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Businesshealthcare

All articles tagged with #businesshealthcare

businesshealthcare1 year ago

Elevance Health Beats Profit Estimates Despite Stock Slide

Elevance Health has warned of high medical costs for the year due to increased claims from Medicaid members, leading to a nearly 7% drop in its shares. The insurer expects more claims in the second half of the year from sicker patients, which could offset revenue growth. This trend has also affected shares of rival insurers like Centene and Molina Healthcare. Despite this, Elevance's second-quarter adjusted profit beat estimates, driven by its health services unit Carelon and growth in Obamacare and commercial health plans.

businesshealthcare1 year ago

"UnitedHealth Faces Profit Hit and Investor Concerns Amid Cyberattack Fallout"

UnitedHealth Group's CEO Andrew Witty acknowledged that the company underestimated the impact of a cyberattack on its subsidiary Change Healthcare, which has cost the company $1.1 billion in Q2 alone and is now expected to have a total impact of up to $2.3 billion by 2024. Despite the setback, UHG's revenues grew by 7% in Q2, and the company is leveraging AI to improve efficiency.

businesshealthcare1 year ago

Eli Lilly's Alzheimer's Drug Approved by FDA, Market Reaction Muted

Eli Lilly's stock did not surge following the FDA approval of its Alzheimer's drug, Kisunla, because the approval was already anticipated and priced into the stock. Investors are more focused on the company's potential in the anti-obesity market with its GLP-1 treatments, which are expected to generate significantly higher revenue.

businesshealthcare1 year ago

"US Pharmacies in Crisis: Closures and Access Issues Nationwide"

The American drugstore industry is facing a crisis, with major chains like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid closing locations and experiencing financial struggles. Pharmacists are leaving the industry due to burnout, and customers are losing access to essential healthcare services. The situation is exacerbated by insurance middlemen reducing reimbursements for prescriptions, contributing to a broader healthcare crisis.

businesshealthcare1 year ago

Moderna's RSV Vaccine for Seniors Gains FDA Approval

Moderna's stock fell after the FDA approved its second product, an RSV vaccine named mResvia, which targets respiratory syncytial virus in older adults. This approval further validates Moderna's mRNA technology, also used in its Covid vaccine. Despite the stock dip, analysts project significant future sales growth for the RSV vaccine, potentially giving Moderna an edge over competitors Pfizer and GSK. Moderna's pre-filled syringe for the vaccine could simplify administration in pharmacies, enhancing its market position.

businesshealthcare1 year ago

Insmed Stock Skyrockets on Breakthrough Lung Disease Drug Success

Insmed's stock surged 135% after announcing successful Phase 3 trial results for brensocatib in treating non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, showing significant reductions in pulmonary exacerbations. The company plans to file for FDA approval in late 2024, with potential U.S. launch in mid-2025 and subsequent launches in Europe and Japan.

businesshealthcare1 year ago

"Vir Biotechnology's Struggle: Can Investing in Infectious Disease Pay Off?"

Venture capitalist Bob Nelsen approached industry veteran Vicki Sato nearly a decade ago with the idea of launching a company dedicated to combating infectious diseases, a concept that seemed financially risky given the trend of biotech companies pulling out of infectious disease research. Sato, who had worked on HIV and hepatitis C drugs at Biogen and Vertex, was initially skeptical but ultimately joined the venture, leading to the formation of Vir Biotechnology, which has since faced the challenges of balancing financial viability with the pursuit of infectious disease treatments.

businesshealthcare1 year ago

Johnson & Johnson's $13.1 Billion Shockwave Medical Acquisition Strengthens MedTech Business

Johnson & Johnson has agreed to acquire Shockwave Medical for $12.5 billion, expanding its portfolio of medical devices for treating heart diseases. The deal gives J&J access to Shockwave's catheter-based treatment using shockwaves to break down calcified plaque in heart vessels, complementing its focus on building its cardiac health business. This acquisition follows J&J's previous purchases in the heart device sector and is expected to close by mid-2024, financed through a combination of cash and debt.

businesshealthcare1 year ago

"Viking Therapeutics' Weight-Loss Pill Shows Promising Phase 1 Results, Stocks Soar"

Viking Therapeutics' stock surged over 25% after reporting positive Phase 1 results for its oral weight-loss drug, showing up to 5.3% weight loss in patients with minimal side effects. The company plans to launch the drug into Phase 2 trials later this year, following strong results from its injectable version. Analysts view the data as a "clear win" and believe the drug has best-in-class potential, positioning it to compete with current market leaders in the weight-loss drug space.

businesshealthcare1 year ago

Viking Therapeutics' Weight-Loss Drug Trial Results Propel Stock to Soar

Viking Therapeutics' stock surged 80% after positive results from a mid-stage trial of its experimental weight loss drug, VK2735, which showed significant weight loss in patients with obesity or overweight. The drug, targeting GLP-1 and GIP hormones, demonstrated promising initial results with encouraging safety and tolerability. Analysts suggest potential acquisition interest from larger pharmaceutical companies, as the weight loss drug market is projected to grow into a $100 billion industry.

businesshealthcare1 year ago

"Moderna's Transition Year Leads to Profit Despite Decline in COVID Vaccine Sales"

Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel anticipates a year of growth in 2024 after a transition year in 2023, which saw COVID-19 vaccine sales of $6.8 billion. Despite a decrease from the prior year's $18 billion, ongoing demand for the vaccine is expected to drive revenues of $4 billion in 2024. Bancel emphasizes the importance of increasing vaccination rates, particularly among the elderly, and highlights the potential for COVID vaccines in preventing long-term unemployment due to long COVID effects. Moderna is also awaiting FDA decision on its RSV vaccine for older adults and continuing research on a combination flu and COVID vaccine, as well as a cancer vaccine in partnership with Merck.

businesshealthcare1 year ago

"FDA Greenlights Revolutionary Cell Therapy for Advanced Melanoma"

Iovance Biotherapeutics' stock surged after the FDA granted accelerated approval to its T cell immunotherapy, Amtagvi, for treating advanced melanoma. Amtagvi is the first one-time T cell therapy approved for solid tumor cancer and the first treatment option for advanced melanoma that has progressed after prior anti-PD-1/L1 therapy. The approval addresses the unmet needs of melanoma patients and provides a significant commercial opportunity for Iovance. The company is also evaluating Amtagvi for frontline advanced melanoma and other solid tumors. However, the approval comes with a boxed warning for treatment-related risks.

businesshealthcare1 year ago

"Moderna's RSV Vaccine Efficacy Decline Sparks Stock Slide"

Moderna's shares dropped 7% as analysts expressed concerns over the faster decline in efficacy of its RSV vaccine compared to competitors GSK and Pfizer, with data showing a drop from 84% to 63% after 8.6 months. Moderna cautioned against direct comparisons, citing different trial methodologies, but analysts raised questions about the competitive profile of its vaccine. GSK and Pfizer's vaccines also showed declines in efficacy over time, with both companies exploring the possibility of at least two years of efficacy.

businesshealthcare1 year ago

"Oakland Employers Implement Safety Measures for Workers Amid Crime Surge"

Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Kaiser Permanente in Oakland have implemented safety measures for employees due to a surge in crime, including staying inside for lunch and arranging rides to work. The move comes after a 21% increase in violent crime in Oakland last year, prompting concerns among residents and business owners. The city has seen a rise in robberies, burglaries, and car thefts, leading to businesses like In-N-Out Burger closing due to safety concerns. Oakland's mayor denies that her policies are the sole cause of rising crime rates, while police officers express frustration with restrictive rules that limit their ability to curb crime.

businesshealthcare2 years ago

"The Decline of Wall Street's Concern Over Weight Loss Drug Craze Impact"

Wall Street's fears of weight loss drugs impacting medical device and food and beverage stocks have subsided, with analysts noting a lack of concern at recent conferences. The popularity of GLP-1 drugs like Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Eli Lilly's Zepbound continues to grow, but concerns about their long-term impact on industries have eased. Medical device sales have actually surged due to increased interest in continuous glucose monitoring devices, while some pharmaceutical companies, like Sanofi, are not pursuing the trend. Food and beverage stocks, including McDonald's, have rebounded, and restaurant demand remains strong, with factors like side effects and limited insurance coverage for weight loss drugs mitigating potential negative impacts.