Core Insights - Artisan Mid Cap Fund's fourth-quarter 2025 performance showed a decline, with Investor Class at -0.44%, Advisor Class at -0.37%, and Institutional Class at -0.35%, compared to -3.70% for the Russell Midcap® Growth Index, indicating relative resilience in a challenging market [1]. Group 1: Fund Performance - The Fund seeks investments in companies with franchise characteristics, strong earnings trajectories, and trading at a discount to estimated private market value [1]. - Continued strength in information technology and health care sectors contributed positively to the Fund's performance during the quarter [1]. Group 2: Insmed Incorporated (NASDAQ:INSM) - Insmed Incorporated specializes in therapies for serious and rare diseases, with a market capitalization of $33.917 billion [2]. - The stock closed at $159.03 per share on February 23, 2026, with a one-month return of -2.22% and a 52-week gain of 105.20% [2]. - Insmed was a top contributor to the Fund's performance in Q4, driven by strong sales of its lead product ARIKAYCE® and the successful launch of Brinsupri™, which generated $28 million in initial sales [3]. Group 3: Hedge Fund Interest - Insmed was held by 74 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q4, an increase from 73 in the previous quarter, indicating growing interest among institutional investors [4]. - Despite its potential, the company is not among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds, with some analysts suggesting that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential [4].

Core Insights - The successful commercialization of a core drug is becoming a key pathway for some biotech companies to transition into biopharmaceutical enterprises. Madrigal Pharmaceuticals is gaining attention for its role transformation in 2025 with the approval of Rezdiffra, the first oral small molecule drug approved for treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASH) with fibrosis [1][2]. Financial Performance - Rezdiffra received FDA approval on March 1, 2024, and is projected to generate nearly $200 million in sales for the entire year of 2024, with expectations to exceed $1 billion in 2025. This sales growth is directly improving the company's financial situation, as Madrigal reported a loss of $406 million in the first three quarters of 2024, which narrowed to $206 million in the same period of 2025. Revenue surged from $76.81 million to $637 million during this timeframe [1][2]. Business Development Initiatives - Based on the cash flow and profit expectations from its core product, Madrigal is intensifying its business development efforts in 2025. The company entered into a licensing agreement with China’s CSPC Pharmaceutical Group for the oral GLP-1 small molecule agonist SYH2086, which includes an upfront payment of $120 million and a total deal value of up to $2.075 billion. Additionally, Madrigal announced an exclusive global licensing agreement with Pfizer for the oral DGAT-2 inhibitor Ervogastat, requiring a $50 million upfront payment and potential future milestone payments and royalties [2]. Strategic Focus - The introduction of the GLP-1 pipeline aims to explore the combination therapy of Rezdiffra with oral GLP-1 to balance the weight loss effects of GLP-1 with the anti-fibrotic and lipid-lowering effects of Rezdiffra, optimizing the efficacy and tolerability of MASH treatment. The strategy for the DGAT-2 inhibitor aligns with this approach [2]. Industry Context - Madrigal's transformation is not an isolated case. Companies like Argenx in Belgium and BeiGene in China have successfully transitioned from biotech to biopharmaceutical enterprises through their respective product successes. Argenx achieved this with its FcRn inhibitor efgartigimod in the treatment of myasthenia gravis, while BeiGene built a global R&D and commercialization network with its BTK inhibitor zanubrutinib [3].

Argenx fell the most in seven months after saying it will discontinue late-stage trials for an experimental medicine to treat an autoimmune disease affecting the eyes https://t.co/k2EKHoz0U8 ...

Company Overview - Baoji Pharmaceutical is set to launch an IPO from December 2 to December 5, 2025, offering 37.9117 million shares, with 10% allocated for Hong Kong and 90% for international sales. The maximum public offering price is HKD 26.38 per share, with an entry fee of approximately HKD 2,664, and shares are expected to begin trading on December 10, 2025 [1] - The company has attracted significant investment, with a total funding exceeding CNY 1.5 billion from various investors, including local industry capital and market-oriented funds, resulting in a post-investment valuation of approximately CNY 4.87 billion, which is 23 times the initial post-investment valuation [1] Investment and Partnerships - The IPO has secured a strong cornerstone investor lineup, including well-known institutions such as Anke Bio, DC Alpha SPC, and Guotai Junan Securities, with a total subscription of HKD 200.6 million, accounting for about 21.77% of the total fundraising [2] - The presence of cornerstone investors highlights market recognition of the company's technological capabilities and commercial potential, providing a solid foundation for the smooth progress of the issuance [2] Product Pipeline and Technology - Baoji Pharmaceutical focuses on four key areas: antibody-mediated autoimmune diseases, large-volume subcutaneous injections, reproductive medicine drugs, and transformative products replacing traditional biochemical extraction methods. The company has developed a robust pipeline with seven clinical-stage candidates and seven preclinical candidates [2] - The core pipeline includes KJ017, a recombinant hyaluronidase for large-volume subcutaneous delivery, which is currently under review for market approval; KJ103, an IgG degrading enzyme in Phase III clinical trials for autoimmune diseases; and SJ02, the first long-acting follicle-stimulating hormone approved in China, which received approval in August [3] Commercialization and Market Position - The commercialization of the hyaluronidase technology has led to partnerships with several antibody drug companies, and an exclusive sales agency agreement with Anke Bio for SJ02 in Greater China has been established [3] - The focus on large-volume subcutaneous injection technology positions Baoji Pharmaceutical as a key player in the biopharmaceutical sector, offering advantages over traditional intravenous administration by reducing adverse events and significantly shortening administration time from 30-180 minutes to 2-5 minutes [3] Industry Landscape - Halozyme is identified as a leading company in the global hyaluronidase subcutaneous injection technology, with its technology applied to several major antibody drugs. The trend of developing subcutaneous versions of various drugs, including oncology treatments, is gaining momentum [4] - Baoji Pharmaceutical aims to become the "Halozyme of China," leveraging its expertise in hyaluronidase technology and core pipeline to empower its products and assist other domestic antibody drugs in achieving subcutaneous delivery upgrades, thereby capturing a significant market position in the biopharmaceutical innovation wave [4]

Company Overview - Baoji Pharmaceutical-B (02659) plans to conduct an IPO from December 2 to December 5, 2025, offering 37.9117 million shares, with 10% allocated for Hong Kong and 90% for international sales. The maximum public offering price is set at HKD 26.38 per share, with an entry fee of approximately HKD 2,664 [1] - The company has attracted significant investment, with total funding exceeding CNY 1.5 billion from various investors, including local industry capital and market-oriented funds, resulting in a post-investment valuation of approximately CNY 4.87 billion, which is 23 times the initial post-investment valuation [1] Investment and Partnerships - The IPO has secured a strong cornerstone investor lineup, including notable institutions such as Anke Bio Hong Kong and Guotai Junan Securities, with a total subscription of HKD 200.6 million, accounting for about 21.77% of the total fundraising [2] - The company has established a comprehensive pipeline with 7 clinical-stage candidates and 7 preclinical candidates, focusing on areas such as antibody-mediated autoimmune diseases and large-volume subcutaneous injections [2] Product Pipeline - The core pipeline includes KJ017, a recombinant hyaluronidase for large-volume subcutaneous delivery, currently under review for market approval; KJ103, an IgG-degrading enzyme in Phase III clinical trials for autoimmune diseases; and SJ02, the first long-acting follicle-stimulating hormone approved in China, which received approval in August [3] - The commercialization of the hyaluronidase technology has led to agreements with several antibody drug companies, and a unique sales agency agreement with Anke Bio for SJ02 in Greater China [3] Industry Positioning - Baoji Pharmaceutical is positioned to become a Chinese counterpart to Halozyme, leveraging its hyaluronidase technology to enhance the commercialization of its pipeline products and assist other domestic antibody drugs in achieving subcutaneous delivery upgrades [4] - The industry is witnessing a shift towards subcutaneous administration, with major companies like Merck and Daiichi Sankyo developing subcutaneous versions of their drugs, indicating a growing trend in the biopharmaceutical sector [4]

Group 1 - Futures have risen following a market sell-off, indicating a potential recovery in investor sentiment [1] - Kinross Gold is highlighted as a stock in the buy range, rebounding from its 50-day line with an aggressive entry point at $26.47 [1] - The stock has a composite rating of 99/99 and ranks 8th out of 197 in its industry group, showing strong performance metrics [1] Group 2 - Gold stocks are dominating the IBD 50 list, reflecting a trend where investors are seeking safe havens amid market volatility [4] - Six gold stocks have been added to growth lists as investors look for stability in their portfolios [4] - The overall market is experiencing a boost in buying activity, with notable mentions of companies like Argenx and VanEck Semi alongside Kinross [4]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a loss from continuing operations, net of tax, of $166 million for the quarter [23] - Cash and cash equivalents stood at $4.4 billion, with no debt on the balance sheet, indicating a strong capital position [23][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company highlighted significant progress in its late-stage pipeline, with 11 potentially registration trials and indications with blockbuster potential [7][24] - Brepocitinib's NDA filing is on track for the first half of next year, with positive data from the VALOR study in dermatomyositis (DM) [4][15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted that 75% of DM patients are currently on either steroids or immunosuppressive therapies (ISTs), indicating a significant unmet need in the market [10][11] - In Graves' disease, there are approximately 880,000 diagnosed patients in the U.S., with a significant portion being uncontrolled or intolerant to current therapies [18][19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its pipeline and has initiated registrational trials in multiple indications, including Graves' disease and myasthenia gravis [6][8] - The management emphasized the importance of the upcoming Investor Day on December 11, 2025, to discuss the company's transformation and future opportunities [3][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the upcoming data readouts and the potential for brepocitinib and batoclimab to address significant unmet medical needs [15][19] - The competitive landscape in Graves' disease is evolving, with other companies entering the space, but management believes their FcRn mechanism provides a competitive advantage [32][62] Other Important Information - The company is involved in ongoing litigation related to LNP technology, with a jury trial in the Moderna case scheduled for March 2026 [23] - The company has a favorable marketing ruling in the Pfizer case, which is ongoing in discovery [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: What should be watched next regarding Pfizer litigation? - Management indicated that the scheduling process for the Pfizer case is underway, and more information about the timeline, including a potential trial date, will be available soon [28] Question: Impact of Argenx entering Graves' disease on strategy? - Management acknowledged the competitive landscape but expressed confidence in their data and the significant patient population, suggesting that increased interest in Graves' disease is beneficial for all [33][62] Question: Expectations for the upcoming Investor Day? - Management stated that the Investor Day will provide a comprehensive overview of the company's transformation and future opportunities, with potential new data to be shared [35][37] Question: Insights on remission data for Graves' disease? - Management emphasized that deeper IgG reductions are expected to drive remission rates, and they are optimistic about their data [41][43] Question: Update on the competitive landscape in Graves' disease? - Management noted the increasing number of companies entering the space but expressed confidence in their FcRn mechanism's safety and efficacy [62] Question: Thoughts on the competitive landscape in TED? - Management acknowledged the competitive intensity in TED but highlighted their focus on where they could play effectively [82]

Core Insights - The healthcare industry is experiencing potential disruption from artificial intelligence (AI) technology, presenting investment opportunities for the Fidelity Disruptive Medicine ETF (FMED) [1] Investment Focus - FMED targets companies that are positioned to disrupt the healthcare sector with innovative solutions, including Boston Scientific Corp, Alynlam Pharma, and Argenx, which may not be as recognizable as larger firms like Eli Lilly or UnitedHealth [2] - The ETF is actively managed, allowing portfolio managers to adjust holdings based on market conditions, with exposure to areas such as robotic surgery, gene therapy, genomics, rare diseases, medical devices, immunotherapy, and technology-based healthcare platforms [3] AI Integration in Healthcare - FMED includes companies utilizing AI to provide innovative healthcare solutions, with rising capital investment in the sector supporting the investment case for such funds [4] - A report from the World Economic Forum highlights ongoing challenges in healthcare, noting that 4.5 billion people lack access to essential services and forecasting a shortage of 11 million healthcare workers by 2030, creating opportunities for AI-driven delivery services [5] - AI digital health solutions are expected to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve health outcomes globally, emphasizing the need for further investment in AI [6]

分组1: Federal Layoffs and Biotech Industry Impact - Federal budget cuts and government shutdown are affecting various health agencies, notably the FDA, which is crucial for biotech companies [2][3] - The FDA is largely funded by user fees, allowing 86% of its employees to remain active during the shutdown, but new drug applications requiring user fees cannot be accepted [2][3] - NIH budget cuts are impacting early-stage research, which is vital for innovation in the biotech sector, although there are efforts to restore funding [4] 分组2: The Trade Desk - The Trade Desk has seen a significant decline of 63% since its peak, attributed to missed earnings guidance and revenue growth slowing below 20% for the first time as a public company [8][9] - Despite challenges, The Trade Desk is still positioned in a $935 billion digital advertising market, with a reasonable valuation at less than 25 times forward earnings [9] - The company is expected to continue gaining market share, even as revenue growth slows [9] 分组3: Bristol Myers Squibb - Bristol Myers Squibb is facing challenges due to a significant patent cliff, particularly with drugs like Eliquis, which will face generic competition [12][13] - The company is projected to have earnings per share around $6.50 and revenue of approximately $47 billion, resulting in a low PE multiple of less than seven [12][13] - Despite expected declines in profits and revenue, the company has a strong history of paying dividends, currently yielding around 5.6% [13][15] 分组4: Progyny - Progyny has experienced a 41% decline in stock price, but its services for infertility are becoming increasingly important, with a growing client base of self-insured companies [16][17] - Revenue growth was 9.5% in the most recent quarter, with gross profit increasing by 16%, indicating improved efficiency [16][17] - The company is expanding its services, including menopause support, which has received positive initial feedback from clients [17][18]

Core Insights - The Inelastic Market Hypothesis (IMH) suggests that for every $1 of capital flows, the market's aggregate value changes by approximately $5, indicating significant market volatility compared to underlying fundamentals [2][3] - The Federal Reserve's quantitative easing (QE) and the rise of passive investing have created inelastic demand in the market, distorting price signals and leading to misallocated capital [5][8] - The current market environment is characterized by a high level of kinetic energy due to concentrated capital flows into U.S. indexes, which poses risks of sudden market corrections [11][13] Market Dynamics - The price elasticity of demand in the stock market is relatively low, meaning that price increases do not significantly dampen buying demand, while price decreases do not substantially increase demand [3] - Passive investing has become a dominant driver of equity prices, with estimates suggesting that for every $1 of passive inflows, the market's aggregate value increases by approximately $3 to $8 [8] - The market is increasingly acting like a casino, with a proliferation of leveraged ETFs and options trading, which adds volatility and risk to the investment landscape [9][10] Investment Strategy - The company employs a valuation-disciplined investment process that is highly price elastic, allowing for aggressive buying during market downturns and risk shedding during periods of greed [4] - The strategy focuses on diversifying portfolios by mixing potential energy (value) with kinetic energy (momentum), particularly in sectors like healthcare and materials that offer attractive free cash flow yields [18][21] - The company has identified Amazon as a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong balance sheet and potential benefits from AI, while exiting positions in companies like Expedia due to emerging competitive threats [21][22] Performance Overview - The ClearBridge Value Strategy underperformed its benchmark, the Russell 1000 Value Index, during a period of subdued returns for value stocks [17][24] - Stock selection in the healthcare sector contributed positively to performance, while the financials sector detracted from returns due to declines in specific holdings [19][20] - The strategy continues to find opportunities in undervalued stocks with high free cash flow yields, particularly in sectors that have fallen out of favor [18][24]