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Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Prediction: These 2 Stocks Will Outperform the Market in the Next Five Years
Vertex Pharmaceuticals is diversifying its already strong lineup of medicines. Axsome Therapeutics has multiple clinical and regulatory catalysts on the way. 10 stocks we like better than Vertex Pharmaceuticals › Regardless of how stocks are performing right now, history tells us that the market tends to generate solid returns over long periods. Investors can do even better than the average market performance by buying shares of companies likely to beat broader equities. Two excellent candidates are Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: VRTX) and Axsome Therapeutics (NASDAQ: AXSM). Here's what makes these stocks solid candidates to outperform the market in the next half-decade. Vertex Pharmaceuticals has made significant clinical progress recently. Over the past six months, it has earned approval for two new medicines. The first is Alyftrek, a next-gen medicine for cystic fibrosis (CF), the area Vertex has dominated for over a decade. The second is Journavx, an oral, non-opioid pain inhibitor -- the first of its kind. These new approvals help strengthen and diversify Vertex's product lineup. The company still has room to grow in its core CF area; only about 75% of CF patients in its core geographies and 33% in other regions are currently benefiting from its medicines. Meanwhile, Journavx fills an unmet need: Opioid-based pain therapies can have significant adverse side effects. Vertex estimates a market of 80 million patients in acute pain. According to some projections, the medicine could generate $2.9 billion in revenue by 2030. Revenue and earnings should continue growing at a good clip in the next five years, even before we account for Casgevy, a gene-editing medicine that earned approval in late 2023 and early 2024 for a pair of rare blood diseases. Administering gene-editing therapies is a complex and lengthy process, so Casgevy isn't yet contributing much to the top line. However, it boasts blockbuster potential and will eventually be a meaningful growth driver for the company. Lastly, Vertex has an attractive pipeline. It's running clinical trials for brand-new products that could be breakthroughs. One is inaxaplin, a potential medicine for APOL1-mediated kidney disease. There are no drugs that address the underlying causes of this disease; Vertex aims to launch the first. And that's just the tip of the innovation iceberg with this biotech. Its shares recently fell post-earnings due to several issues that hardly change its long-term prospects. Vertex Pharmaceuticals' solid business and more diversified lineup will allow it to bounce back, and still provide superior returns through 2030 and beyond. Axsome Therapeutics' top line is growing fast. Revenue in the first quarter was $121.5 million, 62% higher than the year-ago period. The company owes much of this performance to Auvelity, a medication for major depressive disorder (MDD) approved in 2022. The drug's sales should continue increasing at a good clip, but there's more for investors to look forward to. Auvelity, also known as AXS-05, recently completed a clinical trial in treating agitation associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Axsome plans a regulatory submission in the third quarter. There are more than 4 million patients in the U.S. who suffer from AD agitation, but there's only one approved therapy. An approval here would significantly expand Auvelity's addressable market, and jolt its already impressive sales growth. In January, Axsome earned approval for Symbravo, a migraine therapy that will be another growth driver for the company. And the biotech has several more brand-new approvals or label expansions on the way. Solriamfetol, a medicine it markets as Sunosi in treating narcolepsy, recently produced positive results in phase 3 studies for MDD and ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). Another candidate, AXS-14, completed phase 3 studies last year and could soon reach the desk of regulators for approval in treating fibromyalgia. Axsome Therapeutics' lineup will look much stronger within a few years. In the meantime, the biotech will continue to grow its revenue at a good clip. The stock has crushed the market so far this year. It may or may not maintain its momentum in the next few weeks, but it looks likely to perform well through the end of the decade. Before you buy stock in Vertex Pharmaceuticals, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Vertex Pharmaceuticals wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $614,911!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $714,958!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 907% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 163% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 5, 2025 Prosper Junior Bakiny has positions in Vertex Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Axsome Therapeutics and Vertex Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Prediction: These 2 Stocks Will Outperform the Market in the Next Five Years was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
VRTX Stock Down as Q1 Sales of New Drugs Miss Expectations
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated's VRTX first-quarter results were weak as it missed estimates for both earnings and sales. The company's total revenues of $2.77 billion rose 3% year over year, driven by higher sales of its triple combination cystic fibrosis (CF) therapy Trikafta/Kaftrio and an early contribution from the U.S. launch of Alyftrekt. Trikafta sales rose 9% in the quarter. While sales rose 9% in the United States, in outside U.S. markets, sales decreased 5%, hurt by the availability of an illegal copy of Trikafta in Russia, where Vertex is experiencing a violation of its intellectual property rights. Vertex raised the low end of its total revenue guidance by $100 million from $11.75-$12 billion to $11.85-$12 billion. Though Vertex revenues come mostly from its CF franchise, investor focus on the first-quarter call was on the performance of its newer drugs, which were approved in the past year. Vertex gained approval for two new products, its novel non-opioid pain medicine Journavx (suzetrigine) and its fifth CF medicine, Alyftrek, in the last few months. Vertex and partner CRISPR Therapeutics' CRSP one-shot gene therapy, Casgevy, was approved for two blood disorders, sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia, in multiple regions in late 2023/early 2024. However, sales from its new drugs, Casgevy, Alyftrek and Journavx, fell short of investor expectations, which, coupled with the disappointing first-quarter results, led VRTX stock to decline 10% on Tuesday. Year to date, shares of Vertex have risen 11.8% against the industry's decrease of 2.2%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Let's dig deeper to understand how these new products performed in the first quarter and the company's outlook for the same through the rest of the year. Alyftrek (vanza triple), a next-in-class triple combination regimen for treating people with CF aged six years and older, was approved in the United States in December 2024 and in the United Kingdom in April 2025. Vertex's regulatory application for vanza triple is also under review in the EU and some other countries. In April, the European Medical Agency's (EMA's) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) gave a positive opinion recommending approval of Alyftrek. Vertex expects Alyftrek's approval in Europe in the second half of 2025. This new once-a-day oral combination medicine has the potential for enhanced patient benefit over Trikafta and to become a new standard-of-care treatment in CF. It can potentially treat CF patients who have discontinued Trikafta or other Vertex CF medicines. It can improve dosing (once daily), lower the royalty burden and extend patent protection. The drug generated sales of $53.9 million in its first quarter of launch. Vertex said it is seeing a steady uptake from all patient groups who are eligible for treatment with Alyftrek, including new patients and patients looking to switch from Trikafta. However, the switch from Trikafta to Alyftrek was slower than expected. Alyftrek's sales fell short of most analysts' expectations. Journavx (suzetrigine), Vertex's non-opioid NaV1.8 pain signal inhibitor, was approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe acute pain in January 2025. Vertex said Journavx's contribution to total revenues was 'insignificant' in the first quarter as the drug was launched in mid-March. However, many analysts believe that the Journavx launch progress has been slower than expected. Journavx sales are expected to pick up in the second half of the year as the product's uptake accelerates through patient assistance and supply/stocking initiatives in the first half. Vertex and partner CRISPR's one-shot gene therapy, Casgevy, contributed $14.2 million in sales in the first quarter compared with $8 million in the previous quarter. However, Casgevy sales also fell short of expectations of some analysts. The company now has more than 65 activated authorized treatment centers or ATCs in all regions where the therapy is approved. More than 90 patients have initiated cell collection. Vertex is also making rapid progress for the drug's access and reimbursement. Vertex expects Casgevy revenues to ramp up as the year progresses, as more patients are treated in geographies where the drug has secured regulatory approval and reimbursement. Vertex leads the global development and commercialization of Casgevy under the terms of the 2021 agreement with support from CRISPR Therapeutics. Vertex is rapidly advancing its diverse late-stage pipeline with four programs in pivotal development, including povetacicept added from last year's Alpine Immune Sciences acquisition. Vertex believes povetacicept has a 'pipeline in a product' potential. The other three candidates in pivotal development are suzetrigine in diabetic peripheral neuropathy, semelocell in type I diabetes and inaxaplin in APOL1-mediated kidney disease. Three of these phase III programs are on track to complete enrollment this year, setting the stage for several potential regulatory filings next year and potential new drug approvals in a couple of years. However, on the call, Vertex said it is temporarily pausing the multiple ascending dose portion of the phase I/II study of its mRNA therapeutic, VX-522, which it is developing in partnership with Moderna MRNA due to tolerability issues. In partnership with Moderna, Vertex is developing VX-522 for approximately 5,000 people with CF who do not make the CFTR protein and who cannot benefit from its CFTR modulators. A single ascending dose portion of a phase I/II clinical study on VX-522 is complete. Vertex currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated price-consensus-chart | Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated Quote Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Moderna, Inc. (MRNA) : Free Stock Analysis Report CRISPR Therapeutics AG (CRSP) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Did Vertex Pharmaceuticals Stock Fall On Tuesday?
On Monday, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) reported lower-than-expected first-quarter 2025 earnings. Vertex reported first-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $4.06, down from $4.76 a year ago, missing the consensus of $4.32. The cystic fibrosis-focused company reported sales of $2.77 billion, missing the consensus of $2.85 billion. Total revenue increased by 3%, primarily driven by the continued performance of Trikafta/Kaftrio and an early contribution from the U.S. launch of Alyftrek. In the U.S., total revenue increased 9% to $1.66 billion due to continued strong patient demand and higher net realized pricing. Outside the U.S., total revenue decreased 5% to $1.11 billion, as strong patient demand in established and newer markets was offset by the expected revenue decline in Russia, where Vertex is experiencing a violation of its intellectual property rights. Also Read: Vertex Discontinues Development Of Type 1 Diabetes Candidate After Disappointing Data 'Vertex delivered a strong start to 2025 with notable execution across the business as we grow and diversify the revenue base, progress multiple launches and advance the R&D pipeline. We continued to expand our leadership in CF and build global momentum for CASGEVY, and we launched JOURNAVX in moderate-to-severe acute pain,' said Reshma Kewalramani, CEO and President of Vertex. 'With multiple programs in pivotal development including povetacicept, which continues to make rapid progress in achieving its potential as a pipeline-in-a-product, and additional programs in early and mid-stage development, Vertex is poised to continue to deliver value for years to come.' Guidance: Vertex raised the low end of total revenue guidance by $100 million to $11.85 billion-$12 billion from $11.75 billion-$12 billion, compared to the consensus of $11.97 billion. The guidance also includes an immaterial cost impact from tariffs in 2025 based on currently known tariff rates and regulations. Vertex has temporarily paused the multiple ascending dose portion of the Phase 1/2 study of VX-522, a nebulized CFTR mRNA therapy, to assess a tolerability issue. William Blair writes, 'While the pause is unfortunate, we believe that the decision to pause the study rather than discontinue it suggests that, beyond the tolerability issue, management is encouraged by the data generated to date given it is open-label.' Analyst Myles Minter writes, 'While there was a slight miss on the top line leading to shares trading off 3% in the aftermarket, management raised the lower end of total revenue guidance, suggesting Street estimates may not have fully encompassed the previously disclosed impacts of an unauthorized Trikafta copy in Russia. We would be buyers on weakness here as the CF franchise still represents one of the most stable long-term growth franchises with a competitive moat in the biotech sector.'
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Vertex Pharmaceuticals Stock Is Sinking Today
Key Points Vertex Pharmaceuticals reported disappointing Q1 revenue and earnings. The company also revealed it is temporarily pausing part of a phase 1/2 study of experimental cystic fibrosis drug VX-522. Shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: VRTX) were sinking 11.9% as of 10:18 a.m. ET on Tuesday. The sharp decline came after the company announced its 2025 first-quarter results on Monday evening. Vertex reported Q1 revenue of $2.77 billion, up 3% year over year. It posted adjusted earnings of $1.24 billion, or $4.76 per share, up from $1.05 billion, or $4.06 per share, in the prior-year period. However, both top- and bottom-line numbers missed the consensus Wall Street estimates. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue » In addition, Vertex revealed that it has temporarily paused the multiple ascending dose portion of its phase 1/2 study evaluating experimental messenger RNA (mRNA) therapy VX-522 in treating cystic fibrosis (CF). The company didn't provide any details, stating only that there was a "tolerability issue." Image source: Getty Images. Putting Vertex's Q1 news into context Vertex's disappointing Q1 results were primarily due to what the company called "an expected revenue decline in Russia." Sales in the country have been hurt by copycat versions of its CF therapies. However, Vertex believes the issue in Russia "is a limited and isolated matter." The company is in the early stages of launching two new drugs, CF therapy Alyftrek and non-opioid pain medication Journavx. As sales pick up for these drugs, Vertex should deliver much stronger growth. What about the clinical pause for VX-522? It's too soon to know what will happen. Importantly, though, Vertex's already-approved therapies treat the vast majority of CF patients. VX-522 targets roughly 5,000 or so patients who can't be helped by the company's CFTR modulators. Is Vertex stock a buy? Vertex's share price is still in positive territory year to date despite today's pullback. I think the biotech stock remains an excellent long-term pick because of the growth prospects for Alyftrek and Journavx as well as the tremendous potential for its pipeline programs. Should you invest $1,000 in Vertex Pharmaceuticals right now? Before you buy stock in Vertex Pharmaceuticals, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Vertex Pharmaceuticals wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Stock Sinks as Costs Soar
Cheng Xin / Getty Images Key Takeaways Vertex Pharmaceuticals missed first-quarter profit and revenue forecasts as costs jumped. The biotech firm also posted a decline in sales outside the U.S. because of intellectual property rights violations in Russia. Vertex raised the lower end of its 2025 guidance as it sees higher demand for its cystic fibrosis treatments. Shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) slumped 12% Tuesday, a day after the biotech firm reported worse-than-expected results as costs increased. Vertex posted first-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $4.06, with revenue rising 3% year-over-year to $2.77 billion. Analysts surveyed by Visible Alpha were looking for $4.19 and $2.83 billion, respectively. U.S. revenue grew 9% to $1.66 billion in part because of higher prices. However, outside the U.S. revenue dropped 5% to $1.11 billion because of a decline in sales in Russia, where the company said it is "experiencing violation of its intellectual property rights." Total expenses skyrocketed nearly 40% to $2.14 billion, which Vertex blamed mostly on "continued R&D investment in support of multiple mid- and late-stage clinical development programs and increased commercial investment to support the launch of JOURNAVX," its non-opioid pain medicine. In addition, it also had a $379.0 million intangible asset impairment charge associated with its experimental diabetes treatment VX-264, which it won't be advancing for additional clinical development. Vertex raised the low end of its full-year revenue guidance to $11.85 billion from $11.75 billion as it sees continued growth in demand for its cystic fibrosis drugs, including the recently launched Alyftrek. The company did not change its upper end outlook of $12.0 billion. Even with today's slide, shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals are up almost 10% in 2025. TradingView Read the original article on Investopedia
