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Vertex Gears Up to Report Q2 Earnings: Is a Beat in the Cards?
ZACKS· 2025-07-29 14:16
Core Viewpoint - Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) is expected to exceed expectations in its second-quarter 2025 results, with projected revenues of $2.89 billion and earnings of $4.24 per share [1][2]. Group 1: Sales Performance - Vertex's cystic fibrosis (CF) franchise sales are growing, primarily driven by increased sales of its CF medicine, Trikafta/Kaftrio, particularly in younger age groups [3][7]. - Strong demand for Trikafta/Kaftrio in the U.S. is anticipated to drive revenues, although international sales faced challenges due to illegal copy products in Russia [4][5]. - Trikafta/Kaftrio sales estimates are $2.56 billion according to Zacks Consensus and $2.50 billion based on internal models, with potential sales erosion from other CF drugs [5][9]. Group 2: New Product Developments - Vertex's new gene therapy, Casgevy, approved for sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia, recorded $14.2 million in sales in Q1 2025, with a sequential increase of 77.5% expected in Q2 [8][9]. - The fifth CF medicine, Alyftrek, generated $53.9 million in sales in Q1 2025, with steady uptake noted, although the switch from Trikafta to Alyftrek has been slower than anticipated [10][11]. - Journavx, a non-opioid pain medicine, was recently approved but had insignificant sales in the last quarter, with expectations for improvement in the second half of the year [12]. Group 3: Earnings Expectations - Vertex's earnings surprise history shows a mixed performance, with one earnings beat in the last four quarters and an average negative surprise of 2.39% [14]. - The company's Earnings ESP is +1.82%, indicating a potential earnings beat, supported by a Zacks Rank of 3 [15][16].
VRTX Secures Nod for Expanded Use of CF Drug Kaftrio in Europe
ZACKS· 2025-04-08 11:55
Core Viewpoint - Vertex Pharmaceuticals has received an expanded label approval from the European Commission for its cystic fibrosis drug Kaftrio, allowing treatment for all patients aged two years and older with at least one non-class I mutation in the CFTR gene [1][2]. Company Overview - Vertex Pharmaceuticals holds a dominant position in the cystic fibrosis market, being the first company to develop a drug that addresses the underlying cause of the disease [6]. - The company markets multiple cystic fibrosis medications, including Kaftrio (Trikafta in the U.S.), Alyftrek, Symdeko/Symkevi, Orkambi, and Kalydeco [6][3]. Market Impact - The expanded label for Kaftrio will make nearly 4,000 additional cystic fibrosis patients eligible for treatment in the European region [2]. - Vertex's cystic fibrosis sales have shown significant growth, with Kaftrio contributing $10.24 billion in product sales in 2024, reflecting a year-over-year increase of approximately 15% [7]. Future Developments - Vertex is developing an mRNA therapeutic, VX-522, in collaboration with Moderna for approximately 5,000 cystic fibrosis patients who do not produce CFTR protein. The single ascending dose portion of the phase I/II clinical study is complete, with data from the ongoing multiple ascending dose portion expected in the first half of 2025 [8]. Stock Performance - Year to date, Vertex's stock has gained 18%, outperforming the industry, which has seen a 7% decline [4].