Healthcare

Gilead Sciences’ (GILD) revenue fell 7% and 13% in 2016 and 9M17, respectively. The fall was due to lower product sales. Both antiviral products and other products recorded declines in both the periods.

Accelerate Diagnostics’ (AXDX) pheno system utilizes genotypic and phenotypic technology to identify infectious pathogens and perform antibiotic susceptibility tests.

Roche’s (RHHBY) Zelboraf (vemurafenib) is indicated for the treatment of individuals with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with the BRAF V600 mutation.

As we discussed earlier in this series, Mylan (MYL) reported revenues of $2.98 billion in 3Q17, a 2.3% decline in revenues compared to $3.06 billion in 3Q16.

In 1Q17, 2Q17, and 3Q17, Roche’s Alecensa reported revenues of 68 million Swiss francs, 80 million Swiss francs, and 96 million Swiss francs, respectively.

In 3Q17, Align Technology trained nearly 1,000 doctors in China.

The Chinese market is Align Technology’s major growth driver. However, the company is starting to witness strong competition from startups focused on the clear aligners market.

In December 2017, the Food and Drug Administration approved Roche’s (RHHBY) Perjeta based on the results of its phase three Aphinity trial.

Mylan (MYL) is a leading pharmaceutical company with over 1,400 generic and specialty pharmaceutical products in its portfolio.

The consumer staples sector had a slight gain of 0.10% led by a stock increase in the stock price of CVS Health, Coty, Estee Lauder, and Walmart.

Incyte’s (INCY) oncology drug Jakafi (ruxolitinib) is approved for the treatment of myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera, two rare types of blood cancer.

Of the 19 analysts tracking Valeant Pharmaceuticals in December 2017, two recommended a “strong buy,” while another two of recommended a “buy.”

Analysts expect Incyte Corporation’s revenue to rise ~26.7% to $413.8 million in 4Q17 compared to $326.5 million in 4Q16.

In September 2017, AbbVie’s (ABBV) investigational immunology drug, Upadacitinib (ABT-494), managed to demonstrate its clinical potential.

In 3Q17, Novo Nordisk’s (NVO) NovoMix reported revenues of 2.4 billion Danish krone (or DKK), which reflected ~1% growth on year-over-year (or YoY) basis.

Pfizer (PFE) reported revenue of $13.2 billion in 3Q17, ~1% growth from its 3Q16 revenue of $13.0 billion.

In 3Q17, Valeant Pharmaceuticals’ Bausch + Lomb’s Soflens generated revenues of $83 million, which was ~5% higher on a YoY basis and ~9% higher QoQ.

In 3Q17, Novo Nordisk’s (NVO) hemophilia segment reported revenues of 2.4 billion Danish krone (or DKK), a ~10% increase on a YoY basis.

In 3Q17, Novo Nordisk’s (NVO) NovoRapid reported revenues of 5.0 billion Danish krone (or DKK), which reflected ~9% growth on year-over-year (or YoY) basis.

Novo Nordisk’s (NVO) Xultophy (insulin degludec and liraglutide combination) is used as an addition to diet and exercise for improvement of blood sugar levels in adults with type-2 diabetes mellitus whose blood sugar level could not be controlled adequately with basal insulin.

In 3Q17, Novo Nordisk’s (NVO) new generation insulin generated revenues of 2.1 billion Danish krone (or DKK), which reflected ~93% growth on a year-over-year (or YoY) basis.

In 3Q17, in the US and outside the US (international markets), JNJ’s pulmonary hypertension portfolio generated revenues of $357 million and $283 million, respectively.

On December 7, 2017, Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) announced that its Oncomine Dx Target Test had been proposed for coverage by the CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services).

In December 2017, Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) expanded its partnership with Genome Diagnostics (or GenDx), a Netherlands-based firm offering molecular diagnostics solutions.

In 3Q17, Johnson & Johnson’s (JNJ) Remicade generated revenues of $1.6 billion, which reflected a ~8% decline on a year-over-year (or YoY) basis and 8% growth on a quarter-over-quarter basis.

In 3Q17, JNJ vision care generated revenues of $1.1 billion, which reflected a ~48% YoY (year-over-year) rise and a 3% QoQ (quarter-over-quarter) rise.

On December 20, 12 of 24 analysts surveyed by Reuters rated Medtronic (MDT) stock as a “buy,” and the remaining 12 analysts recommended a “hold.” There were no “sell” ratings given to MDT stock.

In 3Q17, AstraZeneca’s (AZN) Nexium generated revenues of $469.0 million, which reflected an ~9.0% decline on a year-over-year basis.

Stryker’s acquisition-driven growth strategy Stryker (SYK) has been growing at a fast pace through inorganic growth. It has undertaken a number of strategic acquisitions recently. In 3Q17, acquisitions contributed approximately 0.6% of the company’s YoY (year-over-year) sales growth, and in the first three quarters of 2017, Stryker acquisitions contributed ~3.2% of the company’s sales growth […]

In July 2017, the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved Johnson & Johnson’s (JNJ) Tremfya (guselkumab) for the treatment of individuals with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

The Japan Services PMI fell in November 2017. It came in at 51.2 compared to 53.4 in October. It didn’t meet the market expectation of 52.0.

The repeal of the tax deduction for high medical expenses may reduce the number of taxpayers opting for costly medical technologies and services.

According to AARP, around 75% the population claiming these medical expense deductions from their income are 50 years or older.

In 3Q17, Eli Lilly’s (LLY) Alimta generated revenues of $514.5 million, a ~10% increase on a year-over-year (or YoY) basis and a 3% decline on a quarter-over-quarter basis.

In 3Q17, Eli Lilly’s (LLY) Cyramza generated revenues of $196 million, which reflected ~23% growth on a YoY basis and 5% growth on a quarter-over-quarter basis.

Riot Blockchain stock has seen a strong upsurge in the past few days. It has risen from $4 to $25 in the past six months.

From diagnostic equipment, Riot Blockchain pivoted to investing in companies that have exposure to digital currencies and the underlying blockchain technology.

CVS is paying more than 11 times the trailing 12-month EBITDA for Aetna.

Varian Medical Systems (VAR) spun off its imaging components business into Varex Imaging in January 2017, thus strengthening its positioning in the oncology market.

In 3Q17, Pfizer’s (PFE) Celebrex generated revenues of $212 million, a ~9% increase on a year-over-year (or YoY) basis and a 19% increase on a quarter-over-quarter basis.