Despite pressure from the administration, a rough start to the year, biotech has seen a rebound this year. Our next guest is betting that that recovery will continue into 2026. So joining us now, Salivine Richtor.She is the lead US biotech analyst at Goldman Sachs Research. And Salivine, it's great to have you on the show. Welcome.>> Thank you for having me. What's interesting to me is that these names of these, you know, these stocks of these pharma companies that did inc this deal with the president just ...

Core Insights - Donald Trump and nine major pharmaceutical companies have reached agreements to significantly reduce drug prices for the Medicaid program and cash payers, aiming to align US costs with those in other wealthy nations [1][2] Group 1: Price Reductions and Agreements - Drugmakers will cut prices on most drugs sold to Medicaid, promising "massive savings" on commonly used medicines, although specific figures were not disclosed [2] - The deals include agreements to lower cash-pay prices for select drugs, launch drugs in the US at prices equal to those in other wealthy nations, and increase manufacturing [3] - Merck plans to sell its diabetes drugs at approximately 70% off list prices directly to US consumers, with potential for its experimental cholesterol drug to be offered through direct channels [4] Group 2: Previous and Current Deals - Five companies had previously made agreements with the administration to control prices, while three companies have yet to announce deals [6] - Drugmakers committed to "most-favored-nation" pricing for all new US drug launches across various markets, including Medicare [7] Group 3: Financial Commitments and Investments - Companies pledged to invest over $150 billion in US research and development and manufacturing, with Merck contributing $70 billion of that total [8] - A portion of revenues from foreign sales will be remitted to the US to help offset costs [8] Group 4: Medicaid and Market Impact - Medicaid, which represents about 10% of US drug spending, already benefits from significant price discounts, sometimes exceeding 80% [9] - Pfizer indicated that Medicaid discounts would lead to price and margin compression in the upcoming year [9]

President Donald Trump signs an executive order aimed at reducing the cost of prescription drugs and pharmaceuticals by 30% to 80% during an event in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on May 12, 2025, in Washington, DC.Several of the largest U.S. and European-based drugmakers inked deals with President Donald Trump on Friday to voluntarily sell their medications for less, as his administration pushes to link the nation's drug prices to cheaper ones abroad.That includes Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb, Amgen ...

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights three standout companies in the Dow Jones Industrial Average that are considered great long-term investment opportunities due to their strong dividend yields and solid business fundamentals. Group 1: High-Yield Dividend Stocks - Verizon Communications offers a dividend yield of 6.66%, making it an attractive option for investors seeking passive income, especially if interest rates continue to decline [4][5] - Chevron has a dividend yield of 4.55% and has generated nearly $187 billion in revenue over the past four quarters, supporting its dividend payments [6][7] - Merck provides a dividend yield of 3.23% and has a strong pipeline of drugs, ensuring its dividend remains stable despite potential patent losses in the future [9][10] Group 2: Additional Dividend Stocks - Amgen has a dividend yield of 3% and has consistently increased its annual dividend since 2011, with a payout ratio below 50%, indicating strong financial support for its dividends [12][13] - Coca-Cola, with a dividend yield of 2.92%, is recognized for its brand strength and has a history of 63 consecutive years of annual dividend increases, making it a reliable investment [14][15] Group 3: Investment Recommendations - The article suggests that Chevron, Merck, and Coca-Cola stand out as the best investment choices heading into the new year due to their strong fundamentals and dividend performance [16]

Core Viewpoint - Abeona Therapeutics Inc. has appointed Mohamad Tabrizi as Senior Vice President and Chief Business Officer to enhance corporate strategy and business development efforts [1][2]. Group 1: Appointment and Role - Mohamad Tabrizi will lead the company's corporate strategy and business development functions, focusing on driving operational efficiency [1]. - Tabrizi has extensive experience in strategic planning and business development, which the company aims to leverage for optimizing operations and forming value-creating partnerships [2]. Group 2: Professional Background - Tabrizi previously worked in the venture capital sector as a General Partner and Managing Director at Pandect Bioventures and the Berkeley Catalyst Fund, where he led investment activities and operational roles [2]. - He has a strong track record in corporate development and capital markets, having executed 20 transactions at Nektar Therapeutics and led over 40 transactions as a healthcare investment banker, raising more than $5 billion [3]. Group 3: Company Overview - Abeona Therapeutics is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing cell and gene therapies for serious diseases, including its product ZEVASKYN, the first autologous cell-based gene therapy for treating wounds in patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa [4]. - The company operates a fully integrated cGMP manufacturing facility in Cleveland, Ohio, which is responsible for the commercial production of ZEVASKYN [4].

Summary of Biopharma Industry Conference Call Industry Overview - The focus for 2026 in the Biopharma sector is shifting back to fundamentals as policy overhangs diminish, particularly regarding drug pricing dynamics [1][2][23] - Key players in the industry include major biopharma companies such as Pfizer (PFE), AstraZeneca (AZN), Eli Lilly (LLY), and Novo Nordisk [2][24] Core Insights - **Policy Changes**: The most-favored nation (MFN) drug pricing agreements signed by five biopharma companies have significantly reduced policy overhangs, leading to an expansion in P/E multiples [2][23] - **Healthcare Sector Upgrade**: The US Equity Strategists upgraded the Healthcare sector to overweight, anticipating benefits from rate cuts, supportive earnings momentum, and M&A tailwinds [3] - **M&A Environment**: An estimated $150 billion in revenue from large-cap biopharma companies will go off patent by the end of the decade, creating favorable conditions for M&A activity [10] Key Products and Pipelines - **New Product Cycles**: Focus on new products such as LLY's Orforglipron for diabesity, GILD's Yeztugo for HIV PREP, and JNJ/PTGX's Ico for psoriasis [5] - **Pipeline Catalysts**: Significant upcoming data releases include LLY's obesity and T2D data, Novo's obesity data, and various trials across therapeutic areas such as Alzheimer's, oncology, immunology, and cardiology [6][12] Financial Metrics - **Valuation Context**: The relative valuation for the Healthcare sector remains in the bottom 6th percentile of historical levels over the last 30 years, indicating potential for growth [3] - **Earnings Projections**: Companies like LLY and GILD are projected to see significant earnings growth, with LLY's EPS expected to rise by 10% [13][19] Additional Considerations - **Legal Landscape**: The SCOTUS ruling on IEEPA tariffs and ongoing investigations could impact future policy and pricing strategies [2][25][30] - **FDA Uncertainty**: Changes in FDA leadership and potential delays in drug approvals due to workforce reductions are areas of concern as the industry moves into 2026 [33][34] - **CMS Pilot Programs**: Proposed drug pricing pilot programs by CMS could influence market dynamics, particularly for companies that have signed MFN deals [32] Conclusion - The Biopharma industry is poised for a shift towards fundamentals in 2026, with significant opportunities arising from new product launches, M&A activity, and favorable policy changes. However, ongoing legal and regulatory uncertainties remain critical factors to monitor.

Core Insights - The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly impacted the stock market, benefiting technology companies and growth-oriented investments while putting pressure on dividend-focused funds like the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) [2][4] Group 1: ETF Overview - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, focusing on high-quality U.S. firms with consistent dividend payments and strong financial ratios [3] - The ETF currently offers a trailing yield of approximately 3.8%, which is higher than the S&P 500's payout, and has a low expense ratio of 0.06% [3] Group 2: Performance Analysis - The SCHD has underperformed during the AI boom, with year-to-date total returns being near flat or slightly positive, while tech-focused funds like the Invesco QQQ Trust have seen stronger gains [7][8] - The ETF's portfolio is heavily weighted towards stable dividend payers in sectors such as energy (19%), consumer discretionary (18%), and healthcare (16%), with limited exposure to high-growth AI leaders [6][8] Group 3: Market Dynamics - The AI surge has concentrated market gains among a few mega-cap tech stocks, which prioritize reinvesting profits into growth rather than paying dividends, thus limiting their representation in SCHD's portfolio [5] - The equity risk premium has approached zero in 2025, indicating potential overvaluation reminiscent of the dot-com era [8]

Core Insights - The FDA has approved Amgen's UPLIZNA® (inebilizumab-cdon) for the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in adults who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) and anti-muscle specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibody positive, marking it as the first and only CD19-Targeted B-Cell therapy for this condition [1][2] - UPLIZNA offers a new treatment option with the potential for long-term disease control, requiring only two doses per year after initial loading doses, which is a significant improvement over other therapies that require more frequent administration [1][6] Treatment Background - UPLIZNA is already FDA-approved for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), showcasing its effectiveness in B cell depletion for immune-mediated disorders [2][5] - The approval reflects a growing body of evidence supporting B cell-driven autoimmune mechanisms in myasthenia gravis, positioning UPLIZNA as a strong therapeutic candidate [2][11] Clinical Impact - Clinical trials for UPLIZNA in gMG demonstrated significant improvements in MG-ADL and QMG functional scores, reduced frequency and severity of exacerbations, and early onset of sustained benefits [8][9] - The safety profile of UPLIZNA is consistent with prior indications, providing reassurance for its use in treating gMG [8][11] Research and Development - The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has invested over $57 million in myasthenia gravis research since its founding, with recent investments exceeding $400,000 from 2020 to 2025 [12] - MDA's commitment includes supporting active research grants and providing comprehensive patient support through a network of over 150 Care Centers [12] Community and Advocacy - The MDA Care Center Network plays a crucial role in clinical trials, multidisciplinary care, and patient support across the United States, enhancing access to the latest clinical information and treatment options [3][12] - The approval of UPLIZNA is seen as a significant advancement for the gMG community, providing renewed hope and more choices for patients and families [4][11]

Core Viewpoint - Amgen's drug Uplizna has received FDA approval for treating generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in adults with specific antibody profiles, marking a significant advancement in the treatment landscape for this rare disease [1][10]. Group 1: Drug Approval and Efficacy - Uplizna is the first CD19-targeted B-cell therapy approved for gMG, providing a twice-yearly dosing option, which is a notable advantage over existing therapies that require more frequent administration [2][10]. - The FDA's approval is based on data from the phase III MINT study, demonstrating strong efficacy in gMG patients [3][10]. - This approval represents the second for Uplizna in 2023 and its third overall in the U.S., following approvals for immunoglobulin G4-related disease and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder [4][10]. Group 2: Market Position and Competition - Uplizna enters a competitive market for gMG therapies, competing with argenx's Vyvgart/Vyvgart Hytrulo, J&J's Imaavy, and UCB's Rystiggo [6][10]. - While Uplizna, Vyvgart/Vyvgart Hytrulo, and Rystiggo are approved for adults, Imaavy has a broader age eligibility, being approved for patients aged 12 years and older [8]. Group 3: Financial Performance and Valuation - Amgen's shares have outperformed the industry year to date, indicating strong market performance [9][10]. - The company is currently trading at a price/earnings (P/E) ratio of 14.67, which is below the industry average of 16.59, suggesting a potential undervaluation [12]. - Earnings per share (EPS) estimates for 2025 and 2026 have increased in the past 30 days, reflecting positive market sentiment [13].

Core Insights - Amgen has received FDA approval for UPLIZNA (inebilizumab-cdon) as the first CD19-targeted B cell therapy for treating generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in adults who are positive for anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) and anti-muscle specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibodies, offering a new treatment option with the potential for long-term disease control through biannual dosing after initial loading doses [1][7][20] Group 1: Treatment Efficacy and Approval - The approval is based on the Myasthenia Gravis Inebilizumab Trial (MINT), which is the largest Phase 3 study for gMG, demonstrating significant efficacy in reducing symptoms and steroid dependency among patients [4][5] - At Week 26, UPLIZNA showed a 1.9-point improvement in the Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) score compared to placebo, with a statistically significant p-value of <0.0001 [6][11] - The trial included 238 adults, with 87.4% of UPLIZNA patients reducing their steroid dose to 5 mg or less per day by Week 26, indicating a reduction in steroid dependency [4][14] Group 2: Patient Impact and Market Potential - UPLIZNA offers a convenient dosing schedule of twice a year, which is expected to improve patient adherence and quality of life by providing six months of treatment-free time between doses [2][7] - The prevalence of gMG in the U.S. is estimated to be between 80,000 and 100,000 patients, with a growing global incidence, highlighting a significant market opportunity for UPLIZNA [3][17] - This approval marks the third indication for UPLIZNA, previously approved for anti-AQP4 antibody positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD), showcasing the drug's versatility [7][20] Group 3: Safety and Adverse Reactions - Common adverse reactions reported in gMG patients include headache and infusion-related reactions, with a noted incidence of 10.1% during the clinical trials [8][30] - Amgen emphasizes its commitment to patient support and access to UPLIZNA, indicating a proactive approach to managing treatment-related challenges [8][39]