Core Insights - Biogen reported strong second-quarter 2025 results, with adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $5.47, significantly exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.93, and a 4% year-over-year increase in earnings [1] - Total revenues for the quarter reached $2.65 billion, up 7% year over year, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.32 billion [2] Revenue Breakdown - Product sales were $1.9 billion, a slight decline of 1% year over year, while revenues from anti-CD20 therapeutic programs increased by 5% to $467 million [3] - Contract manufacturing and royalty revenues surged 124% year over year to $245 million, and Alzheimer's collaboration revenues rose to $55 million from $12 million in the previous year [4][5] Performance of Key Products - Sales of Biogen's multiple sclerosis (MS) drugs totaled $1.1 billion, down 4% year over year, primarily due to generic competition for Tecfidera and biosimilar competition for Tysabri [7] - Tecfidera sales fell nearly 23% to $193.6 million, while Vumerity sales increased by around 30% to $212.2 million [8] - Spinraza sales declined 8.5% to $392.7 million, missing estimates, while rare disease drug Skyclarys generated $130.3 million, up 5.2% sequentially [12] New Product Performance - New drugs Leqembi, Skyclarys, and Zurzuvae showed strong demand and sequential sales growth, with Leqembi generating $63 million in U.S. sales, a 20% increase [5][11] - Zurzuvae recorded $46.4 million in sales, up 68% sequentially, driven by increased demand [13] Cost and Guidance Updates - Adjusted R&D expenses decreased by 13% to $394 million, while SG&A expenses rose 7% to $579 million [16] - Biogen raised its 2025 EPS outlook to $15.50-$16.00, reflecting a stronger business outlook, and expects total revenues to be flat compared to 2024 [18] Market Reaction and Future Outlook - The positive guidance and strong sales of Leqembi boosted investor confidence, leading to a more than 5% rise in pre-market trading [20] - Despite rising competitive pressure on MS drugs, new products have the potential to drive growth, although it remains uncertain if they can offset declines in existing products [21]

Core Viewpoint - Biogen is expected to report second-quarter 2025 results on July 31, with sales and earnings estimates at $2.32 billion and $3.95 per share, respectively, following a previous earnings miss of 7.4% [1][11]. Group 1: Sales Performance - Lower sales of Biogen's multiple sclerosis (MS) drugs are anticipated, likely offset by revenue growth from new products [2]. - Sales of Tecfidera and Tysabri are projected to decline due to generic and biosimilar competition, with estimates for Tecfidera at $178.0 million and Tysabri at $373.0 million [3][4]. - Vumerity's sales are expected to rise, with estimates at $70.0 million and $181.9 million [4]. - Spinraza's sales are estimated at $397.0 million and $403.0 million, with a potential reversal in favorable shipment timing impacting second-quarter results [5]. - Skyclarys is likely to see mixed dynamics in the U.S. and global markets, with growth driven more by ex-U.S. sales [6][9]. Group 2: Collaborations and New Products - Biogen's collaboration with Sage Therapeutics for Zurzuvae involves shared profits and losses, with strong patient demand expected to continue [7]. - Alzheimer's collaboration revenues, including Biogen's share from Leqembi, are expected to rise, with Leqembi's sales improving sequentially [8][10]. Group 3: Earnings Expectations - Biogen's earnings surprise history shows a mixed performance, with a four-quarter average surprise of 8.36% [11]. - The Earnings ESP for Biogen is -0.85%, indicating a lower likelihood of an earnings beat this quarter [14].

Core Viewpoint - Alkermes plc reported disappointing earnings and revenue for the first quarter of 2025, missing consensus estimates and showing a decline in total revenues compared to the previous year [1][2]. Financial Performance - Earnings from continuing operations were 13 cents per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 28 cents and down from 21 cents per share in the same quarter last year [1]. - Total revenues for the first quarter were $306.5 million, a decrease of 12.5% year over year, and also below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $317 million [2]. - The proprietary products portfolio generated sales of $244.5 million, up 4.7% year over year, driven primarily by Lybalvi [5][6]. Product Sales Breakdown - Vivitrol sales increased by 3.4% year over year to $101 million, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $99 million but missing the internal estimate of $103.8 million [6]. - Lybalvi generated sales of $70 million, up 22.8% year over year, but missed both the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $71 million and the internal estimate of $75.1 million [7]. - Aristada sales decreased by 6.8% year over year to $73.5 million, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $79 million [7]. Revenue Sources - Manufacturing and royalty revenues fell by approximately 46.9% year over year to $62 million, with specific contributions from Biogen's Vumerity and other products [7][8]. Expenses and Cash Position - Research and development expenses totaled $71.8 million, up 6.2% year over year, while selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased by 4.4% to $171.7 million [9]. - As of March 31, 2025, Alkermes had cash and cash equivalents of $916.2 million, an increase from $824.8 million as of December 31, 2024 [9]. Guidance and Future Outlook - Alkermes reiterated its financial guidance for 2025, expecting total revenues in the range of $1.34 billion to $1.43 billion, with specific sales expectations for Vivitrol, Aristada, and Lybalvi [10]. - Net sales from proprietary products are anticipated to be between $260 million and $280 million in the second quarter of 2025 [11]. Pipeline Development - The company initiated the phase II Vibrance-3 study for ALKS 2680, targeting idiopathic hypersomnia, with primary endpoints focused on sleepiness reduction compared to placebo [12][13]. - Additional studies for ALKS 2680 are ongoing for narcolepsy type 1 and type 2, with data expected in the latter half of 2025 [14].

Core Viewpoint - Biogen reported first-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $3.02, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.32, with an 18% year-over-year decline in earnings due to a $165 million upfront payment to Stoke Therapeutics for a collaboration agreement [1][2][19] Financial Performance - Total revenues for Q1 2025 were $2.43 billion, reflecting a 6% year-over-year increase on a reported basis and an 8% increase on a constant-currency basis, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.23 billion [2] - Total product sales reached $1.73 billion, up 1% year over year on a reported basis and 3% on a constant-currency basis [4] - Contract manufacturing and royalty revenues surged 61% year over year to $293 million, while Alzheimer's collaboration revenues increased to $33 million from $3 million in the prior year [5][6] Product Sales Breakdown - Multiple sclerosis (MS) revenues totaled $953 million, down 11% on a reported basis due to generic competition for Tecfidera [9] - Sales of Spinraza rose 24.2% to $423.9 million, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $365 million [12] - New drug Qalsody for ALS recorded sales of $15.5 million, while Zurzuvae for postpartum depression generated $28 million in sales, reflecting a 21.7% sequential increase [13][14] Cost and Guidance - Adjusted R&D expenses decreased 3% year over year to $427 million, while adjusted SG&A expenses rose 1% to $572 million [16] - The company reaffirmed its total revenue guidance for 2025, expecting a mid-single-digit percentage decline in constant currency terms compared to 2024, and lowered its adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $14.50 to $15.50 [18][19] Market Performance - Year to date, Biogen's shares have declined 20.9%, compared to a 3.3% decrease in the industry [3]

Core Viewpoint - Biogen is expected to report first-quarter 2025 results on May 1, with sales and earnings estimates at $2.24 billion and $3.34 per share, respectively. The company faces challenges from declining sales of multiple sclerosis (MS) drugs, which may be offset by revenues from new drugs [1][2][5]. Sales Performance of MS Drugs - Sales of Biogen's MS drugs, including Tecfidera and Tysabri, are anticipated to decline due to increased competition and the introduction of generic versions in various markets [2][5]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Tecfidera sales is $199.0 million, while the internal estimate is $185.7 million. For Tysabri, the estimates are $363.0 million and $348.6 million, respectively [3][4]. - Vumerity's sales rose in the fourth quarter due to higher demand, with estimates for the first quarter at $141.0 million (Zacks) and $139.8 million (internal) [4]. Impact of Biosimilars and Generics - The decline in MS revenues is expected to be more pronounced in 2025 due to the anticipated entry of biosimilars for Tysabri and generics for Tecfidera in certain European markets [5]. Other Drug Sales - Spinraza's sales improved in the fourth quarter, but demand may have decreased in the first quarter, with estimates at $364.0 million (Zacks) and $338.1 million (internal) [6]. - Sales of Skyclarys for Friedreich's ataxia are expected to rise year-over-year, with estimates at $110.0 million (Zacks) and $111.4 million (internal) [7]. - Zurzuvae's launch has exceeded expectations, with strong patient demand likely contributing to improved sales in the first quarter [8][9]. Alzheimer's Collaboration and Revenues - Revenues from contract manufacturing, royalties, and Alzheimer's collaboration are expected to rise, particularly from the drug Leqembi, which has shown strong sales growth in recent quarters [10][11]. - Leqembi's sales have improved sequentially, with strong growth noted in China and Japan, and it was recently approved in the European Union [11][12]. Overall Revenue Expectations - Overall revenues for the first quarter of 2025 are expected to be negatively impacted by seasonality, higher discounts, and channel dynamics in the U.S., along with foreign exchange headwinds [13]. Key Events - Biogen announced a collaboration with Stoke Therapeutics to develop zorevunersen for Dravet syndrome, with a pivotal study expected to begin in the first quarter of 2025 [14]. Earnings Surprise History - Biogen has consistently beaten earnings estimates in the past four quarters, with an average earnings surprise of 11.8%. However, the current model does not predict a beat for the upcoming quarter, with an Earnings ESP of -15.8% [15][16][17].