Markets
News
Analysis
User
24/7
Economic Calendar
Education
Data
- Names
- Latest
- Prev
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
A:--
F: --
A:--
F: --
A:--
F: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
A:--
F: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
A:--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
--
F: --
P: --
No matching data
Latest Views
Latest Views
Trending Topics
To quickly learn market dynamics and follow market focuses in 15 min.
In the world of mankind, there will not be a statement without any position, nor a remark without any purpose.
Inflation, exchange rates, and the economy shape the policy decisions of central banks; the attitudes and words of central bank officials also influence the actions of market traders.
Money makes the world go round and currency is a permanent commodity. The forex market is full of surprises and expectations.
Top Columnists
Enjoy exciting activities, right here at FastBull.
The latest breaking news and the global financial events.
I have 5 years of experience in financial analysis, especially in aspects of macro developments and medium and long-term trend judgment. My focus is maily on the developments of the Middle East, emerging markets, coal, wheat and other agricultural products.
BeingTrader chief Trading Coach & Speaker, 8+ years of experience in the forex market trading mainly XAUUSD, EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and Crude Oil. A confident trader and analyst who aims to explore various opportunities and guide investors in the market. As an analyst I am looking to enhance the trader’s experience by supporting them with sufficient data and signals.
Latest Update
Risk Warning on Trading HK Stocks
Despite Hong Kong's robust legal and regulatory framework, its stock market still faces unique risks and challenges, such as currency fluctuations due to the Hong Kong dollar's peg to the US dollar and the impact of mainland China's policy changes and economic conditions on Hong Kong stocks.
HK Stock Trading Fees and Taxation
Trading costs in the Hong Kong stock market include transaction fees, stamp duty, settlement charges, and currency conversion fees for foreign investors. Additionally, taxes may apply based on local regulations.
HK Non-Essential Consumer Goods Industry
The Hong Kong stock market encompasses non-essential consumption sectors like automotive, education, tourism, catering, and apparel. Of the 643 listed companies, 35% are mainland Chinese, making up 65% of the total market capitalization. Thus, it's heavily influenced by the Chinese economy.
HK Real Estate Industry
In recent years, the real estate and construction sector's share in the Hong Kong stock index has notably decreased. Nevertheless, as of 2022, it retains around 10% market share, covering real estate development, construction engineering, investment, and property management.
Hongkong, China
Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Dubai, UAE
Lagos, Nigeria
Cairo, Egypt
White Label
Data API
Web Plug-ins
Affiliate Program
View All
No data
Not Logged In
Log in to access more features
FastBull Membership
Not yet
Purchase
Log In
Sign Up
Hongkong, China
Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Dubai, UAE
Lagos, Nigeria
Cairo, Egypt
White Label
Data API
Web Plug-ins
Affiliate Program
By Brendan Pierson
Sept 18 (Reuters) - The latest trial over claims that the discontinued heartburn drug Zantac causes cancer ended with a hung jury on Wednesday, as jurors in Chicago were unable to agree on whether Boehringer Ingelheim must pay damages to an Illinois man who said he developed prostate cancer as a result of taking the drug, according to the man's lawyer.
It was the second time a jury failed to reach a verdict at trial during the ongoing wave of litigation over the now-discontinued drug.
"We appreciate the jury's careful consideration," Eric Olson, a lawyer for plaintiff Ronald Kimbrow, said in an email. "Boehringer Ingelheim has now twice failed to convince a jury that Zantac was safe."
He said the case would go to trial again. Boehringer Ingelheim did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The privately held German drugmaker was the only defendant at the trial in Cook County Circuit Court, after plaintiff Ronald Kimbrow settled with others including GSK GSK.L, which originally developed the drug, and Pfizer PFE.N.
Kimbrow, 73, said he took Zantac from 1995 to 2019.
Boehringer Ingelheim, GSK, Pfizer and Sanofi SASY.PA all sold brand name Zantac at various times since it was approved in 1983, and have been named in tens of thousands of lawsuits over the alleged cancer link.
The litigation began after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2020 asked manufacturers to pull the drug off the market over concerns that its active ingredient, ranitidine, could degrade into NDMA, a carcinogen, over time or when exposed to heat.
Three lawsuits over Zantac had previously gone to trial, all in Illinois, with two ending in verdicts for the defense and one with a hung jury.
The drugmakers won a significant victory in 2022, when a federal judge in Florida rejected the plaintiffs' expert witnesses for about 50,000 cases that had been centralized in her court on the grounds that they did not use reliable scientific methods. Without those witnesses, the cases could not go forward, though some plaintiffs are appealing.
The Delaware Supreme Court last month said it would consider drugmakers' bid to keep similar expert testimony out of court in that state, where more than 70,000 lawsuits - the vast majority of the remaining litigation - have been brought. A lower court judge refused to exclude the experts, allowing the cases to go forward.
Sanofi has agreed to settle about 4,000 cases against it, while Pfizer has reportedly agreed to settle more than 10,000.
(Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Marguerita Choy)
(( Brendan.Pierson@thomsonreuters.com ; 332-219-1345 (desk); 646-306-0235 (cell);))
Keywords: ZANTAC-BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM/ (PIX)
Merck MRK announced that a phase study evaluating its Daiichi Sankyo-partnered HER3-directed DXd antibody drug conjugate (ADC), patritumab deruxtecan, for treating EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS).
The HERTHENA-Lung02 evaluated the efficacy and safety of patritumab deruxtecan versus pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy for treating locally advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutated NSCLC in patients who had received prior EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment. In the study, patritumab deruxtecan demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in PFS — the study’s primary endpoint — versus platinum plus pemetrexed induction chemotherapy.
As regards overall survival, a key secondary endpoint of the study, the data were immature at the time of the analysis. The study will continue to further assess overall survival.
Patients with metastatic EGFR-mutated NSCLC who are initially treated with an EGFR TKI sometimes experience disease progression. This creates a need for therapies like patritumab deruxtecan as treatment options for this type of lung cancer in the second-line setting are limited.
Merck plans to discuss the data with regulatory authorities to decide the next steps.
Merck’s stock has risen 8.5% so far this year compared with an increase of 25.9% for the industry.
More on MRK’s Patritumab Deruxtecan
A biologics license application (BLA) seeking accelerated approval for patritumab deruxtecan for previously-treated EGFR-mutated NSCLC is already under review in the United States supported by data from the HERTHENA-Lung01 pivotal phase II study.
In June, the FDA issued a complete response letter to the BLA based on observations made after the inspection of a third-party manufacturing facility. The FDA has not requested any additional efficacy/safety studies, nor has it identified any issues related to the safety and efficacy of the candidate. Merck is working closely with the FDA and the third-party manufacturer to resolve the issue.
Merck’s Deal With Daiichi Sankyo
Merck acquired global co-development and co-commercialization rights to patritumab deruxtecan/MK-1022 and two other ADCs, raludotatug deruxtecan/MK-5909 and ifinatamab deruxtecan/MK-2400 from Japan’s Daiichi Sankyo in October last year for a total potential consideration of up to $22 billion. While raludotatug deruxtecan is being developed in phase II/III study for ovarian cancer, ifinatamab deruxtecan is being studied for small-cell lung cancer in phase III and colorectal, bladder, endometrial and head and neck cancers in phase II.
Daiichi Sankyo has retained exclusive rights for the development of the candidates in Japan. In August this year, Merck expanded its deal with Daiichi to co-develop and co-commercialize MK-6070, an investigational T-cell engager targeting delta-like ligand 3, which it obtained from its acquisition of Harpoon Therapeutics.
Other Companies Making ADC Products
ADCs are being considered a disruptive innovation in the pharmaceutical industry as these will enable better treatment of cancer by harnessing the targeting power of antibodies to deliver cytotoxic molecule drugs to tumors.
Daiichi Sankyo has six ADCs in clinical development across multiple types of cancer, being developed utilizing its DXd ADC technology. It markets Enhertu, a HER2-directed ADC for HER2-mutated breast, lung and gastric cancers, in partnership with AstraZeneca AZN. Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca have also developed datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd), a TROP2-directed ADC. Dato-DXd is under FDA review for advanced nonsquamous NSCLC as well as previously treated metastatic HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. The sixth ADC candidate is DS-3939, a TA-MUC1-directed ADC, which Daiichi Sankyo is developing on its own.
Pfizer PFE also has a strong portfolio of ADC drugs, which were added with last year’s acquisition of Seagen. The December 2023 acquisition of Seagen added four ADCs — Adcetris, Padcev, Tukysa and Tivdak — to Pfizer’s portfolio. Adcetris, Padcev, Tukysa and Tivdak contributed $279 million, $394 million, $121 million and $33 million, respectively, to Pfizer’s oncology revenues in the second quarter. Pfizer is particularly witnessing strong demand for Padcev.
MRK’s Rank and Stock to Consider
Merck has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) currently.
Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Price and Consensus
Merck & Co., Inc. price-consensus-chart | Merck & Co., Inc. Quote
A top-ranked large drugmaker is Eli Lilly LLY, carrying a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Earnings estimates for 2024 have risen from $13.71 to $16.49 per share over the past 60 days. For 2025, earnings estimates have risen from $19.42 to $23.97 per share over the same timeframe. LLY’s stock is up 55.5% year to date.
Lilly beat estimates in each of the last four quarters, delivering a four-quarter average earnings surprise of 69.07%.
Zacks Investment Research
Shares of Nuvalent NUVL have soared nearly 20% in the past week owing to encouraging updates on its two investigational therapies. Both therapies target previously treated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients but focus on different genetic mutations.
These updates were announced earlier this weekend at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2024 meeting held in Spain.
NUVL Boasts Encouraging Pipeline Potential in NSCLC Space
Management presented updated data from the early-stage portions of two separate phase I/II studies — ARROS-1 and ALKOVE-1. While the ARROS-1 study evaluates zidesamtinib inpatients with advanced ROS1-positive NSCLC, the ALKOVE-1 study evaluates NVL-655 in patients with advanced ALK-positive NSCLC.
Data from the ARROS-1 study showed that 44% of patients who received zidesamtinib responded to treatment. In the ALOVE-1 study, 38% of patients responded to treatment with NVL-655.
Both studies involved patients whose cancers failed to respond to heavily pre-treated patients who had already been treated with Pfizer’s PFE Lorbrena or Bristol Myers’ BMY Augtyro. While the PFE drug is approved to treat ALK-positive NSCLC patients, the BMY drug is approved for ROS1-positive NSCLC.
These updates impressed investors, which sent Nuvalent’s stock price soaring. Several Wall Street analysts supported the company’s claims that both drugs could be the best-in-class therapies in their respective categories. Per management, zidesamtinib and NVL-655 demonstrate the potential for treating third-line NSCLC patients — an area where no approved therapies have demonstrated clinical benefit. The drugs also provide a differentiated option to NSCLC patients in the second-line setting.
Year to date, Nuvalent’s shares have surged 42.4% compared with the industry’s 1.0% growth. During this timeframe, the stock has also outperformed the sector and the S&P 500. The company’s shares are also trading above the 50-day and 200-day moving averages.
NUVL Stock Outperforms Industry, Sector & S&P 500
Nuvalent’s Future Plans for Both Drugs
Alongside results, management also provided updates on its plans and development strategies for both candidates. Currently, NUVL is evaluating both drugs in the phase II portions of the ARROS-1 and ALKOVE-1 studies. These mid-stage portions have been designed with registrational intent. If successful, management could seek accelerated approval from the FDA for the drugs. Data from these portions is expected next year.
These results are likely to boost investors’ confidence in the company’s OnTarget 2026 operating plan announced earlier this year, which lays down management’s path toward a potential first approval in 2026.
Management also announced plans for a late-stage study, which will evaluate NVL-655 against Roche’s RHHBY Alecensa in ALK-positive NSCLC patients who have not received any TKI inhibitors.
Roche’s Alecensa is approved to treat adult patients with ALK-positive metastatic NSCLC. In April, the FDA granted label expansion to this RHHBY drug for adjuvant treatment following tumor resection in ALK-positive NSCLC patients.
Nuvalent, Inc. Price
Nuvalent, Inc. price | Nuvalent, Inc. Quote
NUVL’s Zacks Rank
Nuvalent currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Zacks Investment Research
Novartis NVS announced that the FDA has approved breast cancer drug Kisqali (ribociclib) for a broader population.
The regulatory body approved Kisqali in combination with an aromatase inhibitor (AI) for the adjuvant treatment of people with hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) stage II and III early breast cancer (EBC) at high risk of recurrence, including those with node-negative (N0) disease.
Kisqali is a selective cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, a class of drugs that helps slow the progression of cancer by inhibiting two proteins — cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6).
The broad indication in HR+/HER2- stage II and III EBC at high risk of recurrence approximately doubles the population eligible for CDK4/6 inhibitor adjuvant therapy.
Year to date, shares of Novartis have risen 14.6% compared with the industry’s growth of 24.1%.
Broader Label for NVS’ Kisqali
The FDA approval is based on strong results from the late-stage NATALEE trial. The results showed a significant and clinically meaningful 25.1% reduction in risk of disease recurrence in a broad population of patients with HR+/HER2- stage II and III EBC treated with adjuvant Kisqali plus endocrine therapy (ET) compared to ET alone, including those with high-risk N0 disease.
The invasive disease-free survival benefit was consistently observed across all patient subgroups.
Please note that Kisqali is already approved for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in several countries.
The latest FDA approval of Kisqali for this early breast cancer population, including those with N0 disease, should enable NVS to offer treatment with a CDK4/6 inhibitor to a significantly broader group of patients.
NVS recently presented an updated analysis from the NATALEE trial at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2024. Results showed that Kisqali caused a deepening benefit beyond the three-year treatment period and reduced the risk of recurrence by 28.5% compared to ET alone, in patients with stage II and III HR+/HER2- EBC.
Novartis will continue to evaluate NATALEE patients for long-term outcomes, including overall survival.
Kisqali: A Top Drug for NVS
Kisqali is one of the key growth drivers for NVS, which is now a pure-play innovative medicine company with a focus on core therapeutic areas — cardiovascular, renal and metabolic, immunology, neuroscience and oncology.
It is one of the leading breast cancer drugs in the United States and outside the country, with a dominant market share. The drug generated sales worth $1.3 billion in the first half of 2024.
Approximately 90% of breast cancer cases in the United States are diagnosed early (stages I-III). These patients remain at risk of cancer recurrence (in most cases as an incurable metastatic disease).
The drug's approval for a broader population should further fuel sales.
Regulatory reviews for Kisqali as an EBC treatment are ongoing worldwide, including in the EU and China.
Last year, the FDA also expanded Eli Lilly’s LLY Verzenio’s (abemaciclib) indication. Verzenio, a CDK4/6 inhibitor, was approved in combination with ET for the adjuvant treatment of HR+HER2-, node-positive, EBC at a high risk of recurrence.
Eli Lilly is witnessing a stupendous run in 2024, riding high on the success of its GLP-1 drugs — Mounjaro and Zepbound.
NVS’ Zacks Rank & A Stock to Consider
NVS currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
A better-ranked stock from the large-cap pharma industry is Pfizer PFE, which currently sports a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Estimates for PFE’s 2024 earnings have risen from $2.39 to $2.62 per share over the past 60 days. For 2025, the bottom-line estimate has risen from $2.75 to $2.85 over the same time frame.
Zacks Investment Research
On CNBC's “Mad Money Lightning Round,” Jim Cramer said he likes Pfizer Inc. and recommended buying more of the stock.
On Sept. 16, Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Louise Chen reiterated Pfizer with an Overweight rating and maintained a $45 price target.
“Six Flags F, I don't know, it feels like it's two flags,” Cramer said. “This has just been a merger from hell. I'm not really into the stock.”
On Sept. 16, JPMorgan analyst Matthew Boss maintained Six Flags Entertainment with an Underweight rating and lowered the price target from $48 to $43.
Cramer said he likes First Solar, Inc. , adding that it is an “up stock.”
On Sept. 16, BofA Securities analyst Julien Dumoulin-Smith maintained First Solar with a Buy and raised the price target from $320 to $343.
The “Mad Money” host said Equity Residential is an “amazing” stock, and added that it's a “total winner.”
On Sept. 16, several analysts, including, Scotiabank, Evercore ISI Group and JPMorgan, raised their price targets on the stock.
Moderna, Inc. has been a “big disappointment,” Cramer said.
Moderna announced on Tuesday that Health Canada approved its vaccine, SPIKEVAX, which aids in preventing COVID-19 in people six months of age or older.
“On a pullback, absolutely,” Cramer said when asked about Vertiv Holdings Co . “I think it's a winner.”
On Sept. 11, Vertiv named Frank Poncheri as chief human resources officer.
Cramer said Powell Industries, Inc. is a buy.
On July 30, Powell Industries reported better-than-expected third-quarter GAAP EPS and sales results.
Price Action:
Read Next:
Photo: s_bukley/Shutterstock.com
© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
White Label
Data API
Web Plug-ins
Poster Maker
Affiliate Program
The risk of loss in trading financial instruments such as stocks, FX, commodities, futures, bonds, ETFs and crypto can be substantial. You may sustain a total loss of the funds that you deposit with your broker. Therefore, you should carefully consider whether such trading is suitable for you in light of your circumstances and financial resources.
No decision to invest should be made without thoroughly conducting due diligence by yourself or consulting with your financial advisors. Our web content might not suit you since we don't know your financial conditions and investment needs. Our financial information might have latency or contain inaccuracy, so you should be fully responsible for any of your trading and investment decisions. The company will not be responsible for your capital loss.
Without getting permission from the website, you are not allowed to copy the website's graphics, texts, or trademarks. Intellectual property rights in the content or data incorporated into this website belong to its providers and exchange merchants.