European Pharma Companies Look Ahead to 2026
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 13 2026
0mins
Source: CNBC
- Patent Cliff Challenge: Pharmaceutical companies are facing an impending patent cliff, with billions in sales at risk, particularly Novartis, which anticipates a $4 billion loss in the first half of 2025, compelling firms to invest heavily in new drug pipelines to offset revenue losses.
- Optimistic Pipeline Outlook: Companies like Novartis and AstraZeneca are emphasizing their robust drug pipelines, with Novartis projecting $59 billion in revenue for 2025 and AstraZeneca aiming for $80 billion by 2030, reflecting confidence in future growth despite current challenges.
- M&A Strategic Focus: As companies seek to replenish revenue through acquisitions, there is a growing emphasis on the Chinese market as a significant source of innovation, with the frequency of deals with Chinese firms increasing markedly over the past decade.
- Pricing Strategy Uncertainty: Although the immediate threat from Trump's Most Favored Nation drug pricing policy has diminished, pharmaceutical companies are still deliberating on how to balance pricing strategies between the U.S. and European markets to ensure market access and profitability for new drugs.
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Analyst Views on LLY
Wall Street analysts forecast LLY stock price to rise
20 Analyst Rating
18 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 1008.390
Low
950.00
Averages
1192
High
1500
Current: 1008.390
Low
950.00
Averages
1192
High
1500
About LLY
Eli Lilly and Company is a medicine company, which discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells pharmaceutical products worldwide. Its cardiometabolic health products include Basaglar; Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, and others; Humulin, Humulin 70/30, and others; Jardiance; Mounjaro; Trulicity; Zepbound; VERVE-102; VERVE-201, and VERVE-301. Its oncology products include Cyramza, Erbitux, Tyvyt, and Verzenio. Its immunology products include Ebglyss, Olumiant, Omvoh, and Taltz. Its neuroscience products include Emgality and Kisunla. The Company is also engaged in radiopharmaceutical discovery, development, and manufacturing efforts, and clinical and pre-clinical radioligand therapies in development for the treatment of cancer. It is also developing an oral small molecule inhibitor of a4b7 integrin for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is evaluating its novel gene therapy candidate, ixoberogene soroparvovec.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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Focus on GLP-1 Medicines: The statement highlights the role of GLP-1 medicines in managing conditions such as diabetes and obesity, underlining their therapeutic benefits.
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Statement Overview: Lilly's statement addresses the balance model for GLP-1 medicines, emphasizing its importance in the context of healthcare and patient outcomes.
Focus on GLP-1 Medicines: The statement highlights the role of GLP-1 medicines in managing conditions such as diabetes and obesity, underlining their therapeutic benefits.
Commitment to Innovation: Lilly reaffirms its commitment to innovation in the pharmaceutical industry, aiming to enhance treatment options and improve patient care.
Call for Collaboration: The statement encourages collaboration among stakeholders to optimize the use of GLP-1 medicines and ensure equitable access for patients.
See More
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- Cost Cap Concerns: Eli Lilly has indicated that some Medicare enrollees may face out-of-pocket costs exceeding the $50 cap for its weight loss and obesity drugs, potentially impacting patient access and the company's competitive position in the market.
- New Payment Model: The BALANCE model introduced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) aims to lower costs for GLP-1 drugs, set to take effect in 2027, which may influence Eli Lilly's sales strategies and market share.
- Patient Education Initiatives: Lilly stated it will actively educate patients and their physicians about plan options and smoothing programs to help patients access medications at the lowest possible out-of-pocket costs, reflecting the company's commitment to patient support and potentially affecting its brand image.
- Increased Market Competition: As CMS negotiates directly with GLP-1 drug manufacturers, Lilly may face pressure from competitors like Novo Nordisk, impacting its leadership position in the obesity drug market.
See More
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- PR Team Restructuring: Hims & Hers Health has appointed Kathryn Beiser as the new Chief Communications Officer, who previously served five years at Lilly, and her extensive PR experience is expected to enhance the company's brand image and market influence.
- Strategic Shift: Following a partnership with Novo Nordisk, Hims & Hers is adjusting its sales strategy to focus on brand-name obesity drugs, a move that could strengthen its position in a competitive market.
- Leadership Transformation: Beiser emphasized that Hims & Hers fosters a culture of 'collaboration and experimentation,' which is likely to drive positive change and enhance innovation and market responsiveness.
- Executive Support: Hims & Hers CEO Andrew Dudum expressed strong support for Beiser's appointment, stating that her collaboration with the executive team feels like a decade of experience, reflecting confidence and high expectations for the new leadership.
See More
BLKBRD Asset Management Fully Exits Hims & Hers Stake
- Stake Sale Overview: On February 17, 2026, BLKBRD Asset Management disclosed it sold all 318,666 shares of Hims & Hers Health, with an estimated transaction value of $18.07 million, reflecting a complete exit from its position during the fourth quarter.
- Impact on Asset Management: This sale reduced Hims & Hers' stake from 5% to 0%, indicating a significant loss of confidence from BLKBRD, which could negatively influence market perceptions of Hims & Hers.
- Stock Performance: As of February 16, 2026, Hims & Hers shares were priced at $16.30, down 72.46% over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500 by 84.25 percentage points, highlighting severe competitive challenges.
- Future Outlook: Although Hims & Hers recently announced a new partnership with Novo Nordisk that may provide a short-term stock rebound, ongoing market pressures and competitive challenges suggest that investors should carefully assess the company's long-term prospects.
See More
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- Focus on Commerce: The discussion centered around strategies and implications of these deals for the U.S. Commerce Department.
See More
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- Complete Exit: On February 17, 2026, BLKBRD Asset Management disclosed it fully exited its position in Hims & Hers Health by selling 318,666 shares, with an estimated trade value of $18.07 million, resulting in a 24.3% drop in the fund's quarterly average assets under management (AUM).
- Value Decline: The liquidation left Hims & Hers Health with a net position value of zero, previously accounting for 5.0% of the fund's AUM, indicating a complete loss of confidence in the stock by the fund.
- Market Reaction: Hims & Hers' stock has been in freefall since last June, plummeting from a historical high of $64 to around $15, primarily due to Novo Nordisk terminating its partnership and suing the company, which negatively impacted market expectations for its future.
- New Partnership Opportunity: Despite these challenges, Hims & Hers announced a new partnership with Novo Nordisk on March 10, 2026, to offer its weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, leading to a 6% stock price increase and providing investors with a chance to reassess the company's prospects.
See More
