerbating the country’s economic challenges. . . .

Onward, resolutely.

नमस्ते

Spreading The Time Between Ebola Vaccine Receipt, And Booster(s) Improves Overall Antibody Response...

Just a quick Friday squib (since my men's brackets are busted). . . as I head down, out of the high mountains -- to potentially 90 degree weather in Boulder tomorrow(!).

It comes from a well-respected source: The Journal of Nature -- and we see that delaying the time for a booster of the Ebola vaccine improves the robustness of the human body's antibody production -- yes, this is power alley stuff. Do take a gander:

. . .Here, we elucidated the longitudinal humoral immune repertoire over 3 years following prime and boost rVSV∆G-ZEBOV-GP vaccinations administered 18 months apart in healthy adults compared to participants randomized to no boost. This delayed booster vaccination induced long-lasting EBOV-neutralizing antibodies that persisted up to 36 month at levels similar to peak titers after a single dose. Phage display libraries, expressing linear and conformational epitopes of EBOV glycoprotein (GP), demonstrated a highly diverse and durable antibody epitope repertoire following prime boost vaccination. Delayed booster vaccination recalled memory B cells, promoted anti-GP IgG class switching and induced antibodies specific to GP with Fcγ receptor interaction and functional antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and phagocytosis.

The 18-month interval led to 13-fold higher antibody affinity maturation than a single dose, maintained up to 36 months. Overall, delayed rVSV∆G-ZEBOV-GP booster vaccination promoted a diverse, stronger, durable, predominant IgG, highly affinity-matured antibody response to GP. . . .

Onward, grinning. And, here’s to hoping my CU Buffs’ women hoopsters are able to take down the mighty Illini, tomorrow night. Be excellent to one another.

नमस्ते

[U -- 03.19.26 @ 8 AM Mountain] My Third (Mostly Trivial) Passion…

Second Update @ 10 PM on 3.19: It seems that my brackets are likely already busted -- at the end of night one -- since North Carolina lost -- and the Badgers did too, to High Point (who?!) in pathetic fashion. Sadly, I had UNC to go on to beat Illinois. Mr. Obama did not make that mistake. But he does have Mizzou to win over Miami tomorrow. Now, if I can take that one from him, I might still have a chance. Overall, though I am highly unlikely to win any of the pools I am in (six of them), since Wisconsin also lost. End second update.

Perhaps it is not as trivial as I might have initially thought, in so far as BHO 44 shows us that there is still much light, laughter and infectious joy -- in this rather dark epoch -- of Tangerine 2.0.

Indeed, I've stayed up late working on my brackets in large part because Mr. Obama (the cad!) forever discloses his at the last moment -- this time, coming after 6 PM Eastern time when brackets close at noon Eastern tomorrow. In now two long decades, I've only ever beaten him three times.

Updated 8 am Mountain 03.19.26: Here are the final brackets; with my differences from Mr. Obama in green (click to embiggify):

[I suppose it would be more truthful to say that my mountain based charge here had fallen asleep -- and so I was then free to work on it.] At the moment, I'm thinking Houston or Duke, while he sees Arizona as the men's champion. Hmmm. We both agree it is UConn -- on the women's brackets. [I do think Colorado's Lady Buffs might upset a power-packed Illini squad, while Mr. Obama makes a safe pick there and chooses Illinois.]

S M I L E -- mine (the full braketology) will post mañana!

नमस्ते

As The Two Begin Mediation, Merck (US) Seeks Updated Financial Performance Information, From The German Merck...

We recently hailed -- as very good news -- the disclosure in court that these two massive international public companies were set to conduct a mediation with a preeminent but retired federal judge "as referee", to try to work out a "win/win" settlement -- without a "winner take all" federal Lanham Act trial in the NJ federal courts, and high likelihood of. . . truly jaw-slacking damages -- for one of the parties.

To make those discussions meaningful, both sides need to know just how much the other is making in the US off of the name, wordmark and branding called "Merck" -- as two separate companies are employing the same one. Here's that request, from the US company, for updated US finanacial performance info, and a bit:

. . .Merck’s request is simple and falls squarely within the heartland of Federal Civil Procedure Rule 26(e). Merck asks only that defendant Merck KGaA (“KGaA”) update the documentary evidence (compiled in four spreadsheets) that it previously produced concerning its sales and expenses in the United States. This information is relevant to Merck’s request to recover “defendant’s profits” as “compensation” for KGaA’s misconduct, as the Lanham Act expressly authorizes the Court to grant. 15 U.S.C. § 1117(a). Merck’s request is fully consistent with ordinary litigation practice. Damages numbers are routinely brought forward in intellectual property cases before trial to avoid giving a defendant a free pass for misconduct in the period since the close of discovery. The information requested is entirely within KGaA’s control. It is routine business information of a kind that KGaA already has produced, and that both sides’ experts have already used to calculate KGaA’s U.S. profits. . . .

KGaA’s representation that Merck has not alleged continuing harm (ECF No. 320 at 30:21-22) is belied by the Pretrial Order. For example, Merck’s Disputed Facts section on liability emphasized the continuing nature of KGaA’s misuses, and the harm it causes Merck. See, e.g., ECF No. 311 at 73 ¶ 72 (“Defendant’s intentional illegal use of the ‘Merck’ name has caused and will cause continue to cause irreparable and ongoing harm to Plaintiffs’ trademarks, reputation, goodwill, and business in the future. . . . This harm is ongoing and capable of being repeated.”). In the damages section, Merck stated that its reported disgorgement calculations are understated due to the limited scope of KGaA’s prior financial disclosures. See id. at 76 ¶ 4 (“These numbers are limited by the financial data that Defendant produced through fact discovery, and do not reflect additional damages incurred due to Defendant’s unlawful rebranding to date.”). These points are not new: Merck has always maintained that KGaA’s misuse is continuing. . . .

Merck respectfully requests the Court order KGaA to produce updated U.S. sales and expenses figures to complete its production of “[d]ocuments sufficient to show, on a monthly basis, the marginal costs, fixed costs, and profit margins for each of the goods or services sold in the United States by or on behalf of Defendant since January 1, 2006. . . .”

Now you know; the Condor predicts this letter motion will be granted. And so -- onward -- with summer-like weather here at elevation: gonna' be in the 70s today, while it was below 18, with deep snow, until just two days ago. Blue skies ahead. . . Woot!

नमस्ते

Two (Or Three) Abiding — If Trivial — Passions, This Morning: 3.14159 (Belated) And The Saint… Remembered.

No health care, life science, space science, STEM, R&B or constitutional law and politics -- on this particularly fine sunny soon to be 65 degree Tuesday in the Rockies.

Nope.

And if you must, go get a wedge of cherry-, or your favorite. . . pie -- on lunch (we missed it while in the air on last Saturday).

Of course by Thursday morning, we will also post our bracketology -- as compared to that of BHO 44. Onward, grinning. . . ever, grinning. Be excellent to one another.

नमस्ते

Just A Monday Squib, Confirming My Earlier Lilly Analysis... Looks Good, Through 2029, At Least. Get It While It Is Below $1,000...

As we mentioned yesterday (but of course, do your own due diligence here!), Lilly has been on a nice-heater, with the weight-loss franchises -- and now it is set to market an oral weight loss challenger, to compete with Novo-, as early as Q2 2026.

That bodes well for Lilly though at least 2029. Here's that blurb -- and yes this is power alley stuff, but I don't follow the weight loss drugs closely -- as I am a lil' concerned about potential longer-term side effects. [All of which we just haven't seen the drugs on mass-market long enough -- to really get a read-out on. Like over several hundred thousands of patients, over a decade, or more -- and we are still about four years away from having that longitudinal data, post hoc.]

. . .After losing significant ground to rival Eli Lilly in the GLP-1 space over the past two years, Novo Nordisk is defending the one arena it now dominates -- oral therapeutics. But with Lilly preparing to launch its obesity pill orforglipron as early as the second quarter, can Novo’s grip on the oral market last? This year got off to a rocky start for the Danish pharma giant. The company said last month it’s expecting a drop in sales and profits in 2026 as it faces federal pricing constraints, and fierce competition from Lilly and compounding pharmacies. . . .

Now you know -- from snow yesterday to mid-60s later today and bright sunshine! Welcome to Spring weather in the Rockies. Heh. . . .

नमस्ते

The Final Leg Of This Series (For Now): The Smaller Lilly Spend -- In 2025...

Since I am mostly out of pocket this week -- we will wait to detail the Amazon spend until around the middle of the following week.

And as you can see, Lilly tends to spend less than the other majors, concentrating its efforts on the preserving and defending its blockbuster weight-loss franchises:

. . .Issues related to intellectual property protection and market access within current trade negotiations. Canada IP; USMCA implementation; Mexico patent linkage; Special 301; Trade talks: US-Japan, US-China, US-EU, US-UK, US-India, and US-Brazil; US Tariffs. . . .

Patient protection; Pharmaceutical supply chain issues and shortages; Drug pricing, coverage, value, access and quality; Transparency; Intellectual property; Health insurance accessibility; Implementation of the "Inflation Reduction Act" (HR.5376); Prescription drug approval; Policy matters related to Artificial Intelligence in health care; One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR.1). . . .

Intellectual property; 340B Program; Medicare & Medicaid prescription drug reimbursement pricing, coverage, value and access; Implementation of the "Inflation Reduction Act" (HR.5376); CMS National Coverage Determination on Alzheimer's disease; One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR.1). . . .

Multi-lateral threats to IP and the biopharmaceutical industry; Drug importation; Prescription drug value, access and quality. . . .

Pharmaceutical intellectual property issues. . . .

Implementation and extension of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; Domestic manufacturing tax incentives; Expensing of research and development costs; Global minimum tax; Pension and retirement benefit issues; round-tripping; One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR.1). . . .

Hospital discounts; 340B program; Prescription drug value, access, quality and compliance with Drug Quality and Safety Act. . . .

Snow. . . now, all shoveled, but it is still drifting down in big wheeling flakes, here. . . almost lazily. Heh.

नमस्ते

"The Big Apple" Now Sees First Clade 1b Case Of Mpox -- Travel-Related; But Do Be Cautious!

This strain of mpox is the one to be most concerned about. It is generally associated with the severe symptoms, upon taking hold in a host human.

So, as so many others -- including this outlet have said -- the 12 or so months since Trump cut USAID funding off. . . has led, and will continue to lead, to entirely avoidable adverse public health consequences, even here at home -- right in Manhattan:

. . .New York City health officials have confirmed the city’s first case of a more severe strain of the mpox virus than the one that drove a global outbreak in 2022.

The case is travel-related, and the city's Department of Health said there is no known local transmission at this time.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, spreads through close or intimate contact, including hugging or cuddling. It's not classified as a sexually transmitted infection, but in the United States the disease has primarily spread among the LGBTQ+ community through sex between men and other forms of close contact. . . .

Onward -- and although it was sunny and 70, yesterday -- I've got about three inches of new white stuff to shovel this morning, at 8,500 feet. A real live Currier & Ives affair. Grin. . . .

नमस्ते

And Now -- Check Out The Mega-Lobby-Spending, By Amgen, Over Last Three Years...

As with the others, the figures are annual, but the text describes only Q4 2025 activity -- for earlier periods, just search the words "lobby spend" in the upper left box.

Amgen has really taken the lead dog role, in spending -- right behind the overall pharma trade association, as a group (PhRMA). Here's a sample of what they jaw-boned Congreass about -- in Q4 2025:

. . .Issues related to drug pricing; Issues related to cardiovascular disease awareness and treatment; Issues related to FDA; Issues related to patient affordability issues, including copay cards, copay accumulators, copay maximizers, National Benefit Payment Parameters; Issues related to biosimilars reimbursement; Issues related to Supply Chain; Issues related to 340B; Issues related to pharmacy benefit managers; Issues related to biosimilars regulatory standards; Issues related to bone disease awareness and treatment; Issues related to Public law 117-1769 Inflation Reduction Act; Issues pertaining to the implementation of PL 97-414 "Orphan Drug Act," all provisions; HR 946 Optimizing Research Progress Hope and New Cures Act; HR 1492 Ensuring Pathways to Innovative Cures Act; HR 1672 Maintaining Investments in New Innovation Act; HR 1 One Big Beautiful Bill Act (An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14); S 1954 Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act; HR 5526 Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act; HR 2214 DRUG Act; H.R.1968 - Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025; HR 5509 Safe Step Act; HR 5256 340B Access Act; HR 4581 340B Patients Act; S 2296 NDAA FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act, issued related to Biosecure Act; H.R. 6703 Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act; S 3345 PBM Price Transparency and Accountability Act; H.R. 6166 Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act; S.3019 No Big Blockbuster Bailouts Act; H.Res. 928 Affirming support for most-favored-Nation drug pricing for United States patients S 3349 PBM Disclosure Act; HR 4317 PBM Reform Act; S 3510 Biosimilar Inspection Modernization Act. . . .

Issues related to drug pricing; Issues related to Public law 117-1769 Inflation Reduction Act; Issues related to cardiovascular disease awareness and treatment; Issues related to reimbursement for biologics/biosimilars; Issues related to PBM reform; Issues related to bone disease awareness and treatment -- HR 946 Optimizing Research Progress Hope and New Cures Act; HR 1492 Ensuring Pathways to Innovative Cures Act; HR 1672 Maintaining Investments in New Innovation Act; HR 1 One Big Beautiful Bill Act (An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14); H.R.1968 - Full-Year Continuing; Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025; S.3345, PBM Price Transparency and Accountability Act; H.R. 6166, Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act; S.3019 - No Big Blockbuster Bailouts Act; H.Res. 928 - Affirming support for most-favored-Nation drug pricing for United States patients; S 3349 PBM Disclosure Act; HR 4317 PBM Reform Act. . . .

Issues related to corporate and international tax, including regarding Public Law 115-97, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; Issues related to Puerto Rico; Issues related to OECD negotiations on the taxation of global income; Public Law 119-21, One Big Beautiful Bill Act (An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14); Issues related to patents and taxes. . . .

Federal Trade Commission related issues, no specific bill; Issues related to the Patent Act, no specific bill; Issues related to March-In/Bayh Dole, WTO/TRIPS waiver, no specific bill; Issues related to patent thickets/product hopping; Issues related to obviousness/ double patenting; Issues related to FDA/PTO coordination; Issues related to skinny labeling; Issues related to patents and taxes; S.1041 A bill to amend title 35, United States Code, to address the infringement of patents that claim biological products, and for other purposes; S.1040 -- A bill to amend the Federal Trade Commission Act to prohibit product hopping, and for other purposes; S.2296-- NDAA (FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act -- BIOSECURE language); S 708/ HR 1574 -- Realizing Engineering, Science and Technology Opportunities by Restoring Exclusive Patent Rights Act of 2025 (RESTORE); S.1553/HR3160 -- Promoting and Respecting Economically Viable American Innovation Act (PREVAIL); S. 1546/ HR 3152-- Patent Eligibility Restoration Act of 2025 (PERA); S 2276 / HR 3269 Eliminating Thickets to Increase Competition Act (ETHIC Act); HR 6485 Skinny Labels Big Saving Act. . . .

There you have it. Onward -- with big winds -- and snow, ahead! Grin. . . .

नमस्ते

Next, Merck's Q4 2025 Lobbying -- With Three Year Data, Merck v. Pfizer -- 2023 Was A More "Normal" Spend, At $14 Million -- For Pfizer.

The detail below is just from Q4 2025 -- but the figures are for the full years, in each case.

Overall, Pfizer is now well below its prior pace, for the last two years -- for the decade preceding these last two years, $14 million a year was normal. [Afterall, it is about 40% larger than Merck on asset size, and footprint.]

Here and now, though -- by comparing Merck, to last night's Pfizer summary disclosure listings, you will notice that either Merck describes its efforts in more rigorous detail, or Pfizer is slightly cutting corners, by not really disclosing the precise sorts of suasion it seeks, on the various pieces of pending legislation. Do take a look -- they spent essentially the same amount in 2025 -- at $11 million (and this year Amgen is up nearer $13.5 million):

. . .[Both chambers of Congress:] H.R. 3, (117th Cong.) Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act; H.R. 19, (117th Cong.) Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2021; H.R. 830, Help Ensure Lower Patient (HELP) Copays Act; H.R. 1503/S. 2916, Prescription Information Modernization Act of 2023; H.R. 2679, Pharmacy Benefits Manager Accountability Act; H.R. 2691, Transparent Prices Required to Inform Consumer and Employers (Transparent PRICE) Act; H.R. 2816, Pharmacy Benefit Manager Sunshine and Accountability Act; H.R. 2880, Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act; H.R. 2940/S. 1355, Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance Act (PASTEUR) Act of 2023; H.R. 3290, To amend title III of the Public Health Service Act to ensure transparency and oversight of the 340B drug discount program; H.R. 3285, Fairness for Patient Medications Act; H.R. 3633, PREVENT HPV Cancers Act of 2023; H.R. 4368/S. 2131, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 H.R. 4895, Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act; H.R. 5376/S. 2474, Share the Savings with Seniors Act; H.R. 6283, Delinking Revenue from Unfair Gouging (DRUG) Act; H.R. 7174, To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to equalize the negotiation period between small-molecule and biologic candidates under the Drug Price Negotiation Program; H.R. 7635, The 340B PATIENTS Act of 2024; H.R. 8467, Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024; S. 150, Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2023; S. 1339, Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act; S. 1895 (116th Congress) Lower Health Care Costs Act; S. 2333, Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Response Act; S. 2543 (116th Congress) Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019; S. 4229, Reducing Drug Prices for Seniors Act. . . .

Issues relating to 340B program integrity; 340B of the Public Health Services Act; 340B issues; 340B drug pricing program; Drug pricing; Drug pricing and reimbursement issues; Anti-microbial Resistance; Cost and value of medicines; Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunization; Vaccines catch up; Vaccines issues; Package inserts, labeling issues, and E-Labeling authorization legislation; Pharmaceutical Supply Channel issues; Drug shortage issues; Inflation Reduction Act (P.L. 117-169), issues relating to drug pricing provisions; Issues related to the Patent and Trademark Law Amendments Act (PL 96-517); FY-2024 Budget and Appropriations Legislation; Intellectual property protection and trade issues; WTO IP Waiver for COVID therapeutics; Animal Health; Animal Health Technology Issues; National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) draft Interagency Guidance Framework for Considering the Exercise of March-In Rights Animal Health Policy Issues: ADUFA & Funding for Electronic Animal Traceability; One Health Issues; General pharmaceutical issues; Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP); Diversity in clinical trials; Accelerated approval reform; Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) policy issues; Pharmacy Benefit Manager reforms; Food and Drug Administration issues; Public Health Issues. . . .

[Various Agencies:] Issues relating to Medicare; Medicare Part B and D drug pricing issues; 340B program integrity; 340B of the Public Health Services Act; 340B drug pricing program; Drug pricing; Drug pricing and reimbursement issues; FY-2024 Budget and Appropriations Legislation; Medicaid drug rebate program (MDRP); Medicare coverage of COVID antiviral medicines. . . .

Issues relating to Tax reform and tax policy, generally; Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (P.L. 115-97); Inflation Reduction Act (P.L. 117-169), provisions relating to budget reconciliation and taxes. . . .

There you have it -- I'll get to Amgen and Lilly on the plane -- as I'm on a jet early tomorrow, to the Rockies (for a full week) -- with baby-grrls here all afternoon and evening tonight! Woot!

नमस्ते

[U: Graphics; Further Musings, At Bottom.] This Profoundly Saddens Me -- And Raises Very Important Privacy And Civil Liberties Questions... [Spoiler Alert.]

As many will recall, we have thrilled to Banksy's many artistic and social commentary endeavors -- on a global basis.

For now, I won't even reveal the name of the news organization that has done it (let alone link it), but one of the news agencies has released the true name of Banksy. Google it at your considerable own risk -- to the mystery and wonder that has been the hallmark of his art installations, over the decades.

In many ways, this doxxing is. . . a fundamental violation of his right to put out the art he most desires: should he stencil subversive art in any non-free nation (and maybe even in several "free" ones) -- his life will be in grave danger.

So -- as an Anon., myself -- I am deeply disappointed. This would be one time (since his art killed no one) where I highly question the public's "right to know". . . his name and movements.

In the internet age -- and with Mossad, MAGA and the KGB on the rise -- this one piece of "journalism" may already force him into a self-imposed exile.

Were I Banksy, I might find a tropical island -- and retire from bricks and mortar art -- launching from inside an entirely foil-clad room, in a non-extradition country -- and digital artworks, exclusively. That is, unless he can transmit the same to willing "helpers" -- not previously associated with him, to carry on the work -- just as DaVinci kept a studio full of artisans.

Damn -- maybe we will set up. . . a volunteer sheet. Grin -- pharma lobbying updates, next.

नमस्ते

Very Tardy -- With Full Year 2025 Lobby Spend Disclosures, Here -- Before Q1 2026 Disclosures Appear In A Few Weeks. Grin...

It is like wedding gifts, right? Emily Post told me I had a full year to get these out. . . so I am, now.

More substantively, now -- there will be a series of comparisons -- to Amgen, Libby and likely Baxter and Abbott -- and maybe even Amazon's health units. [Depends on how ambitious I get in the Rockies -- while she naps.]

Here is what Pfizer spent on in Q4 -- the prior three quarters were detailed here, in more or less real time. Just use the search box, if you are abidingly curious. But I'd call this a spending tie, between Merck and Pfizer (spoiler alert: Amgen blew them both away in 2025 -- over $13 million, or by almost 30%). Here is the detail, on Pfizer:

. . .[Senate:] Vaccine Policy, Coverage and Access; Executive Order 14297 - Delivering Most-Favored-Nation Prescription Drug Pricing to American Patients; H.R. 5256 - 340B Access ACT; Inflation Reduction Act (IRA): Maximum Fair Price (MFP) Effectuation, Biosimilars Special Rule; Drug Pricing; PBM Reform; H.R. 4581 - 340B PATIENTS Act of 2025; H.R. 5509 - Safe Step Act; S. 2903 - Safe Step Act; S. 2296 - National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026; S. 1053 - FIGHT China Act; Cancer Research; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Policies. . . .

[US House:] H.R. 5256 - 340B Access ACT; Inflation Reduction Act (IRA): Maximum Fair Price (MFP) Effectuation, Biosimilars Special Rule; H.R. 4581 - 340B PATIENTS Act of 2025; 340B Reform; 340B HHS Pilot Program Model; Insurance Coverage of Prescription Drugs; Direct-to-Patient Prescription Drug Purchase Platforms and insurance coverage; PBM Reform; P.L. 117-169 - Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022; Drug Pricing; Medicare/Medicaid. . . .

. . . . [Various Agencies:] International Supply Chain; Global Access; Market Access; Most Favored Nation Policies; Tariffs; Generics; Foreign Freeriding Issues; Non-Tariff Trade Barriers; Trade Issues. . . .

Now you know. Merck, tomorrow -- then Amgen; then. . . Lilly. Grin.

नमस्ते

Epilogue/Tangent: Now, Reality Is On File -- In Manhattan -- Refuting SBF's Mom's BS... Onward.

I wanted to wait until the government had its chance to reply, before even linking SBF's mom's filing -- seeking a new felonies trial, for her lil' boy. [One of my many backgrounders, here.]

That filing is -- to put it mildly. . . fatuous -- stem to stern.

The above (in my first line) is the only link I will offer for it.

Below, I quote at length from the AUSAs' cogent reply to it.

This is a perfect statement of the applicable felony laws, and a muscular argument against the boy's, and his mom's. . . wildly-narcissistic belief that the federal criminal laws should only apply to the little people.

Let's listen in / read along:

. . .The defendant was convicted of orchestrating one of the largest frauds in history, stealing more than $8 billion from the customers of his cryptocurrency exchange, FTX.com. The defendant represented FTX as a safe and trustworthy exchange where customer money was protected. In reality, the defendant covertly diverted billions of dollars of FTX customer money to his cryptocurrency trading firm, Alameda Research. He spent the money on Alameda’s expenses, speculative investments, and charitable donations, and used it to repay Alameda’s lenders, make illegal political campaign contributions, and enrich himself. The defendant’s misappropriation of his customers’ deposits was exposed in November 2022, when FTX declared bankruptcy after customers attempted to withdraw more money from FTX than the exchange had on hand, revealing a multibillion-dollar shortfall in FTX’s balance sheet.

The evidence at trial included seventeen witnesses, among them three cooperating witnesses who conspired with the defendant to commit fraud, other former FTX and Alameda employees, a financial expert who traced the defendant’s misappropriation and spending of FTX customer funds, and customer, investor, and lender victims of the defendant’s scheme. The Government also presented documentary evidence including portions of the FTX codebase, financial records, internal company emails and financial analysis, fraudulent balance sheets, the defendant’s tweets and testimony before Congress, and private messages between the defendant and his coconspirators. . . .

The defendant’s motion fails at every level. His three proffered witnesses -- Daniel Chapsky, Ryan Salame, and Nishad Singh -- were known to the defense well before trial, their potential testimony was either foreclosed by the defense’s own strategic decisions or is based on unsworn, post-conviction statements, and none of it would have been material to the outcome in any event. . . .

In essence, he personally repeatedly-confessed to these crimes, in sworn testimony before Congress, and in written tweets -- and texts to friends.

See ya'. . . [Stanford Law School] ma'.

Out -- this is a dead letter -- from his momma'.

नमस्ते

Keep A Positive Meditation -- That This Does NOT Turn Out To Be A NEW Ebola Flare-Up -- In Democratic Republic of Congo...

It seems there has been a hemorrhagic fever related death (once again -- suspected to be Ebola), in Kasai Province, DRC. [You'll recall that he last flare up was only declared over, in December of 2025.] CIDRAP reports that we are awaiting the results of definitive PCR tests -- but a handful of people there are sick, likely from contact with the one fatality -- which is presumed to be the index case.

Here's to hoping that it is not Ebola -- but even if it is "only" Lassa- or Marburg's -- the arrest will be much tougher, since Trump has taken away all funding for USAID. Damn. Here's CIDRAP on the latest, overnight:

. . .Media outlets in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are reporting a possible outbreak of a hemorrhagic fever disease, feared to be Ebola, in Kasai Province.

One fatality was reported late last week, and there are several reports of sick people and a health clinic that is operating without gloves or other personal protective equipment. Local officials say testing of patients is underway, and they are awaiting the results. The DRC has not reported any new cases since September 2025, when 64 cases were identified in Kasai province. Forty-three people died in that outbreak. . . .

Onward -- resolutely, and back to the High Rockies, again to be with my mom -- starting Saturday. . . for a week (and to practice patience -- with rapidly-advancing Alzheimer's). Smile. . . .

नमस्ते