The Cancer Center at Illinois earned a rare National Cancer Institute designation in April 2026, joining a small group of lab-focused centers. The status could unlock federal infrastructure support and translational partnerships for Illinois.

A Northwestern‑developed drug, elraglusib, doubled one‑year survival in a randomized phase 2 trial for metastatic pancreatic cancer, researchers report. The result sets up a planned phase 3.

Synchrotron scans show Pohlsepia mazonensis, long billed as the world’s oldest octopus, is actually a nautiloid — reshaping cephalopod history.

AbbVie filed suit in D.C. asking judges to narrow who qualifies for 340B discounts, challenging HRSA guidance and raising stakes for hospitals.

Joe and Rika Mansueto pledged $50 million to UChicago to launch a challenge recruiting 20 AI‑focused scholars across disciplines.

Lake Forest-based Assertio agreed to be bought for $18 a share (~$125.1M) and sold seven branded drugs to Cosette for $35M.

A thaw in the IPO market has Chicago founders and bankers rethinking long‑delayed exits and liquidity plans for employees and investors. Local deal activity could follow.

A Northwestern study finds chlorhexidine residues persist in MICU rooms and may select for tolerant bacteria, with sink drains and airborne dust flagged as hotspots.

AbbVie said it will take a $744M pre‑tax charge for acquired IPR&D and milestone costs, trimming its 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to $13.96–$14.16. The hit reflects deal‑driven pipeline spending even as the company presses local investments.

Northwestern precision fMRI shows imagination taps higher-level association systems — default and language networks — rather than only replaying sensory cortex.

Chicago‑based nonprofit Current won an NSF commitment worth up to $45 million over three years to scale Great Lakes water‑tech pilots, startups and workforce programs.

GE HealthCare has closed its $2.3B purchase of Intelerad, adding cloud PACS and AI orchestration to its imaging lineup and expanding into outpatient networks. The deal boosts GE’s recurring‑revenue strategy.

UIC medical students celebrated Match Day on Friday even as state data and policymakers warn Illinois will need thousands more doctors. New licensing rules aim to help, but training capacity and retention remain constraints.