Inside Pfizer’s Rare Disease Segment Performance in 2017

In 4Q17, Pfizer’s (PFE) BeneFix reported revenues of $150 million, which represents a ~11% decline on a YoY (year-over-year) basis and ~1% decline on a quarter-over-quarter basis. In 4Q17, in the US and outside the US (international markets), BeneFix generated revenues of $62 million and $88 million, respectively, compared with $71 million and $98 million in 4Q16.

BeneFix is recombinant coagulation factor IX used for the management and prevention of bleeding in adults and children with hemophilia B. In fiscal 2017, BeneFix reported revenues of $604 million, which was ~15% lower YoY. In 2017, in the US and in international markets, BeneFix generated revenues of $253 million and $351 million, respectively, compared with $302 million and $410 million in 2016.

In 4Q17, Pfizer’s Refacto AF-Xyntha generated revenues of $142 million, which was ~3% lower on a YoY basis. In 4Q17, in the US and in international markets, Refacto AF-Xyntha generated revenues of $26 million and $116 million, respectively.

In 4Q17, in the US, Refacto witnessed a 13% decline on a YoY basis. In international markets, Refacto revenues remained flatin 4Q17. In fiscal 2017, Refacto AF-Xyntha reported revenues of $551 million, compared with 554 million in 2016.

In 4Q17, Pfizer’s Genotropin reported revenues of $157 million, which was ~2% higher on a YoY basis. In 4Q17, in the US and in international markets, Genotropin generated revenues of $426 million and $115 million, respectively, compared with $45 million and $109 million in 4Q16.

Genotropin is a recombinant human growth hormone used in children who show a deficiency of growth hormones. In 2017, Genotropin reported revenues of $532 million, which represents an ~8% YoY decline.

In 4Q17, Somavert generated revenues of $71 million, which was ~21% higher on a YoY basis. In 4Q17, in the US and in international markets, Somavert generated revenues of $28 million and $44 million, respectively, which was ~43% and 10% higher on a YoY basis.

In fiscal 2017, Somavert reported revenues of $254 million, which was ~9% higher on a YoY basis. In 2017, in the US and in international markets, Somavert reported revenues of $95 million and $158 million, respectively, compared with $78 million and $154 million in 2016.

Somavert (pegvisomant) is used for the treatment of individuals with acromegaly who did not adequately respond to surgery or radiation therapy.

By comparison, rare disease drugs peers Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX), Amgen (AMGN), and Alexion Pharmaceuticals (ALXN) reported revenues of $622 million, $5.8 billion, and $909.7 million, respectively, in 2017.

In the next and final part of this series, we’ll take a closer look at the latest Wall Street analyst recommendations for Pfizer.