331: AbbVie’s stumble, Amgen’s tumble and more election fallout
Nov 14, 2024
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AbbVie is reeling from the disappointing results of its schizophrenia treatment, which has sent investor confidence plummeting. Amgen faces turmoil over its obesity drug amid concerns about potential safety issues, leading to a staggering market value drop. The hosts dive into the shifting political landscape's impact on healthcare regulation and drug development. Amidst this serious discussion, there’s also a light-hearted take on how to pronounce Elon Musk's name, showcasing the show's entertaining blend of humor and insight.
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Quick takeaways
AbbVie's disappointment with its schizophrenia drug Miraclidine raises uncertainty about its future strategy in the neuroscience market.
Amgen's $12 billion market value drop highlights the significant impact of preliminary data concerns on biotech stock volatility and investor confidence.
Deep dives
AbbVie's Treatment Setback
AbbVie faced disappointment this week when its schizophrenia treatment, Miraclidine, failed in two crucial Phase 2 trials. This drug was a central focus of AbbVie's $9 billion acquisition of Caville, making the results particularly significant for the company’s strategy, which has recently shifted towards neuroscience. The unexpected failure raised questions about AbbVie's future directions and its investments in neuroscience, especially as the industry sees a resurgence in research and development in this field. Analysts speculate that AbbVie may consider further trials for Miraclidine or pivot towards its other neuroscience investments, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding its growth strategy.
Amgen's Market Value Decline
Amgen experienced a dramatic $12 billion loss in market value due to a research note that revealed hidden data in a publication regarding its obesity drug, Maritide. Analysts expressed concerns that this drug could negatively affect bone density, prompting a swift fall in Amgen’s stock following the note's release. Despite Amgen's later clarification that the data was not finalized and did not show an association with bone density loss, the incident underscores the vulnerability of biotech stocks to market reactions based on preliminary or speculative information. The upcoming Phase 2 trial readout for Maritide will be closely scrutinized as it could significantly impact investor confidence.
Political Developments in Biotech
Recent political shifts highlight the potential implications for the biotech industry, particularly with Vivek Ramaswamy's new role alongside Elon Musk in a government efficiency organization. Discussions emerged about how their experiences, especially regarding the FDA, could influence regulatory changes or reform in health agencies. Concerns were raised regarding the efficiency and effectiveness of the FDA and whether potential cuts in staffing could hinder its crucial drug review processes. The ongoing conversation about potential appointments, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for a significant health role, indicates that political tensions and decisions may impact both drug development and regulatory landscapes.
Why are AbbVie executives feeling the M&A blues? What does it take to slice $12 billion from Amgen’s market value? And why are STAT’s D.C. correspondents working so hard?
We talk about all that and more on this week’s episode of the “The Readout LOUD,” STAT’s biotech podcast. It’s a “Chatty Cathy” episode! Elaine, Allison and Adam lead off with a discussion about AbbVie’s M&A miscue following the failure of a closely followed schizophrenia drug. You’d hate us if obesity drugs weren’t mentioned, so we oblige with a tick-tock on what went down between Amgen and a Wall Street analyst who noted a possible safety issue with the obesity drug candidate MariTide.
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