Merck & Co Inc

Novartis surpassed Wall Street analysts’ estimates for earnings per share (or EPS) with reported EPS of $4.86 as compared to estimates of $4.82 for 2017.

In November 2017, Novo Nordisk (NVO) submitted an application to European regulatory authorities to update Xultophy’s label.

Novo Nordisk’s (NVO) Xultophy reported sales close to 729 million Danish kroner in 2017.

Johnson & Johnson’s gross profit margin decreased to 64.1% in 4Q17, a ~5% decrease compared to 69.1% in 4Q16.

Novo Nordisk has been creating awareness about the risks of hypoglycemia and the benefits of Tresiba among general practitioners and primary care physicians.

In 2017, Novo Nordisk’s (NVO) basal insulin therapy, Tresiba, reported revenue of nearly 7.3 billion Danish kroner and attained blockbuster status.

According to IQVIA, the global insulin market value grew at a compound average growth rate (or CAGR) of 16.8% from November 2012 to November 2017.

On February 15, 2018, GlaxoSmithKline traded at a forward PE multiple of 12.9x, which is lower than the industry average of 13.3x.

In 4Q17, Pfizer (PFE) generated revenues of $1.6 billion from the sale of vaccines, which reflected a ~8% rise on a YoY (year-over-year) basis.

In 4Q17, Xgeva generated revenues of $391 million, which reflected a 4% growth on a YoY (year-over-year) basis and a 1% growth quarter-over-quarter.

On January 29, 2018, Sanofi (SNY) announced that it had agreed to acquire Ablynx (ABLX) for 3.9 billion euros.

In 4Q17, Biogen’s (BIIB) interferons generated revenues of $645 million, which reflected a 6% decline YoY and a 3% decline on a quarter-over-quarter basis.

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) reported ~48.0% of its total revenues from the Pharmaceuticals business during 4Q17, making it the company’s largest revenue contributor.

In 1Q17, 2Q17, and 3Q17, Tafinlar+Mekinist reported revenues of $187 million, $216 million, and $224 million, respectively.

JNJ stock has risen 27.9% in the last 12 months. Analysts estimate that the stock could rise 1.4% over the next 12 months.

Analysts expect Novartis’s revenues to rise ~3.9% to $12.8 billion in 4Q17, driven by growth in operating revenues across all three segments.

Johnson & Johnson’s (JNJ) Medical Devices segment includes products for specialty surgery, orthopedics, cardiovascular care, surgical care, diabetes care, and vision care.

In 1Q17, 2Q17, and 3Q17, Opdivo reported revenues of $1.1 billion, $1.2 billion, and $1.3 billion, respectively.

Johnson & Johnson’s (JNJ) Pharmaceutical segment contributes more than 45% to total revenues. In 4Q17, it’s expected to report growth in operating revenues.

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 December 2017, the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved Novo Nordisk’s (NVO) Ozempic as an addition to diet and exercise for the improvement of blood sugar levels in individuals with type two diabetes mellitus.

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

On May 9, 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration (or FDA) approved Pfizer (PFE) and Merck’s Bavencio (avelumab) as a treatment option for patients suffering from locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (or UC).

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

For 3Q17, Keytruda reported revenues of ~$1.1 billion, a 194% growth compared to revenues of $356 million in 3Q16.

Eli Lilly’s cardiovascular franchise includes the drugs Cialis and Effient, but for 3Q17, both drugs reported lower sales.

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.

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 […]

BeneFIX revenues fell 14% to $151 million during 3Q17, driven by a 16% fall in international sales to $87 million.

In 3Q17, AbbVie’s (ABBV) Lupron generated revenues of around $201 million, which reflected ~4% growth on a year-over-year (or YoY) basis.

Wall Street analysts estimate Merck’s (MRK) top line will increase marginally by 0.1% to ~$10,546 million in 3Q17.

PFE stock rose ~7.3% in 3Q17 and has risen ~11.3% YTD (year-to-date) as of October 16.

In 1H17, Eli Lilly’s (LLY) Basaglar generated revenues of around $132.6 million, compared with $27.2 million in 1H16.

In September, Eli Lilly presented the results of its phase-3 Spartan trial, in which Lasmiditan demonstrated significant progress in the treatment of migraines.

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.

In September 2017, Eli Lilly announced that a 12-month open-label study showed a positive safety and tolerability profile of Galcanezumab for migraines.

According to World Health Organization (or WHO), around 235 million individuals worldwide have asthma.

In 1H17, Teva Pharmaceutical’s (TEVA) CNS (central nervous system) business generated revenues of ~$2.3 billion, or ~16% lower YoY (year-over-year).

Merck’s (MRK) diabetes portfolio includes drugs used for controlling the blood sugar levels for patients with diabetes.

Gilead Sciences’ (GILD) portfolio includes various drugs for key therapeutic areas including HIV/AIDS, liver diseases, oncology, cardiovascular, inflammation, respiratory, and others.

Merck’s (MRK) Gardasil franchise includes vaccines for the prevention of certain strains of HPV infections that are sexually transmitted.

Eli Lilly’s (LLY) Captisol-enabled drug Prexasertib is currently being evaluated in multiple oncology indications such as head and neck cancer, small-cell lung cancer (or SCLC), and advanced metastatic cancer.

AstraZeneca’s Other Products segment’s revenues fell 12% at constant exchange rates to ~$1.1 billion during 2Q17.

Cymbalta’s sales totaled $206.6 million during 2Q17, a 13.0% decline compared to sales of $236.5 million in 2Q16.

Forteo is used for the treatment of osteoporosis. Forteo’s sales totaled $446.7 million during 2Q17, a 22.0% increase compared to $367.6 million in 2Q16.

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.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) reported revenues of 7.32 billion pounds in 2Q17—12% growth compared to revenues of 6.53 billion pounds in 2Q16.

As of August 30, 2017, GlaxoSmithKline is trading at a forward PE multiple of 13.3x, which is slightly lower than the industry average of 15.5x.

Orencia revenues rose to $650.0 million in 2Q17, a 10.0% rise compared to $593 million in 2Q16.