Latest news with #oncology
Associated Press
4 hours ago
- Health
- Associated Press
Creative Biolabs Debuts Platforms for Smarter T Cell Stimulation
Creative Biolabs delivers tailored T cell activation solutions using hydrogel matrices, DNA scaffolds, and synthetic systems for precise and efficient immune modulation. Creative Biolabs, the global pioneer in immunotherapy, has developed novel artificial T cell-stimulating platforms —like hydrogel matrices, DNA scaffolds, and synthetic systems—to enhance CAR-T, TCR-T, and adoptive cell therapy research in oncology and immunology. Activation of T cells is also a key issue in cancer immunotherapy, especially as researchers seek more physiologically relevant conditions in which to optimize cell growth, survival, and activity. Creative Biolabs' artificial platforms replicate the most critical aspects of the original lymphoid microenvironment—enabling antigen-specific stimulation and controlled co-signal presentation that reduce activation-induced death and provide for long-lasting immunity. One of the newly announced technologies is a hydrogel-based artificial T cell-stimulating platform, which includes tunable formats such as artificial T cell-stimulating matrices (aTM), artificial lymph node scaffolds (aLN), and immunomodulatory macroporous hydrogels. The platforms enable the possibility of accurately modulating the stiffness of the matrix and biochemical ligand density, triggering localized immune activation with a low off-target effect. Complementing these is the DNA-based platform, which uses self-assembled DNA scaffolds to mimic dendritic cell architectures. With tunable conjugation protein ratios and high surface-to-volume efficiency, researchers can modulate multi-signal stimulation profiles to fit therapeutic design parameters. The platform further improves functional antibody display and allows for scalable stimulation approaches. 'Our tools bridge the gap between engineering precision and biological complexity,' said a Creative Biolabs senior R&D director. 'By simulating the critical immunological signals with synthetic and bioinspired materials, we're empowering scientists to accelerate discovery and improve cell product quality.' In addition to proprietary technology, Creative Biolabs offers end-to-end service customization in processes like DNA scaffold design, molecular engineering, protein functionalization, and in vitro / in vivo testing. Each workflow is supported by GLP-grade quality systems and high-throughput facilities to offer reproducibility and data integrity during the experimental stages. Customers are not only offered cutting-edge platforms but also professional advice and flexible project delivery. Creative Biolabs' team of specialists ranges from immunology, synthetic biology, and materials science to offer cross-functional support that is tailored to achieve every research goal. With applications from antigen-specific T cell screening to potency optimization and the development of novel therapeutics, artificial stimulation platforms hold the promise of transforming the evaluation and scaling of cell therapies. Creative Biolabs is leading innovation in this space, committed to enabling global partners to unlock the full potential of immune-based therapeutics. For additional information or to obtain a custom quote, visit About Creative Biolabs Creative Biolabs is a leader in immunotherapy, delivering customized artificial T cell-activating platforms for CAR-T and TCR-T studies. Their hydrogel, DNA, and synthetic platforms replicate critical immune signals, optimize activation efficiency, and facilitate scalable therapies—uniting engineering accuracy and biological sophistication to propel global cell therapy innovation. Media Contact Company Name: Creative Biolabs Contact Person: Candy Swift Email: Send Email City: Shirley State: New York 11967 Country: United States Website: Press Release Distributed by To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: Creative Biolabs Debuts Platforms for Smarter T Cell Stimulation
Globe and Mail
4 hours ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Here's What to Expect From Pfizer's Non-Oncology Drugs in Q2 Earnings
Pfizer PFE is due to report second-quarter results on Aug. 5. All eyes will be on sales of Pfizer's oncology drugs, which account for around 25% of the company's total revenues. Pfizer's key oncology drugs are Ibrance, Xtandi, Lorbrena, Braftovi/Mektovi, as well as antibody-drug conjugates or ADCs added from the Seagen acquisition in 2023, like Padcev. Pfizer boasts a strong presence in other areas like internal medicine, vaccines, inflammation & immunology and rare disease, among others. Other than the Oncology segment, it operates through the Primary Care and Specialty Care segments. Let's discuss how the drugs in these two non-oncology segments are expected to perform in the second quarter. In Primary Care, alliance revenues and direct sales from Bristol-Myers BMY -partnered Eliquis are likely to have declined due to Inflation Reduction Act or IRA-driven lower pricing, which will partially offset the benefit from higher demand. Sales of key vaccine Prevnar are also expected to have declined due to lower sales in international markets. Pfizer records direct sales and alliance revenues from its partner, BioNTech BNTX, for its COVID-19 vaccine, Comirnaty. Revenues from Pfizer/BioNTech's COVID vaccine, Comirnaty, rose in the first quarter due to higher revenues in the United States (due to lower expected returns and higher market share) and higher contractual deliveries in some ex-U.S. markets. It remains to be seen if the improved trend continued in the second quarter of 2025. However, sales of its antiviral pill for COVID, Paxlovid, are likely to have declined due to lower infection rates. Among the newer products, while sales of Nurtec ODT/Vydura are likely to have risen, those of RSV vaccine, Abrysvo, are expected to have continued to decline due to limited recommendations for RSV vaccinations issued by the US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. In the Specialty Care unit, while sales of Vyndaqel are likely to have remained strong, driven by continued demand growth, sales of Xeljanz and Enbrel are likely to have declined. PFE's Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates Pfizer's stock has declined 1.8% so far this year compared with a decrease of 1.3% for the industry. From a valuation standpoint, Pfizer appears attractive relative to the industry and is trading below its 5-year mean. Going by the price/earnings ratio, the company's shares currently trade at 8.20 forward earnings, lower than 14.60 for the industry and the stock's 5-year mean of 10.85. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings has declined from $3.06 per share to $3.05 per share, while that for 2026 has gone down from $3.09 to $3.08 per share over the past 60 days. Pfizer has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. 5 Stocks Set to Double Each was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in the coming year. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +112%, +171%, +209% and +232%. Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor. Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >> 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 Bristol Myers Squibb Company (BMY): Free Stock Analysis Report Pfizer Inc. (PFE): Free Stock Analysis Report BioNTech SE Sponsored ADR (BNTX): Free Stock Analysis Report
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (RDY) and Alvotech Enter Into a Collaboration and License Agreement
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited (NYSE:RDY) is one of the Best Indian Stocks to Buy for Next 5 Years. Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited (NYSE:RDY) and Alvotech announced that they have entered into a collaboration and license agreement to co-develop, manufacture, and commercialize a biosimilar candidate to Keytruda® (pembrolizumab) for the global markets. Just to provide a brief overview, Keytruda® (pembrolizumab) is indicated for treating numerous cancer types. A worker at a biopharmaceutical facility packaging an active pharmaceutical ingredient. This collaboration combines Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited (NYSE:RDY)'s and Alvotech's proven capabilities in biosimilars, which will help speed up the development process and extend the global reach for the biosimilar candidate. Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited (NYSE:RDY)'s top management believes that the collaboration reflects its ability to develop and manufacture high-quality and affordable treatment options. Furthermore, oncology remains a top focus therapy area, and this collaboration is expected to further enhance its capabilities in oncology, with pembrolizumab representing one of the most critical therapies in immuno-oncology. Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited (NYSE:RDY) reported its financial results for the quarter and year ended March 31, 2025. It saw double-digit growth across its businesses, thanks to the successful product launches, higher revenues from key products in the US, and the integration of the acquired NRT business. Its FY 2025 consolidated revenues came in at INR325.5 billion, reflecting YoY growth of 17%. Its underlying revenue growth, excluding NRT business, stood at 12% YoY. Headquartered in Hyderabad, India, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited (NYSE:RDY) operates as an integrated pharmaceutical company. While we acknowledge the potential of RDY as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 13 Cheap AI Stocks to Buy According to Analysts and 11 Unstoppable Growth Stocks to Invest in Now Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Sign in to access your portfolio
Globe and Mail
7 hours ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Amgen vs. Novo Nordisk: Which Pharma Giant Is the Better Buy?
Amgen AMGN and Novo Nordisk NVO are among the largest companies in the pharmaceutical space. Amgen boasts one of the largest portfolios in the sector, with a strong presence in oncology, cardiovascular disease, inflammation, bone health and rare disease markets. On the other hand, Novo Nordisk enjoys a leading position in the diabetes and obesity market, while steadily expanding its presence into rare diseases. Both these giants have established strong footholds in their respective target markets, delivering consistent returns to shareholders. In such a scenario, choosing one stock over another can be challenging. Let's examine the fundamentals of the two stocks to make a prudent choice. The Case for AMGN Amgen's diverse portfolio and global reach position it well in a changing pharma landscape. Growth products like Repatha, Prolia, Xgeva, Evenity, Vectibix, Nplate, Kyprolis and Blincyto are performing well, having gained approvals for label expansions. The robust sales of these drugs have helped Amgen offset the declining sales of its legacy drugs such as Enbrel. The 2023 acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics has significantly expanded Amgen's rare disease business by adding several rare disease drugs, including Tepezza, Krystexxa and Uplizna, to its portfolio. Amgen is one of the handful of companies that is evaluating an obesity drug in late-stage development. In March, the company started two phase III studies evaluating its investigational GIPR/GLP-1 receptor MariTide for 72 weeks in people with obesity, with or without type II diabetes (T2D). Additional late-stage studies on the drug in specific obesity-related conditions are expected to start throughout 2025. Unlike the currently marketed obesity drugs like Novo's Wegovy and Eli Lilly 's LLY Zepbound that require weekly injections, MariTide is being tested for monthly dosing. The late-stage development of the drug was supported by data from phase II studies, wherein treatment with MariTide resulted in up to approximately 20% average weight loss over 52 weeks, without reaching a weight loss plateau in people who were obese or overweight but without T2D. However, the weight loss reduction was at the lower end of investor expectations of 20-25%. In T2D patients who were obese or overweight, the weight loss reduction was approximately 17% at 52 weeks. Beyond obesity, Amgen has promising late-stage pipeline drugs across several therapeutic areas, which represent significant commercial potential. These include bemarituzumab (for first-line gastric cancer), rocatinlimab (for eczema and prurigo nodularis) and olpasiran (for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease). Amgen has also strengthened its biosimilar portfolio, with the recent launches of biosimilar versions of popular drugs like J&J's Stelara (marketed as 'Wezlana') and Regeneron's Eylea ('Pavblu'). It is also developing biosimilar versions of blockbuster oncology drugs like Bristol Myers' Opdivo and Merck's Keytruda in ongoing phase III studies. However, increased pricing headwinds and competitive pressure are negatively impacting the sales of many products. Sales of best-selling drugs, Prolia and Xgeva, are expected to decline in 2025, mainly from the second half, due to patent erosion. The Case for NVO Novo Nordisk has achieved tremendous success in the GLP-1 space, all thanks to its semaglutide drugs sold under the brand names Ozempic (for T2D) and Wegovy (for obesity). As of March 2025-end, Novo continues to be the global market leader in the GLP-1 segment, with around 54% value market share. Sales of Wegovy continue to rise due to strong prescription growth, driving higher revenues and profits. Additionally, Ozempic sales are also contributing positively to overall revenues. NVO has been investing heavily to expand its manufacturing capacity as part of its strategic move to entrench its diabetes and obesity care market leadership for its GLP-1 products. Novo Nordisk is pursuing new indications for semaglutide, including label expansions for Wegovy in additional cardiovascular conditions and for Ozempic in T2D patients with chronic kidney disease. It is also investigating semaglutide's potential in metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH). These efforts could expand the eligible patient population for semaglutide and boost sales. However, the company's arch-rival Eli Lilly remains a formidable adversary in the obesity market, which threatens its market share. Lilly markets its tirzepatide injections under the brand names Mounjaro for T2D and Zepbound for obesity. The NVO stock has also been under pressure due to disappointing data from two late-stage studies for its next-generation subcutaneous obesity candidate, CagriSema, a follow-up drug to Wegovy. In these studies, CagriSema demonstrated a lower-than-expected reduction in body weight. Novo Nordisk is also currently facing a major transition in its executive management, as CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen will step down due to market headwinds and a decline in the company's stock since mid-2024. The search for his successor is currently underway. Though the rare disease segment currently accounts for a minimal portion of revenues, Novo is making good efforts to expand this portfolio. A regulatory filing with the FDA, seeking approval for Mim8 in patients aged 12 years and older with hemophilia A, is planned for submission later this year. How Do Estimates Compare for AMGN & NVO? The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Amgen's 2025 sales implies a year-over-year increase of 5%, and that for EPS also suggests an improvement of 5%. EPS estimates for 2025 and 2026 have moved north in the past 60 days. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Novo's 2025 sales and EPS implies a year-over-year increase of around 20% and 21%, respectively. While EPS estimates for 2025 have been trending upward over the past 60 days, the same for 2026 have moved south. Price Performance and Valuation of AMGN & NVO Year to date, shares of Amgen have gained 17%, while those of Novo have plummeted 22%. In comparison, the industry has declined 3%, as seen in the chart below. From a valuation standpoint, Novo Nordisk seems to be slightly more expensive than Amgen, going by the price/book (P/E) ratio. NVO's shares currently trade at 15.51 times forward earnings, higher than 14.5 for AMGN. In terms of dividend yield, Amgen stands higher at 3.1% compared to Novo's 2.5%. AMGN or NVO: Which Is a Better Pick? Both Amgen and Novo carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) each, which makes choosing one stock over the other difficult. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. However, when comparing the two, Amgen appears to be the better pick. Despite short-term headwinds like Prolia and Xgeva going off patent later this year, the company's diversified portfolio and deep pipeline offer a balanced growth story. AMGN stock also looks more attractive than NVO from a valuation standpoint. While Novo Nordisk continues to lead in the GLP-1 space with strong revenue growth, it faces several near-term challenges. These include limited diversification, underwhelming CagriSema results and a leadership transition — all of which may weigh on investor sentiment. 5 Stocks Set to Double Each was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in the coming year. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +112%, +171%, +209% and +232%. Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor. Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO): Free Stock Analysis Report Eli Lilly and Company (LLY): Free Stock Analysis Report Amgen Inc. (AMGN): Free Stock Analysis Report
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Exelixis Gains Analyst Confidence as Cancer Studies Advances
Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) is one of the . The company advances its studies following a significant rise in price targets from analysts. A team of scientists in lab coats surrounded by pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, researching a life-saving oncology-focused biotechnology. Based in California, Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing oncology medicines. It is known for its work in oncology, specifically with small-molecule therapies and antibody-drug conjugates. The company's key products include CABOMETYX (cabozantinib) and COMETRIQ. With these products, the company targets difficult-to-treat cancers such as renal cell and medullary thyroid carcinoma. On June 10, 2025, Barclays, while keeping an Equal Weight rating on the stock, raised its price target from $29 to $40. Reflecting the sentiment, UBS also raised its price target on the stock from $38 to $43, while maintaining a Neutral rating. With the new price targets indicating confidence in the company's progress, Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) provided updates on its ongoing clinical studies. Study of XL092 has entered Phase 3, where its efficiency with nivolumab is tested in comparison to sunitinib in patients with advanced or metastatic non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma (nccRCC) who have not received prior systemic anticancer therapy. The company also announced a Phase 1 clinical study on XL309 to estimate its safety and preliminary efficacy, both alone and in combination with olaparib, in treating advanced solid tumors. In addition to these advances in cancer treatment, investors are also intrigued by the company's low volatility, represented by the beta of 0.30 and the potential EPS growth of 32.12% in the next five years. While we acknowledge the potential of EXEL as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 10 Metal Stocks with Insider Buying in 2025 and 10 Energy Stocks with Insider Buying in 2025 Disclosure. None. 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
