Regeneron shares slide on mixed trial data on smoker's lung drug
Regeneron and partner Sanofi (SASY.PA), opens new tab were studying the potential blockbuster drug, itepekimab, as a treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adult former smokers.
The condition has limited treatment options and the drug was expected to target a broader patient population compared to Regeneron and Sanofi's blockbuster Dupixent, which is also approved for the condition.
But after Friday's data, Barclays analyst Emily Field said Dupixent is likely to remain the first choice for doctors.
GSK's (GSK.L), opens new tab Nucala, approved recently for COPD, is also a blockbuster drug.
Nearly 16 million U.S. adults suffer from COPD, according to government data.
Regeneron's shares, which have already fallen 15% this year, were trading at $530 in premarket trading. The company has a market capitalization of $65.36 billion.
The company's itepekimab showed a significant reduction in exacerbations or flare-ups in the condition by 27% compared to placebo at 52 weeks in a 1,127-patient study.
But the second study - which had enrolled fewer former smokers compared to the first - did not meet its goal although a benefit was seen earlier in the trial.
The experimental drug, which is being jointly developed by Regeneron and Sanofi, binds to and inhibits interleukin-33, a type of protein that causes inflammation in COPD.
COPD is a common lung disease causing restricted airflow and breathing problems. It typically affects smokers, but can also be caused by pollutants.
Sanofi and Regeneron are assessing the data and will discuss with regulatory authorities to evaluate their next steps, the companies said.
Regeneron's price to earnings ratio, a common benchmark for valuing stocks, was 16.15, compared with 13.62 for Gilead (GILD.O), opens new tab and 7.29 for Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY.N), opens new tab.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
19 minutes ago
- The Independent
Teacher praises restrictions placed on phone use in classrooms
An Alabama teacher has praised a new state law banning mobile phones in school classrooms, noting significant improvements in student engagement and academic focus. Jonathan Buchwalter, a history teacher, observed that students were taking notes, completing assignments, asking for help, and interacting with each other more effectively. This local success reflects a wider trend across the United States, with 33 states having enacted legislation or policies to restrict student mobile phone use in schools. The push for these restrictions is driven by concerns over the negative impact of smartphones on students' mental health, academic performance, and attention spans. Studies have linked problematic smartphone use to increased depression, anxiety, and insomnia in teenagers, reinforcing the rationale behind these school policies.
The Independent
19 minutes ago
- The Independent
RFK Jr. says he finds it ‘convenient' to wear jeans to the gym
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. explained on Fox News that he works out in jeans for convenience, as he would go hiking before the gym and found it practical. Kennedy recently participated in the 'Pete and Bobby Challenge' with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, completing 50 pull-ups and 100 push-ups in under six minutes while wearing jeans. The challenge aims to encourage American youth to be fit, aligning with Kennedy's 'Make America Healthy Again' (MAHA) agenda, which promotes public health, reducing artificial food additives, and re-evaluating health choices for children. Kennedy's MAHA movement, which echoes President Donald Trump 's 'Make America Great Again' slogan, focuses on health issues, including a reassessment of childhood vaccines. While experts agree with Kennedy's claim about increasing chronic conditions in American children, critics like John Oliver and health experts have raised concerns about the 'dangerous' nature of some of MAHA's proposed solutions, particularly the defunding of mRNA vaccine research.
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Masimo sues US Customs over approval of Apple Watch imports
WASHINGTON, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Medical monitoring technology company Masimo (MASI.O), opens new tab sued U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Wednesday over a decision by the agency that allowed Apple (AAPL.O), opens new tab to import Apple Watches with blood-oxygen reading technology during a patent dispute between the companies. Masimo said in the lawsuit, opens new tab in Washington, D.C., federal court that Customs improperly determined that Apple can import watches with pulse oximetry technology, reversing its own decision from last year without notifying Masimo. Masimo told the court that it learned of the agency's August 1 decision only after Apple announced it would reintroduce blood-oxygen reading to its watches last week. Spokespeople for Apple and Customs did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A Masimo spokesperson declined to comment. Irvine, California-based Masimo has accused Apple of hiring away its employees and stealing its pulse oximetry technology to use in its Apple Watches. Masimo has separately sued Apple for patent infringement and trade secret theft in ongoing federal court cases. Masimo convinced the U.S. International Trade Commission to block imports of Apple's Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches in 2023 based on a determination that Apple's technology for reading blood oxygen levels infringed Masimo's patents. Apple has continued to sell Customs-approved redesigned watches without pulse oximetry since the ITC's decision. Apple said on Aug. 14 that it would reintroduce its smartwatches' blood-oxygen reading capabilities with approval from Customs. Masimo said the agency's decision to approve the watches without input from Masimo or any "meaningful justification" deprived the company of its rights. "CBP's function is to enforce ITC exclusion orders, not to create loopholes that render them ineffective," Masimo said. Masimo asked the Washington court to halt the agency's ruling and continue to block Apple from selling watches with the blood-oxygen feature.
