Guests Matthew Miskin, Steve Center, and Robert Davis discuss market dependency on a dovish Fed, EV production outlook, and Merck's new lung disease drug. Topics include managing market expectations, Powell's financial policy approach, electric vehicle transition challenges, competition in the auto industry, innovative drug approval for pulmonary arterial hypertension, and drug pricing in healthcare.
Markets reliant on dovish Fed; Kia's EV outlook influenced by policy.
Merck launches Winrever for lung disease; strategic move into cardiometabolic space.
Deep dives
Innovative Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Merck has developed a groundbreaking biologic drug, Winrever, to address pulmonary arterial hypertension, a devastating disease with high mortality rates. This first-in-class medicine remodels blood vessels in the lungs to combat heart disease. Administered every three weeks via subcutaneous injection, it offers hope to patients and families affected by this rare condition.
Diversification into Cardiovascular and Cardiometabolic Space
Merck's strategic move into the cardiometabolic space with the acquisition of Acceleron highlights their commitment to diversification. By focusing on diseases like fatty liver, they aim to address obesity-related comorbidities beyond weight loss, showing outcomes that benefit patients clinically and enhance societal value.
Pricing and Access to Innovative Medicines
The approval of Merck's drug brings attention to the pricing of innovative medicines in the US. While costs can be high, the focus should be on the broader context of healthcare spending. The US healthcare system allows for faster access to innovative treatments, balancing access, affordability, and protection of the innovation ecosystem.
Biologic Drug Administration and Diverse Drug Portfolio
Merck's biologic drug, administered every three weeks, offers hope for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Their approach to diseases like fatty liver showcases a commitment to improving health outcomes beyond weight loss. By diversifying into the cardiometabolic space, Merck emphasizes the importance of addressing obesity-related comorbidities.
-Matthew Miskin, Co-Chief Investment Strategist, John Hancock Investment -Steve Center, COO & Executive Vice Chairman, Kia America -Robert Davis, Merck CEO
Matthew Miskin of John Hancock Investment Management says markets have become dependent on a dovish Federal Reserve. Steve Center, COO & Executive Vice Chairman of Kia America, discusses the automaker's outlook on EV production and how it's impacted by government policy. Robert Davis, Merck CEO, discusses the company's newly-approved lung disease drug and the overall competition in the pharmaceutical space.