AstraZeneca PLC

In 2014, AstraZeneca’s CVMD franchise generated nearly $9.8 billion, a 11% rise in sales as compared to $8.8 billion in 2013.

Illumina is working in the reproductive health market to enhance the efficacy of in vitro fertilization tools.

For 2014, AstraZeneca’s ING franchise generated nearly $8.2 billion, a 8.9% decrease as compared to $9.0 billion in 2013.

Novartis (NVS) has been focused on consistently measuring the performance of its research and development (or R&D) programs using metrics such as output, cost, returns, quality, and cycle time.

According to a March 3, 2016, Bloomberg consensus of five brokerage firms, 60% of brokerage firms rated Sanofi as a “buy,” while 40% of the broker firms rated the company as a “hold.”

Novartis’s revenue is mainly driven by the strong performance of its Innovative Medicines segment, while Sandoz and Alcon also contribute to the company’s overall growth.

In the first quarter, AstraZeneca’s (AZN) Lynparza sales rose 99% YoY (year-over-year) to $237 million on a reported basis, driven by the drug’s rapid uptake in first-line ovarian cancer maintenance and metastatic breast cancer.

On December 2, stocks at the top of the iShares MSCI United Kingdom Index were Merlin Entertainment (MERL-LON), Shire (SHP-LON) (SHPG-LON), and GlaxoSmithKline.

On March 6, 2017, Ionis and Akcea announced positive results from the Phase III study APPROACH, evaluating volanesorsen for the treatment of patients with FCS.

Intel generated ~$5.7 billion in cash from operations. The company paid quarterly dividends of $1.1 billion and repurchased 122 million shares for $4.2 billion.

AQR Capital sold a position in GEO Group Inc. in 2Q14. The company accounted for a 0.0206% position in the fund’s first quarter U.S. long portfolio.

With the decline in manufacturing output, the iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU) has fallen 6.6% over the past month as of January 12.

AstraZeneca’s (AZN) CVMD (Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease) segment contributed nearly 32.4% of total company revenues in 3Q16.

Considering the robust growth prospects for many of its products going forward, Pfizer should return to robust top line growth.

Driven by growth in Humira, Imbruvica, and Mavyret sales, AbbVie (ABBV) delivered strong Q2 2018 results on July 27.

The RI&A (respiratory, inflammation and autoimmunity) segment one of the company’s growth platforms, is a key area of development for AstraZeneca (AZN).

Novartis’s stock price has fallen ~7.0% in the last 12 months and ~10.7% year-to-date.

In 1Q17, AstraZeneca (AZN) reported revenues close to $5.4 billion, which is a fall of around 12.0% on a YoY (year-over-year) basis.

With lower sales from blockbuster drugs Nexium and Seroquel, the contribution of AstraZeneca’s (AZN) Other segment fell to ~21.2% in 3Q16.

AstraZeneca (AZN) is one of the leading pharmaceutical companies that deals with primary care and specialty care products.

Halliburton Company (HAL) issued A2/A rated high-grade bonds worth $7.5 billion in November.

Sucampo has taken on a significant level of debt. Its outstanding debt is ~$300 million. Its interest expense has increased from $6.8 million in 2015 to $23.7 million in 2016.

Last week, AstraZeneca issued A2/A rated high-grade bonds worth $6.0 billion to fund the acquisition of ZS Pharma (ZSPH).

According to Novavax, ~64.0 million RSV infections occur every year on a global basis. The global cost of RSV exceeds $88.0 billion.

Medivation’s portfolio complements Pfizer’s existing oncology portfolio that includes solid tumors, hematology, and immunology-oncology.

AstraZeneca’s (AZN) oncology segment is another key focus area. The segment’s contribution increased to more than 15% in 2Q16.

Novartis, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies by revenue, is set to release its 3Q16 earnings on October 25, 2016.

AstraZeneca stock has fallen ~1.2% in 1Q18, and its stock has risen ~2.1% YTD (year-to-date) as of April 6, 2018.

Bristol-Myers Squibb’s (BMY) neuroscience segment is represented by the drug Abilify, while its immuno-science segment is represented by the drug Orencia.

In 1Q17, AstraZeneca’s (AZN) new oncology portfolio reported global sales of around $236.0 million. Tagrisso earned revenues of $171.0 million globally.

Lynparza (olaparib) is a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor, or PARP inhibitor, and part of Merck & Co. (MRK) and AstraZeneca’s (AZN) global strategic oncology collaboration.

Despite Repatha’s slower-than-expected uptake after its launch in 2015, Amgen (AMGN) is confident of the drug’s future commercial prospects.

Sales for Bristol-Myers Squibb’s (BMY) neuroscience segment declined over 80% in 2Q15, while the immunoscience segment’s sales improved ~15% in 2Q15 as compared to 2Q14.

Sales from Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Neuroscience segment declined by 94% in 1Q16. Sales from the Immunoscience segment improved by ~18.7% in 1Q16 over 1Q15.

Pfizer (PFE) is seeking to expand its oncology franchise and a combination with AstraZeneca (AZN) would be meaningful due to the latter’s pipeline of cancer drugs.

Amec Foster Wheeler (AMFW) declared it will halve its dividends due to the fall in oil prices. Its trailing 5-day and trailing one-month returns were -20.1% and -28.3%, respectively, as of November 5.

GlaxoSmithKline stock has risen ~6.4% in 1Q18, while its stock has risen ~12.6% YTD (year-to-date) as of April 6, 2018.

Bristol-Myers Squibb’s (BMY) Opdivo’s will now share the second-line lung cancer therapy market with Roche’s Tecentriq, along with Merck’s Keytruda.

The fundamental factors affecting stock prices and valuation include the performance of growth platforms as well as the exclusivity of blockbuster drugs.

During the last quarter, the oncology segment’s contribution to AstraZeneca (AZN) increased to over 15%. AZN’s key products for oncology are Zoladex, Faslodex, Iressa, and the new drug Tagrisso.

Novavax (NVAX) posted a variety of positive qualitative and quantitative performance indicators in 2Q15.

In January 2018, the FDA granted a BTD to Novartis’s (NVS) Promacta for use along with standard immunosuppressive therapy.

In January 2016, Horizon acquired Krystexxa from Crealta Holdings. The drug has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of chronic refractory gout.

Yesterday, Tesaro (TSRO) stock rose ~16.3%, triggered by rumours of an acquisition bid by Roche (RHHBY), which registered a stock price rise of ~2.1%.

AQR Capital initiated a position in Bally Technologies during the third quarter of 2014 that accounts for 0.22% of the fund’s 3Q14 portfolio.

TOM BUTCHER: What are generic drugs, and why are they important? JAMES DUFFY: Generic drugs are drugs that are comparable to their brand-name counterparts. They are comparable in terms of the dosage, effectiveness, and intended use. Generics are important because they are essentially a less-expensive alternative to their brand-name counterparts. This, of course, is expected […]

Bristol-Myers Squibb’s (BMY) neuroscience segment sales fell over 37% in 3Q16, while the immunoscience segment sales rose ~18% in 3Q16 as compared to 3Q15.

On December 9, 2016, the FDA accepted for review its first-ever biologics license application (or BLA) submitted by AstraZeneca (AZN).

In 1Q18, Merck’s (MRK) human vaccines business saw its total revenue grow 4.2% YoY (year-over-year) to $1.5 billion from $1.4 billion.

Merck & Co. (MRK) highlighted its oncology, vaccines, hospital and specialty care, and animal health businesses as its key growth drivers in 2018.

On September 18, the UK stock market experienced a fall in consumer staples. The financial sector also fell steeply.

In the US market in 4Q17, Ibrance generated revenues of $777 million, which reflected ~27% growth on a YoY basis.

According to Lipper’s funds flow data, investment-grade bond funds saw net outflows of $789.1 million up to the week ending November 25.

AstraZeneca’s oncology segment is another key focus area. The segment contributed 11.6% in 2014 and 12.1% in 2Q15. Key products for oncology are Zoladex and Faslodex.

Biogen’s investigational Alzheimer’s disease drug, aducanumab, is one of the four therapies accepted in the EMA’s Priority Medicines program (or PRIME).

AQR Capital increased its position in Apple from 0.86% in the previous quarter to 1.24% in the fund’s second quarter U.S. long portfolio.

AstraZeneca’s (AZN) key focus is its oncology segment. The segment’s contribution increased to more than 12% in 1Q16. Its key products include Zoladex, Faslodex, and Iressa.

Wall Street analysts have projected AstraZeneca’s (AZN) 2017 net profit margins at about 12.2%, which is lower by 300 basis points on a YoY basis.

Approximately 85% of all lung cancers in the United States are non-small cell lung cancers, and 10% to 15% of these are EGFR mutation-positive.

Over the past year, Pfizer completed multiple acquisitions to restore its top line growth. They will offset the revenue decline and fuel Pfizer’s top line.

Launched in Japan in 2Q16, AstraZeneca’s (AZN) 1Q17 revenues for Tagrisso approached $39 million in this major emerging market.

Myriad Genetics (MYGN) announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (or FDA) acceptance of its supplementary premarket approval application for BRACAnalysis CDx, a DNA sequencing companion diagnostic test.

The oncology segment is another key focus area of AstraZeneca (AZN). The oncology segment’s contribution increased from ~11.6% in 2014 to ~12.1% in 2015.

The gastrointestinal (or GI) drug market in the United States is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.0% over a five-year period from 2014 to 2019.

Valeant’s (VRX) recent wins include the FDA’s advisory committee vote in favor of approving brodalumab for the indication of mild to moderate psoriasis.

Teva’s respiratory drugs franchise provides solutions for asthma, COPD, and allergic rhinitis. Respiratory drugs contributed nearly 11% of total revenues for Teva’s Specialty Medicines in 2014.

Aquinox has a positive future outlook and will likely continue to better its performance in the near future.

Like other big pharmaceutical companies, Pfizer witnessed negative top line growth. With multiple acquisitions recently, it’s poised to grow its top line.

Novo Nordisk (NVO) stock has risen ~18.6% in 2Q17. It has risen ~16.9% year-to-date as of July 7, 2017.

Gilead Sciences (GILD) is expected to garner $28.3 billion in 2017 and $26.7 billion in 2018.

Novartis AG (NVS) reported revenue of $12.9 billion and EPS (earnings per share) of $1.21 in 4Q17, a 4.8% rise in revenue compared to 4Q16.

On April 9, 2018, Merck (MRK) stock rose ~4.4% in early trading and ~2.7% during the day.

Bristol-Myers Squibb’s (BMY) neuroscience segment’s sales declined by 63.0% in 2015 from 2014, while its immunoscience segment’s sales improved ~14.1%.

GSK reported EPS of 24.60 British pence on revenue of 7.22 billion pounds, surpassing Wall Street analysts’ consensus estimates.

The Putnam Europe Equity Fund – Class A (PEUGX) fell 4.3% in 1Q16, making it a below-average performer among the 12 funds in this review. In the past one year, PEUGX has fallen 7.9%

Over the last several years, patent cliffs have led to steep revenue losses for traditional pharmaceuticals as well as created a gateway for smaller companies to come to market with generics.

The weak pound is expected to negatively affect biotechnology companies with a high revenue exposure to the United Kingdom.

Novavax (NVAX) generated revenues of $8.4 million in 3Q17 compared with $3.2 million in 3Q16.

Actions to fix dermatology portfolio After the Philidor separation, Valeant Pharmaceuticals’ (VRX) dermatology business has suffered a lot. If you want to learn more about this controversy, please read What Happened in the Valeant-Philidor Controversy? Valeant’s actions to stop the declining dermatology business include a 20-year fulfillment program with Walgreens, a newly launched prior authorization approval […]

The PD-1 (programmed death-1)/PD-L1 (programmed death-ligand 1) class consists of Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Opdivo, Merck’s Keytruda, and Roche’s Tecentriq.

In 4Q17, Risperdal Consta generated revenues of $197.0 million, which is an ~6.2% decline on a YoY basis.

Elanco, the animal healthcare arm of Eli Lilly, received exclusive and global rights to develop and commercialize Aratana’s (PETX) Gallipart, a drug that treats osteoarthritis in dogs.

Year-to-date, Pfizer’s (PFE) stock has already fallen 4.2%. Despite its multiple acquisitions to boost its falling top line, investors are cautious about the company.

Analysts’ expect Merck & Co.’s (MRK) revenue for 4Q15 to be ~$10.3 billion. It’s nearly 1.6% lower than $10.5 billion in revenue reported for 4Q14.

AstraZeneca’s (AZN) oncology products include legacy oncology products as well as new oncology products.

AstraZeneca has seen major recent product approvals such as Lynparza in Japan for breast cancer and Tagrisso in the EU for lung cancer.

In its first-quarter press release, AstraZeneca (AZN) guided for its fiscal 2019 core operating expenses rising YoY (year-over-year) by a low single-digit percentage.