The latest Market Talks covering the Health Care sector. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires at 4:20 ET, 12:20 ET and 16:50 ET.
0757 ET - AstraZeneca's first-quarter results could show increased spending to support upcoming launches of new drugs camizestrant for breast cancer and baxdrostat for blood pressure, analysts at UBS say in a research note. Spending for diabetes drug Farxiga--for which the U.S. last week approved the first generic versions--has probably been shifted to support pre-launch activities for baxdrostat, UBS says. Meanwhile, Farxiga inventory reductions ahead of the patent expiration could weigh on the drug's sales, the analysts say. On the bright side, key oncology growth drivers at AstraZeneca such as Imfinzi, Tagrisso and Calquence are expected to deliver strong performances, they add. Shares rise 0.75% to 153.90 pounds. (adria.calatayud@wsj.com)
0744 ET - Novartis investors are likely to focus on upcoming updates from the Swiss drugmaker's late-stage drug pipeline, given that the company has already flagged that its results will be weak in the first half, UBS analysts say. Investors will be keen for updates on drug candidates such as remibrutinib for multiple sclerosis, pelacarsen for cardiovascular risk and del-desiran for muscle disease myotonic dystrophy type 1, according to UBS. The company has been dealing with generic competition for heart drug Entresto, leukemia treatment Tasigna, and blood-platelet booster Promacta for a while and the rate of sales erosion is likely to accelerate in the first quarter, UBS says in a research note. Nevertheless, other drugs such as Kisqali for breast cancer and Scemblix for leukemia should deliver solid results, the analysts say. Shares rise 0.6%. (adria.calatayud@wsj.com)
0728 ET - Any comments from Roche Holding about its long-term prospects will be the main focal point when the group provides an update on its diagnostics business next month, UBS analysts say in a research note. Recent clinical-trial results for drug candidates giredestrant in breast cancer and fenebrutinib in multiple sclerosis, as well as for Gazyva in systemic lupus, mean investors will want to get an update from CEO Thomas Schinecker at the event scheduled for May 12, UBS says. "We expect that Roche management will provide some indicative targets for group top-line growth, and potentially margins, relative to consensus expectations," the analysts say. "We do not expect formal midterm financial guidance as the company has historically only provided 'guidance' for a single year out." Shares rise 0.8%. (adria.calatayud@wsj.com)
0717 ET - Roche Holding's first-quarter update is likely to show a significant drag from currency movements, UBS analysts say in a research note. The Swiss drugmaker has flagged a 9% hit on sales from foreign exchange in the first quarter, moderating to 4% for the year as a whole if current rates are maintained, according to UBS. Among Roche's key drugs, Ocrevus for multiple sclerosis and Hemlibra for hemophilia are expected to deliver solid performances, with a more subdued result for its Vabysmo eye medicine in the U.S, the analysts say. Investors are looking to a recovery in U.S. Vabysmo growth, but UBS says it only expects a modest recovery given limited patient funding from copay assistance foundations. Shares rise 0.85%. (adria.calatayud@wsj.com)
0711 ET - Sanofi will provide little commentary about strategic priorities at its first-quarter results later this month since new CEO Belen Garijo won't start until shortly afterward, UBS analysts say in a research note. The French drugmaker's results are likely to be positive, but any strategic update will be limited, the analysts say. "Prior management comments suggested the potential for a refocus on the Regeneron [joint venture] for future drug launches but we assume it is too early to explore this potential." Recent drug-pipeline disappointments have made many investors lukewarm on Sanofi, but its steady growth in the near and medium term might attract some, UBS says. Shares rise 0.3%. (adria.calatayud@wsj.com)
0652 ET - Sanofi's first-quarter results could get a boost from the U.S. net price of its Dupixent blockbuster drug jointly developed with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, analysts at UBS say in a research note. The French drugmaker has signaled Dupixent U.S. prices in the first quarter won't see step down associated with increased patient copay assistance, while prescription data point to continued strong demand, according to UBS. "This trend is a surprise to us, and industry experts we have talked to," the analysts say. "We assume that this is likely a temporary event driven by prior rebate adjustments or reduced from free drug from recent launches [like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease] following updated insurance coverage." UBS estimates Dupixent first-quarter sales at 3.97 billion euros, out of 10.24 billion euros for the group overall. Shares rise 0.4%. (adria.calatayud@wsj.com)
0642 ET - GSK's first-quarter results could be modestly negative, with U.S. prescriptions trends pointing to a weak performance at the U.K. drugmaker's general medicines segment, UBS analysts say in a research note. HIV treatment Cabenuva, lupus drug Benlysta and respiratory medicine Nucala are likely to deliver continued positive top-line momentum, UBS says. On the other hand, UBS estimates general medicines sales will be 4% below the consensus forecast. "We question whether an increase in patient out-of-pocket burden--copay or coinsurance--early in the year for respiratory products may have resulted in a higher level of prescription abandonment," the analysts say. Updates on the early uptake of recently launched drugs Blenrep and Exdensur as well as the HIV strategy will be in focus, UBS says. Shares rise 1.1%. (adria.calatayud@wsj.com)
0626 ET - AstraZeneca is likely to reiterate full-year guidance when it releases first-quarter results later this month, analysts at Citi say in a research note. Citi expects the U.K. drugmaker to report roughly flat core earnings per share of $2.51 for the quarter on revenue of $14.9 billion, up 6%. Continued growth in sales of oncology medicines Tagrisso, Imfinzi and Enhertu should help offset lower sales from older medicines such as Brilinta, Farxiga and Lynparza, the analysts say. Investors will watch for updates on drug candidates camizestrant for breast cancer, tozorakimab for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and efzimfotase alfa for rare disease hypophosphatasia. Citi lifts its AstraZeneca target price to 180 pounds from 170 pounds. Shares rise 0.9% to 154.20 pounds. (adria.calatayud@wsj.com)
0500 ET - Novo Nordisk's sales guidance and momentum of its Wegovy weight-loss pill will be key focus points in theDanish pharma giant's first-quarter report, UBS analyst Matthew Weston writes. Wegovy pill prescription growth continues to impress and UBS expects the pill generated first-quarter sales of $235 million. There could be potential for an upgrade to group sales guidance at the results, the bank says. "A key assumption for Novo's guidance was expected limited sequential volume growth in Wegovy pen, which through 1Q has seen a strong pick up." However, uncertainty remains around the impact of Eli Lilly's rival obesity pill launch and the sustainability of oral Wegovy momentum throughout the year, the bank says. Gross margin development is also a key unknown, UBS adds. Shares rise 1.8%. (dominic.chopping@wsj.com)
0413 ET - A potential new not-for-profit hospital in Singapore isn't likely to weigh on listed healthcare operators, says DBS Group Research in commentary. The government plans to release land for a 300-400-bed hospital, its first tender for a private hospital in nearly two decades, the DBS analysts note. The proposed hospital would operate with restrictions on the size of bills, suggesting it would likely target the cost-conscious patient segment rather than the premium healthcare segment served by IHH Healthcare's high-tier hospitals. Raffles Medical is also unlikely to be affected as its integrated healthcare system would drive its own patient flow, they add. Singapore's healthcare sector continues to be supported by structural tailwinds such as an ageing population, although rising costs remain key to watch, they say. (megan.cheah@wsj.com)
2322 ET - Bangkok Dusit Medical Services' earnings could be hit weaker-than-expected operations, a two-month impact from the Middle East conflict,and lower long-term returns from new projects, ttb wealth securities' Siriporn Arunothai says in a research report. Patient volumes in the hospital network operator's domestic and international segments have also been affected by factors including Thailand's economic slowdown and the Thailand-Cambodian border dispute, the analyst says. The brokerage cuts its earnings forecasts for the Thai company by 7.1% for 2026, 8.5% for 2027, and 9.0% for 2028. It lowers the stock's rating to hold from buy and the target price to 20.50 baht from 26.00 baht. Shares are unchanged at 18.80 baht. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
April 10, 2026 12:20 ET (16:20 GMT)
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