Riot Blockchain and Its New Business Model
From diagnostic equipment, Riot Blockchain pivoted to investing in companies that have exposure to digital currencies and the underlying blockchain technology.
Healthcare
The latest news in the healthcare sector including biotech and telehealth.
Stryker’s FDA Approval Accelerates Neck Aneurysm Treatments
On November 9, 2017, Stryker (SYK) announced FDA approval for the Neuroform Atlas Stent System, which is approved for marketing under an HDE.
BRACAnalysis CDx Received FDA Approval for Ovarian Cancer Indication
On March 27, 2017, the FDA also approved BRACAnalysis CDX test as a complementary diagnostic test to be used with ovarian cancer maintenance therapy Tesaro’s (TSRO) Zejula (miraparib).
A Look at the Financial Details of the CVS-Aetna Deal
CVS is paying more than 11 times the trailing 12-month EBITDA for Aetna.
A Look at Varian Medical Systems’ Long-Term Objectives
Varian Medical Systems (VAR) spun off its imaging components business into Varex Imaging in January 2017, thus strengthening its positioning in the oncology market.
A Look at How These Pfizer Drugs Have Performed in 2017
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.
Emerging Markets Growth Is Driving Medtronic’s Geographic Strategy
In fiscal 2Q18, Medtronic registered sales of ~$1.1 billion from emerging markets.
Keytruda: Driving Merck’s Growth
For 3Q17, Keytruda reported revenues of ~$1.1 billion, a 194% growth compared to revenues of $356 million in 3Q16.
Medtronic’s Disappointing MITG Business Performance in Fiscal 2Q18
Due to the disappointing fiscal 2Q18 results, Medtronic made a downward revision to its estimates for MITG sales growth in fiscal 2018 to 3.0%–3.5%.
What’s Driving BD’s Operating Margin Expansion
Overview BD (BDX) has registered strong operating margin expansion in recent years. Its margin improved by 100 basis points in fiscal 2015 and 200 basis points in fiscal 2016. In fiscal 2017, BD’s margin expanded by ~180 basis points. In 4Q17, BD’s operating margin grew ~14.6% YoY (year-over-year), limited by 700 basis points due to the divestiture of BD’s […]
Eli Lilly’s Cialis and Other Cardiovascular Products in 3Q17
Eli Lilly’s cardiovascular franchise includes the drugs Cialis and Effient, but for 3Q17, both drugs reported lower sales.
Could Lorlatinib Be a Long-Term Growth Driver for Pfizer?
Lorlatinib is Pfizer’s (PFE) investigational next-generation ALK/ROS-1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor in clinical trials to evaluate its safety and efficacy in the treatment of ALK-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
Nektar’s NKTR-358 Collaboration with Eli Lilly Boosted Revenues
Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) recognized $128 million of the $150 million upfront payment from Eli Lilly (LLY) related to the development of investigational drug NKTR-358.
How Johnson & Johnson’s Profit Margins Trended in 3Q17
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) reported revenues of $19.7 billion during 3Q17, a 10.3% increase as compared to revenues of $17.8 billion during 3Q16. However, the gross profit margins contracted in 3Q17.
Inside Abbott’s Neuromodulation Business Growth
Abbott’s Medical Devices segment has products for rhythm management, heart failure, electrophysiology, structural heart diseases, neuromodulation, and more.
Merck’s Immunology and Oncology Drugs, Post-3Q17
Immunology drug revenue In 3Q17, Remicade generated revenue of $214 million, a ~31% fall YoY (year-over-year) and 3% growth QoQ (quarter-over-quarter). During the first nine months of 2017, Remicade reported revenue of $651 million, which reflected a ~35% fall YoY. Foreign exchange had a 3% favorable effect towards 3Q17 Remicade revenue. In 3Q17, Simponi reported revenue of […]
Behind Exelixis’s Cabometyx Strategy for 2018
Exelixis (EXEL) expects the FDA’s approval for Cabometyx for first-line RCC (renal cell carcinoma) to be a major revenue driver.
Why Japan’s Services PMI Improved Solidly in October 2017
Japan’s services PMI (EWJ) (DXJ) rose solidly in October 2017. It stood at 53.4 in October 2017 compared to 51.0 in September 2017.
Behind Novartis’s Respiratory Drug Performance in 3Q17
In 3Q17, Novartis’s COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder) portfolio reported revenues of $165 million, which with ~2% higher YoY and 1% higher QoQ.
Understanding Sanofi’s Revenues by Segment in 3Q17
Sanofi reports its business in two segments: Human Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi Pasteur, or the Human Vaccines segment.
Asia-Pacific Still Zimmer Biomet’s Strongest Geography
Zimmer Biomet Holdings witnessed a strong performance in its Asia-Pacific region. It contributed 16% to the company’s total sales.
IMF: Why US Economic Growth Could Slow
The International Monetary Fund (or IMF), in its “World Economic Outlook” (or WEO) released in October, upgraded the economic forecast for the United Statess for 2017.
How Roche’s Oncology Drug Gazyva Is Positioned after 3Q17
In 3Q17, Roche’s (RHHBY) Gazyva generated revenues of 69 million Swiss francs, which reflected ~34% growth on a year-over-year (or YoY) basis.
These Pfizer Products Lost Market Share in 3Q17
BeneFIX revenues fell 14% to $151 million during 3Q17, driven by a 16% fall in international sales to $87 million.
How Did Amgen’s Neulasta and Neupogen Perform in 3Q17?
In 3Q17, Amgen’s (AMGN) Neulasta generated revenues of around $1.1 billion, a ~6% decline on a year-over-year (or YoY) basis and ~3% growth on a quarter-over-quarter basis.
Givosiran May Become Major Growth Driver for Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
On September 7, 2017, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) announced that it had reached an agreement with the US Food and Drug Administration (or FDA) related to the design of the phase three program for investigational RNAi therapeutic Givosiran.
How Mako Robots Are Driving Stryker’s Sales in 2017
Mako sales in 3Q17 In 3Q17, Stryker sold 33 Mako robots, compared with 30 robots in 3Q16. In 2Q17, Stryker installed 26 Mako robots. Of these 33 robots, 23 were installed in the United States. Around 40% of US sales are expected to be in competitive accounts. Stryker is training surgeons on its total knee application […]
How AbbVie’s Drugs Performed in 3Q17
In 3Q17, AbbVie’s (ABBV) Lupron generated revenues of around $201 million, which reflected ~4% growth on a year-over-year (or YoY) basis.
How Intuitive Surgical Is Expanding Its Da Vinci X Systems Worldwide
Intuitive Surgical’s (ISRG) Da Vinci X received early FDA approval in May 2017 and was given a CE Mark in Europe in April 2017.
Why Upadacitinib Could Be AbbVie’s Long-Term Growth Driver
In September 2017, AbbVie (ABBV) presented successful results from its phase 3 SELECT-BEYOND trial.
Why Upadacitinib Could Drive AbbVie’s Long-term Growth
In September 2017, AbbVie (ABBV) presented the results from a phase 2B trial of upadacitinib (ABT-494) for the treatment of adult individuals with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.
What Do Analysts Think about Merck?
Wall Street analysts estimate Merck’s (MRK) top line will increase marginally by 0.1% to ~$10,546 million in 3Q17.
Efficient Scale Offers a Narrow Moat
Across the five moat sources (network effect, intangible assets, cost advantage, switching costs, and efficient scale), efficient scale is the most likely to drive a “narrow moat” rating from Morningstar.
UPS Is Likely to Strengthen Its Wide Economic Moat
United Parcel Services (UPS US) earns a “wide economic moat” rating from Morningstar from efficient scale, cost advantage, and the network effect.
Inside Pfizer’s Performance in 3Q17
PFE stock rose ~7.3% in 3Q17 and has risen ~11.3% YTD (year-to-date) as of October 16.
A Look at Indonesia’s Manufacturing PMI in September 2017
Indonesia’s (IDX) (ASEA) manufacturing activity stood at 50.4 in September 2017 compared to 50.7 in August 2017.
Why Eli Lilly’s Basaglar, Jardiance, and Trajenta Could Witness Steady Growth in 2018
In 1H17, Eli Lilly’s (LLY) Basaglar generated revenues of around $132.6 million, compared with $27.2 million in 1H16.
Inclisiran: Long-Term Growth Driver for The Medicines Company?
According to a Monte Carlo simulation performed at Harvard, it’s estimated that 5.0 million patients in the United States stand to benefit from PCSK9 inhibitor therapy.
What Will Help Eli Lilly Build a Stronger Migraine Portfolio?
In September, Eli Lilly presented the results of its phase-3 Spartan trial, in which Lasmiditan demonstrated significant progress in the treatment of migraines.
J&J Completed the Divestiture of Its Neurosurgery Business
Johnson & Johnson’s (JNJ) medical device business has been restructuring in order to focus on higher growth areas with potential expansion opportunities.
Vaccines Business Expected to Boost Sanofi’s Revenues in 2017
In 2Q17, Sanofi’s (SNY) vaccine business reported revenues of 1.0 billion euros, which is a YoY rise of 26.2% on a CER basis and 19.2% on a CER and CS basis.
This Could Be Eli Lilly’s Long-Term Growth Driver
In September 2017, Eli Lilly announced that a 12-month open-label study showed a positive safety and tolerability profile of Galcanezumab for migraines.
Chart in Focus: Baxter International’s Intralipid 20% Recall
On October 5, 2017, Baxter International (BAX) announced the voluntary recall of a shipment from a lot of Intralipid 20% IV Fat Emulsion, 100 mL. This lot was distributed from August 11 to August 31, 2017.
Walgreens versus CVS: Discussing PBM Strategies
In August 2016, Walgreens announced a long-term strategic alliance with Prime Therapeutics, America’s fourth-largest PBM.
Walgreens versus CVS: Comparing International Presence
The US is Walgreens’ largest market and accounts for more than 70% of its total sales and operating income.
Walgreens versus CVS: Comparing Pharmacy Giants
The US drugstore market is dominated by two major players—CVS Health (CVS) and Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA). CVS and WBA accounted for ~29% of the country’s prescription dispensing revenues in 2016.
Why Japan’s Services PMI Has Been Falling Gradually
According to the report provided by Markit Economics, Japan’s services PMI (EWJ) (DXJ) stood at 51.0 in September 2017 compared to 51.6 in August 2017.
Tezepelumab Could Help Amgen Develop Its Inflammation Franchise
According to World Health Organization (or WHO), around 235 million individuals worldwide have asthma.
Amgen’s Pipeline Could Boost Its Long-Term Growth Opportunities
EVENITY (romosozumab) is a monoclonal antibody under investigation that acts by inhibiting the activity of sclerostin.
Insight into Japan’s Manufacturing in September 2017
Japan’s manufacturing PMI stood at 52.90 in September 2017, compared to 52.20 in August 2017. The PMI figure beat the preliminary market estimation of 52.5.