iShares US Pharmaceuticals
Latest iShares US Pharmaceuticals News and Updates

Will Generic Drugs Help Curb Healthcare Costs?
Reducing medical costs would be a high priority in all economies, and generic drugs could provide a solution.

What to Expect from Johnson & Johnson’s 4Q15 Earnings
Johnson & Johnson has returned nearly 1.2% year-to-date while Sanofi, Merck, and Novartis have returned ~0.5%, -4.4%, and -3.5%, respectively.

Drug Patent Expirations: $190 Billion Is Up for Grabs
According to estimates by Evaluate Pharma, a whopping $120 billion in sales was lost to patent expirations between 2009 and 2014.

Merck’s Relebactam Met Primary Endpoints in Phase 3 Study
Merck’s Relebactam is an investigational drug for the treatment of certain forms of imipenem-non-susceptible bacterial infections.

Pfizer Reports 1Q18 Earnings and Revenue Growth
Pfizer (PFE) released its 1Q18 earnings today, reporting another strong quarter for the Innovative health business.

Bristol-Myers Squibb: What Do Its Other Segments Offer?
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%.

These Pharma Stocks Offer the Most Upside Potential
In 2018, stock markets, especially in the pharmaceutical sector, have seen heightened volatility.

An Easier Way to Understand the Pharma Industry
In 2018, the global pharmaceutical industry stood at $1.2 trillion, and experts expect $1.5 trillion by 2023. Here’s everything investors need to know.

Pfizer’s Dividends and Earnings Quality
Pfizer’s dividend yield is 3.15%. The company’s historical dividend yield was 3.53% in 2017, while the five-year average yield is 3.44%.

How Did Pfizer Stock Fare in Q3 2018?
Nineteen analysts currently track Pfizer stock. The consensus rating for Pfizer stands at 2.63, which represents a “hold.”

A Review of Pharma Stocks’ EPS Growth Rates
In this article, we’ll compare the EPS growth rates of Eli Lilly (LLY), Pfizer (PFE), Merck & Co. (MRK), Allergan (AGN), and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

How Eli Lilly’s Business Segments Performed in Q2 2018
Eli Lilly and Company reports its business revenue under two segments: the Human Pharmaceutical segment and Elanco, the Animal Health segment.

LLY’s Cardiovascular Products: Cialis and Effient Q2 Sales Fall
Cialis reported revenues of $538.7 million in Q2 2018, a YoY 14.0% decrease compared to revenues of $627.3 million in Q1 2017.

Pfizer’s Valuation Post-4Q17 Earnings
Pfizer (PFE) reported revenue of $13.7 billion in 4Q17, a 1% rise compared to $13.6 billion in 4Q16.

Pfizer: Analysts’ Ratings and Recommendations for 4Q17
Wall Street analysts expect Pfizer’s (PFE) top line to increase ~0.7% to ~$13.72 billion in 4Q17. The EPS is expected to increase to $0.56 for 4Q17.

Merck’s & Co.’s Valuation in January 2018
For 3Q17, Merck surpassed Wall Street analysts’ estimates for EPS but missed the revenue estimate. It reported EPS of $1.11 on revenues of $10.3 billion.

How Mylan’s Rest of the World Segment Performed in 3Q17
Mylan’s (MYL) Rest of the World segment includes revenues from third-party sales of generics products and specialty segment products reported from countries including New Zealand, India, Japan, and Australia as well as emerging markets including Asia, Brazil, Africa, and the Middle East.

Behind the Latest Developments for Merck’s Keytruda
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is a prescription medicine from Merck’s (MRK) immuno-oncology franchise used for the treatment of various tumors.

This Could Drive Jazz Pharmaceuticals’ Revenue Growth
In 2Q17, Jazz Pharmaceuticals’ (JAZZ) Xyrem generated revenues of ~$298 million, which represents ~6% growth YoY and ~10% growth QoQ.

Pfizer’s Sterile Injection Pharmaceuticals in 2Q17 and 1H17
In 1H17, Sulperazon reported revenues of ~$232 million for 15% growth on a YoY basis.

Eli Lilly’s Valuations after Its 2Q17 Earnings
Eli Lilly (LLY) surpassed Wall Street estimates in 2Q17, reporting earnings per share of $1.11 on revenues of ~$5.8 billion. Analysts estimated that the company would report EPS of $1.05 on revenues of $5.6 billion.

Johnson & Johnson’s 2Q17 Performance, by Segment
Segment-wise performance Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) reported 2.9% growth in operating revenue between 2Q16 and 2Q17. However, the company missed analysts’ 2Q17 estimate and reported revenue of $18.8 billion due to a 1% foreign exchange impact. Analysts had forecast revenue of $19 billion. Johnson & Johnson’s business is broken down into the pharmaceuticals segment, consumer […]

The Future of JAZZ’s Low-Sodium Investigational Drugs
A 9-mg dose of JAZZ’s Xyrem, which contains 1,640 mg of sodium, has caused physicians to be reluctant to prescribe the drug to ~20% of their patients.

Pfizer’s 2Q17 Earnings: What You Need to Know
Pfizer (PFE) reported a 2% decline in its top line for its 2Q17 earnings, which were released on August 1.

Inside Pfizer’s 2Q17 Earnings: Analyst Estimates
Pfizer (PFE) is set to release its 2Q17 earnings on August 1, 2017. Analysts estimate earnings per share of $0.66 on revenues of ~$13.1 billion for 2Q17.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Reports Growth in 2Q17
Bristol-Myers Squibb’s top line rose nearly 6% to ~$5.1 billion in 2Q17 due to operational growth of 7% in its revenue.

Eli Lilly’s 2Q17 Earnings Rose 8% Year-over-Year
Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) released its 2Q17 earnings on July 25, 2017, reporting an 8.0% rise in its top line to $5.8 billion for 2Q17 compared to 2Q16.

Bristol-Myers Squibb’s 2Q17 Earnings: Analysts’ Estimates
Headquartered in New York City, Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) is a leading American pharmaceutical company.

How Pfizer’s Internal Medicines Is Positioned in 2017
In 2016, Pfizer’s (PFE) Chantix reported revenues of ~$842 million, which represents a ~25% YoY (year-over-year) rise.

How Merck’s Animal Health Business Is Expected to Perform in 2017
In 2016, Merck’s (MRK) Animal Health segment reported revenues of ~$3.5 billion, which reflected ~4% growth year-over-year.

What Analysts Predict for Eli Lilly’s 2Q17 Earnings
For 2Q17, analysts estimate that Eli Lilly will post EPS of $1.05 and revenues of $5.6 billion.

Johnson & Johnson: Pharmaceuticals in 2Q17
Pharmaceutical segment Johnson & Johnson’s (JNJ) pharmaceutical segment comprises its immunology, infectious disease, neuroscience, oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic, and pulmonary hypertension franchises. Immunology franchise The major blockbuster drugs under the immunology franchise are Remicade, Stelara, and Simponi/Simponi Aria. The immunology franchise reported revenue of $3 billion in 2Q17, including an operational decrease of ~1.9% and a […]

Johnson & Johnson’s 2Q17 Estimates: Consumer Healthcare
Johnson & Johnson’s (JNJ) Consumer Healthcare segment includes the baby care, oral care, skincare, over-the-counter products, women’s health, and wound care franchises.

What Allergan’s Valuation as of July 13 Tells Us
For 2Q17, Wall Street analysts estimate AGN’s EPS (earnings per share) to come in at $3.93, which would be a 17.5% growth over 2Q16.

Performance of Zoetis Stock in 2Q17
Zoetis (ZTS) stock has risen ~17.3% in 2Q17, while it has risen ~15.4% year-to-date as of July 7, 2017.

FDA Approves Eli Lilly’s Humalog Junior KwikPen
Eli Lilly (LLY) announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (or FDA) approved the Humalog Junior KwikPen for finer dose adjustments in the treatment of patients with diabetes on June 13, 2017.

The Larger Aims of Obamacare: An Overview
The idea behind Obamacare was that it would embody legislation not only providing but mandating healthcare coverage for nearly everyone in the US.

The Hybrid US Healthcare System: An Overview
The US healthcare system is unique in the developed world as it lacks a uniform system and, according to Emanuel, had been largely inefficient before Obamacare.

Johnson & Johnson’s Business Segment Performance
Johnson & Johnson’s Medical Devices segment contributed nearly 35% to the company’s total revenues.

Eliquis: Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Key Cardiovascular Drug
Bristol-Myers Squibb’s (BMY) cardiovascular segment consists of its key drug, Eliquis. The segment contributed nearly 18.0% to the company’s total revenues in 4Q16.

Mylan’s EpiPen Controversy: Is It a Brand or a Generic?
Mylan has been embroiled in a controversy over whether its EpiPen is classified as a generic or a branded product and whether its 500.0% price hike is justified.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Saw Improved Eliquis Sales in 3Q16
Bristol-Myers Squibb’s (BMY) cardiovascular segment consists of key drug Eliquis. This segment contributed nearly 18% of total revenues for 3Q16.

A Look at the Pfizer-Medivation Deal
Pfizer-Medivation deal On September 27, 2016, Pfizer (PFE) completed the acquisition of Medivation (MDVN). The stock transaction is valued at $81.50 per Medivation share, resulting in a total enterprise value of ~$14 billion. What is Medivation? Medivation is a California-based biopharmaceutical company. It is focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies for the treatment of […]

Why Pfizer’s Vaccines Business Is Declining
With the acquisition of Baxter’s marketed vaccines, Pfizer (PFE) gained access to NeisVac-C and FSME-IMMUN/TicoVac.

How Did Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Eliquis Perform?
Bristol-Myers Squibb’s (BMY) cardiovascular segment consists of its key drug Eliquis. This segment contributed nearly 78% of total revenues for 2Q16.

Recent Corporate and Pipeline Developments for Pfizer
Pfizer acquired Bamboo Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on developing gene therapy for treating rare diseases.

What Can We Expect from the Pfizer-Anacor Deal?
Pfizer (PFE) announced the acquisition of Anacor Pharmaceuticals (ANAC) on May 16, 2016. The deal closed on June 23, 2016.

The Truth behind Horizon’s EV-to-EBITDA Performance
On June 29, 2016, Horizon Pharma was trading at a forward EV-to-EBITDA multiple of 4.67x, which is at a discount when compared with peers.

How Pfizer Continues Its Organic and Inorganic Growth
Pfizer (PFE) completed the acquisition of Anacor Pharmaceuticals (ANAC) on June 23, 2016. The acquisition will strengthen Pfizer’s portfolio of inflammatory disease products.

What’s behind the US Economy’s Remarkable Labor Market Strength?
The US labor market has shown tremendous resilience amid concerns over various issues, like aging demographics.

How Is the Global Pharmaceutical Industry Doing?
Some of the challenges the pharmaceutical industry faces include R&D failures, changes in regulatory procedures, litigation, patent expiries, and foreign currency movements.

Opdivo: Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Blockbuster Drug
Opdivo is a part of Bristol-Myers Squibb’s (BMY) alliance with Ono Pharmaceutical, and it reported revenues of $942 million in 2015.

Why Actimmune, Horizon’s Lead Orphan Product, Has Such Huge Potential
After the Vidara merger in September 2014, Horizon Pharma gained access to Actimmune, which has been approved by the FDA for CGD and SMO.

How Has Technology Influenced Process and Product Innovation?
One of the most prominent effects of technology is on the asset side of the balance sheet. Many technologies drive companies to employ fewer assets in order to generate higher returns.

Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Cardiovascular Segment: What Is Eliquis?
Bristol-Myers Squibb’s (BMY) cardiovascular segment’s key drug is Eliquis. This segment contributed nearly 11.2% of total revenues in 2015.

JNJ’s Mature State Helps It to Consistently Pay Dividends
On January 27, 2016, Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) was trading at a forward price-to-earnings multiple of ~15.6x.

JNJ’s Blockbuster Drug Remicade Sees Flat Revenues in 4Q15
JNJ’s pharmaceutical segment comprises its immunology, infectious disease, neuroscience, oncology, and cardiovascular and metabolics businesses.

The RESONATE-2 Study for Johnson & Johnson’s Drug Imbruvica
Imbruvica is a drug co-developed by Cilag GmbH International, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, and Pharmacyclics, a subsidiary of AbbVie (ABBV).

CheckMate -066 Study Supports Opdivo’s Approval
The FDA has now approved Opdivo for the treatment of BRAF WT (wild-type) melanoma, based on the results of a phase 3 study called CheckMate -066.

CheckMate -025 Study Supports Opdivo’s Approval
The FDA has now approved Opdivo for the treatment of advanced RCC (renal cell carcinoma) based on the results of a phase 3 study called CheckMate -025.

FDA Approves Opdivo for Additional Indications
Opdivo is one of Bristol-Myers Squibb’ recent oncology drugs, already approved by the FDA for the treatment of patients with melanoma and advanced NSCLC.

Pfizer-Allergan Deal: Pfizer Will Combine with Allergan
On November 23, two of the big pharmaceutical companies—Pfizer and Allergan—announced the biggest merger transaction ever in pharmaceuticals.

JAVELIN Series: Clinical Studies of Avelumab
The JAVELIN series is a clinical trial program for the use of Avelumab for treatment of multiple types of cancer, including Merkel cell carcinoma.

Avelumab Receives Breakthrough Therapy Designation
Avelumab is under clinical investigation for metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (or MCC), a type of skin cancer, and other cancers.

Existing Drugs for Renal Cell Carcinoma
The FDA has accepted Bristol-Myers Squibb’s (BMY) supplemental biologics license application, or sBLA, for Opdivo for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.

Opdivo’s sBLA Accepted by FDA for Priority Review
Opdivo, one of Bristol-Myers Squibb’s most important products, is expected to be one of its major revenue contributors in the next five years.