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EARTHRATE ESG WHITE PAPER ON PHARMA AND BIOTECH, 10.5.2024

The information contained in this report is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by EarthRate2024 and/or its business partners.

The information contained in this report is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by EarthRate2024 and/or its business partners.

The report represents views gathered from an independent panel, they are not views expressed by the EarthRate. Any reliance you place on the information expressed in the report is strictly at your own risk and in no event will be liable for any loss or damage arising out of it.

Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this report or data on or linked to it.

Author: M.Sc (Econ) Päivi Härkönen

1. Update the Coronavirus, Covid19

Date: 10.5.2024

There are over 775 million Covid-cases (775.379.864) and over 7 million deaths (7.047.396) globally (28.4.2024) according to WHO. In the US, the death toll is over 1,1 million people, in India over 533.000 and in Brazil over 702.000. In Russia the death toll is over 402.000. The infomation was updated May 11th 2024.

During the weekly period the global Covid-cases have increased by 15.603 (28.345 week before) and deaths by 1076 (751 week before).

In India the new Covid-cases increased by 1756 to 45.036.953(cumulative) during the reported time. In China the increase was 1403 new cases to 99.351.758 cases and in Russia 0 new cases to 24.132.649 cases.

According to US CDC, the most circulating Covid-Omicron variant is JN.1 (86 %) followed by JN 1.13 (10,8%) and JN 1.18 (1,6%). The data update is from March 29 2024.

The European Commission said on Friday 1st September that it has authorised the updated Covid-vaccine from Pfizer/Biontech for the EU area. Earlier the EMA and its Committee for Medical Products for Human use had recommended the updated vaccine.

Moderna said on 14th September that the EMA committee recommends authorization of Moderna’s updated Covid-vaccine in the EU.

The US biotech company Moderna said (17.8.2023) its Covid-vaccine generates robust immune response against widely circulating variants. The updated vaccine targets effectively the new variants EG.5 and FL 1.5.1, the company said. Moderna and Pfizer/Biontech said they filed the regulatory approvals to the FDA and EMA in Europe in June.

The WHO said in 4th May 2023 that the Covid 19 pandemic emergency of international concern is over as the new cases and hospitalizations have declined remarkably because of the vaccinations.

– Covid-19 is now an established and ongoing health issue which no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, the organization says.

In the US, the CDC announced that the Covid-19 public health emergency declaration ended on May 11, 2023. According to CDC, vaccines, treatments and tests remain available, but there will be changes in the raporting data. The frequency, source and availability may change in some data.

As a new data, CDC will follow percentage of Covid-associated deaths each week. And for example vaccines administered will be updated monthly, not weekly.

The latest CDC announcement include information regarding US hospitalizations. Hospitals are no longer required to report Covid hospital admissions, hospital capacity or hospital occupancy.

Starting from May 2024 there will be CDC Covid data tracker hospitalizations which reports Covid hospitalization rates per 100.000 people.

The latest Covid-updates (10.5.2024) from the CDC show that hospitalization rate was 1,1 per 100.000. The reporting period was April 21- April 20 2024. Hospitalization trend declined 26,7% compared to 11,1% decline week ago.

Covid- deaths from the period increased 0,7 % . CDC was not reporting cumulative deaths, but 3.5.2024 it was total 1.190.122 (1.189.603 week before). The latest WHO data shows the US cumulative death toll to be 1.186.533. Trend in Covid-deaths showed no changes.

The US April 2024 Covid-deaths were totally 2613. This is clearly down from March when Covid-deaths were totally 6857 people.

In February Covid-deaths totalled 6961 people and 9508 in January 2024. During the Q1 2024 time Covid-deaths were totally 23.326 people. The data is based on CDC and EarthRate.

Trend in emergency department visits decreased 7,6 % in most recent weeks, but in a week increased by 0,3%. This data was published May 10th 2024.

The number of people tested positively Covid-19 was up 3,0% during the week’s period, April 28-May 4 2024.

The EarthRate Express about pharma and climate change.

WHO said the US Covid updates will be published in the future in the Pan American Health Organization website (paho.org).

The new weekly Covid-cases in Europe during the year 2022. Source: EarthRate, Johns Hopkins University

The WHO Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus said in September 2023 in the press conference in Geneva that as the northern hemisphere winter approaches, “we continue to see concerning trends for COVID-19”.

-Among the relatively few countries that report them, both hospitalizations and ICU admissions have increased in the past 28 days, particularly in the Americas and Europe.

-Meanwhile, vaccination levels among the most at-risk groups remain worryingly low.

-Two-thirds of the world’s population has received a complete primary series, but only one-third has received an additional, or “booster” dose.

-COVID-19 may no longer be the acute crisis it was two years ago, but that does not mean we can ignore it, he stated.

The Omicron Covid- variants in the US (29.3.2024)

In Europe (France, UK, Spain, Italy and Germany) confirmed new covid-cases during one week reported period (based on the data from EarthRate and WHO), decreased further to lower levels. The new cases were as low as 269 (1535 week ago) in Europe in the period April 21- April 28. All new cases were in the UK. This data was updated May 11th 2024.

UK, new cases 269 (1410 week ago)

Spain, new cases, 0, (0 week ago)

France, new cases 0, (0 week ago),

Italy, new cases 0 (125 week ago),

Germany, new cases 0, (0 week ago),

Excess mortality: Cumulative deaths from all causes compared to projection based on previous years, per million people. Source: Our world in data, 2023

Nobel Committee announced on Monday 2nd October that researchers Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman have won Nobel Prize for the work in mrna vaccine development. According to the committee their work laid the foundation of Pfizer-Biontech’s and Moderna’s mrna-vaccines and helped save millions of lives during the pandemic.

The University of Pennsylvania researhers are also studying how the mrna technology can be used in other diseases like influenza and some cancers.

The Ukraine crisis:

The Ukraine Covid is showing 5.518.385 (5.518.385) cases and 109.920 (109.904 cumulative deaths).

Earlier, before the war, it was as follows: cases 5.040.518 and deaths 112.459. Over 8 million people have left the country because of the invasion, but some are also returning back.

2. Updates in the vaccine and drug development

Global Covid–Vaccinations situation:

According to Our World in 13,57 billion doses have been given by May 11th 2024.

According to Our World in Data, 70,6% of the world population has now received at least one dose vaccination. (11.5.2024).

The virus situation varies in different countries. Only 32,7% of the people in low income countries have received their first dose of vaccination, according to Our World in Data.

According to WHO, the first Covid-vaccine product introduction was 22. July 2020.

The US states, the share of at least one Covid-vaccine

The US pharma company Moderna said in October that it has got positive interim Phase1/2 results from combination of flu and Covid-19 vaccine.

-With today’s positive results from our combination vaccine against flu and Covid-19, we continue to expand our Phase 3 pipeline, the CEO Stephane Bancel said in the company release.

According to Moderna, the company is targeting potential regulatory approval for the combination vaccine in 2025.

Pfizer and Biontech also announced their applications to the US FDA and the European Medicines Agency on 23rd June 2023 . The composition of the application is the same, Omicron XBB 1.5 covid-vaccine. According to companies, the shipments could start immediately.

The vaccinations in Europe are mainly by Pfizer/Biontech and Moderna. The third vaccine is either from Oxford/AstraZeneca or from Johnson & Johnson.

In Hong Kong the vaccines are Pfizer/Biontech and Sinovac. In Switzerland the combination is vice versa compared to other European countries. Majority of Swiss vaccinations is made by Moderna.

In Germany the vaccines are from Pfizer/Biontech, Moderna, Oxford/AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Novavax and Valneva. In France the vaccinations list is Pfizer/Biontech, Moderna, Oxford/AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Novavax and SanofiGSK.

The US Pfizer said in March 2023 that the US FDA advisory board supports its Paxlovid Covid- drug for mild to moderate symptoms. According to company release, the drug helps to reduce the risk of hospitalizations and deaths. Now the company has received the authorisation of the Paxlovid oral treatment from the FDA (25.5.2023).

– We made significant progress in 2022 by advancing our pipeline and launching the world’s first Omicron BA.4/.5, the company CEO Ugur Sahin said in the release.

Global vaccine and drug development

The US President Joe Biden has set up an initiative to cut the US cancer death rate by half, Bloomberg reports. According to the news, the President has even used the Defence Act to enable some domestic investments in essential medicines.

Pfizer (PFE). The US pharma company Pfizer said on Wednesday its Q1 revenue decreased 18% to 14,9 billion dollars due to the decline in Covid-medicines.

According to the report, Paxlovid sales were down 50% to 2035 million dollars from year ago. Corminaty sales were only 354 million dollars compared to 3,1 billion dollars year ago.

The company said its R&D expenses were 2493 million dollars compared to 2505 million dollars year ago.

Pfizer says it is reaffirming the full year revenue guidance to 58,5 – 61,5 billion dollars but raising the full-year EPS to 2,15 – 2,35 dollars per share.

Pfizer stated in the release that it is on track to get at least 4 billion dollars in net cost savings by the end of this year.

The US pharma company Pfizer reported their earnings figures on Jan 30th. According to release, the full year 2023 revenues were 58,5 billion dollars last year and EPS 0,37 dollars, down 93%. Pfizer said the decline in Covid-drugs, Corminaty and Paxlovid revenues were down 41%.

Pfizer said it is on track to delivere 4 billion dollars annual net cost savings by the end of this year.

The Q4 2023 revenues were 14,2 billion dollars and loss EPS was 0,60 dollars. The company also says it is reaffirming the full year 2024 guidance of revenues between 58,5 -61,5 billion dollars and EPS between 2,05 -2,25 dollars.

Pfizer said on Friday (October 13th) that it has reduced the Covid product sales estimates for this year and reduced the full year quidance. The new full year revenue is now 58-61 billion dollars when it was earlier 67-70 billion dollars. The EPS estimate is now 1,45-1,65 dollars when it was earlier 3,25-3,45 dollars.

According to Pfizer, it has reduced the Comirnaty revenue quidance by approximately 2 billion dollars and for Paxlovid about 7 billion dollars. The decline is about 9 billion dollars in the Covid-products. The company informed cost cutting program of about 3,5 billion dollars. The Q4 2023 revenues were 14,2 billion dollars and loss EPS was 0,60 dollars.

Pfizer said also that it has reached an agreement with the US government to provide Paxlovid free of charge for federally insured patients through 2024 as the government returns about 7,9 million Paxlovid treatment courses by the year endPfizer said also that it has reached an agreement with the US government to provide Paxlovid free of charge for federally insured patients through 2024 as the government returns about 7,9 million Paxlovid treatment courses by the year end

Pfizer will also provide the US goverment with one million treatment for a strategic national stockpile and the company continues to commersialise the product further.

Pfizer said in early 2023 that it has made Phase 3 studies related to novel antibiotic combination ATM-AVI (aztreonum-avibactan) and that it could be important treatment option for patients with life-threathening bacterial infections that are resistant to almost all currently available antibiotics.

Pfizer Chief Development Officer James Rusnack said in the company release that Pfizer is committed to meet the critical need and helping address the global health threat of antimicrobial resistance. Pfizer is planning to file the regulatory filings in the EU, UK, China and the US in the second half of 2023. According to Pfizer, the US pharma company AbbVie holds the commerce rights in the US and Canada.

Pfizer said in April 4th that the FDA has accepted their supplemental new drug for lung cancer. According to company the US FDA has accepted for review the supplemental new drug application for Braftovi and Mektovi for patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with Braf v600E mutation, as detected by an FDA- approved test.

In October 2023 the company announced that the FDA has approved Braftovi and Mektovi for adults as a new personalised treatment option for this disease.

– For more than a decade, Pfizer oncology has been at the forefont of bringing biomarker- driven treatment options to patients with cancer. Since their initial regulatory approvals, Braftovi and Mektovi have helped improve outcomes on their respective indication of Braf- mutated metastatic melanoma and cancer, said chief development officer Chris Bosheff in the release. According to Pfizer, lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer and the number one cause of cancer-related death around the world.

Novo Nordisk (NOV). The Danish pharma company Novo Nordisk said its Q1 2024 sales increased to 65,3 billion DKK and operating profit was 31,8 billion DKK compared to 25 billion DKK year ago.The company EPS increased to 5,68 DKK per share from 4,39 DKK per share year ago.

Novo Nordisk said its Wegovy sales increased to 9,3 billion DKK from 4,5 billion DKK year ago.

The company said it is raising its full year outlook. Sales growth is now expected to be 19-27% at CER and operating profit 22-30% at CER.

-We are pleased with the sales growth in the first three months of 2024 driven by increased demand for our GLP-1 based diabetes and obesity treatments, the company CEO Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen said in the release.

The Danish pharma company Novo Nordisk and the US AI company Nvidia announced their plans to build a supercomputer in Healthcare in March 18th 2024.

The aim is to make one of the world’s most powerful AI supercomputer for the pharma research, green transition and drug innovation. The AI innovation center will be in Denmark.

According to the release some piloting projects are made already this year and next year the installations should be ready.

Novo Nordisk is on the way to innovate new drugs to heart diseases, diabetes, obesity, some cancer types and the newest ones: Parkinson and Alzheimer diseases. Some research studies find that Novo could have a new drug for Parkinsson disease already in the next two years.

Novo Nordisk announced in March that it has acquired Cardior Pharmaceuticals in over one billion euros deal. The aim is to strenghten the pipeline in cardiovasscular diseases.

According to Novo’s release Cardior is a leader in the discovery and development of therapies that target rna as a means to prevent, repair and reverse diseases of the heart.

Novo says the acquisition is an important step forward in Novo Nordisk’s strategy to establish a presence in cardiovascular disease.

The Danish pharma company Novo Nordisk announced on Friday 8th March that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a label expansion for Wegovy® for the indication of reducing risks of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack (myocardial infarction) or non-fatal stroke in adults with either overweight or obesity and established cardiovascular disease (CVD).

The Danish pharma company Novo Nordisk announced last week the headline results from the kidney outcomes trial FLOW.

– The trial achieved its primary endpoint by demonstrating a statistically significant and superior reduction in kidney disease progression, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and death of 24% for people treated with semaglutide 1.0 mg compared to placebo1. The combined primary endpoint included five components measuring the progression of CKD and the risk of kidney and cardiovascular mortality, the company said in its release.

Novo Nordisk said it sales increased by 31% to 232 billion DKK last year. Operating profit growth was 37% and the sales in the US increased by 50%.

Sales in diabetes & obesity drugs increased by 38% to 215 billion DKK Obesity care increased 147% to 41,6 billion DKK. The company says it is expecting sales growth to be 18-26 % this year.

The Danish pharma company Novo Nordisk said this week that it has agreed to buy three manufacturing sites from Catalent for 11 billion dollars. The deal is part of the transaction where Novo Holdings will buy the global contract development and manufacturing company Catalent in New Jersey, US.

According to Novo, the deal enables the expansion of manufacturing for the diabetes and obesity drugs globally. The sites are located in Italy, Belgium and Indiana, US.

GSK (GSK). The UK pharma company GSK said on Wednesday its Q1 sales increased 10% to 7,4 billion pounds. The company also raised its full year outlook.

GSK vaccines sales were 2,3 billion pounds, up 16%. Specialty medicines sales were 2,5 billion pounds, increase of 17%, and general medicines totalled 2,6 billion pounds, up 1%.

Company’s operating profit increased 27% to 2,4 billion pounds and GSK said its new revenue outlook is up 5 to 7% and operating profit 9 to 11%.

The British pharma company GSK said its full year sales increased to 30,3 billion pounds last year, up 14%. The operating profit was 8,78 billion pounds, up 16%. The operating profit margin was 29% last year and EPS 155,1.

The fourth quarter 2023 sales were 8052 million pounds compared to 8147 million pounds in Q3. Operating profit declined to 1,75 billion pounds from 2,77 billion pounds in the previous quarter. Operating margin declined to 21,8% from 34% in previous quarter.

The company says it is expecting a good outlook for its RSV vaccine, especially in the US. The company sales are expected to increase to 38 billion pounds in 2031.

Moderna (MRNA).The US biotech company Moderna reported on Thursday its Q1 figures. According to the info, revenue was 167 million dollars during the quarter and net loss 1,2 billion dollars. EPS declined to 3,07 dollars loss per share from 0,19 dollars per share year ago.

The main reason for the decline is the situation with Covid-vaccines, Moderna stated. The company has been preparing for the next formula of Covid-vaccine for 2024-2025 as well as a new RSV vaccine.

-With 10 late-stage programs, and additional new programs advancing toward pivotal studies, we continue to expect numerous product milestones this year across our vaccines and therapeutics portfolio. This is the start of a banner year for our vaccine platform as we continue to advance mRNA medicines for patients. This is just the beginning, the CEO of Moderna Stephane Bancel said in the release.

Moderna said it is reaffirming the full year sales outlook of 4 billion dollars. The company is in the tendering process with the EU of 36 million doses of new Mrna Covid-vaccines per year up to four years.

The US biotech company Moderna said (23.4.2024) it is enhancing its AI collaboration with ChatGPT. According to Moderna CEO Stephen Bancel the company has an ambitious plan to launch multiple products over the next few years.

-Collaborations with companies like OpenAI are critical to our ability to scale and maximize our impact on patients, he said in the release.

Moderna is a digital-first company that has leveraged the power of machine learning since its beginnings. This strong data foundation, along with its robust culture of learning, positions the Company to responsibly and seamlessly integrate generative AI into its operations and capitalize on next-generation AI innovation, the company says.

Company said 11.4.2023 that it has five influenza vaccine candidates in clinical development. The company has also vaccine development ongoing related to norovirus and lyme disease. The lyme disease vaccine candidate is the first bacterial vaccinre for Moderna, the company CEO Stephane Bancel said in the release.

Moderna and Merck announced in December that they have done statistically and clinically remarkable results in cancer treatment with mrna vaccine. The companies published on 17th April results from Phase 2 study related to skin cancer. According to the results, mrna vaccine reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 44 % compared to Keytruda alone in stage III/ V melanoma patients. Moderna said it will continue the Phase 3 studies soon and enlarge testing to lung cancer and beyond. Moderna stated in its earnings report 3.8.2023 that they have started the Phase3 studies in high- risk melanoma.

Moderna published its collaboration with IBM in quantum computing and generative AI on April 20th 2023. The company is building its quantum workforce.

Moderna said on July 5th 2023 that it has submitted marketing authorisation for its RSV vaccine for older adults in Europe, Switzerland and Australia. In the US the company has applied for BLA. The efficacy of this mrna vaccine 1345 is 83,7%.

Moderna said in April 3rd that the company will establish its mrna manufacturing facility in the Republic of Kenya. It will produce 500 million doses of vaccines each year.

Moderna ( MRNA) reported their Q4 earnings 2023 on Thursday at Wall Street. The company Q4 revenue was 2,8 billion dollars and EPS turned positive to 0,55 dollars per share. In Q3 report the company estimated that they will return to growth in 2025.

-2023 was a year of transition for Moderna as we adapted to the endemic market. At the same time, our development team made significant pipeline advancements across infectious diseases, oncology and rare diseases, while our commercial team increased our COVID-19 market share in the U.S.,” said Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna.

– We look forward to the anticipated approvals of our RSV vaccine beginning in the first half of the year. With multiple upcoming Phase 3 data readouts in 2024, we remain focused on commercial execution and continued investment in our pipeline with financial discipline, he said in the company release.

Moderna reported the Q3 2023 earnings which showed revenue of 1,8 billion dollars and the whole year estimate is 6 billion dollars.

According to Moderna, Spikevax US market share increased to 45% from 36% in 2022. The company is expecting a revenue of 4 billion dollars next year and to return to growth in 2025.

Moderna said it is expeting to launch its RSV vaccine in 2024 with a potential best in class profile. In Q2 report the company stated that it expects the Covid- product sales to reach 6-8 billion dollars this year.

The UK regulator MRHA said that it has authorised Moderna’s Covid-vaccine for use in infants and children 6 months to 5 years. According to agency, the vaccine has met the required safety, quality and effectiveness standards to be authorised for use in this age group.

Merck (MRK).The US pharma company Merck said its first quarter 2024 global sales increased to 15,8 billion dollars. The increase was 9% from year ago and 12% excluding foreign exchange changes.

Merck said its Keytruda sales increased 20% to 6,9 billion dollars and Gardasil’s 14% to 2,2 billion dollars. The EPS was 1,87 dollars.

The company said also last week that it is increasing its full year outlook. Full year 2024 global sales are expected to be between 63,1 – 64,3 billion dollars and EPS between 8,53 – 8,65 dollars.

-Merck has begun 2024 with continuing momentum in our business. We are harnessing the power of innovation to advance our deep pipeline and are maximizing the impact of our broad commercial portfolio for the benefit of patients, said Merck’s CEO Robert M. Davis.

During the first quarter Merck received FDA approval for its Winrevair treatment, a first-class treatment for adults in the cardiomethapolic area.

Merck said its full year sales were 60,1 billion dollars in 2023, up 1%. Keytruda sales increased 19% to 25 billion dollars and Gardasil’s sales to 8,9 billion dollars, growth 29%. Net loss was 365 million dollars.

The company estimates the outlook for this year remains good as the sales are expected to be between 62,7 – 64,2 billion dollars. And the full year EPS 8,44 – 8,59 dollars.

-2023 was another very strong year for Merck. I am extreamly pleased by the program we have made to develop and deliver transformative therapies and vaccines that will help save and improve lives around the world. We reached more than 500 million people with our medicines last year alone, over half of which were donations including through our program to treat river blindness, the CEO Robert Davis said in the release.

Merck said its full year R&D costs were 30 billion dollars compared to 13,5 billion dollars year ago. It includes also a 5,5 billion dollars charge for the Daichi Sankyo collaboration and 11,4 billion dollars for the acquisition of Prometheus Biosciences. The costs include also lower impairment charges.

On April 17th the company said that it is buying Biosciences for 10,8 billion dollars to increase the resources in immunology products and services.

The US pharma company Merck said its Animal Health division has bought an aquatic vaccines and medicines portfolio from Elanco Animal Health for 1,3 billion dollars.

According to the release, the deal consists of medicines, vaccines, nutritionals for aquatic species. The portfolio includes for example medicines against pancreas disease for Atlantic salmon and anti-parasitic sea lice treatment. The portfolio has vaccines for cold and warm waters.

The deal is expected to close until mid 2024 and Merck says that it will become the leader in these aquatic treatments after the deal.

The UK government announced the new UK Biobank, supported by private and public funding. The aim of the Biobank is to ensure that it continues to support the lifechanging breakthroughs and combining new technology like AI in the development.

During this week there will be also a Covid inquiry into the government’s handling of the pandemic. It focuses the political and administrative governance and decision-making during the pandemic.

NHS England. According to new ONS data, one in five people in England is waiting for their care, Financial Times reports 2.4.2024. According to the news, health and economy are one of the top issues that are concerning voters as the elections looms in late 2024, maybe in October.

The cancer diagnosis and treatments have been in the headlines after the Princess Catherine, the Princess of Wales, said she is having preventive chemotherapy after the surgery.

AstraZeneca (AZN). The UK- Swedish pharma company AstraZeneca has withdrawn its Covid-vaccine globally in May 2024. According to Reuters, the reason was due to the “surplus of available updated vaccines”.

The EMA, European Medicines Agency has also withdrawn the marketing authorization of Vaxzevrias in Europe after the company request.

The UK- Swedish pharma company AstraZeneca said its revenue increased 19% to 12,7 billion pounds in Q1 2024. The EPS increased to 1,41 pounds, up 30%.

AstraZeneca said it is expecting the total revenue to increase by a low double-digit to low teens percentage. The EPS is expected to increase by low double-digit to low teens percentage.

-AstraZeneca had a very strong start in 2024 with substantial total revenue growth of 19% in the first quarter, the company CEO Pascal Soriot said in the release.

-Our strong pipeline momentum continued and already this year we announced positive results for Imginzi and Tagrisso that we were unprecedented in lung cancer, the data from both these studies will be presented during the Asco plenary on 21 May 2024, he said.

The Swedish UK pharma company AstraZeneca said its full year earnings increased to 48,8 billion dollars in 2023. The increase was 6% compared to year earlier. Earnings per share increased to 3,84 dollars, up 81%. Operating margin was 32% last year.

– As AstraZeneca celebrates its 25th anniversary, we are pleased to report another year of strong financial performance and scientific progress with double-digit earnings growth and investment in exciting areas of science, including antibody drug conjugates and cell therapies that lay the foundations of long term success, the company Pascal Soriot said in the release.The company expects total revenues to increase in 2024 by a low-digit to low teens percentage and core EPS to increase by a low double-digit to low teens percentage.

UK Swedish pharma company AstraZeneca announced in December that is has bought a Nasdaq-listed Gracell Biotechnologies for cell therapy. The company continues to operate as an wholly owned subsidiary of AstraZeneca. It has operations in China and in the US.

Earlier the company announced (13.12.2023) its offer to buy US biopharma company Icosavax. The transaction value is 800 million dollars and the offer is 15 dollars per share in cash and 5 dollars per share of non-tradable contingent value.

The US company Icosavax is a biopharma company with Phase 2 trials of RSV and hMPV vaccines. The company is focused on developing differentiated, high-potential vaccines using an innovative, protein virus-like particle (VLP) platform.

The company said in November that it is entering the obesity markets as well. AstraZeneca will be then competing with the US Eli Lilly and the Danish Novo Nordisk.

-I am excited about the acceleration of our cardiometabolic and obesity pipeline with today’s licensing agreement for ECC5004, a potential best-in-class, oral GLP-1RA. This molecule could offer an important advance, as both a monotherapy and in combinations, for the estimated one billion people living with cardiometabolic diseases such as type-2 diabetes and obesity, AstraZeneca Pascal Soriot said in the release.

According to release, AstraZeneca and Chinese pharma company Eccogene have entered into an exclusive licence agreement for ECC5004, an investigational oral, once- daily medicine for the treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes and other cardiometabolic conditions.

CDC, the US CDC agency said it has launched Bridge Access Programm to provide fee Covid vaccines for uninsured and underinsured adults. The agency said “protecting people from Covid remains a top priority for CDC”. The agency is working with selected national pharmacy chains in the deliveries . This temporarily programm is schedule to end in December 2024.

Novartis (NOVN).The Swiss pharma group Novartis said it Q1 2024 net sales increased 11% to 11,8 billion dollars. Net income increased to 2,68 billion dollars, up from 2,15 billion dollars year ago. EPS was 1,31 dollars, up from 1,02 dollars.

-Novartis continued our strong momentum with both sales growth and core margin expansion in Q1. Our performance was broad-based, across all key growth brands and geographies, allowing us to raise guidance for the full year 2024. We continued to advance our pipeline in Q1, with submission-enabling data for Scemblix first-line, Pluvicto pre-taxane and remibrutinib in CSU. The momentum in our business and pipeline gives us continued confidence in our mid- and long-term growth outlook, the company CEO Var Narasimhan said in the release.

The company said it will raise the full year guidance. Net sales is expected to grow high-single to low double-digit and core operating income expected to grow low double-digit to mid-teens.

The Swiss pharma company Novartis said its full year sales increased 8% to 45,4 billion dollars. The best selling pharma drug was Entresto during the last quarter.

Operating income increased to 9,8 billion dollars in 2023, up 23%. Net income was 8,5 billion dollars, up 42%. EPS was 4,13 Swiss francs.

The company CEO Vas Narasimhan said in the release that the company’s transformation into a pure play innovative medicines company is now done but the company continues its resentless pursuit of sustainable shareholder value creation. The company listed its consumer division Sandoz to the Zurich Stock Exchanges last September.

Novartis agreed the spinn-off of Sandoz, the generics and biosimilar business and the trading started in early October.

The Swiss pharma company Novartis has confirmed the Morphosys deal. The pharma company will buy the German cancer developer for 2,7 billion euros. The price per share in the takeover is 68 euros, while on Monday evening (5.2.) the stockprice was trading above 16 dollars in Nasdaq.

-The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including acceptance of the takeover offer by at least 65% of MorphoSys AG’s outstanding shares and receipt of regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the first half of 2024. Until the transaction closes, MorphoSys AG will continue to operate as a separate, independent company, Novartis said in the statement.

Sandoz (SAN) The Swiss pharma company Sandoz said its biosimilar sales increased 21% to 623 million dollars during the Q1 2024. The total sales increased to 2,5 billion dollars from 2,4 billion dollars year ago.

Sales in Europe was 1,3 billion dollars, North America sales were 524 million dollars and international sales 642 million dollars.

Sandoz said it is reaffirming its full year sales estimate to grow mid-single digit and the core EBITDA margin to be around 20%. Company published its figures on Tuesday 7th May.

The Swiss pharma company Sandoz said in April 2024 that the EU Commission has granted marketing authorization to its biosimilar Pyzchiva in the EU area.

According to company the biosimilar has been developed in co-operation with Samsung Bioepis and is a major step in their product development.

Kenvue (KVUE). The US consumer health company Kenvue said its Q1 2024 sales were 3,9 billion dollars, up 1,1% ftom year ago.

The company’s sales were mainly in the US 1,8 billion dollars, but Europe’s sales increased to 905 million dollars from 838 million dollars year ago. The sales in Asia Pacific remained at same levels at 766 million dollars and Latin America at 350 million dollars.

Kenvue said its operating margin declined somewhat to 14,1% from 16,6% year ago. The reason were 68 million impairment from headquarters and restrycturing costs. Net income was 296 million dollars.

The company reaffirms its full year outlook. Net sales are expected to increase from 1 to 3% and EPS is estimated to be at 1,10 – 1,20 dollars per share.

Kenvue has three segments which are self care, skin health & beauty and essential health.

Kenvue had an IPO in May 2023 from Johnson & Johnson as the company listed its shares in Nyse. J&J is still the major shareholder in Kenvue.

Johnson and Johnson (JNJ) .The US pharma company Johnson & Johnson said its first quarter 2024 sales increased to 21,4 billion dollars, up 2,3%. In the US sales increased 7,8% from year ago.

The earnings per share increased to 2,71 dollars, up 12,4% from 0,5 dollars loss year ago.

The company net earnings were 5,35 billion dollars compared to a loss last year at the same time.

Company R&D expenses were 3,5 billion dollars during the first quarter, 16,6% of the sales and showing a 2,5% increase from year ago.

The innovative medicines sales were 13,6 billion dollars during the quarter, up 6,9% from year ago. They represent 42,9% of the company sales during the quarter. Medtech was 26,5% of the sales.

According to company release, cardiovascular medicines sales were 1,8 billion dollars during the first quarter, showing 20% increase from year ago.

– Johnson & Johnson solid first quarter performance effects our sharpened focus and the process in our portfolio and pipeline. Our impact across the full spectrum of healthcare is unique in our industry and the milestones achieved this quarter reinforce our position as an innovative powerhouse, the company CEO Joaquin Duato said.

Johnson & Johnson said it is expecting sales for the full year to be 88,7 – 89,1 billion dollars and EPS 10,60 – 10,75 dollars per share.

Johnson & Johnson confirmed the Shockwave Medical deal. The company said it is buying the cardiovascular device company Shockwave Medical with 13,1 billion dollars or 335 dollars per share deal.

Johnson & Johnson is intetested of the cardiovascular devices the company manufactures. The market value of Shockwave Medical is 11 billion dollars. According to J&J the deal is expected to be closed by mid 2024 after regulatory approvals and shareholder meetings.

Johnson and Johnson says that after this deal the company’s Medtech will be a category leader in the four high-growth cardiovascular segments.

Earlier the Wall Street Journal scooped the news of the possible deal in 27th March.

The company said earlier (6.12.2023) in its enterprice business meeting, that it expects operational sales growth of 5-6% in 2024. The EPS is estimated to be 10,55-10,75 dollars. range.

According to the company the annual growth rate for 2025-2030 is 5-7% and estimates that 10+ assets will peak year sales potential of 5 billion dollars and another 15+ assets of potential 1-5 billion dollars

– Science and technology will advance human health more in the next decade than it has in the last century, leading to more effective and personalized treatment, earlier intervention and smarter, less invasive healthcare, said the company CEO Joaquin Duato in the company release.

Johnson & Johnson made the IPO of Kenvue on May 8 to the Nyse, in New York. The long- term target is to reduce the shareholding in Kenvue as Johnson & Johnson is still the majority owner in the company.

Eli Lilly (LLY) The US pharma company Eli Lilly said on Tuesday its first quarter 2024 sales increased 26% to 8,8 billion dollars. The US sales increased 28% to 5,6 billion dollars and outside the US sales increased 22% to 3,1 billion dollars.

-Lilly’s first quarter performance reflects solid year-over-year revenue growth with strong sales of Mounjaro and Zepbound, said David A. Ricks, Lilly’s chair and CEO.

-Our progress in addressing some of the world’s most significant health care challenges has resulted in increased demand for our medicines. As we continue to make pipeline investments that position us for future growth, we are rapidly expanding manufacturing capacity to make our incretin medicines available to more patients, he continued.

Eli Lilly estimated in the report that the production capacity increase is expected in the second half of this year.

During the quarter Mounjaro sales jumped to 1,8 billion dollars from 0,6 billion dollars year ago. Zepound, which was launched last year in November, reported sales of 517 million dollars during the first quarter. Verzenio sales increased 40% to 1,1 billion dollars.

Eli Lilly’s net income increased 67% to 2,2 billion dollars in Q1 and the EPS jumped 66% to 2,48 dollars.

Eli Lilly says it is expecting its full year revenue to grow by 2 billion dollars extra this year. EPS target was raised to 13,05 – 13,55 dollars.

The US pharma company Eli Lilly said its revenue Q4 2023 increased 28% to 9,3 billion dollars. Net income grew 13% to 2,18 billion dollars.

– 2023 was a year of tremendous achievement for Lilly which delivered life-changing medicines to more patients than ever before resulting in strong revenue growth, the CEO David Ricks said in the release.

The new product revenue increased by 2,19 billion dollars to 2,49 billion dollars, the company said. It was led by Mounjaro and Zepbound, which got the FDA approval last year for obesity.

Growth product revenue increased 9% to 5,27 billion dollars, led by Verzenio and Jardiance.

The company EPS was 2,42 dollars compared to 2,14 dollars year ago.

R&D expenses increased 28% to 2,56 billion dollars, which were 27% of revenue.

The company estimates this year revenue to increase to be in the range of 40,4 – 41,60 billion dollars. EPS is estimated to be 11,80 dollars to 12,30 dollars range.

Eli Lilly announced on Wednesday (3.1.2024) that it will open a webshop to help patients to get their weight-loss drugs . It is expected to streamline the end-to-end experience of drug deliveries and to increase the access to healthcare service providers.

Eli Lilly is the first US pharma company to open its medicines in Web with telehealth provider. The service ” Lillydirect” will provide the drugs with home delivery.

Eli Lilly also said it has made an agreement with Amazon, the online retailer to deliver the drugs directly to customers.

Solventum (SOLV). The healthcare unit of 3M corporation was listed in Nyse in April 2024. The company market cap is about 12 billion dollars and its revenue was 8,2 billion dollars last year.

The company specializes in wound care, healthcare information technology and biopharma filtration.

Biontech (BNTX). The German biotech company Biontech said on Monday its Q1 2024 revenue was 187,6 million euros compared to 1,2 billion euros year ago. The main reason for the decline was the small demand for the Covid-19 medicines.

The CEO of Biontech Ugur Sahin said he expectes 90% of the full year sales to happen during the last quarter this year. The net loss was 315 million euros compared to 502 million profit year ago. The EPS was – 1,31 euros per share compared to 1,42 euros year ago.

The company is planning to focus on oncology pipeline with marketed medicines for cancer and infectious diseases this year.

Biontech expects the full year revenue to be between 2,5 – 3,1 billion euros this year. R&D expenses are expected to be 2,4- 2,6 billion euros this year.

The German biotech company Biontech announced today that it has appointed Annemarie Hanekamp to lead the company’s first ongology product launch estimated in 2026 and lead the product candidates of 10 potential approvals by 2030. Annemari Hanekamp will start as chief commercial officer in July 1 this year. She will come from Novartis with similar duties

Biontech said it is preparing its oncology pipeline into late-stage development and the CEO Ugur Sahin said the company is preparing for additional trials with registrational potential in the coming months.

– Simultaneously we are enhancing our infectious diseases pipeline to address global health needs and are developing an Omicron XBB 1.5 adopted monovalent Covid-19 vaccine to become available for the upcoming fall-winter season, subject to regulatory approvals, he said in the release.

Biontech said also it is planning to set up new laboratories in Cambridge with an expected capacity of 70 highly skilked scientists.

The company reveiled in Q1 2023 that it has started the first in human clinical trial for the first mrna-based Tuberculosis vaccine candidate.

Biontech and the US biotech company OncoC4 said their Phase 1/2 trials gave encouraging signs of clinical anti-tumor activity and a manageable safety profile in lung patients. The company says it is providing optimal therapeutic strategy for each cancer patient.

Biontech and Pfizer said on Friday 26th May that they have reached an updated agreement with the EU Commission related to Covid19 vaccines. The new agreement includes Covid- doses delivered annually through 2026 in the EU area.

Roche (ROG)The Swiss pharma company Roche said its Q1 2024 sales were 14,4 billion Swiss francs compared to 15,3 billion francs ÿear ago. According to company excluding Covid-related products, sales increased 7 %. Also the appreciation of Swiss franc against most currencies had an adverse impact on sales in francs.

The pharma division sales were 10,9 billion Swiss francs compared to 11,6 billion francs year ago. The diagnostics division had sales of 3,5 billion dollars.

Roche said its immunodiagnostic products, which include cardiar, oncology and thyroid tests were the main growth drivers, 10%.

During the quarter the US FDA approved Xolair as the first and only medicine for children and adults with one or more food allergies.Roche also confirmed its full year outlook. According to it, group sales are expected to be in the mid single digit range and core earnings per share in line with the sales growth.

The Swiss pharma company Roche said its full year sales were 58,7 billion Swiss francs, down 7% from the previous year. The net income was 12,35 billion francs, down 9%.

The company said it is expecting mid single digit sales growth for this year. Covid-19 sales are expected to decline by 1,1 billion Swiss francs. In the pharma sector sales totalled 44,6 billion Swiss francs globally with Ocrevus sales over 4,7 billion Swiss francs. Diagnostics devision sales were totally 14,1 billion Swiss francs.

Sanofi (SAN). The French pharma company Sanofi said its Q1 2024 sales increased 2,1% to 10,4 billion euros. Net income was 2,2 billion euros, down 17,8%. EPS was 1,78 euros, down 76%.

-We are off to an excellent start in 2024, delivering on our strategic priorities and a transformation of our portfolio of medicines and vaccines to become a development-driven, tech-powered biopharma company committed to serving patients and accelerating growth, the company CEO Paul Hudson said in the release.

-Continued strong performance by Dupixent and our new launches drove sales growth of seven percent. In parallel, we are delivering on our promise of increased investments in our late-stage pipeline to fully realize its value for patients and Sanofi. We are awaiting regulatory decisions for Dupixent in COPD, a progressive disease with limited effective treatment options. If approved, Dupixent will be the first biologic treatment in COPD. With the robust progress in our portfolio transformation, we reaffirm our financial guidance for 2024, he concluded.

French pharma company Sanofi said in December (December 7.12.2023) that the company is building up of becoming an immunology powerhouse with annual sales over 10 billion euros by 2030, in addition to the growth of Dupixent and Vaccines.

The company estimates that there are 9 innovative medicines & vaccines with 2-5 billion euros peak sales potential and 3 pipeline in a product asset with a potential of over 5 billion euros peak

Sanofi is also targeting to deliver 50% increase in Phase 3 trials in 2024 and 2025 as well as 25 mid to late stage read outs over the next 2 years.

Sanofi says it will expand into new indications generating a steady flow of predominantly wholly owned new assets and become a tech-powered biopharma company

Novavax (NVAX). The US biotech company Novavax announced on Friday 10.5.2024 it has entered a licensing agreement with the French pharma company Sanofi. This agreement includes also that Sanofi will be minority (less than 5%) shareholder of Novavax.

The companies have agreed to develop a novel Covid-19 influenza combination vaccine and Covid-19 vaccine. Novavax will get 1,2 billion dollars from Sanofi as upfront payment.

According to companies this agreement will give customers a protein-based non-mRNA adjuvanted Covid-19 vaccine from 2025 onwards.

After this announcement the company has removed the going concern notice.

Novavax said it is expecting to have total revenue of 800-1000 million dollars this year and R&D expenses of 700-800 million dollars.

Novavax and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) have reached a settlement related to the 2021 Advance Purchase Agreement (APA) for Novavax’s prototype COVID-19 vaccine. This agreement brings the pending arbitration related to the APA to a close.

– Novavax is pleased to have reached this agreement with Gavi as it gives us the ability to continue to work together toward our shared mission of ensuring equitable access to safe and effective vaccines, said John Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer of Novavax in the company release.

Abbott (ABT), The US pharma company Abbott said its girst quarter 2024 sales increased 10,8% to 10 billion dollars during the first quarter. The company also raised its full year guidance.

The Medical devices accounted 14,3% of the sales, pharmaceuticals 13,7%, diagnostics 5,4% and nutrition 7,7% of the sales.

The earnings per share was 0,98 dollars during the quarter. Abbott says it has raised its full year EPS guidance to 4,55 – 4,70 dollars per share this year.

The full year organic sales growth estimate has increased to 8,5 – 10%.

Abbvie (ABBV) The US pharma company Abbvie said its Q1 sales were 12,3 billion dollars, up 0,7% from year ago. Operating margin was 22,7% and EPS was 0,77 dollars.

-We continue to demonstrate outstanding operational execution and delivered another quarter of strong results, said Richard A. Gonzalez, chairman and chief executive officer of AbbVie.

Abbvie said its oncology portfolio sales were 1,5 billion dollars, up 9% from year ago. Neuroscience portfolio sales increased 15,9% to 1,9 billion dollars. Aesthetics portfolio sales were 1,2 billion dollars, down 4%.

Abbvie said its R&D costs were 15,8% of the sales and that the company acquired IPR rights by 1,3% of the net revenue.

Research

Research: According to the latest Covid-study by the University of Helsinki, the acute Covid does not generally damage the immune system and the human body recovers quite guickly. The two separate studies were published in the “Pathogens and Immunity” and “Virus Research”.

-The immune system usually recovers well and quickly after acute COVID-19 infection. However, the risk for more severe COVID-19 disease is still high for unvaccinatedd individuals and vaccination against COVID-19 is highly recommended, the study finds. (16.2.2024)

UK Covid-inquiry: The UK Covid-inquiry will now interview hundreds of children and young people aged 9-22 about the feelings from the Covid-pandemic.

This survey has now included also the impact on healthcare systems in the UK. The large publis hearings will take place in London between September – November 2024.

In January 2025 it will include the vaccines, therapeutics, and anti-viral treatments across the UK. Testing, tracing and isolation will hapen in spring 2025 and care sector in 2025 summertime.

Public hearings will hapen also in summer 2026.

Regulatory and health organizations updates:

The US federal agencies and states have announced over 100 million dollars funding to bird flu H5N1 surveillance, testing and genomic sequencing. The announcements were published during this week related to the outbreak cases in dairy cattle.

This includes also milk production safety measures and new research related to pasteurization efficacy against the virus. According to FDA the surveillance will be at different points in the milk production. FDA has also confirmed that tests to date Friday 10.5.2024 the dairy products and eggs have been clear.

The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved a change to the licence of the Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 (single-dose vials) after it was found to meet the UK regulator’s standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.

-This approval enables the thawing and re-labelling of the vaccine by a manufacturer outside of the NHS, that has been authorised by the MHRA and confirmed to meet the globally recognised Good Manufacturing Practice standards, the agency says.

– Until now, the thawing and distribution of the Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccine has been centrally managed by the NHS, it says.

This new authorisation granted by the MHRA is valid in Great Britain only.

-Approval for Nuvaxovid COVID-19 to target Omicron XBB 1.5 subvariant
Approval has been granted by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for an adapted Novavax COVID-19 vaccine that targets the Omicron XBB 1.5 subvariant, after it was found to meet the UK regulator’s standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.

This vaccine has been approved for use in individuals from 12 years of age.

-The vaccine causes the immune system (the body’s natural defences) to produce antibodies and specialised white blood cells that work against the virus, to give protection against COVID-19. None of the ingredients in this vaccine can cause COVID-19, the agency says.

-This new authorisation granted by the MHRA is valid in Great Britain only and was approved via the European Commission (EC) Decision Reliance Route. This is when the marketing authorisation application made by the company references the decision made by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP).

The EU Council has approved (29.1.2024) the conclusions on the EU Global Health Strategy: Better health for all in a changing world. The Council states that physical and mental health is a human right and that health is prerequidite for Sustainable development.

The FDA, the US Department of Agriculture, and the US Environmental Protection Agency have released a national strategy that will drive progress to the national goal to reduce food loss and waste in the US by 50% by 2030. (4.12.2023).

The WHO released on 19th October a new document related to artificial intelligence and heathcare. The publication emphasizes the importance of establishing AI systems’ safety and effectiveness at the same time fostering dialoque with stakeholders.

The AI can help strengthening clinical trials, improving medical diagnosis, treatments, self-care and person- centered care, knowledge sharing, skills and competence. The systems should emphasize privacy, security and integrity.The developers should include transparency, documentation, risk management, dataprivacy and protection validation, data quality and collaboration.

Calendar & Events:

Pfizer , Q2 30.7.2024

AstraZeneca, CMD 21.5.2024

Merck, AGM 22.5.2024, Q1 25.4.2024

NovoNordisk, Q2 7.8.2024,

Moderna, Q2 1.8.2024

Biontech, Q2 5.8.2024

GSK, Q2 31.7.2024

Eli Lilly, Q2 8.8.2024

Roche, investor day 23.7.2024

Kenvue, AGM 23.5.2024

Other releases, publications, media and articles:

“US FDA pushes decision on Moderna’s RSV vaccine to end of this month”, 10.5.2024 Reuters

“What is Long Covid? Understanding the pandemic’s mysterious fallout”, 15.4.2024 Yale Medicine

“New York had 4,8 magnitude earthquake on Friday morning “, Bloomberg radio 5.4.2024

“Google DeepMind unveils AI model for living cells”, FT 8.10.2024

Health and Climate Change

The World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in mid-January was about the learning AI, climate change and health issues.

The correlation with climate change and human health has become one of the hottest topics recently. It is estimated that the global economy is loosing 2,5 trillion dollars because of the climate impact on human health. The extreame weather is changing to be one of the most top material risk for citizens, companies and governments.

More experts are saying that the climate change is not about the “degrees” discussion but it should emphasize the impact on human health with new diseases in areas not seen before, poorer productivity and the sosioecenomic impact. And the pandemic of Covid was one of the examples of new diseases globally putting the global economy down for years.

The CEO of Bayer Bill Anderson reminded that agriculture crops are declining and those areas with the hardest hit by climate change do not have enough reserves for food supply. This is the case in some African countries already.

The solution for this growing global problem is perhaps the artificial intelligence, AI. This topic has generated many opinions and one of them is the IMF’s leader Kristalina Georgieva’s post from Davos.

According to her, AI should be to serve humanity in the first place while it will affect 40% of the global jobs. She reminded that we have to invest in preparedness of AI in order to see the economic growth. She recalled international collaboration in climate change, debt and technology.

During the Davos annual meeting it was also estimated that AI could generate 4,4 trillion dollars to global economy. It was seen as a steam engine to global growth.

The WHO has published a review of 2023 health in nationally determined contributions and long-term strategies ahead of the coming COP28 UN Climate meeting. (22.11.2023). According to WHO the air pollution is one of the greatest environmental risks to health.

WHO estimates also that health remains chronically underfunded in national plans to tackle climate change.

The WHO had also a Health Day at the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, where global leaders endorsed the health and climate change declaration.

“Emphasizing the critical role of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, the declaration underscores the urgent need to confront the connections between climate change and health”, the organization says.

EarthRate posted a questionnaire to Linkedin/ Climate Change Professionals Group on 18.11.2023 and asked: Do you think climate change and new viruses, which could harm health, have correlation? There were 95 votes, of which 83% said yes, no 17% and do not know 9%. These are the final results.

3. Stocks and economies

Stocks closed clearly up for the week at Wall Street Dow Jones closed to 39.512,84 points, up 2,16% and S&P 500 index closed up 1,85% to 5222,68 points. Nasdaq clossed at 16.340,87 points, up 1,14% for the week.

In Europe Dax index closed up 4,28% to 18.772,85 points and in Paris CAC40 index closed up 3,29% for the week to 8219,14 points.

In London, the FTSE 100 index closed up 2,68% for the week to 8433,76 points.

In Asia Topix closed down 0,01% to 2728,21 points on Friday and Hang Seng in Hong Kong closed up 2,64 % to 18.963,68 points.

Pharma companies were trading mixed for the week in the US and Europe. The Danish Novo Nordisk (NOVO-B) which had stock split in September and closed up to 883,20 Danish kronor, up 3,83% for the week.

Abbot (ABT) closed down 1,09 % at 104,74 dollars for the week.

Eli Lilly (LLE) closed up 3,41 % to 760 dollars.

Pfizer (PFE) closed to 28,01 dollars on Friday in New York, up 0,72 % for the week.

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) closed up at 149,91 up 0,43% for the week.

AbbVie (ABBV) closed down 1,86% to 160,75 dollars for the week. In January the company said it will invest in its Singapore facility to expand the biologics manufacturing. Abbvie said in its Q1 that it is raising the EPS outlook for the full year.

Merck (MRK) closed up 1,99% to 130,06 dollars for the week. The company Q1 showed strong sales growth and the company raised full year outlook.

AstraZeneca (AZN) closed up 2,78 % to 12.370 pounds for the week. The stock has been increasing after positive outlook and sales growth in Q1 2024. The company said it is not making any Covid-vaccines in the future.

GSK (GSK) closed up 3,03% to 1784 pounds for the week in London.

Novartis (NOVN) closed up 6,08% to 92,32 Swiss francs for the week. Novartis Q1 said its China sales increased 31% during the Q1 2024

Novavax (NVAX) closed up 44,48% to 8,88 dollars for the week. The company announced a license deal with French Sanofi for next Covid-vaccines worth over one billion dollars.

Sanofi (SAN) closed to 94,33 euros. Roche (ROG) closed up 3,59 % to 225,10 Swiss francs.

Kenvue (KVUE) closed to 20,54 dollars, up 6,98%.

Biontech (BNTX), stock closed down 1,13% for the week at 91,67 dollars.

Modernas (MRNA) stock closed down 6,15% at 117,31 dollars for the week.

Sandoz (SDZ) stock closed up 5 % to 33,55 Swiss francs. The company published earlier its sales figures, showing biosimilars increased over 20% in Q1 to 623 million dollars. The company said it expects the full year sales to grow mid-single digit and core EBITDa margin to be around 20%.

Solventum (SOLV) closed at 63,74 dollars, down 1,41% for the week.

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	November 25th 2022	November 18th 2022	November 11th 2022	November 4th 2022	October 28th 2022	October 21st 2022	October 14th 2022	October 7th 2022	September 30th 2022	September 23rd 2022	September 16th 2022	September 9th 2022	September 3rd 2022*	August 20th 2022	August 14th 2022	August 5th 2022	July 28th 2022	July 21st 2022	July 14th 2022	July 7th 2022	July 29th 2022	June 19th 2022
France	270.160	182.576	117.632	148.665	269.248	373.029	397.413	413.783	204.010	256.343	168.483	98.919	265.917	108.894	1.396.798	285.929	153.244	not updated	392.649	1.025.501	1.205.368	332.637	112.213	180.992	113.900	189.208	233.163	283.232	400.745	560.831	844.998	944.931	977.601	864.783	676.682	373.694	372.023	432.991	621.384	1.033.569	2.135.456	2.090.067	2.500.732	2.083.460	1.625.016	1.104.066	511.176	362.672	391.634	273.201	156.248	135.105	43.281	50.999	41.553	46.001	28.964	40.855	35.845	31.434	70.941	51.659	143.162	77.881	228.990	146.118	158.454	151.221	98.072	19.161	117.652	130.586	143.179	632.701	419.221	99.410	233.381
UK	387.326	23.972	24.815	32.154	43.940	57.408	64.614	114.229	1938	37.488	31.514	33.435	103.116	139	265.466	64.424	216.857	not updated	1629	190.776	323.787	92.553	78.554	30.068	40.514	61.542	69.086	78.146	107.666	189.345	200.781	336.635	530.632	604.973	570.593	416.512	318.289	228.171	318.238	521.758	1.423.016	555.458	645.726	824.112	1.247.539	1.215.600	615.334	510.561	353.078	314.176	308.121	323.114	187.583	246.519	285.707	413.752	242.052	280.364	241.257	172.523	262.579	191.672	312.840	174.137	252.889	228.145	184.886	194.805	255.410	385.155	190.488	14.509	13.512	17.554	30.851	1.068	28.327
Spain	22.182	21.896	17.875	23.753	25.422	20.652	10.843	18.835	8761	29.386	15.394	6703	45.718	12.162	48.143	42.768	229.613	not updated	83.613	155.964	255.044	84.405	75.749	76.981	147.030	52.112	173.641	120.024	96.564	109.406	75.913	0	99.898	127.039	100.663	123.546	120.904	168.302	205.022	404.484	420.586	803.672	882.422	928.130	870.161	576.738	262.480	165.337	87.232	71.946	50.349	33.507	21.517	14.491	13.416	13.346	11.367	12.491	14.527	17.055	22.085	29.706	45.946	61.356	76.913	105.408	141.088	166.615	180.207	33.842	208.523	43.331	55.460	61.334	70.646	35.672	45.641
Italy	208.346	181.181	110.988	55.836	220.554	264.432	297.289	297.630	132.830	148.029	109.811	97.199	325.496	82.386	285.972	374.326	1.313.971	not updated	366.088	718.297	785.502	225.785	147.402	132.232	168.724	174.870	262.374	304.573	383.991	419.374	421.707	447.332	990.627	503.932	472.000	332 956	257.543	304.907	374.443	510.537	858.845	902.757	1.231.741	1.268.153	1.014.358	644.508	257.579	158.547	112.233	99.181	78.910	72.024	35.910	36.082	300.780	28.703	14.444	22.280	39.647	17.585	39.553	25.118	54.006	32.821	49.605	51.221	40.268	35.984	23.203	9155	219.107	70.094	73.136	92.074	120.917	86.279	137.794
Germany	168.400	175.052	220.113	261.500	425.350	580.735	690.960	610.361	263.956	308.308	221.658	174.256	581.353	131.132	356.638	476.194	1.522.022	not updated	254.143	745.485	1.371.616	395.700	312.634	253.259	202.892	310.612	433.898	486.165	629.273	763.849	731.814	1.290.158	1.902.019	774.990	1.519.347	1.368.253	1.097.390	1.127.277	1.213.982	1.326.317	1.403.491	944.853	728.594	456.306	335.750	196.678	186.189	284.393	350.902	397.178	406.368	371.716	210.267	184.505	131.880	109.245	54.305	63.467	56.455	42.774	78.189	57.835	88.618	49.149	51.463	31.730	47.897	14.669	9038	5566	312.214	106.941	119.528	136.813	174.067	87.580	122.137

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