Core Insights - Drugmakers are increasingly adopting telehealth platforms for direct-to-consumer sales, aligning with the Trump administration's push for lower drug prices [2][3][5] - Amgen has announced a significant price reduction for its cholesterol-lowering drug Repatha, offering it at a cash price 60% lower than its current list price [2] - The Trump administration is promoting a "most favored nation" policy to tie U.S. drug prices to lower prices abroad, urging companies to implement direct-to-consumer sales models [3] Group 1: Industry Trends - The pharmaceutical industry is moving towards direct-to-consumer sales, allowing patients to purchase medications directly from manufacturers at discounted prices [5] - This shift enables drugmakers to bypass intermediaries like pharmacy benefit managers, potentially increasing their revenue [5] Group 2: Government Initiatives - The Trump administration plans to launch a website, TrumpRx.gov, to facilitate direct online purchases of branded drugs at discounts, with Pfizer agreeing to offer discounts averaging 50% and up to 85% on certain drugs [4] - In July, Trump sent letters to 17 drugmakers, urging them to adopt measures to reduce costs for patients, including direct-to-consumer sales [3]

Key Takeaways Amgen launched AmgenNow, offering direct discounts starting with its cholesterol drug Repatha.Repatha's new $239 monthly price marks a nearly 60% cut from its U.S. list price.Amgen partnered with GoodRx to make Repatha available at this price across 70,000 pharmacies.Amgen (AMGN) announced the launch of a new direct-to-consumer (DTC) program called AmgenNow, which will offer significant discounts on its marketed drugs. The company has initiated this DTC program with its blockbuster cholesterol ...

Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) said on Monday that it has launched its cholesterol medication, Repatha, directly to consumers in the U.S. at a reduced cash price. This move comes as part of a broader response from pharmaceutical companies to political pressure in ...

The biotechnology company said that it has launched AmgenNow, a new direct-to-patient program, starting with its drug Repatha. ...

Amgen on Monday launched direct-to-consumer U.S. sales of its cholesterol medication Repatha at a discounted cash price, becoming the latest pharmaceutical company responding to U.S. political pressur... ...

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].

Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) is included among the 11 Cheap Quarterly Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now. Is Amgen (AMGN) a Safe Bet for Income Investors in Cheap Quarterly Dividend Stocks? Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN), a leading biotechnology company, offers investors a strong and diverse portfolio. It has more than two dozen brands, including several blockbuster drugs that each bring in over $1 billion in annual sales. Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN)’s medicines span multiple therapeutic areas. These include Repatha, ...

Core Viewpoint - The healthcare sector, particularly dividend-paying stocks like Amgen and Merck, presents solid investment opportunities due to their non-cyclical nature and consistent revenue generation even in challenging economic conditions [1][2]. Group 1: Amgen - Amgen is a leading biotech company with a diverse portfolio of over two dozen products, many of which are blockbuster drugs generating over $1 billion in annual sales [4]. - The company reported a 9% year-over-year revenue growth in Q2, reaching $9.2 billion, with non-GAAP earnings per share at $6.02, a 21% increase from the previous year [6]. - Amgen faces patent cliffs and biosimilar competition but has strong growth drivers, including Tezspire for asthma, which saw a 46% year-over-year sales increase to $342 million [7][8]. - The company has a robust dividend profile with a forward yield of 3.4%, having increased its payouts annually since 2011 [9]. Group 2: Merck - Merck is experiencing increased competition for its cancer drug Keytruda, with patent exclusivity expiring in 2028, and has faced declining sales in its vaccine franchise due to paused shipments in China [10][11]. - In Q2, Merck's revenue declined by 2% year-over-year to $15.8 billion [11]. - The company is developing a subcutaneous version of Keytruda to extend its patent life and has received approval for new products like Winrevair for pulmonary arterial hypertension [12][13]. - Merck's forward yield is currently at 3.9%, with an 88.8% increase in dividends over the past decade, making it an attractive option for dividend investors despite current challenges [15].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 9% year-over-year revenue growth and a 13% volume growth in the second quarter [5] - Non-GAAP earnings per share grew by 21% year-over-year [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In general medicine, Repatha achieved $689 million in sales, growing at 31% year-over-year, while Evenity reached $518 million in sales with a growth of 32% year-over-year [8] - The rare disease segment is now annualizing at over $5 billion, with significant growth from Oplisna and a successful launch in IgG4 related disease [9][10] - The oncology portfolio saw BLINCYTO grow by 45% year-over-year, and IMDELTRA grew at 65% quarter-over-quarter, generating $134 million in sales [13] - The inflammation segment, particularly TestFire, grew by 46% year-over-year in severe uncontrolled asthma [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is expanding its presence in Japan with the successful launch of TEPEZZA and is having ongoing conversations with payers in Europe [70] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company emphasizes a commitment to innovation, execution excellence, and disciplined capital allocation, with an increased R&D spend guidance of over 20% for the year [15][24] - The focus is on expanding the pipeline, particularly in obesity and cardiometabolic risk management, with multiple Phase III studies ongoing [18][19][48] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the ability to serve more patients and address unmet medical needs, highlighting the importance of both inline products and pipeline innovations [72] - The company is well-positioned for long-term growth, with a strong platform and breadth across therapeutic areas [72] Other Important Information - The company has largely completed deleveraging from the Horizon transaction and is on track to return to an efficient capital structure by the end of the year [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Discussion on Meratide and its safety profile - Management discussed the Phase II study's focus on dose escalation and the pharmacokinetic characteristics of Meratide, which allow for smooth titration to target doses [26][27] Question: Broader program for Meratide - Management highlighted the broad maritime program, including studies in cardiovascular disease and chronic weight management, indicating significant potential in these areas [33][32] Question: Opportunities with Repatha and Vesalius CV trial - Management noted that the Vesalius study will add to the evidence supporting Repatha's use in primary prevention, which is crucial for payer acceptance [42] Question: Positioning of Aplizna in the market - Management emphasized Aplizna's stable efficacy, steroid tapering capability, and attractive dosing schedule as key differentiators in the market [66][67] Question: Progress in geographical expansion post-Horizon deal - Management confirmed successful sales of TEPEZZA in Japan and ongoing discussions with European payers, indicating positive progress in geographical expansion [70]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 9% year-over-year revenue growth and a 21% growth in non-GAAP earnings per share [5][15] - Volume growth was reported at 13% year-over-year [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In general medicine, Repatha achieved $689 million in sales, growing 31% year-over-year, while Evenity reached $518 million, growing 32% year-over-year [6] - Rare disease segment is now annualizing at over $5 billion, with significant growth from Oplisna and TEPEZZA [7][10] - Oncology portfolio saw BLINCYTO grow 45% year-over-year, and IMDELTRA grew 65% quarter-over-quarter, generating $134 million in sales [11] - Inflammation products, particularly TestFire, grew 46% year-over-year in severe uncontrolled asthma [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is expanding its presence in Japan with TEPEZZA and has received approval in Europe, indicating a focus on geographical expansion [71] - The rare disease market is expected to grow, with the company leveraging its manufacturing capabilities to enhance market access [70] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company emphasizes a commitment to innovation across its therapeutic areas, focusing on execution excellence and disciplined capital allocation [24] - Increased R&D spending guidance to over 20% this year reflects the company's prioritization of innovation [14] - The company is exploring business development opportunities, including acquisitions and partnerships, to expand its portfolio [37] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the company's ability to deliver growth and innovation, citing a strong pipeline and the potential for new product launches [24][74] - The focus remains on addressing unmet medical needs and expanding access to therapies for patients [73] Other Important Information - The company has largely completed deleveraging from the Horizon transaction and aims to return to an efficient capital structure by year-end [15] - The pipeline includes multiple Phase III studies across various therapeutic areas, indicating a robust development strategy [16][19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Discussion on Meratide's safety and dosing - Management discussed the ongoing Phase II study addressing dose escalation and the potential for lower doses to maintain tolerability [26][27] Question: Broader program for Meratide - The company is exploring additional indications for Meratide, including cardiovascular disease and obstructive sleep apnea, based on encouraging Phase II data [33][32] Question: Repatha's opportunity in primary prevention - Management highlighted the Vesalius study's potential to reinforce the value of Repatha in primary care settings [40][41] Question: Olpasiran's positioning in cardiovascular disease - The company believes Olpasiran could achieve significant reductions in Lp(a) levels, differentiating it from competitors [47][50] Question: TESPIRE's potential in COPD - Management expressed confidence in TESPIRE's effectiveness in COPD based on its mechanism of action and previous data in severe asthma [56][58] Question: Bimertuzumab's regulatory filing approach - The decision on regulatory filing will depend on the totality of evidence from ongoing studies [63] Question: Aplizna's market positioning - Aplizna is positioned strongly in the market due to its dosing schedule and efficacy in treating IgG4 related disease and generalized myasthenia gravis [66][68] Question: Progress in geographical expansion post-Horizon deal - The company is successfully launching products in new markets, including Japan, and is optimistic about future growth in rare diseases [71][70]