About this content About Emily Jarvie Emily began her career as a political journalist for Australian Community Media in Hobart, Tasmania. After she relocated to Toronto, Canada, she reported on business, legal, and scientific developments in the emerging psychedelics sector before joining Proactive in 2022. She brings a strong journalism background with her work featured in newspapers, magazines, and digital publications across Australia, Europe, and North America, including The Examiner, The Advocate, ...

Time for uh stop trading. What do you got. Positive news here in the M&A front.Walgreens, Sycamore's buying them. They reported a very good quarter last night. First up, such surprise, I can recall and uh this is just the tradition.Remember, Sycamore is getting the actual drugstores, but I think this is very hopeful for Sweeney, for his team. I also think, David, that perhaps uh they get to sell some of these healthcare clinic businesses and you're going to find that this is a it's going to work. I can't be ...

Core Insights - Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) reported revenue of $38.99 billion for the quarter ended May 2025, marking a year-over-year increase of 7.3% [1] - The earnings per share (EPS) for the same period was $0.38, down from $0.63 a year ago, but exceeded the consensus EPS estimate of $0.34 by 11.76% [1] - The reported revenue surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $36.61 billion by 6.49% [1] Revenue Breakdown - U.S. Retail Pharmacy revenues reached $30.72 billion, exceeding the average estimate of $28.76 billion by analysts, reflecting a year-over-year change of 7.8% [4] - U.S. Healthcare revenues were reported at $2.10 billion, slightly below the estimated $2.17 billion, representing a year-over-year decline of 1.1% [4] - International revenues amounted to $6.17 billion, surpassing the average estimate of $5.74 billion, with a year-over-year increase of 7.8% [4] Operating Income Analysis - Adjusted operating income for U.S. Retail Pharmacy was $350 million, significantly higher than the average estimate of $113.67 million [4] - Adjusted operating loss for Corporate and Other was reported at -$60 million, compared to the average estimate of -$52.50 million [4] - Adjusted operating income for U.S. Healthcare was $54 million, below the average estimate of $72.85 million [4] - Adjusted operating income for International was $214 million, exceeding the average estimate of $196.39 million [4] Stock Performance - Walgreens shares have returned +1.1% over the past month, while the Zacks S&P 500 composite increased by +5.1% [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating potential for outperformance in the near term [3]

Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.38 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.34 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.63 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +11.76%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this largest U.S. drugstore chain would post earnings of $0.53 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.63, delivering a surprise of +18.87%.Over the l ...

Our CTO @SergeiIakhnin visited 10 Downing Street to join the first OpenBind consortium meeting hosted by the UK government. Read more here: https://t.co/bRwArIHgFeSergei Yakneen (@SergeiIakhnin):Enjoyed kicking off the OpenBind consortium with members of industry and academia and hosted by UK govt at 10 Downing st. OpenBind will create a huge public data set of protein-ligand structures and binding affinities for AI in drug discovery and @IsomorphicLabs is helping drive https://t.co/IyaCzqnfO2 ...

Company Overview - Ocular Therapeutix (OCUL) shares increased by 8.6% to $9.09 in the last trading session, with a notable trading volume, and have gained 14.7% over the past four weeks [1][2] Pipeline and Product Development - The price rise is linked to positive investor sentiment regarding Ocular's product candidate Axpaxli, which is in late-stage studies for treating wet age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, and other retinal diseases [2] Financial Performance Expectations - The company is projected to report a quarterly loss of $0.35 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 45.8%, with expected revenues of $13.55 million, down 17.6% from the previous year [3] - The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.2% higher in the last 30 days, indicating a potential for price appreciation [4] Industry Context - Ocular Therapeutix is part of the Zacks Medical - Drugs industry, where Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. (TAK) also operates, having seen a 2.5% increase to $15.08 in the last trading session [5] - Takeda's consensus EPS estimate remains unchanged at $0.47, representing a year-over-year decline of 16.1%, and it currently holds a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) [6]

Core Insights - Intelligent Bio Solutions Inc. (INBS) is advancing drug screening technology through its partnership with Spjotgard, enhancing the adoption of its Intelligent Fingerprinting Drug Screening System in Scandinavia [1][6] - Spjotgard, established in 2021, has positioned INBS' technology as a leading solution in response to the demand for modern drug testing methods [2][7] - The fingerprint drug testing system is gaining traction due to its non-invasive nature, quick results, and suitability for various sectors including logistics, construction, and education [3][5][10] Company Overview - Intelligent Bio Solutions Inc. specializes in non-invasive drug testing solutions, with a focus on fingerprint sweat analysis for rapid results [10] - The company has over 450 accounts across 24 countries, indicating a strong market presence and ongoing evolution in drug screening technology [6] - INBS' Drug Screening System is designed to be hygienic and cost-effective, screening for commonly used drugs in workplace settings [10] Market Dynamics - There is a growing interest in fingerprint-based testing in Scandinavia, driven by the need for more hygienic and less invasive drug testing alternatives [3][5] - Spjotgard is expanding its market presence through collaborations with drug-detection service providers and is actively targeting Norway for future growth [4][5] - The Scandinavian region, particularly Sweden, is recognized for its progressive drug testing policies, setting a standard for neighboring countries [5]

Core Viewpoint - Cidara Therapeutics, Inc. has announced a public offering of 7,954,546 shares of its common stock priced at $44.00 per share, aiming to raise approximately $350 million in gross proceeds before expenses [1][2]. Group 1: Offering Details - The offering is expected to close on June 26, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions [2]. - Cidara has granted underwriters a 30-day option to purchase an additional 1,193,181 shares at the public offering price [2]. - J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Guggenheim Securities, and Cantor are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering [3]. Group 2: Regulatory Information - The offering is made pursuant to a shelf registration statement filed with the SEC on May 8, 2025, and declared effective on May 15, 2025 [4]. Group 3: Company Overview - Cidara Therapeutics utilizes its proprietary Cloudbreak® platform to develop drug-Fc conjugate (DFC) therapeutics, with its lead candidate CD388 aimed at universal prevention of influenza [6]. - CD388 received Fast Track Designation from the FDA in June 2023, and the company completed enrollment for its Phase 2b NAVIGATE trial in December 2024 [6]. - Cidara is also developing additional DFCs for oncology, including CBO421, which targets CD73 in solid tumors [6].

Company Overview - Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) shares increased by 12.1% to close at $9.54, following a significant volume of trading, contrasting with a 13.2% loss over the previous four weeks [1] - The rise in stock price is attributed to growing investor optimism regarding the phase IIb REZOLVE-AD study of rezpegaldesleukin for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis [1] Financial Expectations - Nektar is projected to report a quarterly loss of $2.53 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 32.5% [2] - Expected revenues for the upcoming report are $10.78 million, which is a decrease of 54.1% compared to the same quarter last year [2] Earnings Estimate Revisions - The consensus EPS estimate for Nektar has been revised 10.5% higher in the last 30 days, indicating a positive trend that typically correlates with stock price appreciation [3] - Monitoring Nektar's stock is advised to see if the recent price increase can sustain and lead to further strength [3] Industry Context - Nektar operates within the Zacks Medical - Drugs industry, which includes other companies such as Indivior PLC (INDV) [4] - Indivior's stock closed 0.4% lower at $13.95, but has seen a return of 24.4% over the past month [4] - Indivior's consensus EPS estimate remains unchanged at $0.25, representing a decline of 43.2% from the previous year [5]

Summary of Nuvalent Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Nuvalent - **Focus**: Development of targeted therapies for cancer, specifically for ROS1 positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with their product candidate, Zydastantinib [2][5][6] Industry Context - **Industry**: Oncology, specifically targeting ROS1 positive non-small cell lung cancer - **Current Landscape**: Four FDA approved therapies exist for ROS1 positive NSCLC, each with limitations such as inadequate CNS penetrance and resistance mutations [10][11] Key Points and Arguments Product Development and Clinical Trials - **Zydastantinib**: First and only ROS1 selective compound designed to address key medical needs, including CNS penetrance and resistance mutations [12][8] - **ARRIS-one Trial**: Ongoing clinical trial evaluating Zydastantinib, with a focus on heavily pretreated patients [12][13] - **Enrollment**: As of September 2023, enrollment in the Phase II portion began, targeting both TKI pretreated and naive patients [13][14] Clinical Data Highlights - **Efficacy**: - Overall response rate (ORR) in TKI pretreated patients was 44%, with a duration of response (DOR) rate of 62% at 18 months [17][18] - In patients who received prior crizotinib only, ORR was 68% with no progression events among responders [21][43] - In TKI naive patients, ORR was 89% with a DOR rate of 96% at 12 months [27][28] - **CNS Activity**: - Intracranial ORR was 48% in patients with measurable CNS lesions, with a complete response (CR) rate of 20% [23][24] - In patients who received crizotinib only, intracranial ORR was 85% [24][49] Safety Profile - **Adverse Events**: Zydastantinib was generally well tolerated, with low rates of dose modifications (10%) and discontinuations (2%) due to adverse events [25][26] - **Common Adverse Events**: Peripheral edema (36%), constipation (17%), and fatigue (16%) were the most frequently reported [25] Regulatory and Commercial Strategy - **NDA Submission**: Planned rolling submission for Zydastantinib in July 2025, targeting TKI pretreated patients [29] - **FDA Engagement**: Participation in the Real Time Oncology Review (RTOR) pilot program to expedite the review process [29] - **Commercial Readiness**: Preparations for a potential launch in 2026, including building commercial teams and identifying key prescribers [30] Future Directions - **Broader Portfolio**: Nuvalent is advancing additional programs for ALK positive NSCLC and HER2 altered NSCLC, with pivotal data expected later in 2025 [31][32][33] - **Clinical Development Speed**: Rapid enrollment and execution of the ARRIS-one study, reflecting strong interest and support from the medical community [78] Additional Important Insights - **Market Opportunity**: The unique design of Zydastantinib aims to address unmet needs in the ROS1 NSCLC space, potentially leading to a compelling commercial opportunity [30][31] - **Comparative Advantage**: Zydastantinib's selective design aims to minimize off-target effects and improve patient tolerability compared to existing therapies [60][61] This summary encapsulates the critical aspects of Nuvalent's conference call, highlighting the company's innovative approach to treating ROS1 positive NSCLC and the promising data emerging from their clinical trials.