Legend Biotech Corporation (NASDAQ:LEGN) is one of the 12 Stocks that Will Bounce Back According to Wall Street Analysts. On December 17, Cantor Fitzgerald maintained its Overweight rating on Legend Biotech Corporation (NASDAQ:LEGN) with a price target of $74. The firm said the stock has come under pressure because of concerns about competition, even though the company’s cancer therapy, Carvykti, is still on track to grow around 100% year-over-year to reach nearly $2 billion in sales in 2025. Legend Biote ...

Key Takeaways Amgen acquired Dark Blue Therapeutics for about $840M, strengthening its oncology pipeline.AMGN gains a preclinical small-molecule degrader targeting MLLT1/3 proteins tied to certain AML types.Amgen has no marketed AML therapy, but sells Blincyto for ALL and has early AML bispecifics.Amgen (AMGN) announced that it has acquired U.K.-based private biotech company, Dark Blue Therapeutics, for approximately $840 million.The acquisition will strengthen Amgen’s oncology pipeline by adding Dark Blue’ ...

Key Takeaways J&J's diversified pharma and MedTech model supports steadier growth across cycles.JNJ's 2025 gains were driven by Innovative Medicine growth and improving MedTech performance.AZN's oncology-led growth is offset by patent expirations, Part D pressure and China-related headwinds.Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and AstraZeneca (AZN) rank among the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, each with a broad and diversified healthcare portfolio. Both companies have a strong presence in oncology. Other than ...

Core Insights - Pfizer anticipates a significant revenue decline due to the loss of exclusivity for key products between 2026 and 2030, including Eliquis, Vyndaqel, Ibrance, Xeljanz, and Xtandi, all facing patent expirations [1][9] - The company has bolstered its R&D pipeline through mergers and acquisitions, successful data readouts, and pivotal program initiations, positioning itself for sustainable growth post-LOE [1][7] Oncology Pipeline - Pfizer has advanced its oncology pipeline with several candidates in late-stage development, including vepdegestrant for ER+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer, atirmociclib for HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer, and sigvotatug vedotin for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer [2] - By 2030, Pfizer expects to have eight or more blockbuster oncology medicines in its portfolio [4] Non-Oncology Developments - In non-oncology areas, Pfizer is developing an mRNA flu/COVID combination vaccine and osivelotor for sickle cell disease, both in late-stage development [4] - The company is also expanding the labels of approved products like Padcev, which was recently approved by the FDA in combination with Merck's Keytruda for specific bladder cancer patients [5] Obesity Market Expansion - Pfizer is strengthening its presence in the obesity market, currently dominated by Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, through the $10 billion acquisition of Metsera and the in-licensing of YP05002, an oral GLP-1 receptor agonist [6] - The Metsera acquisition added four novel clinical-stage programs for obesity, expected to generate billions in peak sales [6] Competitive Landscape - Pfizer faces revenue headwinds from patent expirations but is positioned for long-term growth through its expanding late-stage pipeline in oncology and investments in obesity, vaccines, and rare diseases [7] - The oncology market is competitive, with major players like AstraZeneca, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, and Bristol-Myers also focusing on oncology sales [10][11][12][13] Financial Performance - Pfizer's stock has declined 7% over the past year, while the industry has seen a 16% increase [14] - The company's shares are trading at a forward price/earnings ratio of 8.18, below the industry average of 17.40 and its own 5-year mean of 10.39, indicating attractive valuation [16] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings has increased slightly to $3.10 per share, while the estimate for 2026 has decreased to $3.04 per share [18]

Core Insights - Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) has received FDA approval for the subcutaneous formulation of its EGFR/MET inhibitor, Rybrevant, now marketed as Rybrevant Faspro, which is approved for all indications of the intravenous version [1][8] Group 1: Product Approval and Advantages - Both Rybrevant and Rybrevant Faspro are approved in the U.S. for four indications related to EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including two first-line and two second-line settings [2] - The subcutaneous formulation offers significant advantages in patient convenience, reducing administration time to about five minutes compared to several hours for the intravenous version [3][8] - The approval of Rybrevant Faspro is supported by data from the late-stage PALOMA-3 study, demonstrating its effectiveness compared to the IV formulation [5][8] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - With this approval, JNJ is better positioned to compete with AstraZeneca's Tagrisso, the current standard of care for EGFR-mutated NSCLC, although Tagrisso's oral administration remains a competitive advantage [4] Group 3: Oncology Sales and Growth Strategy - JNJ's oncology segment comprises approximately 27% of total revenues, with oncology sales rising nearly 21% year-over-year to $18.52 billion in the first nine months [10] - The company aims to achieve $50 billion in oncology sales by the end of the decade, having doubled its oncology sales from $10.7 billion in 2019 to $20.8 billion in 2024 [12] - JNJ is actively building its oncology pipeline through acquisitions, including a recent agreement to acquire Halda Therapeutics for $3.05 billion to enhance its prostate cancer portfolio [14]

Company Overview - Legend Biotech (NASDAQ:LEGN) is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies for serious diseases, including hematologic malignancies and solid tumors [5]. Stock Performance and Analyst Ratings - As of December 19, Legend Biotech's stock has a consensus rating that remains bullish, with 10 out of 11 analysts assigning Buy ratings and 1 analyst assigning a Hold rating. There are no Sell ratings for the stock [2]. - The stock has an estimated 1-year average price target of $68.20, indicating a potential upside of 211% from current trading levels [2]. - Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Eric Schmidt reaffirmed an overweight stance on the stock, assigning a Buy rating with a target price of $74, suggesting a 238% upside potential at the current trading range [3]. Product and Market Insights - Management views CAR-T cell therapy, specifically Carvykti, as a unique cure for myeloma, supported by long-term survival benefit data. The increasing demand for myeloma treatment is expected to drive production scaling [4]. - The management's positive outlook on CAR-T therapy and the anticipated growth in demand are seen as factors that outweigh potential competitive threats in the market, strengthening the investment case for Legend Biotech [4].

Core Insights - Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) received FDA approval for its precision therapy Akeega for a second indication in prostate cancer, specifically for BRCA2-mutated metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) [2][8] - The approval is based on the phase III AMPLITUDE study, which demonstrated a 54% reduction in the risk of radiographic progression or death with the Akeega-prednisone combination [3][8] - JNJ aims to achieve $50 billion in oncology sales by the end of the decade, with oncology currently accounting for approximately 27% of its total revenues [9][11] Drug Approval and Efficacy - Akeega combines the PARP inhibitor niraparib and the CYP17 inhibitor abiraterone acetate, marking the first FDA-approved precision medicine combination for BRCA2m mCSPC [3][5] - The drug's use has been expanded to an earlier stage of the disease, following its previous approval for BRCA-mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in 2023 [4][8] Financial Performance and Growth Strategy - JNJ's oncology sales rose nearly 21% year over year in the first nine months to $18.52 billion, driven by strong market growth and key products [9] - The company has seen its stock rise 46% this year, outperforming the industry average growth of 16% [6] - JNJ is actively building its oncology pipeline through acquisitions, including a recent agreement to acquire Halda Therapeutics for $3.05 billion [13] Market Position and Future Outlook - The oncology segment's growth is supported by new drug launches, contributing significantly to revenue increases [10][12] - JNJ's ambitious target of $50 billion in oncology sales requires more than doubling its sales from 2024 levels, reflecting confidence in its marketed cancer drugs and pipeline [11][12]

Core Viewpoint - Johnson & Johnson has shown strong stock performance in 2023, with shares increasing by 45% since January [1] Institutional Investment - Institutional investors, including Bank of Nova Scotia and Vanguard Group, have increased their stakes in Johnson & Johnson, indicating confidence in the company's future growth potential [2][8] Financial Performance - Johnson & Johnson's third-quarter sales rose by 6.8% year over year to $24 billion, and adjusted earnings per share increased by 15.7% year over year to $2.80 [6] Challenges and Resilience - The company faces challenges such as government drug price negotiations, ongoing lawsuits related to talc-based products, and patent expirations, particularly for Stelara [4][5] - Despite these challenges, Johnson & Johnson's diversified product lineup has helped mitigate the impact of losing patent exclusivity on its financial results [7]

Core Insights - Morgan Stanley highlights Johnson & Johnson's (JNJ.US) recent clinical data presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting, particularly the promising results of the Tecvayli and Darzalex combination therapy (Tec-Dara) for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) in the phase III trial (MajesTEC-3) [1] Group 1: Clinical Trial Results - The MajesTEC-3 trial included 587 patients, showing that the Tec-Dara combination significantly outperformed the control group (DPd/DVd regimen) in key efficacy metrics [1] - The combination therapy also reduced the risk of patient mortality and extended treatment duration, benefiting even those previously treated with anti-CD38 therapy [1] Group 2: Safety Profile - The incidence of grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events for the Tec-Dara combination was similar to the control group, with low treatment discontinuation rates [2] - Although the combination had a higher infection rate initially, the introduction of an immunoglobulin prophylaxis regimen in February 2023 led to a significant decrease in grade 3 and above infection rates after six months, with only one case of fatal infection reported [2] - The incidence of cytokine release syndrome was 60.1%, while immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome occurred in only 1.0% of patients [2] Group 3: Market Potential - Morgan Stanley predicts that Tecvayli's global sales will grow from $1 billion in 2026 to $9.3 billion by 2033, with its efficacy being competitive against Legend Biotech's and Johnson & Johnson's BCMA CAR-T therapy, Carvykti [2] - Darzalex, expected to generate $14 billion in annual sales, has established a strong position in frontline treatment, with approximately 76% of U.S. patients remaining sensitive to it after their first relapse, laying a foundation for Tec-Dara's advancement in treatment lines [2] Group 4: New CAR-T Therapy - Morgan Stanley also mentioned Johnson & Johnson's collaboration with Kelonia on a new CAR-T therapy, KLN-1010, which uses a lentiviral vector for delivery without preconditioning, potentially reducing logistical burdens and production costs [3] - In a preliminary phase I trial involving four patients who had undergone at least three lines of treatment, all achieved minimal residual disease negativity, with one case of complete response and three cases of partial response, demonstrating good safety without neurotoxic side effects [3] - If subsequent trials are successful, KLN-1010 could become a new treatment option for multiple myeloma, further strengthening Johnson & Johnson's leadership in this field and posing long-term competitive pressure on existing BCMA CAR-T therapies [3]

Group 1 - Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) shares rose by 1.7% following a report indicating that Tecvayli combined with Darzalex reduces the risk of disease progression or death by 83% compared to standard treatment options [1][2] - The report suggests that this combination therapy may support earlier line usage as treatment paradigms evolve [1][2] - The collaboration partner for Carvykti, Legend Biotech (LEGN), is also gaining attention in light of these developments [1][2]