Here are the editors' top picks for the week ended Feb. 2.
Billionaire-led healthcare venture shines light on opaque supply chain, M&A need
The nascent healthcare partnership between Amazon.com Inc., Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co. may compel companies throughout the healthcare supply chain to beef up their own market power, consultants said.
Amazon-Berkshire-JPM health enterprise piques Washington's interest
The new joint enterprise by the three industry giants to deliver simple, high-quality, transparent healthcare at a reasonable cost to their employees has piqued the interest of some in Washington.
Roche says US tax rate, new medicines to offset erosion of older drugs
CEO Severin Schwan told reporters on a conference call that the success of drugs like Ocrevus and Tecentriq will enable the pharmaceutical group to offset the loss of patent exclusivity on a handful of its older blockbuster cancer drugs.
Chasing precision medicine's promise is a complex venture, Davos panelists say
While the precision medicine realm took a giant leap forward following the first approvals of gene and cell-based therapies, the clinical, regulatory and reimbursement pathways remain complex, a panel of experts said in Davos, Switzerland.
J&J, Becton Dickinson deals top 2017 healthcare M&A; 2018 activity seen rising
The healthcare sector saw 20 deals with a transaction value of $2.4 billion or more in 2017, an S&P Global Market Intelligence analysis found.
Sanofi snatches Ablynx from Novo Nordisk for €3.9B to bulk up on rare diseases
Sanofi swooped on Ablynx NV, snatching the Belgian biotech from rival Novo Nordisk A/S after agreeing to pay €3.9 billion to further expand its expertise in rare blood disorders, in its second multibillion-dollar acquisition in a week.
Cross-border healthcare deals seen to rise in 2018 with China driving activity
Chinese pharmaceutical, medical and biotechnology companies could be the main driving force behind increased deal-making in the region, according to data provider Mergermarket.
Japan's Ono looks to post-Opdivo future amid looming price cuts for cancer drug
The Osaka-based pharmaceutical company recently marked its 300th anniversary with a mixed outlook, as the success of its cancer drug Opdivo, which it markets with U.S. partner Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., comes under a cloud from price cuts in Japan.
Earnings coverage
Novo Nordisk shifts focus to biopharma after failed Ablynx bid
Novo Nordisk is also considering in-licensing opportunities with shared risk and rewards to further grow its biopharmaceutical pipeline.
Amgen banks on volume after slipping Q4'17 drug sales
Amgen Inc.'s revenue slump at the end of 2017 will likely give way to a quiet first quarter as key drugs settle into insurance plans, executives said on the latest earnings call.
Boston Scientific looking at deals with 'pretty active M&A appetite'
Boston Scientific Corp. plans to be active on the M&A front while ramping up its product portfolio.
Takeda eyes China resurgence for FY'19
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. CFO James Kehoe said the company plans to launch seven innovative products in China over the next five years to stimulate greater revenue growth in the market.
Thermo Fisher expects further reduction in tax rate, EPS growth in 2018
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. CEO Marc Casper expects the new U.S. tax reform legislation to have a positive impact and further lower the company's tax rate.
Pfizer's tax rate slightly lowered, M&A strategy muted in Q4'17 call
Pfizer Inc. Chairman and CEO Ian Read expects consolidation in the pharmaceutical industry's future, echoing comments from last year while avoiding commitment to making any deals.
Zimmer Biomet delays FY'18 guidance as new CEO deals with supply constraints
The U.S. orthopedic device maker delayed providing guidance for full year 2018 to provide a "more realistic and more informed" one later on, Bryan Hanson said in his first earnings call since taking over as CEO.
HCA increases capital spending to drive growth
The American hospital company's investment focus over the next three years include solving inpatient capacity limits, expanding outpatient facilities and clinical technology.
Stryker faces headwinds from US tax law revamp
Stryker Corp. CEO Kevin Lobo expects the new U.S. tax law to create headwinds for the company in 2018.
Lilly Q4'17 earnings boosted by newer drugs; animal health unit woes continue
In the fourth quarter of 2017, animal health's worldwide revenue slipped by 6% to $790.9 million from $837.6 million in the same year-ago period.
AbbVie boosts 2018 sales expectations, sends stock climbing
AbbVie Inc.
