Pfizer Stock Price, News & Analysis

NextRNA Therapeutics announces the appointment of Dominique Verhelle, PhD, MBA, as CEO, effective immediately. Verhelle, a co-founder of the company, has spearheaded its scientific and corporate strategy since its inception. Under her leadership, NextRNA secured $56M in financing to advance its unique platform aimed at developing small molecule drugs targeting non-coding RNA interactions. Additionally, Jason Katz has been appointed as VP and Head of Drug Discovery, bringing extensive drug discovery experience from IFM Therapeutics and Merck.

Pfizer (PFE) and Valneva (VALN) have initiated a Phase 3 clinical study named VALOR to evaluate their investigational Lyme disease vaccine, VLA15, among 6,000 participants in Lyme-endemic areas in Europe and the U.S. This randomized, placebo-controlled trial aims to investigate the vaccine's efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity. VLA15 is the only Lyme vaccine candidate currently in clinical development, and prior studies have shown promising immunogenicity and tolerability. Pfizer plans to submit regulatory applications by 2025, upon successful trial completion.

Pfizer announced the acquisition of Global Blood Therapeutics (GBT) for $68.50 per share in cash, totaling approximately $5.4 billion. This acquisition aims to enhance Pfizer's portfolio in sickle cell disease (SCD), addressing critical needs in this underserved community. GBT's Oxbryta, a first-in-class SCD treatment, generated $195 million in net sales in 2021. The combined franchise from both companies could exceed $3 billion in peak sales worldwide. The deal awaits stockholder and regulatory approvals.

ViiV Healthcare announced week 240 results from the phase III BRIGHTE study of fostemsavir, demonstrating significant virologic responses in heavily treatment-experienced adults with multidrug-resistant HIV-1. The study involved 371 patients and found that 45% achieved virologic suppression. CD4+ cell counts increased by 296 cells/mm³, with 78% reaching counts of ≥200 cells/mm³. Safety profiles remained consistent, with 95% experiencing adverse events, primarily nausea and diarrhea. Fostemsavir serves as a crucial treatment option for patients facing limited alternatives due to resistance or safety issues.

ViiV Healthcare announced new findings from the HPTN 084 trial at the 24th International AIDS Conference, showing that cabotegravir long-acting (LA) for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) demonstrated an 89% lower rate of new HIV infections compared to daily oral tablets. No new HIV cases were reported among participants receiving cabotegravir during the unblinded period. Additionally, no birth defects were recorded among women who became pregnant post-injection. Cabotegravir LA is currently approved in the U.S. as Apretude.

ViiV Healthcare, majority owned by GSK and including Pfizer as a shareholder, has signed a new voluntary licensing agreement for cabotegravir long-acting (LA) for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to enhance access in low-income regions. This agreement allows selected generic manufacturers to produce cabotegravir LA for PrEP in 90 countries, following regulatory approval. With approximately 1.5 million new HIV cases annually, the long-acting injectable could significantly improve prevention efforts, particularly for women and adolescent girls.

Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) reported second-quarter 2022 revenues of $27.7 billion, a 47% increase, primarily driven by strong sales from Paxlovid and Comirnaty. Reported diluted EPS was $1.73, reflecting a 77% growth compared to Q2 2021. The company raised its full-year guidance for revenues to between $98.0 billion and $102.0 billion, despite foreign exchange headwinds. Pfizer emphasized its commitment to addressing global health needs while ensuring financial performance, with plans to acquire Biohaven and a focus on R&D investments.

AM Best has reaffirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of 'a+' (Excellent) for Blue Whale Re Ltd., with a stable outlook. The ratings reflect Blue Whale's strong balance sheet and operating performance, underscoring its crucial role as the captive insurer for Pfizer (PFE). Despite its reliance on Pfizer for capitalization and reinsurance, Blue Whale's operations are expected to maintain strong results. However, any shifts in Pfizer's support could impact Blue Whale's ratings.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA for PAXLOVID™, aimed at treating COVID-19 in high-risk patients. This follows data from the EPIC-HR study, which reported an 86% reduction in the risk of hospitalization or death. Notably, no deaths were recorded in PAXLOVID-treated patients through Week 24. The study highlights that 50-60% of the U.S. population carries risk factors for severe illness, reinforcing the drug's significance in combating COVID-19.