Latest news with #ChronicObstructivePulmonaryDisease
Business Insider
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Merck Stock (MRK) Bulls Cheer $10Bn Verona Pharma Gamble
Merck & Co. (MRK) is betting on acquisitions to offset the looming revenue loss from the upcoming patent expiration of Keytruda (pembrolizumab). Its latest move— the $10 billion acquisition of Verona Pharma (VRNA) —adds a promising blockbuster candidate for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a market worth an estimated $23 billion. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Make smarter investment decisions with TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks, delivered to your inbox every week. By broadening its pipeline beyond oncology, Merck aims to regain investor confidence, especially as its stock has lagged behind the broader market in recent years. In my view, Merck's latest bet is likely to pay off, making me cautiously Neutral about its stock ahead of Keytruda's 2028 primary U.S. patent expiration date. The 'Keytruda Cliff' Represents Merck's Greatest Challenge Merck's biggest challenge is no secret—the looming patent expiration of Keytruda is the clearest example of the broader 'patent cliff' many pharmaceutical giants face. We're talking about blockbuster drugs generating over $10 billion annually, like Eliquis, Stelara, and Humira. In Merck's case, Keytruda brought in $29.5 billion last year —nearly half of the company's total revenue of $64.17 billion. That level of dependence makes the eventual decline in Keytruda sales a major concern. Given that Keytruda is a biologic, the impact of biosimilar competition tends to be less abrupt than with traditional generics. Analysts expect sales to decline more gradually, potentially falling to around $15 billion within four to five years of the patent's expiration. Still, declining revenue is never a good look for a company, and Merck now faces the critical task of replacing that lost income. One part of Merck's strategy is to introduce a subcutaneous version of pembrolizumab, which offers the convenience of shorter treatment times for both patients and healthcare providers. If it proves to be as effective as the intravenous version, it could gain traction for its ease of use. However, while this could help extend Keytruda's commercial life, it's unlikely to fully bridge the revenue gap. Payers may not be willing to pay a premium for convenience alone, especially once lower-cost biosimilars hit the market. Merck Bets Big on Ohtuvayre as It Looks Beyond Keytruda As part of its broader strategy, Merck is also leaning heavily on acquisitions and promising pipeline assets. Its recent interest in Verona Pharma's Ohtuvayre came as little surprise. Approved by the FDA in June 2024, Ohtuvayre has quickly gained traction. It's considered a 'first-in-class' treatment for COPD, uniquely combining non-steroidal anti-inflammatory effects with bronchodilation in a single molecule—an important innovation, given that many COPD patients continue to struggle with symptoms despite multiple existing therapies. In the first quarter of 2025, Ohtuvayre generated $71.3 million in sales, beating analyst expectations. Forecasts now suggest the drug could achieve peak annual sales of over $4 billion. In addition, it's being explored for other respiratory conditions, including non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis and asthma, potentially broadening its commercial impact even further. Further Strategic Acquisitions Bolster Merck's Pipeline Before Verona, Merck had been active in expanding its pulmonary and oncology portfolio. Think back to the $11.5 billion purchase of Acceleron Pharma in 2021 for its pulmonary arterial hypertension therapy, Winrevair. This asset generated $419 million in sales last year. In another example, Merck's more recent $680 million acquisition of Harpoon Therapeutics bolstered its immunotherapy pipeline. That's the nature of big pharmaceutical companies like Merck—blockbuster drugs eventually run their course. The real challenge is building a sustainable 'flywheel effect,' where profits from a hit like Keytruda are reinvested into developing the next wave of blockbuster therapies. When internal R&D falls short, companies often turn to acquisitions—but that's typically a more expensive route. For instance, developing a drug like Ohtuvayre in-house would likely have cost Merck a fraction—perhaps less than 10%—of the $10 billion it paid to acquire Verona Pharma. That said, Merck has the financial flexibility to make such moves. With a debt-to-assets ratio near historical lows, the company is well-positioned to pursue strategic investments without overextending itself. Judging by its Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio of just 12.2, which trades 55% lower than its sector median (26.98), the market isn't confident in Merck's ability to replace Keytruda. This is, at least in part, owed to Merck's underwhelming near-term revenue growth prospects. Its forward year-over-year revenue growth of 4.4% is 45% lower than the sector median of 8%. Certainly, Merck's ability to resolve these 'growing pains' will determine the future direction of its stock. Is Merck a Buy, Sell, or Hold? On Wall Street, Merck sports a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on 10 Buy, seven Hold, and zero Sell ratings in the past three months. MRK's average stock price target of $103.60 implies an upside potential of almost 24% over the next twelve months. Last week, analyst Terence Flynn from Morgan Stanley issued a Hold rating on MRK with a price target of $98. Regarding Ohtuvayre's immediate and long-term impact on Merck's financials, the analyst noted that 'The company expects the acquisition to become accretive to earnings by 2027, and fully accretive by 2028.' The strategic fit of Ohtuvayre within Merck's existing cardio-pulmonary portfolio and the potential for synergies further support the Hold rating, as the long-term benefits are balanced by the short-term financial adjustments required.' Bold $10Bn Bet on Verona Isn't Enough to Dislodge Neutral Outlook Merck's acquisition of Verona Pharma is part of its broader strategy to offset the looming revenue hit from Keytruda's patent expiration. While Ohtuvayre offers a promising blockbuster opportunity with relatively low development risk, it came at a steep price, making the deal something of a double-edged sword, especially since the drug's long-term success is not guaranteed. That said, Merck's current valuation suggests the market may be underestimating its potential. For investors who believe in the upside of recent initiatives—like the launch of subcutaneous pembrolizumab and the addition of Ohtuvayre—this skepticism could represent an opportunity. In the meantime, Merck's solid 3.86% dividend yield offers a cushion if the stock continues to lag. Neutral.
Malaysian Reserve
14-07-2025
- Health
- Malaysian Reserve
Respiratory Care Devices Market worth $33.6 billion by 2030 with 7.3% CAGR
DELRAY BEACH, Fla., July 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The global Respiratory Care Devices Market, valued at US$22.2 billion in 2024 stood at US$23.6 billion in 2025 and is projected to advance at a resilient CAGR of 7.3% from 2025 to 2030, culminating in a forecasted valuation of US$33.6 billion by the end of the period. The advanced wound care market is primarily driven by several factors: the increasing geriatric population, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, and a growing number of traumatic and burn injuries. These elements have significantly boosted the demand for effective wound management solutions. Furthermore, supportive government initiatives and reimbursement frameworks contribute to market growth. Download PDF Brochure: Browse in-depth TOC on 'Respiratory Care Devices Market' 587 – Tables63 – Figures466 – Pages By product type, Therapeutic devices are necessary for managing and treating the majority of acute and chronic respiratory diseases. They are required to provide patients with COPD, asthma, sleep apnea, and respiratory failure with life-sustaining respiratory therapy. The devices include high-flow nasal cannula systems, CPAP and BiPAP devices, nebulizers, ventilators, and oxygen concentrators. The therapeutic equipment market has increased manifold due to the need for long-term home-based respiratory therapy, the global burden of chronic disease, and the increase in hospitalization. By disease indication, the respiratory care devices market is dominated by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which is increasingly becoming a global phenomenon, especially in the elderly population. This is due to higher demand for non-invasive ventilators, oxygen concentrators, nebulizers, and monitors. Since COPD is progressive and irreversible, it requires constant care and long-term respiratory therapy. The disease is also escalated by high-risk factors prevalent in developing and developed countries, including smoking, air pollution, and occupational exposures. Furthermore, since COPD is hospitalized and receives exacerbations, constant use of respiratory equipment at home and in the hospital is required. By geography, the respiratory care devices market is segmented into five major regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), Latin America, Middle East and Africa. The prevalence of chronic respiratory illnesses such as asthma, COPD, and sleep apnea is partly due to the aging population, extensive histories of smoking, and rising obesity. The strong healthcare infrastructure of the region and growing awareness of the significance of respiratory health enable early detection and treatment of such conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic also drove demand for oxygen therapy equipment and ventilators and hence created long-term interest and investment in respiratory care products. Large medical device firms, improved reimbursement policies, and quick adoption of new technology such as remote monitoring and telephonic integration of respiratory equipment have also driven the market. Request Sample Pages : The key players in the global respiratory care devices market are Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Netherlands), Medtronic (Ireland), ResMed Inc. (US), Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited (New Zealand), Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA (Germany), GE Healthcare (US), Masimo (US), Getinge (Sweden), Nihon Kohden Corporation (Japan), Hillrom & Welch Allyn (Baxter) (US), Teleflex Incorporated (Japan), Air Liquide (France), ICU Medical, Inc (US), AdaptHealth, LLC (US), Hamilton Medical (Switzerland), Medline Industries, LP (US), Allied Medical, LLC (US), Nonin (US), Apex Medical (Taiwan), Rotech Healthcare Inc. (US), Löwenstein Medical SE & Co. KG (Germany), WEINMANN Emergency Medical Technology GmbH + Co. KG (Germany), Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare (US), OMRON Healthcare, Inc (Japan) and HUM GmbH (Germany). Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Netherlands): Koninklijke Philips N.V. is a global health technology leader known for its strong presence in the respiratory care devices market, particularly through its innovative, non-invasive ventilators, CPAP/BiPAP machines, and home oxygen therapy systems. With a strategic focus on integrated care, Philips combines medical devices with AI-powered digital platforms such as HealthSuite to deliver connected solutions across hospital and home settings. The company's core competencies lie in its robust R&D capabilities, global brand presence, and commitment to sustainability. Despite challenges from a global recall of certain respiratory devices, Philips continues to strengthen its position through new product launches. These efforts underline its leadership in delivering advanced, patient-centric respiratory care solutions globally. Medtronic (Ireland) Medtronic plc is one of the world's largest medical technology companies, operating in over 150+ countries. The company has merged its remaining Patient Monitoring and Respiratory Interventions segments into a unified business unit named Acute Care & Monitoring. Its core competencies include its strong presence in chronic disease management, cutting-edge patient monitoring systems, surgical innovations, and global supply chain capabilities. Known for its continuous investment in R&D and digital health integration, the company excels in developing minimally invasive therapies, advanced monitoring devices, and AI-powered diagnostics. Despite withdrawing from ventilator manufacturing, the company remains a major player in hospital-based care solutions, focusing on innovation in acute monitoring and intervention technologies. This restructuring reflects the aim to streamline operations, enhance profitability, and concentrate on higher-growth segments in critical and surgical care. For more information, Inquire Now! Related Reports: Respiratory Diagnostics Market Molecular Diagnostics Market In Vitro Diagnostics Market Point of Care Molecular Diagnostics Market Infectious Disease Diagnostics Market Get access to the latest updates on Respiratory Care Devices Companies and Respiratory Care Devices Market Size About MarketsandMarkets™: MarketsandMarkets™ has been recognized as one of America's Best Management Consulting Firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets™ is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. With the widest lens on emerging technologies, we are proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients across the globe. Today, 80% of Fortune 2000 companies rely on MarketsandMarkets, and 90 of the top 100 companies in each sector trust us to accelerate their revenue growth. With a global clientele of over 13,000 organizations, we help businesses thrive in a disruptive ecosystem. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion in new revenue streams that are replacing existing ones within this decade. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines – TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we collaborate with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies to keep them future-ready. Our insights and strategies are powered by industry experts, cutting-edge AI, and our Market Intelligence Cloud, KnowledgeStore™, which integrates research and provides ecosystem-wide visibility into revenue shifts. To find out more, visit or follow us on Twitter , LinkedIn and Facebook . Contact:Mr. Rohan SalgarkarMarketsandMarkets™ INC.1615 South Congress 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445USA: +1-888-600-6441Email: sales@ Our Website: Logo: View original content:
Business Insider
10-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Verona Pharma Stock (VRNA) Soars 20% on $10B Merck Deal
Verona Pharma (VRNA) stock soared on Wednesday after the biopharmaceutical company announced a deal with Merck (MRK). This will have Merck acquire Verona Pharma for $107 per share, a 23.18% premium to the stock's prior closing price. It also brings the total value of the deal to $10 billion. Don't Miss TipRanks' Half-Year Sale Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Make smarter investment decisions with TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks, delivered to your inbox every week. Merck's interest in Verona Pharma is largely tied to Ohtuvayre, a prescription medication for the maintenance treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in adults. This will add the drug to its growing cardiopulmonary pipeline and portfolio. Merck also benefits by acquiring a drug that has already been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Verona Pharma CEO David Zaccardelli said the deal will 'accelerate the potential of Ohtuvayre.' The Verona Pharma acquisition has received unanimous support from the Boards of Directors at both companies. Now it just needs approval from regulators and shareholders to close. The two companies expect the deal to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2025. Verona Pharma Stock Movement Today Verona Pharma stock was up 20.77% in pre-market trading on Wednesday, following a 4.76% dip yesterday. The shares have increased 87.04% year-to-date and 384.44% over the past 12 months. News of the Merck deal brought heavy trading to VRNA stock today, with some 2.9 million shares traded, compared to a three-month daily average of roughly 1.23 million units. Is Verona Pharma Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold? Turning to Wall Street, the analysts' consensus rating for Verona Pharma is Strong Buy, based on 11 Buy ratings over the past three months. With that comes an average VRNA stock price target of $118, representing a potential 35.85% upside for the shares.
Malaysian Reserve
09-07-2025
- Health
- Malaysian Reserve
Giroir Commends Formation of Congressional BIOTech Caucus
Former Senior Trump Health Official Urges Focus on Innovative 'Upstream' Approaches that Disrupt Current Paradigm of Costly Chronic Care ATLANTA, July 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Brett P. Giroir, M.D., former Assistant Secretary of Health and Acting FDA Commissioner in the first Trump Administration, praised the recently announced formation of the bipartisan BIOTech Caucus and noted the critical importance of its mission to engage with sector leaders and to build awareness and bioliteracy among Members of Congress. 'I applaud Reps. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and Stephanie Bice (R-OK) for seizing the initiative to form the BIOTech Caucus. With new FDA reform initiatives and focused efforts in Congress, innovative biotech companies will be better able to shatter treatment paradigms that have become too comfortable and too profitable for Big Pharma to change,' said Giroir, CEO of Altesa BioSciences. 'This is precisely why I chose to lead a small innovative biotech company after completing my US government service,' he continued. 'The federal government can play a key role to help incentivize bio-entrepreneurship and leverage capital markets for the benefit of U.S. biotech companies poised to provide seismic, beneficial impacts to patients, taxpayers and the public-at-large.' Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) treatment as paradigm shift example: Giroir pointed to the transformation needed in the treatment of COPD, a condition that negatively impacts the health and well-being of 17 million Americans and nearly 500 million globally. COPD, the Altesa CEO noted, costs the U.S. approximately $50 billion annually in health care spending and is predicted to become the world's leading cause of death in 15 years. 'Until we can eliminate the underlying causes of COPD, namely smoking and air pollution, patients deserve better than costly downstream immune-modifying injections that only help a minority of COPD patients avoid a minority of flare-ups,' he continued. Instead, he said, patients must be empowered to better care for their disease by using and integrating wearable technologies, at-home diagnostics, artificial intelligence, and specific treatments for the number one cause of exacerbations – respiratory virus infections. 'Diagnostics coupled with effective oral medicines have transformed our treatment of flu, COVID, Hepatitis C, and HIV. If we can identify respiratory viruses early- and treat them early on, there is a good chance that we can markedly and cost-effectively reduce exacerbations of COPD, asthma, and other lung conditions,' the Altesa BioSciences CEO said. Giroir pointed to Altesa BioSciences collaborator, Sensifai Health, as emblematic of the needed emphasis on AI and wearables technology to facilitate upstream treatments to help people experiencing COPD. 'The entire rationale of 'upstream' disease treatment is to intervene before health crises occur,' Giroir pointed out. 'Sensifai's objectives align perfectly with our mission to deliver transformative respiratory therapeutics at a time when they can be most effective.' He noted a peer-reviewed study published in The Lancet Digital Health last week details the fact Sensifai's AI platform is the world's first wearable-powered system to predict acute inflammation with 90% sensitivity. To encourage paradigm change, Giroir urged payers like Medicare and Medicaid to evaluate innovative care models that compare costly chronic downstream therapies versus common-sense upstream approaches like AI-assisted wearables, vaccination, preemptive treatment of viral infections, exercise, digital coaching, and Vitamin D supplementation. 'If such commonsense approaches proved effective – and I believe they will – the lives of COPD patients would be forever changed, and the U.S. health care system would save tens of billions of dollars annually,' Giroir concluded. 'These are the types of conversations Congress needs to hear, and I look forward to working in a positive, constructive manner with the BIOTech Caucus to help detail and explain the 'upstream' diagnostic and treatment changes we can no longer afford to ignore.' Download study: About Altesa BioSciences, Inc. Altesa BioSciences is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to developing new treatments for age-old threats to human health: high-consequence viral infections. These infections are particularly severe in vulnerable people, including those with chronic health conditions, like lung diseases, as well as the elderly and many people in underserved communities. About Sensifai Health Inc. Sensifai Health is a Canadian-Israeli Preemptive Health startup at the forefront of bioconvergence. Its AI-powered platform continuously analyzes data from wearable biometric sensors to deliver early alerts of systemic inflammation before symptoms appear. By identifying silent immune signals in vulnerable individuals, Sensifai enables timely intervention that helps prevent critical health events, reduce hospitalizations, and improve long-term outcomes. Contact: Media Inquiries: Mia HeckCellular (210) 284-0388[email protected]
New York Post
05-07-2025
- Climate
- New York Post
Bedridden Texas father rescued by son-in-law moments before floodwater filled his room, family says
A bedridden Texas father was rescued from the fatal floodwaters by his quick-thinking son-in-law just moments before it would have overtaken his bed. Sisto Charles, 77, had no way of escaping his San Angelo bed when the floodwater began gushing into the San Angelo home he shares with his family — and 911 wasn't answering their pleading calls for help, his daughter told The Post. 'I was crying, it was sad,' Rachel Sanchez, the homeowner and her father's caretaker, explained, adding that, 'I've lived there for 30 years, and nothing like that has ever happened.' Advertisement 3 Sisto Charles, 77, would have 'drowned' if his own family didn't rescue him during the flood, Sanchez said. Courtesy of Rachel Sanchez The horror unfolded in the family's home around 4 a.m. — around the same time residents of nearby Kerr County were alerted that the Guadalupe River was surging at an incredible rate. Flood water was already gushing along the roadway and was strong enough to push a car carrying a couple into the Sanchez's front yard. Advertisement 'It looked like a river,' Sanchez recalled. It was just moments before it started gushing into the home, quickly rising to thigh-high depths. 3 'It looked like a river,' Sanchez recalled. Courtesy of Rachel Sanchez Sanchez rabidly began unplugging every electrical cord in the home out of fear her husband, daughter and father could be electrocuted, but soon realized the family needed to escape. Advertisement 'I have my dad on hospice. I'm his caretaker and I was just more worried about him. He's bedridden. He can't walk or anything, it's very hard to move him. I couldn't lift him by myself, so I was just panicking,' Sanchez said. Charles suffers from dementia and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, she explained. But her husband is also disabled, and recently had surgery on his ankle. Neither of the men would have been able to leave the home on their own. Sanchez called 911 repeatedly for help. At first, she was told rescuers were inundated with calls and could not respond. Then, the calls stopped going through. 3 The water gushed into the house around 4 a.m. Courtesy of Rachel Sanchez Advertisement By that time, the water level had reached the bottom of Charles' mattress. That's when her daughter's husband came in the nick of time — Robert, and his friend Gilbert, sailed into the home on kayaks and retrieved the entire family. 'They came through the alley. My daughter was at the very end of the alley and I could see her crying, saying, 'Mom, come, we're coming. Grandpa is going to be okay.' And it was sad. I was crying,' Sanchez said. The men were able to lift Charles and deliver him to an ambulance that was up the road on higher ground — roughly six hours after the water breached the family's home. The septuagenarian was found to be in good health and is being cared for at a local hospital. When asked what would have happened if Robert and Gilbert didn't step in, Sanchez said simply: 'He would have drowned.' Sanchez, her husband and younger daughter are staying with their older daughter and son-in-law as they wait to safely return to their home. Advertisement The water has since receded, and Sanchez plans to visit her house soon, though she is unsure what to expect. The property loss hits even harder for the family, and comes just on the heels of another disaster they suffered. 'It's just sad. Two years ago, my daughter lost everything in the fire. My oldest daughter and now we have to go stay with them. This is crazy.'
