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☆ Merck to acquire Imago BioSciences for $1.35 bln
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Svea Herbst-Bayliss | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 21 (Reuters) - Merck & Co Inc (MRK.N) said on Monday it will acquire cancer drug developer Imago BioSciences Inc (IMGO.O) for a total equity value of $1.35 billion to expand its portfolio of blood disorder treatments. The drugmaker's offer of $36 per share in cash for Imago represents a nearly 107% premium to the company's last close. With Merck's blockbuster cancer immunotherapy Keytruda expected to lose key patents in 2028, the company has been trying to expand its drug portfolio. Imago, which develops drugs for the treatment of bone marrow-related diseases, is currently testing its lead drug bomedemstat for treating a chronic cancer known as myeloproliferative neoplasms. The Imago deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2023, according to the companies.

The news marks a second setback for GSK's oncology portfolio this week, after the company on Monday revealed its blood cancer drug Blenrep failed to outperform an older therapy in a key study, calling into question Blenrep's existing U.S. approval. Zejula belongs to a family of drugs called PARP inhibitors - which include AstraZeneca (AZN.L) and Merck's (MRK.N) Lynparza and Clovis Oncology's (CLVS.O) Rubraca. In September, GSK withdrew the use of Zejula in certain ovarian cancer patients who had previously undergone three or more chemotherapy regimens. For GSK, Zejula's use in the first-line setting - as a therapy designed to keep cancer at bay in ovarian cancer patients who have partially or fully benefited from platinum-based chemotherapy, remains a priority. Zejula - which GSK acquired through its $5.1 billion acquisition of U.S. cancer specialist Tesaro in 2018 - generated a total of 120 million pounds ($141.4 million) last quarter.

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves in the premarket: BioNTech, Meta, Apple, Ouster and more
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Peter Schacknow | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.b) – Berkshire Hathaway gained 1.5% in premarket trading after Warren Buffett's firm reported better-than-expected earnings, with revenue also topping Street forecasts. Meta Platforms (META) – Meta added 2.6% in the premarket after The Wall Street Journal reported that the Facebook parent was preparing to announce large-scale layoffs this week. Apple (AAPL) – Apple shares slid 1.8% in the premarket after it said Covid-19 restrictions are hindering iPhone production at the Foxconn factory in China. Yamana Gold (AUY) – Yamana Gold lost 2.7% in the premarket after Gold Fields (GFI) said it would not change the terms of its takeover deal with Yamana. Ryanair (RYAAY) – The airline's stock gained 6.2% in premarket trading after it reported its largest-ever profit for the first half of the year.

☆ Eli Lilly says some staff want to leave Indiana because of abortion ban, Financial Times reports
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 6 (Reuters) - Some Eli Lilly and Co (LLY.N) employees have requested transfers from the drugmaker's Indiana operations after the U.S. state's lawmakers approved a bill that would ban most abortions there, the Financial Times reported on Sunday. Some staff had asked to relocate outside the state even though an Indiana judge has temporarily halted the ban, the Indiana-based pharmaceutical firm's chief executive David Ricks told the newspaper in an interview. His comments come after the Republican-controlled Indiana Senate passed a law in August banning most abortions. An Indiana judge blocked the state in September from enforcing the new law while Planned Parenthood and other healthcare providers challenge it in court. Eli Lilly did not provide details on how many staff have asked to move from Indiana, the FT said.

☆ Eli Lilly says some staff want to leave Indiana because of abortion ban - FT
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 6 (Reuters) - Some Eli Lilly and Co (LLY.N) employees have requested transfers from the drugmaker's Indiana operations after the U.S. state's lawmakers approved a bill that would ban most abortions there, the Financial Times reported on Sunday. Some staff had asked to relocate outside the state even though an Indiana judge has temporarily halted the ban, the Indiana-based pharmaceutical firm's chief executive David Ricks told the newspaper in an interview. An Indiana judge blocked the state in September from enforcing the new law while Planned Parenthood and other healthcare providers challenge it in court. Ricks said the new restrictions had created challenges for people to come to work in Indiana and that if Eli Lilly wanted to attract and retain the best staff, it had to grow in other locations, the FT said. Eli Lilly did not provide details on how many staff have asked to move from Indiana, the FT said.

☆ What Cramer is watching Wednesday — Fed day, AMD signs of life, China hits Estee Lauder
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

While missing lowered expectations in the third quarter, Club holding AMD did see a year-over-year revenue growth. Club holding Estee Lauder (EL) beats on fiscal first-quarter earnings and matches on revenue. Club holding Devon Energy (DVN): Very strong quarter . Club holding Humana (HUM) sees membership growth. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade.

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Nov 1 (Reuters) - Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) on Tuesday raised its forecast for 2022 sales of its COVID-19 vaccine by $2 billion to $34 billion, and said new deals and drugs in development should help replace future declining vaccine sales and lost revenue from patent expirations. Sales of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID vaccine are down from pandemic highs as many countries have neared the end of their primary vaccination campaigns. Third-quarter sales of the COVID vaccine came in at $4.40 billion, blowing past estimates of $2.60 billion. However, $7.51 billion in sales of Paxlovid, the company's COVID-19 antiviral treatment, fell short of estimates of $7.66 billion. Pfizer reported adjusted earnings of $1.78 per share in the third quarter, beating analysts' estimates by 39 cents.

☆ Pfizer boosts COVID vaccine sales forecast by $2 bln
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Manas Mishra | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 1 (Reuters) - Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) on Tuesday raised its forecast for annual sales of its COVID-19 vaccine by $2 billion to $34 billion on demand for Omicron-targeted boosters, helping allay some investor worries over growth for the vaccinations. The U.S. drugmaker's shares rose 2.4% to $447.67 in morning trading as its third-quarter profit beat estimates, mainly due to better-than-expected sales of the vaccine. The upbeat earnings also sent shares of rival COVID-19 vaccine makers higher. Sales of the COVID-19 vaccine have eased from pandemic highs on soft demand for the original shots, sparking concerns over demand over the next few years. Third-quarter sales of the COVID-19 vaccine came in at $4.40 billion, blowing past estimates of $2.60 billion.

☆ Pfizer boosts COVID vaccine sales forecast by $2 bln to $34 bln
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 1 (Reuters) - Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) on Tuesday raised its forecast for annual sales of its COVID-19 vaccine by $2 billion to $34 billion on demand for Omicron-targeted boosters, helping allay some investor worries over growth for the vaccinations. The U.S. drugmaker's shares rose 4.3% to $48.55 in premarket trading as its third-quarter profit beat estimates, mainly due to better-than-expected sales of the vaccine. Sales of the COVID-19 vaccine have eased from pandemic highs on soft demand for the original shots, sparking concerns over demand over the next few years. Third-quarter sales of the COVID-19 vaccine came in at $4.40 billion, blowing past estimates of $2.60 billion, according to five analysts polled by Refinitiv. However, $7.51 billion in sales of the company's COVID-19 pill Paxlovid missed estimates of $7.66 billion.

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves in the premarket: Abiomed, Uber, SoFi, Pfizer and more
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Peter Schacknow | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Uber Technologies (UBER) – Uber rallied 8.8% in the premarket after it reported better-than-expected quarterly revenue as gross bookings surged compared to a year ago. SoFi Technologies (SOFI) – SoFi surged 14.3% in premarket trading, following a smaller-than-expected quarterly loss and revenue that exceeded analysts' forecasts. Pfizer (PFE) – Pfizer jumped 4% in premarket trading following a better-than-expected quarter and an improved financial outlook. Avis Budget (CAR) – Avis Budget shares gained 3.7% in the premarket following better-than-expected quarterly earnings from the rental car giant amid continued strong travel demand. Trex (TREX) – Trex shares tumbled 7.5% in premarket trading after the maker of decking and railing materials missed both top and bottom line estimates for its latest quarter.

☆ Eli Lilly's guidance cut is about the strong dollar, not weakening fundamentals, CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Kevin Stankiewicz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Eli Lilly — which generates about 40% of its sales overseas — largely attributed the guidance cut to the strong U.S. dollar. With three quarters already reported, Eli Lilly now expects full-year sales to range between $28.5 billion to $29 billion and adjusted per-share earnings between $7.70 to $7.85. New diabetes drug off to great start One of our biggest reasons for liking Eli Lilly is the company's new type 2 diabetes drug that's also shown promise as an obesity treatment . The drug is similar to one that Eli Lilly is working to treat the most common form of dementia. David Ricks, CEO, Eli Lilly Scott Mlyn | CNBC

Oct 25 (Reuters) - Biogen Inc (BIIB.O) on Tuesday said the Alzheimer's disease drug it is developing with Japan's Eisai Co Ltd (4523.T) would be used by doctors in a competitive market as investors wait for data from rival therapies made by Eli Lilly and Co (LLY.N) and Roche (ROG.S). The drug, lecanemab was shown to slow the progress of the disease by 27% in a trial last month, and additional data is expected next month. "The data needs to be seen from the other anti-amyloid therapies before we decide what is going to be meaningful," said Biogen interim research chief Priya Singhal. Its costs were about halved as the company significantly cut back on commercial infrastructure around the launch of Aduhelm, its previous Alzheimer's drug that has sputtered amid controversy over efficacy and lack of coverage by health insurers. read moreInvestors have been pinning hopes on the Alzheimer's drug as cheaper generics of Biogen's multiple sclerosis treatment Tecfidera have entered the market, hurting sales.

☆ S&P 500, Nasdaq end lower; BoE comments add to market jitters late
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Caroline Valetkevitch | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Trading was volatile, with investors cautious ahead of key U.S. inflation data and the start of third-quarter earnings later this week. The S&P banks index (.SPXBK) was down 2.6% ahead of quarterly results from some major banks later this week. The reports are expected to kick off the third quarter reporting period for S&P 500 companies. read moreDeclining issues outnumbered advancing ones on the NYSE by a 1.50-to-1 ratio; on Nasdaq, a 1.51-to-1 ratio favored decliners. The S&P 500 posted one new 52-week high and 104 new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 33 new highs and 590 new lows.

☆ Dow, S&P 500 rise after recent losses; investors prepare for inflation, earnings data
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Caroline Valetkevitch | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterInvestors were anxiously awaiting the producer price index report Wednesday and consumer price index data on Thursday. "A few investors might be trying to bet on a better-than-expected inflation report," said Paul Nolte, portfolio manager at Kingsview Investment Management in Chicago. The S&P bank index (.SPXBK) was down 1.1% ahead of quarterly results from some major banks later this week. The reports are expected to kick off the third-quarter reporting period for S&P 500 companies. The S&P 500 posted one new 52-week high and 95 new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 19 new highs and 517 new lows.

☆ S&P 500, Nasdaq fall on fears of profit hit from inflation, rate hikes
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Shreyashi Sanyal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

With recent jobs and inflation data suggesting more big interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve, Wall Street's main indexes have been clocking losses in the past few sessions on fears of the economy slipping into a recession. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register"The market wants to see data, show me the numbers, show me we're getting inflation down. 1/4 A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., October 11, 2022. The CBOE Volatility index (.VIX), rose for a fourth straight session, inching closer to near two-weeks high. The S&P index recorded one new 52-week high and 95 new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 15 new highs and 492 new lows.

☆ Wall St falls on worries of lower third-quarter corporate profit; Amgen jumps
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Shreyashi Sanyal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Big U.S. banks are set to report quarterly results on Friday that may offer insight into the health of the U.S. economy. "Right now the market wants to see data, show me the numbers, show me we're getting inflation down. Until then, this market is probably stuck in this whole death by a 1,000 cuts scenario," Dick said. Declining issues outnumbered advancers for a 3.28-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and for a 2.36-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P index recorded no new 52-week high and 71 new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 10 new highs and 250 new lows.

The three main indexes have been on a loss-making streak in the past few sessions as recent data continues to point to more policy tightening by the U.S. Federal Reserve that could tip the economy into a recession. With recent economic indicators signaling persistent inflation going forward, money markets are pricing in a 92% chance of another 75-basis-point hike at the Fed's meeting in November. read moreMajor U.S. banks are set to report third-quarter results on Friday that may offer insight into the health of the U.S. economy. ET, Dow e-minis were up 6 points, or 0.02%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 2.25 points, or 0.06%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 10.25 points, or 0.09%. Amgen Inc (AMGN.O) shares jumped nearly 3% after a report said Morgan Stanley upgraded the drugmaker's stock to "overweight" from "equal weight".

☆ Merck's blood vessel disorder drug succeeds in late-stage study
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 10 (Reuters) - Merck & Co (MRK.N) said on Monday a therapy it gained through the drugmaker's $11.5 billion acquisition of Acceleron Pharma last year met the main goal of a late-stage study in patients with a progressive blood vessel disorder. Sotatercept, when compared to placebo, significantly extended how far patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) could walk in six minutes. The trial data validates the Acceleron acquisition, and also supports Merck's budding portfolio of cardiovascular drugs, Truist Securities analyst Robyn Karnauskas said in a note. Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a rare type of high blood pressure that affects an estimated 40,000 people in the United States, according to Merck. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Khushi Mandowara and Mrinalika Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh KuberOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Pfizer exec denies CEO negotiated EU COVID vaccine contract via text message
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

FRANKFURT, Oct 10 (Reuters) - A Pfizer (PFE.N) executive with a lead role in negotiating a COVID-19 vaccine bulk supply agreement with the European Commission "categorically" ruled out that the U.S. drugmaker's chief executive agreed the contract via mobile phone text messages. She added that such talks involve far too many people on both sides and take far too long to be conducted via mobile phone texts. The Commission said in June this year that it no longer had the texts, which later drew criticism from the European Union's ombudswoman. The contract signed last year was the biggest ever sealed for COVID-19 vaccines, with the EU committing to buy 900 million Pfizer-BioNTech (22UAy.DE) shots, with an option to buy another 900 million. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Ludwig Burger; Editing by Jan Harvey and Susan FentonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ WHO 'strongly advises against' use of two COVID treatments
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-15 | by ( Natalie Grover | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A woman holds a small bottle labelled with a "Coronavirus COVID-19 Vaccine" sticker and a medical syringe in this illustration taken October 30, 2020. The virus has since evolved, and mounting evidence from lab tests suggests the two therapies - sotrovimab as well as casirivimab-imdevimab - have limited clinical activity against the latest iterations of the virus. Another COVID therapy that emerged early in pandemic was Gilead's (GILD.O) antiviral remdesivir. The WHO expanded its conditional recommendation for the drug, advising that it can be used in patients with severe COVID as well as non-severe COVID patients at the highest risk of hospitalization. There are a handful of existing COVID therapeutics that remain useful in the fight against the virus, and others in development that are expected to also benefit patients.

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