Pfizer Reports Strong Second-Quarter 2024 Results And Raises 2024 Guidance

On July 30, 2024 Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) reported financial results for the second quarter of 2024 and raised its full-year 2024 guidance(1) for both Revenues and Adjusted(2) diluted EPS (Press release, Pfizer, JUL 30, 2024, View Source [SID1234645167]).

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The second-quarter 2024 earnings presentation and accompanying prepared remarks from management as well as the quarterly update to Pfizer’s R&D pipeline can be found at www.pfizer.com.

EXECUTIVE COMMENTARY

Dr. Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated: "We are driving progress toward our 2024 strategic priorities through solid execution across the company. I am pleased with the strong performance of our product portfolio in the second quarter led by several of our acquired products, key in-line brands and recent commercial launches. Notably, we achieved exceptional growth in our Oncology portfolio, with strong revenue contribution from our legacy-Seagen products.

"Overall, I am encouraged by our performance in the first half of 2024 and we remain focused on making a difference in the lives of patients as we continue to advance and strengthen our company."
David Denton, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, stated: "This was Pfizer’s first quarter of topline revenue growth, on a year-over-year basis, since the fourth quarter of 2022 when our COVID revenues peaked. Importantly, the strong 14% operational revenue growth of our non-COVID products in the second quarter demonstrates our continued focus on commercial execution. In support of our stated strategic priority to realign our cost base, we continue to progress our cost realignment program. Additionally, with our more recent announcement of the first phase of our Manufacturing Optimization Program, we believe we are setting the foundation for future margin expansion."

OVERALL RESULTS

In the first quarter of 2024, Pfizer reclassified royalty income (substantially all of which is related to our Biopharma segment) from Other (income)/deductions––net to revenues and began presenting Royalty revenues as a separate line item within Total revenues in our consolidated statements of operations. Prior-period amounts have been recast to conform to the current presentation.
At the beginning of 2024, Pfizer made changes in our commercial organization to incorporate Seagen Inc. (Seagen) and improve focus, speed and execution. Specifically, within our Biopharma reportable segment Pfizer created the Pfizer Oncology Division, the Pfizer U.S. Commercial Division, and the Pfizer International Commercial Division. See the Item 1. Business––Commercial Operations section of Pfizer’s 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K (available at www.pfizer.com).
Some amounts in this press release may not add due to rounding. All percentages have been calculated using unrounded amounts. References to operational variances pertain to period-over-period changes that exclude the impact of foreign exchange rates(7).
Results for the second quarter and first six months of 2024 and 2023(8) are summarized below.
($ in millions, except
per share amounts) Second-Quarter Six Months
2024 2023 Change 2024 2023 Change
Revenues $ 13,283 $ 13,007 2% $ 28,162 $ 31,492 (11%)
Reported(4) Net Income
41 2,327 (98%) 3,156 7,870 (60%)
Reported(4) Diluted EPS
0.01 0.41 (98%) 0.55 1.38 (60%)
Adjusted(2) Income
3,400 3,839 (11%) 8,074 10,876 (26%)
Adjusted(2) Diluted EPS
0.60 0.67 (11%) 1.42 1.90 (25%)

REVENUES
($ in millions) Second-Quarter Six Months
2024 2023 % Change 2024 2023 % Change
Total Oper. Total Oper.
Global Biopharmaceuticals Business (Biopharma) $ 12,991 $ 12,690 2% 4% $ 27,595 $ 30,863 (11%) (10%)
Pfizer CentreOne (PC1)
278 307 (10%) (9%) 535 615 (13%) (13%)
Pfizer Ignite
15 10 47% 47% 32 14 * *
TOTAL REVENUES $ 13,283 $ 13,007 2% 3% $ 28,162 $ 31,492 (11%) (10%)
* Indicates calculation not meaningful.

2024 FINANCIAL GUIDANCE(1)
Pfizer raises full-year 2024 revenue guidance by $1 billion at the midpoint to a range of $59.5 to $62.5 billion and raises Adjusted(2) diluted EPS guidance by $0.30 at the midpoint to $2.45 to $2.65. The company’s updated guidance for revenue includes approximately $8.5 billion in anticipated revenues for Comirnaty(3) and Paxlovid, approximately $5 billion and $3.5 billion, respectively. Including the contribution from Seagen and excluding revenues from Comirnaty(3) and Paxlovid, Pfizer now expects to achieve full-year 2024 operational revenue growth of 9% to 11% compared to 2023 revenues, up from 8% to 10% provided on January 30, 2024.
The updated 2024 Adjusted(2) diluted EPS guidance takes into consideration our strong first half performance as well as our continued confidence in the underlying strength of our business.
Pfizer’s updated financial guidance(1) is presented below.
Revenues
$59.5 to $62.5 billion
(previously $58.5 to $61.5 billion)
Adjusted(2) SI&A Expenses
$13.8 to $14.8 billion
Adjusted(2) R&D Expenses
$11.0 to $12.0 billion
Effective Tax Rate on Adjusted(2) Income
Approximately 13.0%
(previously approximately 15.0%)
Adjusted(2) Diluted EPS
$2.45 to $2.65
(previously $2.15 to $2.35)

Changes in foreign exchange rates have had a minimal incremental impact since full-year 2024 guidance was updated on May 1, 2024. Please refer to Press Release Footnote (1) for additional information.

CAPITAL ALLOCATION
During the first six months of 2024, Pfizer deployed its capital in a variety of ways, which primarily include the following two categories:
▪Reinvesting capital into initiatives intended to enhance the future growth prospects of the company, including:
•$5.2 billion invested in internal research and development projects, and
•Approximately $200 million invested in business development transactions.
▪Returning capital directly to shareholders through $4.8 billion of cash dividends, or $0.84 per share of common stock.
No share repurchases were completed to date in 2024. As of July 30, 2024, Pfizer’s remaining share repurchase authorization is $3.3 billion. Current financial guidance does not anticipate any share repurchases in 2024.
Second-quarter 2024 diluted weighted-average shares outstanding used to calculate Reported(4) and Adjusted(2) diluted EPS were 5,696 million shares.
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Second-Quarter 2024 vs. Second-Quarter 2023)
Second-quarter 2024 revenues totaled $13.3 billion, an increase of $277 million, or 2%, compared to the prior-year quarter, reflecting an operational increase of $447 million, or 3%, primarily due to growth contributions from several of our acquired products, key in-line products, and recent commercial launches, which more than offset both an expected decline in Comirnaty(3) revenues globally and an unfavorable impact of foreign exchange of $170 million, or 1%. Excluding contributions from Comirnaty(3) and Paxlovid, revenues totaled $12.8 billion, an increase of $1.6 billion, or 14%, operationally compared with the prior-year quarter.
Second-quarter 2024 Comirnaty(3) revenues of $195 million declined $1.3 billion, or 87%, operationally compared with the prior-year quarter, driven largely by lower contractual deliveries and demand in international markets, reflecting the anticipated seasonality of demand for vaccinations and as certain markets, including the U.S., transition to traditional commercial market sales.
Second-quarter 2024 Paxlovid revenues of $251 million increased $112 million, or 79%, operationally compared with the prior-year quarter, driven primarily by no second quarter 2023 U.S. sales in anticipation of transition to commercial markets in the second half of 2023, as well as increases in infections and demand in certain international markets in the second quarter of 2024.

Excluding contributions from Comirnaty(3) and Paxlovid, second-quarter 2024 operational revenue growth was driven primarily by:
▪Global revenues of $845 million from legacy Seagen, which was acquired in December of 2023;
▪Vyndaqel family (Vyndaqel, Vyndamax, Vynmac) globally, up 71% operationally, driven largely by continued strong demand, primarily in the U.S. and international developed markets;
▪Eliquis globally, up 8% operationally, driven primarily by continued oral anti-coagulant adoption and market share gains in the non-valvular atrial fibrillation indication in the U.S. and certain markets in Europe, partially offset by declines due to loss of patent-based exclusivity and generic competition in certain international markets; and
▪Nurtec ODT/Vydura globally, up 44% operationally, driven primarily by strong demand in the U.S. as well as recent launches in international markets;
partially offset primarily by lower revenues for:
▪Xeljanz globally, down 34% operationally, driven primarily by decreased prescription volumes globally resulting from ongoing shifts in prescribing patterns related to label changes, as well as lower net price in the U.S. due to unfavorable changes in channel mix and the impact of regulatory exclusivity expiry in Canada; and
▪Ibrance globally, down 8% operationally, driven primarily by lower demand due to competitive pressure globally and price decreases in certain international developed markets, partially offset by increased clinical trial supply orders in certain international developed markets versus prior year.

GAAP Reported(4) Statement of Operations Highlights
SELECTED REPORTED(4) COSTS AND EXPENSES
($ in millions) Second-Quarter Six Months
2024 2023 % Change 2024 2023 % Change
Total Oper. Total Oper.
Cost of Sales(4)
$ 3,300 $ 3,237 2% 5% $ 6,679 $ 8,122 (18%) (15%)
Percent of Revenues
24.8 % 24.9 % N/A N/A 23.7 % 25.8 % N/A N/A
SI&A Expenses(4)
3,717 3,497 6% 7% 7,212 6,914 4% 5%
R&D Expenses(4)
2,696 2,648 2% 2% 5,189 5,153 1% 1%
Acquired IPR&D Expenses(4)
6 33 (81%) (81%) 6 55 (88%) (88%)
Other (Income)/Deductions—net(4)
1,107 (75) * * 1,787 200 * *
Effective Tax Rate on Reported(4) Income
130.2 % (3.1 %) 4.8 % 7.5 %

* Indicates calculation not meaningful.
Second-quarter 2024 Cost of Sales(4) as a percentage of revenues was relatively flat compared with the prior-year quarter, and reflects favorable changes in sales mix, primarily driven by lower sales of Comirnaty(3), which resulted in a lower related charge for the 50% gross profit split with BioNTech and applicable royalty expenses in the quarter; offset by the amortization of the fair value step-up of inventory related to the Seagen acquisition.
Second-quarter 2024 SI&A Expenses(4) increased 7% operationally compared with the prior-year quarter, driven primarily by an increase in marketing and promotional expenses for recently launched and acquired products.
Second-quarter 2024 R&D Expenses(4) increased 2% operationally compared with the prior-year quarter, primarily due to increased spending to develop certain medicines acquired from Seagen, partially offset by lower spending primarily as a result of our cost realignment program.
The unfavorable period-over-period change in Other deductions—net(4) of $1.2 billion for the second quarter of 2024, compared with the prior-year quarter, was driven primarily by net losses on equity securities in the second quarter of 2024 versus net gains on equity securities recognized in the prior-year quarter, higher net interest expense and intangible asset impairment charges in the second quarter of 2024.
Pfizer’s effective tax rate on Reported(4) income for the second quarter of 2024 increased compared to the prior-year quarter primarily due to the non-recurrence of tax benefits related to global income tax resolutions in multiple tax jurisdictions spanning multiple tax years in the second quarter of 2023, partially offset by a favorable change in the jurisdictional mix of earnings in the second quarter of 2024.

Adjusted(2) Statement of Operations Highlights
SELECTED ADJUSTED(2) COSTS AND EXPENSES
($ in millions) Second-Quarter Six Months
2024 2023 % Change 2024 2023 % Change
Total Oper. Total Oper.
Adjusted(2) Cost of Sales
$ 2,768 $ 3,072 (10 %) (6 %) $ 5,804 $ 7,818 (26%) (23%)
Percent of Revenues 20.8 % 23.6 % N/A N/A 20.6 % 24.8 % N/A N/A
Adjusted(2) SI&A Expenses
3,669 3,419 7 % 8 % 7,123 6,769 5% 6%
Adjusted(2) R&D Expenses
2,671 2,627 2 % 2 % 5,147 5,118 1% 1%
Adjusted(2) Other (Income)/Deductions—net
258 (278) * * 555 (601) * *
Effective Tax Rate on Adjusted(2) Income
12.9%
6.8 % 15.1 % 11.6 %
* Indicates calculation not meaningful.

See the reconciliations of certain Reported(4) to non-GAAP Adjusted(2) financial measures and associated footnotes in the financial tables section of this press release.
RECENT NOTABLE DEVELOPMENTS (Since May 1, 2024)
Product Developments
Product/Project
Recent Development
Link
Adcetris
(brentuximab vedotin)
July 2024. Pfizer’s supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for Adcetris in combination with lenalidomide and rituximab for patients with relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma was accepted for review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date of March 2025. If approved, this would be the eighth FDA-approved indication for Adcetris.
N/A
June 2024. Presented detailed overall survival (OS) results from the investigational Phase 3 ECHELON-3 study of Adcetris in combination with lenalidomide and rituximab for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. Detailed data from the study demonstrated the investigational Adcetris regimen reduced risk of death by 37 percent compared to chemotherapy alone, resulting in median OS of 13.8 months versus 8.5 months. The most frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse events Grade 3 or higher for the Adcetris versus placebo arms were neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and anemia.
Full Release
June 2024. Takeda and Pfizer announced positive results from the Phase 3 HD21 trial evaluating Adcetris in combination with intensive chemotherapy. The four-year analysis conducted and presented by the German Hodgkin Study Group (GHSG) at the 2024 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and at the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) Annual Meeting showed superior progression-free survival (PFS) and improved tolerability for patients with newly diagnosed Stage IIb/III/IV classical Hodgkin Lymphoma compared to escalated doses of bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone (eBEACOPP), a current standard of care regimen predominantly used in Europe in this setting.

Product/Project
Recent Development
Link
Comirnaty(3)
(COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA)
June 2024. Announced the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended marketing authorization for Pfizer and BioNTech’s Omicron JN.1-adapted monovalent COVID-19 vaccine (Comirnaty JN.1) for active immunization to prevent COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 in individuals 6 months of age and older. Subsequently, the European Commission (EC) authorized the vaccine on July 3, 2024.
Full Release
Durveqtix (fidanacogene elaparvovec)
July 2024. Announced the EC granted conditional marketing authorization for Durveqtix, a gene therapy for the treatment of severe and moderately severe hemophilia B (congenital factor IX deficiency) in adult patients without a history of factor IX inhibitors and without detectable antibodies to variant AAV serotype Rh74. This follows the EMA’s CHMP positive opinion adopted in May. Durveqtix has shown the potential to offer long-term bleed protection in a one-time dose, reducing or eliminating bleeds for appropriate patients with hemophilia B. The EC approval follows recent regulatory approvals by the FDA and Health Canada, where it is marketed as Beqvez.
Full Release
Elrexfio
(elranatamab-bcmm)
June 2024. Presented detailed OS results from the Phase 2 MagnetisMM-3 study of Elrexfio in patients with heavily pretreated relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who had not received prior B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed therapy (i.e., BCMA-naïve; Cohort A; n=123) at EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) 2024. With a median follow-up of 28.4 months (estimated by the reverse-Kaplan-Meier method), the study demonstrated a median OS of 24.6 months, with median PFS of 17.2 months for the full intent-to-treat cohort. The safety and tolerability of Elrexfio in MagnetisMM-3 were consistent with what have been previously observed.
Full Release
Lorbrena
(lorlatinib)
May 2024. Presented longer-term follow-up results from the Phase 3 CROWN trial evaluating Lorbrena versus Xalkori (crizotinib) in people with previously untreated, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting that were simultaneously published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Updated results showed an unprecedented 60% of patients remain alive without disease progression after five years, along with continued 81% reduction in risk of progression or death and 94% reduction in progression of brain metastases compared to Xalkori. The safety profiles of Lorbrena and Xalkori in the five-year follow-up were consistent with previous findings, with no new safety signals reported for Lorbrena.
Full Release

Pipeline Developments
A comprehensive update of Pfizer’s development pipeline was published today and is now available at www.pfizer.com/science/drug-product-pipeline. It includes an overview of Pfizer’s research and a list of compounds in development with targeted indication and phase of development, as well as mechanism of action for some candidates in Phase 1 and all candidates from Phase 2 through registration.
Product/Project Recent Development Link
danuglipron
July 2024. Announced advancement of development of once-daily formulation of oral glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, danuglipron. Based on results from the ongoing pharmacokinetic study (NCT06153758), the company has selected its preferred once-daily modified release formulation for danuglipron. With these results, and following a thorough analysis of previous Phase 2b data and trial design, Pfizer plans to conduct dose optimization studies in the second half of 2024 evaluating multiple doses of the preferred modified release formulation to inform the registration enabling studies.
Product/Project Recent Development Link
fordadistrogene movaparvovec
June 2024. Announced CIFFREO, a Phase 3 global, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the investigational mini-dystrophin gene therapy, fordadistrogene movaparvovec, in ambulatory patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) did not meet its primary endpoint of improvement in motor function among boys 4 to 7 years of age treated with the gene therapy compared to placebo. Key secondary endpoints also did not show a significant difference between participants treated with fordadistrogene movaparvovec and placebo.
Full Release
giroctocogene fitelparvovec
July 2024. Announced positive topline results from the Phase 3 AFFINE study (NCT04370054) evaluating giroctocogene fitelparvovec, an investigational gene therapy for the treatment of adults with moderately severe to severe hemophilia A. The AFFINE study achieved its primary objective of non-inferiority, as well as superiority, of total annualized bleeding rate (ABR) from Week 12 through at least 15 months of follow up post-infusion compared with routine Factor VIII (FVIII) replacement prophylaxis treatment. Key secondary endpoints as defined by the trial protocol were met and also demonstrated superiority compared to prophylaxis. Giroctocogene fitelparvovec was generally well tolerated in the study. Pfizer will discuss these data with regulatory authorities in the coming months.
Full Release
Pandemic Influenza Vaccine Candidate
May 2024. Announced that preliminary results from a subset of patients randomized in a Phase 1 study (NCT06179446) evaluating the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of multiple doses of a nucleoside-modified mRNA (modRNA) based pandemic influenza vaccine candidate illustrated notable increases in antibody responses against the avian strain [H5, Clade 2.3.4.4b] of H5 influenza virus. Pfizer continues to monitor all developments regarding the circulation and outbreaks of the A/H5N1 virus. If a vaccine is needed in an emergency pandemic situation, Pfizer anticipates that the modRNA vaccine platform could be leveraged to rapidly provide a vaccine candidate targeting the specific pandemic influenza strain.
Full Release

Corporate Developments
Topic Recent Development Link
Board Election
July 2024. Announced Cyrus Taraporevala was elected to Pfizer’s Board of Directors. Mr. Taraporevala was also appointed to and will join the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee of Pfizer’s Board.

Executive Leadership
July 2024. Announced the launch of a process to identify a successor for Dr. Mikael Dolsten, Chief Scientific Officer and President, Pfizer R&D, who will depart the company after a 15+ year stellar career. Dr. Dolsten will assist in the external search for a new Chief Scientific Officer and continue to serve in his current position until his successor is in place and any necessary transition is complete.

May 2024. Announced Andrew Baum, M.D., would join the company as Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, Executive Vice President, effective June 3, 2024, and will become a member of Pfizer’s Executive Leadership Team reporting to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Albert Bourla. In his role, Dr. Baum will be responsible for Pfizer’s long-term corporate strategic plan, and Pfizer’s portfolio analysis and prioritization functions, business development activities, strengthening of partnerships with the biotech ecosystem, and the commercial evaluation of the company’s research pipeline.

Topic Recent Development Link
Manufacturing Optimization Program
May 2024. Announced the launch of the first phase of a multi-year, multi-phase cost reduction program (the "Manufacturing Optimization Program" or "the program") to reduce our cost of goods sold. The program is expected to include operational efficiencies, network structure changes, and product portfolio enhancements. The first phase of the program is focused on operational efficiencies and is expected to deliver savings of approximately $1.5 billion by the end of 2027, some of which is expected to begin being realized in 2025. The one-time costs to achieve the savings associated with the first phase of the program are expected to be approximately $1.7 billion and primarily include severance and implementation costs. These costs will be recorded primarily in 2024, with cash outlays expected primarily in 2025 and 2026.

For additional details, see the attached financial schedules, product revenue tables and disclosure notice.
(1)Pfizer does not provide guidance for GAAP Reported financial measures (other than revenues) or a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP Reported financial measures on a forward-looking basis because it is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate outcome of unusual gains and losses, certain acquisition-related expenses, gains and losses from equity securities, actuarial gains and losses from pension and postretirement plan remeasurements, potential future asset impairments and pending litigation without unreasonable effort. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could have a material impact on GAAP Reported results for the guidance period.
Financial guidance for full-year 2024 reflects the following:
▪Does not assume the completion of any business development transactions not completed as of June 30, 2024.
▪An anticipated immaterial impact in fiscal-year 2024 of recent and expected generic and biosimilar competition for certain products that have recently lost patent or regulatory protection or that are anticipated to lose patent or regulatory protection.
▪Exchange rates assumed are a blend of actual rates in effect through second-quarter 2024 and mid-July 2024 rates for the remainder of the year. Financial guidance reflects the anticipated unfavorable impact of approximately $0.6 billion on revenues and the anticipated unfavorable impact of approximately $0.04 on Adjusted(2) diluted EPS as a result of changes in foreign exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar compared to foreign exchange rates from 2023.
▪Guidance for Adjusted(2) diluted EPS assumes diluted weighted-average shares outstanding of approximately 5.7 billion shares, and assumes no share repurchases in 2024.
▪Guidance assumes the seasonal cadence of certain products in our portfolio, and that Paxlovid results trend with infection rates.
(2)Adjusted income and Adjusted diluted EPS are defined as U.S. GAAP net income attributable to Pfizer Inc. common shareholders and U.S. GAAP diluted EPS attributable to Pfizer Inc. common shareholders before the impact of amortization of intangible assets, certain acquisition-related items, discontinued operations and certain significant items. See the accompanying reconciliations of certain GAAP Reported to Non-GAAP Adjusted information for the second quarter and the first six months of 2024 and 2023. Adjusted income and its components and Adjusted diluted EPS measures are not, and should not be viewed as, substitutes for U.S. GAAP net income and its components and diluted EPS(4). See the Non-GAAP Financial Measure: Adjusted Income section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Pfizer’s 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the accompanying Non-GAAP Financial Measure: Adjusted Income section of this press release for a definition of each component of Adjusted income as well as other relevant information.
(3)As used in this document, "Comirnaty" refers to, as applicable, and as authorized or approved, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine; Comirnaty (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) original monovalent formula; the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent (Original and Omicron BA.4/BA.5); the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (2023-2024 Formula); Comirnaty (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) 2023-2024 Formula; Comirnaty Original/Omicron BA.1; Comirnaty Original/Omicron BA.4/BA.5; Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5; and Comirnaty JN.1. "Comirnaty" includes product revenues and alliance revenues related to sales of the above-mentioned vaccines.
(4)Revenues is defined as revenues in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Reported net income and its components are defined as net income attributable to Pfizer Inc. common shareholders and its components in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) is defined as diluted EPS attributable to Pfizer Inc. common shareholders in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
(5)Second-quarter 2024 Reported(4) diluted EPS was unfavorably impacted by $0.18 resulting from a $1.3 billion one-time restructuring charge related to the Manufacturing Optimization Program.
(6)The targeted $4 billion in net cost savings is calculated versus the midpoint of Pfizer’s 2023 SI&A and R&D expense guidance provided on August 1, 2023. As an additional reference, see the ‘2024 Financial Guidance’ section of Pfizer’s fourth-quarter 2023 earnings release.
(7)References to operational variances in this press release pertain to period-over-period changes that exclude the impact of foreign exchange rates. Although foreign exchange rate changes are part of Pfizer’s business, they are not within Pfizer’s control and because they can mask positive or negative trends in the business, Pfizer believes presenting operational variances excluding these foreign exchange changes provides useful information to evaluate Pfizer’s results.
(8)Pfizer’s fiscal year-end for international subsidiaries is November 30 while Pfizer’s fiscal year-end for U.S. subsidiaries is December 31. Therefore, Pfizer’s second quarter and first six months for U.S. subsidiaries reflects the three and six months ended on June 30, 2024 and July 2, 2023, while Pfizer’s second quarter and first six months for subsidiaries operating outside the U.S. reflects the three and six months ended on May 26, 2024 and May 28, 2023.

British Journal of Cancer: Zurletrectinib is a next-generation TRK inhibitor with strong intracranial activity against NTRK fusion-positive tumors with on-target resistance to first-generation agents

On July 30, 2024 InnoCare reported that British Journal of Cancer, part of leading science journal Nature, recently published a paper entitled "Zurletrectinib is a next-generation TRK inhibitor with strong intracranial activity against NTRK fusion-positive tumors with on-target resistance to first-generation agents" (Press release, InnoCare Pharma, JUL 30, 2024, View Source [SID1234645185]). The journal concluded that zurletrectinib is a novel, highly potent next-generation TRK inhibitor with higher in vivo brain penetration and stronger intracranial activity than other next-generation agents.

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Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

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The paper pointed out that zurletrectinib displayed strong potency against TRKA, TRKB, and TRKC WT kinases, as well as acquired resistance mutations TRKA G595R and TRKA G667C. Zurletrectinib was more active than other FDA approved or clinically tested first generation (larotrectinib) and next-generation (selitrectinib and repotrectinib) TRK inhibitors against most TRK inhibitor resistance mutations. Similarly, zurletrectinib (1 mg/kg BID) inhibited tumor growth in xenograft models derived from NTRK fusion-positive cells at a dose 30 times lower when compared to selitrectinib.

The paper further demonstrated that, in a central nervous system (CNS) penetrant pharmacokinetic study in SD rats, zurletrectinib showed improved ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, reaching the brain more effectively than selitrectinib and repotrectinib. Zurletrectinib’s increased brain penetration was also translated into improved antitumor activity. In an orthotopic mouse glioma xenograft model carrying the TRKA G598R/G670A resistance mutation, zurletrectinib (15 mg/kg) significantly improved the survival of mice harboring orthotopic NTRK fusion-positive, TRK-mutant gliomas (median survival = 41.5, 66.5, and 104 days for selitrectinib, repotrectinib, and zurletrectinib respectively; P < 0.05), showing superior efficacy compared to repotrectinib (15 mg/kg) and selitrectinib (30 mg/kg) (P=0.0384 and 0.0022, respectively), with an excellent safety profile.

The corresponding authors of the paper are Dr. Alexander Drilon, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA, and Dr. Emiliano Cocco, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, FL, USA. The first author is Paolo Roa, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, FL, USA. Full text can be found in View Source

InnoCare is accelerating the registrational trial of zurletrectinib in China. The clinical study with zurletrectinib has covered NTRK fusion adult patients, adolescent patients and pediatric patients. Zurletrectinib has demonstrated good efficacy and safety profile, and overcome acquired resistance to the first generation TRK inhibitors, bringing benefit to patients who failed prior TRKi therapy.

BioNTech Announces Positive Topline Phase 2 Results for mRNA Immunotherapy Candidate BNT111 in Patients with Advanced Melanoma

On July 30, 2024 BioNTech SE (Nasdaq: BNTX, "BioNTech" or "the Company") reported positive topline data from the ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial (EudraCT No.: 2020-002195-12; NCT04526899) in patients with unresectable stage III or IV melanoma whose disease had progressed following anti-PD-(L)1-containing treatment (Press release, BioNTech, JUL 30, 2024, View Source [SID1234645149]). The randomized trial evaluates the clinical activity and safety of the investigational mRNA cancer immunotherapy BNT111 in combination with Libtayo (cemiplimab), an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody being developed by Regeneron, and assesses the two single agents alone.

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The trial met its primary efficacy outcome measure, demonstrating a statistically significant improvement in ORR in patients treated with BNT111 in combination with cemiplimab as compared to historical control in this indication and treatment setting. Both randomized monotherapy arms showed clinical activity. The ORR in the cemiplimab monotherapy arm was in line with the historical control of anti-PD-(L)1 or anti-CTLA-4 treatments in this patient group. The treatment was well tolerated and the safety profile of BNT111 in combination with cemiplimab in this trial was consistent with previous clinical trials assessing BNT111 in combination with anti-PD-(L)1-containing treatments. The Phase 2 trial will continue as planned to further assess the secondary endpoints, which were not mature at the time of the primary analysis.

"These Phase 2 results mark a significant step towards our vision of personalized cancer medicine. We envision mRNA as a centerpiece in future treatment paradigms for cancer, helping to address unmet medical needs, such as for patients with anti-PD-(L)1 refractory or resistant melanoma," said Prof. Özlem Türeci, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder at BioNTech. "These data are a proof of concept for us in three dimensions: First, for our decade-long improved mRNA cancer vaccine technology that uses uridine mRNA chemistry, a non-coding backbone that is engineered for optimal translational performance and our proprietary lipoplex formulation for delivery. Second, for our computational approaches for selecting suitable tumor antigens for our cancer indication-specific FixVac platform candidates. Third, for our strategy to combine synergistic modalities, in this case BNT111 with an established immune checkpoint treatment."

BioNTech and Regeneron plan to present data from this trial at a forthcoming medical conference. Further, the companies also intend to submit these data for publication in a peer reviewed scientific journal.

BNT111 is based on BioNTech’s fully owned FixVac platform that utilizes a fixed combination of four mRNA-encoded, tumor-associated antigens designed to trigger an innate and tumor-antigen-specific immune response against cancer cells expressing one or more of the respective tumor antigens. In 2021, BNT111 in combination with cemiplimab received Fast Track designation by the FDA for the treatment of anti-PD-1-refractory/relapsed, unresectable Stage III or IV melanoma. In the same year, the FDA granted Orphan Drug designation for BNT111 the treatment of stage IIB through IV melanoma.

About BioNTech’s oncology mRNA platforms
BioNTech has developed a range of mRNA platforms to establish a novel class of therapeutics and vaccines aimed at improving the health of people worldwide. In oncology, BioNTech utilizes five mRNA platforms. Each platform is designed with the aim to address unique challenges in oncology. BioNTech’s fully owned FixVac (Fix Combination Vaccine) platform candidates target specific cancer indications focusing on tumor-associated antigens which are shared by many cancer patients, while iNeST (Individualized Neoantigen Specific Immunotherapy) platform candidates are personalized immunotherapies tailored to the patient’s individual tumor profile. Both platforms utilize BioNTech’s proprietary optimized uridine mRNA ("uRNA") technology and the lipoplex ("LPX") delivery technology that the scientific founders and the researchers at BioNTech have pioneered over decades of scientific discoveries and technological advancements. These technologies are optimized for immunotherapy applications aiming to boost the immunostimulatory effect of the investigational immunotherapies and to trigger targeted immune responses against cancer cells expressing one or more of the respective encoded tumor antigens. Currently, six programs based on the Company’s FixVac and iNeST platforms are being evaluated in randomized Phase 2 trials in various solid tumor indications.

In addition to the FixVac and iNeST platforms, BioNTech is leveraging mRNA to deliver the building plan for targeted antibody, cytokine or immunomodulating protein approaches directly to the patient based on the Company’s RiboMab, RiboCytokine and Intratumoral Immunotherapy platforms aiming to help the body to produce its own therapeutic.

About advanced melanoma
Melanoma is amongst the leading causes of cancer-related deaths globally, responsible for roughly 58,000 deaths yearly. 1 Anti-PD-1 refractory/relapsed unresectable Stage III or IV melanoma is an aggressive form of melanoma, which remains particularly lethal. Current standard of care includes checkpoint inhibitor therapies that substantially improve the life expectancy of patients with melanoma.2,3 Despite advances in treatment, a high proportion of patients exhibit resistance to approved therapies, leading to limited options for those who progress on targeted or immunotherapy.4 The 5-year survival rate for patients with distant metastatic melanoma is approximately 35%.5 This underscores the significant unmet medical need.

About BNT111
BNT111 is an mRNA-based off-the-shelf cancer immunotherapy candidate for intravenous administration encoding a fixed set of four non-mutated melanoma-associated antigens (NY-ESO-1, MAGE-A3, tyrosinase, and TPTE) delivered as uridine mRNA-lipoplex formulation. Over 90% of patients with cutaneous melanomas express at least one of these antigens.6 Data of the Lipo-MERIT Phase 1 clinical trial have shown that BNT111 alone or in combination with blockade of the checkpoint inhibitor PD-1 induces novel antigen-specific anti-tumor immune responses and enhances pre-existing immune responses against the encoded melanoma-associated antigens in checkpoint inhibitor-experienced patients with unresectable melanoma.7 Further, these data have shown that the candidate can prime and activate T cells against the vaccine antigens that persisted for more than one year under continuous monthly vaccination.7 BNT111 is one of three clinical-stage FixVac product candidates within BioNTech’s development pipeline. The candidate is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2 clinical trial in combination with cemiplimab, in patients with anti-PD-1 refractory/relapsed unresectable Stage III or IV melanoma.

About the BNT111-01 trial
The BNT111-01 trial (EudraCT No.: 2020-002195-12; NCT04526899) is an open-label, randomized Phase 2 trial evaluating the efficacy of BNT111 and cemiplimab and the contribution of the single components in patients with anti-PD-1/PD-L1-refractory or relapsed, unresectable Stage III or IV cutaneous melanoma. Conducted across approximately 60 sites in 7 countries, this multi-site trial aims to demonstrate anti-tumor activity and ORR of the combination therapy as well as each agent alone. Additional endpoints include duration of response (DOR), disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS), safety, and tolerability. Patients were randomized in a 2:1:1 ratio to Arm 1 (BNT111 + cemiplimab), Arm 2 (BNT111 monotherapy), and Arm 3 (cemiplimab monotherapy), with up to 24 months of active treatment. More information on this trial can be found at clinicaltrials.gov or www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu.

PharmaMar Group Presents Financial Results for the First Half of 2024

On July 30, 2024 PharmaMar Group (MSE: PHM) reported a total revenue of €80.8 million, representing a 1% increase compared to the €80.2 million reported in the first half of 2023 (Press release, PharmaMar, JUL 30, 2024, View Source [SID1234645168]). Recurring revenue, which results from net sales plus royalties received from our partners, increased by 2% to €68.5 million, compared to €67.3 million for the same period of the previous year.

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Oncology sales totalled €42.0 million compared to €43.3 million in the previous year. This difference, which has been offset by the increase in royalties, is mainly due to Yondelis sales, which totalled €9.8 million up to June 30th 2024, compared to €14.2 million recorded in the same period of the previous year.

Revenue from lurbinectedin in Europe under the early access amounted to €12.3 million in the first half of 2024, compared to €21.0 million recorded up to June 30th, 2023.

As of June 2023, the income under this program (€21.0 million) reflected the positive effect of the accounting reversal made in the first half of 2023 due to the excess provision for deductions corresponding to the 2022 fiscal year. If we eliminate this effect, lurbinectedin revenue in Europe under the early access would have increased by approximately 16% in the first half of this year.

Additionally, there have been commercial sales of Zepzelca in Europe amounting to €4.7 million.

Revenue from the sale of API (raw materials) for both Zepzelca and Yondelis to our partners also increased significantly during the first half of this year. Thus, as of June 30th, sales of raw materials reached €15.2 million, representing an 85% growth compared to the same period of the previous year. This increase reflects our partners’ preparation for commercial activity.

As of June 30th, 2024, royalty income amounted to €26.5 million, representing a 16.2% increase compared to the same period of the previous year. This income includes royalties received from our partner Jazz Pharmaceuticals for Zepzelca sales in the U.S., which increased by 15% to €24.2 million. The royalties for the second quarter of 2024 are an estimate, as the information on sales made by Jazz is not available at the time of publication of this report. Any discrepancies will be corrected in the next quarter.

In addition to the royalties received from Jazz Pharmaceuticals, there are royalties from Yondelis sales from our partners in the U.S. and Japan amounting to €2.3 million in the first half of 2024, compared to €1.8 million recorded in the same period of the previous year.

Regarding non-recurring income from license agreements, at the end of the first half of 2024, it amounted to €12.3 million, of which €11.5 million correspond to the portion of deferred income from the 2019 agreement with Jazz Pharmaceuticals related to Zepzelca.

R&D investment reached €51.3 million in the first half of 2024, representing a 10% increase compared to the previous year. Of the total R&D investment in these first six months of 2024, the amount allocated to the oncology segment increased by 20% to €46.7 million, compared to €39.0 million recorded in the first half of 2023. This increase is directly related to the progress of activities related to ongoing clinical trials, mainly the LAGOON trial (phase III clinical development for Small Cell Lung Cancer) and the SaLuDo trial (phase IIb/III clinical development for Leiomyosarcoma); both with lurbinectedin. Additionally, the Company continues to invest in the clinical development of other molecules at earlier stages. In this regard, there are two phase II clinical trials underway with ecubectedin in solid tumors, as well as phase I clinical trials with PM534 and PM54 for the treatment of solid tumors.

In the first half of 2024, the net profit was €3.5 million.

As of June 30th, 2024, the PharmaMar Group has cash and equivalents amounting to €139.6 million and has reduced total debt by 8.8% since December 2023, to €36.3 million. Thus, the net cash position stands at €103.3 million.

PharmaMar management will host a conference call and webcast for investors and analysts on July 31st, 2024, at 13:00 CET (07:00 AM, New York time) as follows: The numbers to connect to the teleconference are 1 646 664 1960 (from USA or Canada), +34 91 901 16 44 (from Spain) and +44 20 3936 2999 (other countries). Participants’ access code: 805724. Interested parties can also follow the conference call live via the following link: View Source

The recording of the teleconference will be available for thirty days and it can be accessed on PharmaMar’s website by visiting the Events Calendar section of the Company’s website www.pharmamar.com

City of Hope and Institute for Follicular Lymphoma Innovation (IFLI) Announce $2 Million Research Program in Follicular Lymphoma

On July 30, 2024 City of Hope, one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, and Institute for Follicular Lymphoma Innovation (IFLI) reported a $2 million, three-year collaboration to study spontaneous remission in follicular lymphoma, the most common, slow-growing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (Press release, City of Hope, JUL 30, 2024, View Source [SID1234645186]).

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Raju K. Pillai, M.D., City of Hope associate clinical professor, Department of Pathology, and director, Pathology Research Services Core Laboratories, and Steven T. Rosen, M.D., executive vice president and director emeritus of City of Hope’s comprehensive cancer center and its Beckman Research Institute, professor, Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, and Ted Schwartz Family Distinguished Chair in Hematologic Malignancies, will lead the research. The collaboration aims to understand the tumor microenvironment in patients whose follicular lymphoma goes into remission without any treatment while being monitored over time.

City of Hope will analyze patient samples of follicular lymphoma and spontaneous remission of follicular lymphoma with leading-edge technologies, such as spatial proteomics and transcriptomics, as well as machine learning techniques to help explain why spontaneous remission of follicular lymphoma occurs in a rare number of patients and not in others. The study aims to determine the most relevant prognostic genetic, transcriptomic and microenvironmental factors involved in spontaneous remission of follicular lymphoma.

"Spontaneous remission in follicular lymphoma is not understood and we are excited and humbled to collaborate and support City of Hope’s prestigious team to leverage their expertise and suite of technologies and assays to better understand this phenomenon," said Michel Azoulay, M.D., M.B.A., IFLI’s chief medical officer. "IFLI is committed to funding innovative research projects, such as these important studies at City of Hope, to better understand follicular lymphoma and how we can improve treatments and outcomes for follicular lymphoma patients."

"The clinical spectrum of follicular lymphoma, which ranges from spontaneous regression on one end to highly aggressive disease at the other end, is influenced by the immune microenvironment to a large extent," Dr. Pillai said. "With IFLI’s support, we can study follicular lymphoma, leveraging City of Hope’s omics and spatial biology expertise to shed more light on why and how spontaneous remission occurs, with the goal that our discoveries will translate to advances in diagnostics and the next generation of therapies for patients with follicular lymphoma."

"I have shared the joy of my patients who have spontaneously achieved remission, and I have shared the worry, anguish and frustration of my patients whose follicular lymphoma has progressed or transformed," Dr. Rosen added. "I am thrilled to join with Dr. Pillai, IFLI and other collaborators to help answer the question ‘Why certain patients and not all?’"