BMS Benefits From Focused Strategy, Novartis Looks To Vaccines; Abbott Tries To Educate U.S. Investors: Emerging Markets Earnings Roundup (Part 2)

Emerging markets remained a key focus of Big Pharma during first quarter earnings calls, with many highlighting exceptional growth in these markets, particularly China. Others talked at length about commercial strategy and sales force expansion, with some companies like Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. hyping the virtues of staying true to its innovative roots, while others like Novartis AG talked up the value of diversification. And Abbott Laboratories, in its continuing quest to "educate" U.S. investors about emerging markets, decided for a wholesale change in how it reports its business, although the initial reaction from at least one analyst might have caught the company off guard.