Group 1 - Merck & Co., Inc. has been upgraded by Wells Fargo to Overweight from Equal Weight, with a new price target of $125, up from $90, due to recent business developments and pipeline advancements [2] - The company is entering a "catalyst-rich period" over the next 12–18 months, with multiple pipeline readouts expected, positioning it well to offset the anticipated loss of exclusivity for Keytruda [2] - Merck announced an acquisition of Cidara Therapeutics for approximately $9.2 billion, aimed at diversifying its portfolio ahead of Keytruda's patent expiration [3] Group 2 - Merck's management estimates that its 20-drug developmental pipeline could generate up to $50 billion in annual revenue at peak, with full realization expected by the mid-2030s [4] - The company has increased its quarterly dividend by 4.9% to $0.85 per share, marking the 15th consecutive year of dividend growth [4] - Merck is recognized for its strong oncology portfolio and also produces treatments for diabetes, an HPV vaccine, and a chickenpox vaccine [5]

Group 1 - Ligand Pharmaceuticals (LGND) shares have increased by nearly 88% this year, driven by investor interest in its royalty-based business model [1] - The company operates as a biotech firm that does not produce biologic medicines but instead focuses on forming partnerships and deals [1] - Ligand has a diverse portfolio with over 90 partnered commercial and development-stage drugs, targeting various conditions including cancer, kidney disease, and diabetes [1] Group 2 - Merck is experiencing a breakout past its latest buy point amid ongoing stock market volatility [2] - The company has recently engaged in a significant acquisition, purchasing Cidara Therapeutics for $9.2 billion [4] - Merck's stock performance is recovering, although it faces challenges with its Gardasil product line [4]

Novo Nordisk cuts its outlook as it sees slowing demand for its GLP-1 weight loss and diabetes treatments. https://t.co/jUAxNcme7f ...