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Novartis (NVS) Reports Positive Data on Biosimilar Humira
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Novartis AG (NVS - Free Report) announced encouraging data for its proposed biosimilar verison of AbbVie’s (ABBV - Free Report) Humira (adalimumab) namely GP2017 from a phase III study.
A look at Novartis’ share price movement over the past one year shows that the stock has underperformed the Zacks classified Large Cap Pharma industry. Specifically, Novartis’ stock gained 4.7% during this period, while the industry gained 7.2%.
The confirmatory efficacy, safety and immunogenicity study met its primary endpoint as the results show that GP2017 has an equivalent efficacy to the reference drug, Humira.
We remind investors that Humira is approved for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, adult Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis among others.
The results from the study revealed equivalent efficacy by demonstrating Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 75 response rates of 67% for GP2017 and 65% for the reference drug in patients with moderate to severe, chronic plaque psoriasis.
We note that Sandoz, Novartis’s generic arm, has a leading biosimilar pipeline. The division plans to file GP2017 with the EMA and the FDA in 2017.
The company also plans to launch five biosimilars of major oncology and immunology biologics across key geographies by 2020.
Sandoz currently markets three biosimilars – Omnitrope, a human growth hormone; Binocrit, an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent and Zarxio – in the U.S. In addition, Sandoz has a strong pipeline of biosimilars. In 2016, the Sandoz Division generated net sales of $10.1 billion, accounting for 21% of the total net sales.
The FDA also approved a biosimilar version of Amgen’s (AMGN - Free Report) Enbrel (etanercept-szzs) to treat multiple inflammatory diseases. However, the launch is pending due to ongoing litigation with Amgen.
Hence, a potential approval of a biosimilar of Humira will further boost Sandoz’s portfolio.
Novartis has a strong oncology portfolio of drugs like Afinitor, Exjade, Jakavi, Zykadia, Tasigna, Jadenu. Novartis is currently mulling strategic options for ophthalmic division Alcon which includes retaining the business or separation via a capital markets transaction such as a spin-off or an initial public offering.
Novartis currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
A better-ranked stock in the healthcare sector is GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK - Free Report) which currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
GlaxoSmithKline’s earnings estimates increased from $2.66 to $2.76 for 2017 and from $2.80 to $2.85 for 2018 over the last 30 days. The company posted a positive earnings surprise in three of the four trailing quarters with an average beat of 11.03%.
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Novartis (NVS) Reports Positive Data on Biosimilar Humira
Novartis AG (NVS - Free Report) announced encouraging data for its proposed biosimilar verison of AbbVie’s (ABBV - Free Report) Humira (adalimumab) namely GP2017 from a phase III study.
A look at Novartis’ share price movement over the past one year shows that the stock has underperformed the Zacks classified Large Cap Pharma industry. Specifically, Novartis’ stock gained 4.7% during this period, while the industry gained 7.2%.
The confirmatory efficacy, safety and immunogenicity study met its primary endpoint as the results show that GP2017 has an equivalent efficacy to the reference drug, Humira.
We remind investors that Humira is approved for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, adult Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis among others.
The results from the study revealed equivalent efficacy by demonstrating Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 75 response rates of 67% for GP2017 and 65% for the reference drug in patients with moderate to severe, chronic plaque psoriasis.
We note that Sandoz, Novartis’s generic arm, has a leading biosimilar pipeline. The division plans to file GP2017 with the EMA and the FDA in 2017.
The company also plans to launch five biosimilars of major oncology and immunology biologics across key geographies by 2020.
Sandoz currently markets three biosimilars – Omnitrope, a human growth hormone; Binocrit, an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent and Zarxio – in the U.S. In addition, Sandoz has a strong pipeline of biosimilars. In 2016, the Sandoz Division generated net sales of $10.1 billion, accounting for 21% of the total net sales.
The FDA also approved a biosimilar version of Amgen’s (AMGN - Free Report) Enbrel (etanercept-szzs) to treat multiple inflammatory diseases. However, the launch is pending due to ongoing litigation with Amgen.
Hence, a potential approval of a biosimilar of Humira will further boost Sandoz’s portfolio.
Novartis has a strong oncology portfolio of drugs like Afinitor, Exjade, Jakavi, Zykadia, Tasigna, Jadenu. Novartis is currently mulling strategic options for ophthalmic division Alcon which includes retaining the business or separation via a capital markets transaction such as a spin-off or an initial public offering.
Novartis AG Price and Consensus
Novartis AG Price and Consensus | Novartis AG Quote
Zacks Rank & Key Picks
Novartis currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
A better-ranked stock in the healthcare sector is GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK - Free Report) which currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
GlaxoSmithKline’s earnings estimates increased from $2.66 to $2.76 for 2017 and from $2.80 to $2.85 for 2018 over the last 30 days. The company posted a positive earnings surprise in three of the four trailing quarters with an average beat of 11.03%.
Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2017
In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest tickers for the entirety of 2017?
Who wouldn't? These 10 are painstakingly hand-picked from 4,400 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. They are our primary picks to buy and hold. Be among the very first to see them >>