Pfizer(PFE) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q3 2025, the company recorded revenues of $16.7 billion, a decrease of 7% operationally compared to the same period last year, primarily driven by a decline in COVID products [23] - Reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.62, while adjusted diluted EPS was $0.87, exceeding expectations due to strong gross margin and cost management performance [24] - Adjusted gross margin for the quarter was approximately 76%, reflecting product mix and strong cost management [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Non-COVID product performance was solid, growing 4% operationally compared to the same period last year, with significant contributions from Eliquis, the Vyndaqel family, and Nurtec [23][24] - The Vyndaqel family achieved 7% year-over-year global operational growth, while Padcev saw 13% year-over-year global operational growth [14][15] - The company’s recently launched and acquired products generated $7.3 billion in revenue, growing approximately 9% operationally year-over-year [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In international markets, the Vyndaqel family achieved 40% growth in total patients on treatment, while Nurtec led the oral CGRP class in primary care penetration in the U.S. [15] - The Prevnar family of vaccines saw 17% year-over-year international operational growth, with strong performance in pediatric pneumococcal vaccination [16] - The company expects the lung cancer market to reach approximately $70 billion by 2023, with significant growth potential in its lung cancer portfolio [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on strategic investments in innovation and growth, highlighted by the proposed acquisition of MedSera and the licensing agreement with 3SBio [6][8] - The company aims to enhance its R&D pipeline and commercial capabilities, particularly in the high-growth therapeutic area of obesity [8] - The recent agreement with the U.S. government aims to lower prescription drug costs while allowing the company to invest in U.S. manufacturing [7][32] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to deliver value for patients and shareholders, despite challenges in the COVID product line [5] - The company raised its adjusted diluted EPS guidance for the full year 2025, reflecting strong performance and improved cost structure [33] - Management noted that the agreement with the U.S. government will not impact 2025 guidance but may affect the 2026 financial outlook [32] Other Important Information - The company expects to achieve $1.5 billion in savings from its manufacturing optimization program by the end of 2027 [26] - The gross leverage at the end of Q3 was approximately 2.7 times, with expectations to return to target levels post-MedSera acquisition [31] - The company plans to provide guidance for 2026 by the end of the year [35] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on Vyndamax performance amid competition - Management acknowledged new competition but emphasized Vyndamax's unique benefits and strong market access, noting that volume growth was offset by gross-to-net headwinds [41][42] Question: Legal process regarding MedSera acquisition - Management stated that it is difficult to comment on the timing of legal proceedings but reiterated their belief that Novo's acquisition attempt is anti-competitive [48][50] Question: Plans if MedSera acquisition does not proceed - Management confirmed ongoing efforts to identify potential acquisition candidates across therapeutic areas, regardless of the MedSera outcome [52][54] Question: Dynamics of Paxlovid pricing - Management clarified that there were no significant changes in Paxlovid pricing, attributing variations to channel mix rather than material price changes [74] Question: Guidance on COVID-19 sales for the year - Management indicated that achieving the previously stated $9 billion in COVID sales is uncertain, depending on potential future COVID waves [87][90] Question: Pricing strategy for GLP-1 medicines - Management acknowledged that competition is driving prices down and that their calculations for the MedSera acquisition took this into account [94] Question: Delay in initiation of pivotal trial for pneumococcal vaccine - Management explained that the delay is due to ongoing discussions with the FDA regarding study designs and endpoints, with plans to align pediatric and adult studies [100]