Financial Performance & Guidance - Q2 2025 royalty revenue increased by 57% compared to Q2 2024, driven by Ohtuvayre, Filspari, Qarziba, Capvaxive and Vaxneuvance[3, 26] - Q2 2025 adjusted EPS grew 14% to $1.60[3, 24, 25] - The company increased revenue guidance for 2025 from $180 million-$200 million to $200 million-$225 million, a 13% increase[3, 24, 33] - Adjusted EPS guidance for 2025 was raised from $6.00-$6.25 to $6.70-$7.00 per diluted share, a 12% increase[3, 24, 33] Portfolio & Investments - Ligand has approximately 50% equity interest in Pelthos and is entitled to a 13% royalty on Zelsuvmi sales[3, 6] - The company committed $35 million in long-term capital for royalty interest in Orchestra BioMed's AVIM therapy and Virtue SAB and invested $5 million in equity private placement[3, 20, 21] - Merck is set to acquire Verona for $10 billion, which will impact Ligand's 3% royalty on Ohtuvayre[3, 4, 8] Strategic Outlook - The company anticipates a long-term royalty revenue CAGR of greater than 22%[3, 27] - Ohtuvayre peak-sales consensus updated from $1.2 billion in December 2024 to $3.4 billion in August 2025[30] - Ligand has ~$450 million in deployable capital as of June 30, 2025[3, 24]

Core Insights - Ligand Pharmaceuticals reported a strong second quarter performance with total revenues of $47.6 million, a 15% increase from $41.5 million in the same period of 2024, driven by a 57% growth in royalty revenue [4][6] - The company has raised its full-year 2025 revenue guidance to $200 million - $225 million from a previous range of $180 million - $200 million, and adjusted earnings per diluted share guidance to $6.70 - $7.00 from $6.00 - $6.25 [12][13] Financial Performance - Royalty revenues for Q2 2025 were $36.4 million, up from $23.2 million in Q2 2024, primarily due to royalties from Recordati's Qarziba and Travere Therapeutics' Filspari [4][8] - Captisol sales increased to $8.3 million in Q2 2025 from $7.5 million in Q2 2024, while contract revenue and other income decreased to $2.9 million from $10.9 million due to timing of partner milestone events [4][5] - GAAP net income for Q2 2025 was $4.8 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $51.9 million, or $2.88 per share, in Q2 2024 [6][11] Year-to-Date Results - For the six months ended June 30, 2025, total revenues were $93.0 million, a 28% increase from $72.5 million in the same period of 2024, with royalties reaching $63.9 million, up 51% from $42.3 million [8][11] - Adjusted net income for the six months ended June 30, 2025, was $58.6 million, or $2.94 per diluted share, compared to $47.6 million, or $2.61 per diluted share, for the same period in 2024 [11] Strategic Developments - Ligand announced the completion of its merger with Channel Therapeutics, forming Pelthos Therapeutics, which launched Zelsuvmi, the first FDA-approved at-home treatment for molluscum contagiosum [14][16] - The company earned a $5 million milestone payment from Pelthos following the launch of Zelsuvmi and is entitled to a 13% royalty on worldwide sales [17] - Ligand invested $25 million in Orchestra BioMed to fund late-stage cardiology programs, with potential additional funding of $15 million [18] Portfolio Updates - Merck's acquisition of Verona for approximately $10 billion is expected to accelerate the launch of Ohtuvayre, for which Ligand receives a 3% royalty on sales [19] - Agenus reported positive results for its BOT/BAL combination therapy, which may enhance Ligand's portfolio value through its partnerships [20] - Palvella Therapeutics announced full enrollment in a Phase 3 trial for Qtorin, with top-line results expected in early 2026 [21]

Merck is considering selling medicines directly to patients in the US, joining drugmakers seeking to bypass middlemen following President Trump’s demand for lower drug prices https://t.co/K3WobcCp51 ...

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2025 OR ☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from ______ to ______ Commission File No. 1-6571 Merck & Co., Inc. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) New Jersey 22-1918501 (State or other jurisdiction of ...

Fizer shares are gaining this morning, up nearly 5% after beating earnings estimates on the top and bottom line. The company raising its fullear earnings guidance. Joining us now is managing director and head of healthcare research Evan David Seagerman.Thank you for being here, David. Um, so they hiked their forecast despite President Trump's calls to lower drug prices as well as uh tariffs on pharmaceuticals imported into the country, potential uh potentially more tariffs to come. Uh, do you think these po ...

Group 1: Permanent Magnetic Materials - The production of permanent magnetic materials in China reached approximately 130 million tons in 2021, including 800,000 tons of ferrite permanent magnets and 213,300 tons of rare earth permanent magnets [36][2] - Ferrite permanent magnets dominate the market due to their low cost and corrosion resistance, accounting for over 60% of global production [6][39] - Rare earth permanent magnets, particularly neodymium-iron-boron (Nd-Fe-B), are critical for high-performance applications in electric vehicles and renewable energy sectors, with demand expected to increase fivefold by 2025 compared to 2020 levels [66][65] Group 2: Market Dynamics and Trends - The demand for ferrite permanent magnets in the automotive sector is projected to reach 614,000 tons by 2025, driven by the growth of electric vehicles [45] - In the home appliance sector, the demand for ferrite permanent magnets is expected to reach 201,000 tons by 2025, with variable frequency air conditioners leading the demand [45] - The global market for soft magnetic materials is anticipated to grow from $13.2 billion in 2020 to $18.1 billion by 2025, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8% [14][32] Group 3: Technological Barriers and Challenges - High-end technologies for rare earth permanent magnets, such as grain boundary diffusion and thermal pressing, are currently monopolized by companies in the US and Japan, posing a challenge for domestic manufacturers [28][32] - The production of high-performance ferrite magnets in China is still in the developmental stage, with a significant reliance on imports for advanced products [41][46] - The industry faces challenges related to resource security, particularly concerning the price volatility of heavy rare earth elements like neodymium and dysprosium [28][32] Group 4: Future Development Directions - The focus for ferrite permanent magnets will be on developing rare earth-doped and cobalt-free technologies, aiming for thinner and higher precision products [8][46] - For rare earth permanent magnets, the goal is to achieve a domestic production rate of 70% for high-end products by 2025 and 80% by 2030 [12][71] - The industry is expected to see significant advancements in the development of high-performance magnetic materials for applications in robotics, aerospace, and electric vehicles [72][74]

Group 1 - iREIT+HOYA Capital focuses on income-producing asset classes that provide sustainable portfolio income, diversification, and inflation hedging [1] - The current stock market is characterized by a few multi-trillion dollar market cap companies leading the index, such as NVIDIA, Apple, and Microsoft [2] Group 2 - The article emphasizes the importance of defensive stocks with a medium- to long-term investment horizon [2]

Summary of Hengrui Medicine Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Hengrui Medicine (600276.SS) - **Industry**: Pharmaceutical, specifically focusing on innovative drug development and licensing Key Points Licensing Agreement with GSK - Hengrui has licensed out the ex-China rights of HRS-9821, a PDE3/4 inhibitor currently in phase 1 clinical trials, to GSK - The agreement includes options for the ex-China rights of up to 11 early-stage assets targeting oncology, respiratory, autoimmune, and inflammation diseases - The upfront payment for this deal is US$500 million, with potential milestone payments reaching US$12 billion based on development progress, registration, and commercialization, plus tiered royalties based on net sales [1][10] Market Potential for PDE3/4 Inhibitors - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) affects approximately 23 million patients in the US, EU5, and Japan, with around 1.7 million patients uncontrolled on standard therapies - Currently, only three advanced treatments for COPD are approved globally, highlighting a significant unmet clinical need - Hengrui's HRS-9821 could offer advantages over existing treatments, such as a more convenient dosage form, pending further clinical data [2][9] Sales Projections - Risk-adjusted sales estimates for HRS-9821 are projected at RMB 750 million for the China market and RMB 3.2 billion for overseas markets by 2035, assuming a launch in 2030/2031 [3][12] Earnings Revision and Valuation - Earnings estimates have been revised upwards by 29% for 2025E, 0.7% for 2026E, and 0.2% for 2027E due to the licensing agreement - The 12-month price target has been adjusted to RMB 70.26 from RMB 61.74 based on these revisions and market conditions [7][12] Competitive Landscape - The PDE3/4 inhibitor market is competitive, with ensifentrine being a notable product that has achieved global sales of US$114 million in its first eight months of commercialization in 2024 - Hengrui's HRS-9821 is positioned to compete effectively, especially given its potential for broader patient coverage compared to biologic drugs [2][9] Risks and Considerations - Key risks include slower ramp-up of innovative drugs post-NRDL listing, potential failures in late-stage R&D programs, and higher-than-expected R&D expenses for global expansion - There is also a risk of greater-than-expected price cuts for generics and innovative drugs, as well as below-expected progress in licensing and global expansion [12][13] Financial Metrics - Market capitalization is approximately RMB 407 billion (US$56.7 billion) - Projected revenue growth from RMB 27.98 billion in 2024 to RMB 41.86 billion by 2027 [13] Additional Insights - The licensing deal with GSK reflects Hengrui's strategic focus on expanding its global footprint and leveraging partnerships to enhance its pipeline - The company is actively involved in the development of multiple assets, indicating a robust pipeline that could drive future growth [10][12]

Summary of Hengrui - A Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Hengrui Pharmaceuticals - **Industry**: Healthcare, specifically pharmaceuticals Key Points Partnership with GSK - Hengrui and GSK entered an agreement granting GSK exclusive global rights (excluding Greater China) to Hengrui's PDE3/4 inhibitor HRS-9821, currently in Phase 1 trials [2][7] - The deal includes collaborative development of up to 11 preclinical projects, with Hengrui leading R&D until Phase 1 completion [2][7] - GSK will pay Hengrui an upfront fee of **US$500 million** and potential milestone payments totaling **US$12 billion** if GSK exercises its option on the projects [2][7] Market Reaction - Following the announcement, Hengrui's H/A shares increased by **17%** and **10%**, outperforming the HSI/SHSZ300 index which saw a **0-1%** increase [2][7] - The positive market reaction indicates growing recognition of Hengrui's early pipeline assets by multinational corporations [2][7] Competitive Landscape - The deal is compared to Merck's recent acquisition of Verona, which also involved a PDE3/4 inhibitor, highlighting a trend of large pharma companies recognizing the value of Hengrui's assets [2][15] Financial Performance and Projections - Hengrui's revenue is projected to grow from **Rmb 27,985 million** in FY24 to **Rmb 35,399 million** in FY26, reflecting a year-over-year growth of **22.6%** in FY24 and **12.4%** in FY25 [9][22] - Adjusted EBITDA is expected to increase from **Rmb 7,468 million** in FY24 to **Rmb 10,393 million** in FY26, with an EBITDA margin improving from **26.7%** to **29.4%** [9][22] Valuation and Investment Thesis - Current price target for Hengrui is set at **Rmb 52.00** based on a DCF valuation, with a terminal growth rate of **4%** and a WACC of **9.3%** [10][11] - Despite strong R&D capabilities and potential for sustained growth, Hengrui's current valuation is higher than many peers, which may limit future upside [10][17] Risks - Key downside risks include potential rejection of PD-1 marketing application by the FDA and underperformance of clinical data from its ADC program [20] - Upside risks involve stronger-than-expected sales growth and earnings [20] Performance Metrics - Hengrui's market cap is approximately **$55.2 billion** with a share price of **Rmb 62.04** as of July 28, 2025 [9][10] - The company has a free float of **50.9%** and a 52-week share price range of **Rmb 62.04 - 39.62** [9][10] Conclusion - Hengrui's strategic partnership with GSK enhances its market position and validates its early-stage assets, while financial projections indicate robust growth potential. However, the company's high valuation relative to peers poses a risk to future upside, warranting a neutral rating from analysts.

Industry Overview - The second-quarter earnings season for the drug and biotech sector is in full swing, with major companies like Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Amgen, Gilead Sciences, and Novo Nordisk set to announce results [1] - The earnings season began mid-July with Johnson & Johnson reporting strong results, exceeding estimates for both earnings and sales [1] Company Performance Pfizer (PFE) - Pfizer has consistently exceeded earnings expectations in the last four quarters, with an average earnings surprise of 43.49% [6] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter sales and earnings is $13.78 billion and 58 cents per share, respectively [6] - Higher sales from products like Vyndaqel and Padcev are expected to offset weaker sales from Prevnar and Ibrance [8] Eli Lilly (LLY) - Eli Lilly's performance has been mixed, exceeding earnings expectations in two of the last four quarters, with an average earnings surprise of 6.69% [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter sales and earnings stands at $14.75 billion and $5.61 per share, respectively [11] - Strong demand for Mounjaro and Zepbound is anticipated to drive top-line growth [12] Amgen (AMGN) - Amgen has shown strong performance, beating earnings estimates in each of the last four quarters, with an average earnings surprise of 8.34% [14] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter sales and earnings is $8.86 billion and $5.26 per share, respectively [14] - Sales growth is expected to be driven by products like Evenity and Repatha, despite price declines due to higher rebates [15] Gilead Sciences (GILD) - Gilead's performance has been mixed, with earnings beating estimates in three of the last four quarters, averaging a surprise of 16.48% [17] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter sales and earnings is $6.95 billion and $1.95 per share, respectively [17] - Increased demand for HIV therapies like Biktarvy is expected to boost sales [18] Novo Nordisk (NVO) - Novo Nordisk's performance has been mixed, with earnings beating estimates in one of the last four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 0.02% [20] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter sales and earnings is $11.79 billion and 93 cents per share, respectively [20] - The company lowered its 2025 sales and operating profit growth outlook due to weaker momentum in key markets for its semaglutide-based drugs [21]