First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund

Exelixis stock has experienced solid growth over the last month after it hit its 52-week low of $13.42 on October 29.

BioMarin Pharmaceutical’s (BMRN) net revenues over the first nine months of this year amounted to $1.1 billion compared to $955.3 million in the same period the prior year.

Analysts estimate Incyte (INCY) to report growth of 17.7% in its revenues to $449.2 million during the third quarter of 2018.

Alkermes (ALKS) reported its third-quarter results on October 23. It generated net revenues of $248.7 million, a 14% YoY growth.

Ionis Pharmaceuticals generated Q2 2018 revenues of $118.0 million compared to $122.3 million in Q2 2017, which reflected ~15.0% YoY growth.

Ionis’s Commercial Revenues segment reported second-quarter revenues of $57.0 million, compared to $24.0 million during the second quarter of 2017.

In the first half of this year, Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ (VRTX) revenue grew ~40% YoY (year-over-year) to $1.4 billion from $994.6 million.

On Tuesday, September 25, Acadia Pharmaceuticals (ACAD) stock closed at $21.41. That’s 7.86% higher than its prior day’s close of $19.85.

Wall Street analysts estimate that Bluebird Bio (BLUE) will report a 14.6% growth in revenues to ~$40.6 million in 2018 compared to $35.4 million in 2017.

On August 30, 2018, BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) stock closed at $99.26 which is 7% below its 52-week high of $106.20 on August 2.

Incyte (INCY) reported revenue of $521.5 million in the second quarter, a 59.7% rise YoY (year-over-year).

Ionis is expected to report 30.0% growth in revenues to $135.5 million in the second quarter of 2018 as compared to $104.2 million in Q2 2017.

Incyte (INCY) beat Wall Street analysts’ estimates for revenue but missed estimates for EPS. It reported EPS of $0.27 on revenues of $521.5 million in Q2 2018.

Incyte (INCY) posted revenues of $382.3 million in Q1 2018, a marginal decrease in YoY revenues compared to $384.1 million in Q1 2017.

In the first quarter, Ionis Pharmaceuticals’ (IONS) revenue grew 24.7% year-over-year to $144.4 million from $115.8 million.

Ionis Pharmaceuticals stock has fallen 6.9% over the last week. However, it rose 2.6% to close at $48.99 on March 26, 2018.

On January 5, Ionis Pharmaceuticals’ stock value had risen ~4.3% over the last 12 months. Analysts expect the stock to rise ~14.0% over the next 12 months.

On November 16, 2017, the FDA’s Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee voted down the 14-day regimen and 28-day regimen of Nektar Therapeutics’ ciprofloxacin DPI.

To ensure the smooth commercial launch of investigational RNAi therapy Patisiran, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) has been actively involved in building its manufacturing, quality, and distribution infrastructure in the US and Europe.

In 3Q17, Biogen (BIIB) and Ionis Pharmaceuticals’ (IONS) Spinraza reported sales worth $73 million from international markets.

Apart from Gilead Sciences’ (GILD) antiviral drugs portfolio, the company also includes drugs from therapeutic areas like cardiovascular, inflammation, oncology, and respiratory products in its portfolio.

On April 29, 2016, the FDA approved Acadia Pharmaceuticals’ (ACAD) Nuplazid (pimavanserin) as a first therapy for treating patients with Parkinson’s disease (or PD) psychosis.

Of the 12 analysts tracking Bioverativ (BIVV), three recommend a “strong buy” for the stock, while one recommends a “buy,” and seven recommend a “hold.”

Ionis (IONS) is a biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes RNA-targeted therapies.

Amgen (AMGN) stock has risen ~5.8% in 2Q17, while it has risen ~17.4% year-to-date as of July 7, 2017.

In April 2017, the FDA approved Neurocrine Biosciences’ (NBIX) Ingrezza (valbenazine) as the first drug for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia.

Thirteen analysts covered United Therapeutics in June 2017. Two analysts recommended a “strong buy.”

According to March 20, 2017, data, Ionis stock has risen 4.1% over the last 12 months.

The European Medicines Agency (or EMA) has approved tafamidis for stage 1 hATTR amyloidosis.

United Therapeutics (UTHR) has developed a targeted strategy for a successful launch of its investigational drug device combination, the RemoSynch implantable pump system.

Wall Street analysts have projected that Neurocrine Biosciences’ net income in 2016 will be -$146.2 million, a significantly higher loss than in 2015.

With its continuous revenue fall, Gilead Sciences (GILD) could opt to restore its growth through acquisitions.

In fiscal 3Q16, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN) recorded revenue amounting to $1.2 billion and net product sales amounting to $857 million.

Following analysts’ projections, Soliris revenues in 3Q16 and 4Q16 should rise 9.0% and 10.0%, respectively, YoY to reach $725.9 million and $760.6 million, respectively.

Although there are 12,000 eligible patients in Europe who are 12 years and older, Orkambi hasn’t yet received reimbursement approvals for these patients.

Regeneron’s (REGN) flagship product, Eylea (Aflibercept), was launched in the US in November 2011.

BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) expects its existing commercialized drugs to add $1.1 billion and $1.2 billion to its top line in 2016.

Despite a slower launch of the drug in Germany, Orkambi is expected to generate $1 billion–$1.1 billion in 2016.

Ionis’s stock value has fallen 42% over the last 12 months. Analysts estimate that the stock has the potential to return ~27% over the next 12 months.

During its 2Q16 earnings call, BioMarin revised its 2016 revenue guidance. It now expects revenue to be $1.1 billion–$1.15 billion.

Xtandi is the major factor behind Pfizer’s (PFE) interest in Medivation (MDVN). The drug, along with MDVN’s pipeline molecules, should strengthen Pfizer’s (PFE) oncology franchise.

With the continued uptake of Orkambi along with the label expansion efforts, Vertex Pharmaceuticals’s (VRTX) top line in fiscal 2016 is expected to reach $1.7 billion–$1.8 billion.

Soliris is Alexion Pharmaceuticals’ anchor of success. The drug was approved for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, or PNH, as a first indication in 2007.

If the Endeavour study results in positive data, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals may become a major rare disease player like its peers United Therapeutics (UTHR) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

BioMarin decided to withdraw its MAA (Marketing Authorization Application), given the expectation of a negative decision on the drug from the EMA.

Alexion is expanding the label for its key drug Soliris. Along with Soliris, Alexion’s has several other key molecules in the advanced development stage.

After acquiring commercial rights from Eli Lily (LLY) in 2008, United Therapeutics (UTHR) started marketing Adcirca in the US in 2009.

Considering the prospects for the pipeline, Medivation should get more than what Sanofi offered. It will probably get more than what Pharmacyclics received.

During the first quarter of 2016, Praluent sales came to $13 million.

Alexion reported a revenue decline of 1.5% and an earnings decline of 2.2% in 1Q16, which surprised investors and led to a 6% fall in its share price.

There are ~27,000 eligible patients for Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ Kalydeco and Orkambi. However, Vertex is only currently treating one-third of patients.

We believe that the enterprise-value-to-revenue multiple is the best measure for valuing Seattle Genetics (SGEN) and similar companies.

If Xtandi is successful in achieving a longer treatment duration of about ten months, it could earn up to $1 billion in the breast cancer space.

Neurocrine Biosciences (NBIX) expects to submit a new drug application to the FDA for Valbenazine in 2016.

In 2015, Naglazyme contribution toward BioMarin Pharmaceutical’s (BMRN) total revenue was ~$303 million, down 31.3% YoY.

In November 2015, Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ (VRTX) Orkambi received approval from the European Commission to treat patients 12 years and older with two copies of the F508del mutation.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN) earns revenue from net product sales, collaboration, and technology licenses.

Biogen’s (BIIB) R&D expenses for 4Q15 were $542 million, or 19% of its total revenue, including a $60 million payment to Mitsubishi Tanabe.

Regeneron’s net margin during 3Q15 was ~18.5%. Historically, the net margin has been very volatile. It fluctuated from 8% to 24% for the last ten quarters.

In July 2015, Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ (VRTX) Orkambi received FDA approval for treating cystic fibrosis in the United States for patients 12 years and older with two copies of the F508del mutation.

Pomalyst and Abraxane are the next largest revenue generators for Celgene (CELG) after Revlimid. Their revenue growth is critical for Celgene to achieve revenues of $20 billion by 2020.

After its 3Q15 earnings report, Cepheid fell by 0.86% to close at $32.25 per share as of October 20, 2015, with a 4.8% fall in revenue in 3Q15.

Alkermes plans a multi-pronged strategy for Aristada’s successful launch, which will involve flexible usage, effective pricing, and additional research.