Yahoo Finance·2026-01-09 14:50Core Insights - Vertex Pharmaceuticals is expected to make regulatory progress by submitting applications for zimislecel, a therapy for type 1 diabetes (T1D), which is showing promising results in clinical trials [1][3] - The company is the only one producing medicines targeting the underlying causes of cystic fibrosis (CF), indicating a strong market potential for its products [3] - Vertex's market capitalization is currently $117.7 billion, and it may surpass Pfizer's market cap of $144 billion by the end of 2026 if market conditions favor Vertex [9] Vertex Pharmaceuticals - Vertex is anticipated to improve its financial results in 2026, with new approvals expected for its pain medication Journavx, which is the first oral, non-opioid pain inhibitor approved [3][4] - The company faced significant volatility in 2025 due to roadblocks in clinical development and weaker-than-expected financial results [4] - Vertex has several late-stage pipeline candidates, including inaxaplin for kidney disease, which could positively impact its stock if results are favorable [8] Medtronic - Medtronic has shown strong financial performance, particularly with its Pulse Field Ablation products for atrial fibrillation, and expects this momentum to continue [10] - The company received clearance for its Hugo robotic-assisted surgery system, which is expected to enhance its long-term prospects despite not significantly impacting financial results in the short term [11][12] - Medtronic plans to separate its diabetes care unit, which may reduce its market cap by less than 10%, but this move is expected to unlock value and improve operating margins [13][14] Market Comparison - Vertex and Medtronic are positioned to perform better than Pfizer, which is facing challenges such as patent cliffs and disappointing clinical trial results [5][6][7] - The separation of Medtronic's diabetes unit could lead to a larger market cap than Pfizer by the end of 2026, despite the initial reduction in value [14]