US Terminates Emergency Authorizations for COVID-19 Treatments
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1 hour ago
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Emergency Authorization Termination: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced the termination of Emergency Use Authorizations for COVID-19 treatments, with drug and biologic authorizations ending in 12 months and medical devices in 180 days, potentially leading to supply constraints for these products.
- Vaccines Unaffected: Today's action does not impact the three COVID vaccines available in the US from Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech, and Novavax, as they have received traditional approvals, ensuring the stability of vaccine supply and vaccination programs.
- Drug Impact: The directive affects drugs like Pfizer's Paxlovid and Merck's Lagrevio, which may lead to decreased availability of these treatments, thereby impacting patient options for COVID-19 care.
- Market Reaction Anticipation: The termination of emergency authorizations may elicit negative market reactions regarding future sales and R&D investments in related drugs, particularly affecting innovation and competitiveness in the COVID-19 treatment landscape.
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Analyst Views on PFE
Wall Street analysts forecast PFE stock price to rise
16 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
11 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 24.370
Low
24.00
Averages
28.56
High
35.00
Current: 24.370
Low
24.00
Averages
28.56
High
35.00
About PFE
Pfizer Inc. is a research-based, global biopharmaceutical company. The Company is engaged in the discovery, development, manufacture, marketing, sale and distribution of biopharmaceutical products worldwide. Its Biopharma segment includes the Pfizer U.S. Commercial Division, and the Pfizer International Commercial Division. Its product categories include oncology, primary care and specialty care. Its oncology products include Ibrance, Xtandi, Padcev, Adcetris, Inlyta, Lorbrena, Bosulif, Tukysa, Braftovi, Mektovi, Orgovyx, Elrexfio, Tivdak and Talzenna. Its primary care products include Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, the Prevnar family, Comirnaty, Abrysvo, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, Nimenrix, Trumenba, and Paxlovid. Its specialty care products include Xeljanz, Enbrel (outside the United States and Canada), Inflectra, Abrilada, Cibinqo, Litfulo, Eucrisa, Velsipity, the Vyndaqel family, Genotropin, and others. Its PF-08653944 is an ultra-long-acting fully biased GLP-1 receptor agonist.
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.
- Acquisition Strategy: Pfizer's acquisition of Metsera last year, valued at approximately $7 billion, while modest compared to its $43 billion Seagen purchase in 2023, demonstrates its ambition in the obesity market, potentially laying the groundwork for future growth.
- R&D Plans: The company aims to advance 10 phase 3 clinical trials in 2023, targeting its first approval by 2028, focusing on developing ultra-long-acting peptides, which, if successful, could provide a competitive edge by offering a monthly maintenance dosing option.
- Market Positioning: Although Pfizer's GLP-1 drugs are not yet approved, the company remains optimistic about its future potential in the obesity market, with CEO Albert Bourla emphasizing the need to maximize the value of the Metsera acquisition to establish leadership in next-generation obesity therapies.
- Investment Safety: Compared to smaller pre-revenue biotech firms, Pfizer, as a large and established healthcare giant, presents a lower investment risk, with its stock trading at only eight times its estimated future earnings, indicating potential upside in the GLP-1 market while mitigating downside risks for investors.
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- Investigation Launched: The US House Select Committee on China has initiated investigations into Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck, Pfizer, and AbbVie regarding their clinical trials at Chinese military hospitals, highlighting significant concerns over their operations in sensitive regions, which could impact their business reputation in China.
- Pfizer's Positive Response: Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla announced that the company will cease trials in Xinjiang and at Chinese military hospitals, a decision that not only reflects a commitment to human rights but may also improve Pfizer's partnerships with Chinese biotech firms, enhancing its market image.
- Allegations Against Bristol Myers Squibb: Committee Chairman John Moolenaar's letter to Bristol's CEO Chris Boerner indicated that the company's trials in Xinjiang are linked to the CCP's genocide against Uyghurs and other minorities, potentially leading to legal and reputational risks for the firm.
- Future Impact Assessment: The committee seeks to understand Pfizer's due diligence processes and their implications for partnerships with Chinese biotech companies, information that will have far-reaching effects on the operational strategies of other pharmaceutical firms in China, particularly regarding compliance and ethical considerations.
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- Emergency Authorization Termination: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced the termination of Emergency Use Authorizations for COVID-19 treatments, with drug and biologic authorizations ending in 12 months and medical devices in 180 days, potentially leading to supply constraints for these products.
- Vaccines Unaffected: Today's action does not impact the three COVID vaccines available in the US from Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech, and Novavax, as they have received traditional approvals, ensuring the stability of vaccine supply and vaccination programs.
- Drug Impact: The directive affects drugs like Pfizer's Paxlovid and Merck's Lagrevio, which may lead to decreased availability of these treatments, thereby impacting patient options for COVID-19 care.
- Market Reaction Anticipation: The termination of emergency authorizations may elicit negative market reactions regarding future sales and R&D investments in related drugs, particularly affecting innovation and competitiveness in the COVID-19 treatment landscape.
See More
- Sales Forecast Downgrade: Nike anticipates a sales decline of 2% to 4% in its fiscal fourth quarter, significantly below Wall Street's expected 1.9% growth, indicating substantial challenges in regaining sales momentum.
- Regional Performance Disparity: While North America saw a 3% sales increase, Greater China experienced a 7% revenue drop to $1.62 billion, highlighting intensified competitive pressures in the Chinese market.
- Profitability Under Pressure: The company's gross profit margin was impacted by rising tariffs in North America last quarter, exacerbating financial strain amid broader economic uncertainties.
- Layoffs and Executive Transition: Nike executed a second round of layoffs, cutting 1,400 positions in April, and announced the appointment of former Pfizer executive David Denton as CFO effective August 17, reflecting the company's commitment to restructuring and addressing market challenges.
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- Obesity Market Positioning: Pfizer's acquisition of Metsera last year, valued at approximately $7 billion, underscores its commitment to the obesity drug market, despite the absence of approved products, which could set the stage for future growth.
- R&D Strategy Advancement: Pfizer aims to advance 10 phase 3 clinical trials in 2023, targeting first product approval by 2028, and if successful, this could create a competitive edge, particularly in the development of ultra-long-acting peptides.
- Market Competitive Advantage: Pfizer's monthly maintenance dosing strategy may serve as an attractive alternative to daily pills and weekly injections, enhancing patient adherence and potentially increasing market share.
- Investment Safety Enhancement: Compared to smaller biotech firms, investing in Pfizer as a large healthcare giant presents lower risks, with the current stock price at only eight times its estimated future earnings, indicating potential in the GLP-1 market with relatively safe investment characteristics.
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- Profit Decline: Nike is expected to report its eighth consecutive quarter of declining profits, with revenue rising only 1% in the first three quarters and earnings per share down 32% to $1.38, indicating significant operational challenges amid fierce competition and weak consumer spending.
- Margin Outlook: Although management anticipates a return to gross margin expansion by Q2 of fiscal 2027, the gross margin has fallen by 250 basis points to 41% due to tariff impacts and inventory clearance, which will continue to exert pressure on future profitability.
- Executive Transition Risk: CFO Matthew Friend will step down on August 17, replaced by David Denton, former CFO of Pfizer, and such management changes may signal internal issues within the company, prompting investors to remain cautious.
- Intensifying Market Competition: Nike faces increasing competition from brands like On Holding and Deckers, compounded by nationalistic consumer sentiment and declining wholesale demand in China, with revenue in Greater China expected to drop by 20%, further impacting the company's market share and growth prospects.
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