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Stock Watch: The Deal Flow Before Christmas

A Last-Minute Blizzard Of Transactions Boosted Biotech

 
• By Andy Smith

A bumper December of licensing transactions and acquisitions involving biotech companies brought the feelgood factor back to the sector. But while big spending in the run-up to Christmas may not dent pharma’s credit cards, it might crimp its investors’ dividends.

Stock Watch Image, Andy Smith
ANDY SMITH OFFERS A LIFE SCIENCE INVESTOR'S PERSPECTIVE ON BIOPHARMA BUSINESS

The last month of 2023 was a corker for the NASDAQ Biotech Index (NBI) and its constituents. The NBI finished December up by nearly 8% and left the NYSE Arca Pharmaceutical Index (DRG) and broad S&P500 index for dust as they closed the month up by under 1% and less than 4%, respectively.

Many social media commentators rushed to suggest that December was the start of biotech’s emergence from the wilderness that started in August 2021. More sage observers noted that the performance...

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Stock Watch: Q1 Sales Trends And Forex Muddle Pharma Outlook

 
• By Andy Smith

Pharma firms tended to downplay first-quarter trends in full-year guidance. However, raised guidance seems fragile amid ongoing foreign exchange effects and Medicare Part D redesign pressures.

Stock Watch: Bayer, Bavarian Nordic Bring European Cheer To Pharma

 
• By Andy Smith

Investors welcomed Bavarian Nordic’s and Bayer’s earnings announcements. However, both stock prices declined over the day of their reports as the impact of recent pressures weighed.

Stock Watch: Stock Watch: Lilly And Novo Duke Out Q1

 
• By Andy Smith

Novo Nordisk enjoyed a surprise GLP-1 agonist contracting win in the first quarter of 2025. This provided a welcome boost to its stock after it had spent the previous quarter on the back foot against rival Lilly.

Stock Watch: Market Optimism Outshines Q1 Currency And Tariff Woes

 
• By Andy Smith

The weak US dollar helped some companies reporting first-quarter results and hindered others reporting in stronger currencies. But even the impacts of currencies and Medicare modernization on first-quarter revenues were overlooked when an end to the trade wars seemed possible.

More from Business

Loss Of Exclusivity Product Launches To Fuel Aurobindo’s FY26 Europe Growth

 
• By Vibha Ravi

Aurobindo is banking on launches of loss of exclusivity products and biosimilars to fuel sales in Europe as it awaits a US announcement on tariffs and predicts high single-digit growth overall during FY26 for now

Korea Q1 Roundup: Mixed Earnings, Gearing For Possible US Tariffs

 
• By Jung Won Shin

South Korean biopharma companies report a mostly solid first quarter, marked by US growth for original drugs, with several also making preparations for possible US pharma tariffs.

In Brief: Nicox Extends Cash Runway As Kowa Advances NCX 470 In Japan

 
• By Sushmita Panda

Eye drug is already in Phase III trials elsewhere, with results due in Q3. Nicox could earn up to a further €24.5m in milestones and royalties from Kowa alliance.