Core Insights - Amgen has launched a direct-to-consumer program called AmgenNow, offering significant discounts on its drugs, starting with Repatha, which is priced at $239 per month, representing a nearly 60% discount from its U.S. list price [1][8] - The direct-to-patient price for Repatha is the lowest among G-7 advanced economies, targeting uninsured patients and those on high-deductible health plans [2] - Amgen has partnered with GoodRx to provide Repatha at the same price across 70,000 pharmacies nationwide [3] Financial Performance - Repatha has shown strong sales growth since its launch in 2015, with $696 million in sales during Q2 2025, a 31% increase year over year [4] - The company anticipates that Repatha will evolve into a multi-billion-dollar franchise by 2030 [4] Strategic Initiatives - The launch of AmgenNow aligns with political pressures for pharmaceutical companies to reduce drug prices and improve domestic operations [3][9] - Amgen has made significant investments in U.S. manufacturing, including a $650 million investment to expand its network, a $600 million science and innovation center in California, a $900 million manufacturing expansion in Ohio, and a $1 billion facility in North Carolina [10] Industry Context - Amgen's actions may reflect a broader industry trend, following Pfizer's recent agreement with the Trump administration to align drug prices with those in other developed nations [11][12] - The developments from both Amgen and Pfizer could signal a turning point in easing regulatory and pricing pressures in the pharmaceutical industry [12] Stock Performance - Year-to-date, Amgen's shares have increased by 13%, outperforming the industry average growth of 8% [6]

Core Insights - Amgen has launched its cholesterol medication, Repatha, directly to consumers in the U.S. at a reduced cash price [2] - This initiative is part of a broader response from pharmaceutical companies to political pressure [2] Company Actions - The launch of Repatha directly to consumers indicates a shift in Amgen's marketing strategy [2] - The reduced cash price aims to make the medication more accessible to patients [2] Industry Context - The move reflects a trend among pharmaceutical companies to address public and political concerns regarding drug pricing [2] - This action may influence competitive dynamics within the cholesterol medication market [2]

Group 1 - The biotechnology company has launched a new direct-to-patient program called AmgenNow, which initially focuses on its drug Repatha [1]

Core Insights - Amgen has initiated direct-to-consumer sales of its cholesterol medication Repatha in the U.S. at a discounted cash price, responding to political pressure regarding drug pricing [1] Group 1: Company Actions - The launch of Repatha for direct consumer sales marks a strategic move by Amgen to enhance accessibility and affordability of its medication [1] - The discounted cash price indicates Amgen's effort to align with ongoing discussions about drug pricing reform in the U.S. [1] Group 2: Industry Context - Amgen's decision reflects a broader trend among pharmaceutical companies to adapt to political and public pressure regarding high drug prices [1] - The move may influence competitive dynamics within the cholesterol medication market, as other companies may need to respond similarly to maintain market share [1]

"Amgen is committed to finding new ways to help patients benefit from our medicines," said Murdo Gordon, executive vice president of Global Commercial Operations at Amgen. "Repatha has already helped more than 5 million patients, and the AmgenNow program will make it easier for uninsured patients or those who choose to pay out-of-pocket to access treatment. This will allow even more Americans at increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events to benefit from this effective medicine." Beginning today ...

Core Viewpoint - Amgen's stock presents an attractive long-term investment opportunity despite recent share price declines and upcoming patent cliffs [1][2]. Group 1: Promising Drug Developments - Amgen is developing MariTide, a weight management drug that has shown a mean weight loss of up to 20% over 52 weeks, with a favorable monthly dosing schedule [4][5]. - The anti-obesity market is rapidly growing, and MariTide could generate sales of up to $3.7 billion by 2030, helping Amgen offset losses from patent expirations [6]. - Amgen has a robust pipeline with several ongoing programs, including bemarituzumab, which has shown promising results in a phase 3 study for metastatic gastric cancer [7][8]. Group 2: Recent Product Launches - Amgen's recent product approvals, such as Imdelltra for lung cancer, Tezspire for asthma, and Uplizna for rare diseases, are expected to contribute to top-line growth [9][10]. Group 3: Financial Strength and Dividends - Amgen has a strong dividend track record, having increased its dividend by 201.3% over the past decade, with a current yield of 3.5% [11][12]. - The company's cash payout ratio of 46.5% provides room for further dividend increases, making it an attractive option for investors seeking income [12][13]. Group 4: Valuation - Amgen's shares are considered reasonably valued, with a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 12.6, lower than the healthcare industry average of 16.4 [14][15]. - The market may be pricing in upcoming patent losses, but long-term investors could benefit from potential revenue and earnings growth as new products are launched [15].

Core Viewpoint - Amgen Inc. shares are currently trading at $299.82, reflecting a 0.82% increase, with a monthly rise of 5.71% but a yearly decline of 5.55, raising questions about potential undervaluation despite current performance [1] Group 1: Stock Performance - Amgen's current share price is $299.82, with a recent increase of 0.82% [1] - Over the past month, the stock has appreciated by 5.71%, while it has decreased by 5.55% over the past year [1] Group 2: P/E Ratio Analysis - The P/E ratio is a critical metric for evaluating Amgen's market performance, currently standing at 24.32, which is lower than the biotechnology industry's average P/E ratio of 30.41 [5][6] - A lower P/E ratio may suggest that Amgen is undervalued compared to its peers, but it could also indicate weaker growth prospects or financial instability [6][9] Group 3: Investment Considerations - Investors should use the P/E ratio cautiously, as it is just one of many metrics to assess a company's financial health and should be considered alongside other financial ratios and qualitative factors [9]

Group 1 - Amgen's recent study on Rapatha demonstrated significant effectiveness in lowering cholesterol, which is beneficial for heart health, even in patients without high cholesterol levels [1][2] - Rapatha is noted for its high cost but is recognized for its efficacy in reducing the risk of heart attacks by managing bad cholesterol levels [2] - The VANC Pharma ETF has experienced its best week since 2009, indicating positive market sentiment towards pharmaceutical stocks [2] Group 2 - There is clarity regarding the Pfizer deal, with Amgen pricing its drugs competitively, which aligns with the administration's goals [3] - The administration's stance appears to have shifted, indicating that the pharmaceutical industry is not viewed as an adversary, which may lead to more favorable conditions for drug pricing [3]

Core Insights - The Phase 3 VESALIUS-CV clinical trial demonstrated that Repatha significantly reduces the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in high-risk patients without a prior history of heart attack or stroke, establishing it as the first and only PCSK9 inhibitor to show such results for both primary and secondary prevention [1][2][4]. Clinical Trial Details - The VESALIUS-CV trial enrolled over 12,000 high-risk patients, with approximately 85% on high-intensity or moderate LDL-C lowering therapy, and followed them for a median of about 4.5 years [1][8][9]. - The primary endpoints included the time to first occurrence of a composite of coronary heart disease (CHD) death, heart attack, or ischemic stroke, and the results were both statistically and clinically significant, with no new safety signals observed [3][4]. Implications for Cardiovascular Disease Management - The results highlight Repatha's potential as a cornerstone therapy in lipid management, particularly for patients at high cardiovascular risk who have not yet experienced a heart attack or stroke [4][10]. - Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally, and high LDL-C is a modifiable risk factor; however, over 80% of high-risk patients without prior events were not at recommended LDL-C levels after one year of follow-up [2][5]. Regulatory and Market Context - Repatha has been used by over 6.7 million patients globally since its approval in 2015, and the FDA has broadened its approved use to include adults at increased risk for major adverse cardiovascular events due to uncontrolled LDL-C [6][12]. - The full results from the VESALIUS-CV trial will be presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions on November 8, and will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal [4].

Core Insights - Investing in dividend growth stocks is highlighted as one of the easiest and most effective strategies on Wall Street [1] Company Analysis: Watsco - Watsco, the largest HVACR parts distributor in America, has increased its dividend payout by 69% over the past five years, currently offering a yield of 2.8% [4][5] - The company has grown by acquiring over 70 businesses and has no debt on its balance sheet as of June [5] - Watsco is leveraging online applications for contractors, with 70,000 mobile app users facilitating the quote process and ordering parts [6] - Despite a 3% revenue decline in the first half of 2025 due to temperate weather and lower homebuilding activity, Watsco's sales are primarily from repairs and replacements, which may mitigate investor concerns during economic slowdowns [7][8] Company Analysis: Amgen - Amgen, a long-established biotechnology company, has raised its dividend payout by 48% over the past five years, currently offering a yield of 3.4% [10] - The company reported a 34% year-over-year decline in sales of its arthritis treatment Enbrel, amounting to an annualized $2.4 billion, but has invested profits into new drug developments [10] - Amgen's overall sales grew by 9% year over year to $8.8 billion, with double-digit growth in 15 products [11] - The new treatment Imdelltra for small-cell lung cancer has shown promising results, potentially becoming standard care, which could drive future sales growth [12][13]