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Endo (ENDP) Restructures Branded Pharmaceutical Unit (revised)

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Endo International plc announced that it has begun restructuring its corporate and branded pharmaceutical R&D functions in Malvern, PA and Chestnut Ridge, NY. 

Shares of Endo have underperformed the Zacks classified Medical-Drugs industry in the past one year. Specifically, the stock plunged 79.4% during this period in comparison to a decline of 10.6% for the industry.

The initiative aims to better align the corporate and branded pharmaceutical R&D functions in size and scope with the recently restructured generics and branded pharmaceutical business units in the U.S.

These initiatives are expected to provide greater efficiencies and corresponding cost savings.

These restructuring actions are likely to reduce the company’s headcount by approximately 90 full-time positions and result in pre-tax cost savings of $40 million to $50 million on an annual run rate basis by the fourth quarter of 2017.

We remind investors that Endo completed the integration, product portfolio rationalization and restructuring of its generics business segment in 2016.  Thereafter, Endo introduced a unified operating model that streamlined its global supply chain organization to boost its Branded and Generics businesses. The company has eliminated its pain field sales force in the branded segment in the U.S.

We note that the company’s generic segment is under pressure given the challenging competitive landscape and pricing pressures. Consequently, Endo expects to invest a portion of these cost savings in the company's core product franchises and new product development programs for both the branded and generics business segments.

Endo currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell). Shares are under tremendous pressure due to concerns related to the ongoing investigations and the present focus on drug pricing. Concerns relating to pricing are expected to remain a major overhang on the company’s shares.

Key Picks

Some better-ranked stocks in the health care sector include Sucampo Pharmaceuticals , Anika Therapeutics (ANIK - Free Report) and Sunesis Pharmaceuticals . While Sucampo and Sunesis sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Anika carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Sunesis’ loss estimates narrowed 5.06% and 8.80% for 2016 and 2017, respectively, over the past 60 days. The company recorded a positive earnings surprise in three of the last four quarters, the average being 0.54%.

Anika’s earnings estimates for 2016 and 2017 were up 3.9% and 0.5%, respectively, over the last 60 days. The company recorded a positive earnings surprise in each of the last four quarters, the average being 33.1%. Its share price was up 37.2% in the past one year.

Sucampo’s earnings estimates were stable at $1.22 for 2016 but have increased from $1.58 to $1.74 for 2017 over the last 60 days. The company posted a positive earnings surprise in all of the four trailing quarters with an average beat of 35.5%.

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(We are reissuing this article to correct a mistake. The original article, issued Friday, January 27, 2017, should no longer be relied upon.)


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