Amgen, Inc.

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Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited's TEVA stock declined 10% despite strong Q3 results, driven by underwhelming guidance. The company's branded drugs Austedo and Ajovy are key growth drivers, with expected sales of $1.6 billion and $500 million in 2024, respectively. Teva's generics and biosimilars pipeline is robust, with several launches expected by 2027. The company resolved opioid litigation for $4.25 billion, and its stock valuation is attractive, making it a potential buying opportunity for long-term investors.

Amgen's investigational drug MariTide showed 20% average weight loss in obese/overweight patients and 17% in those with Type 2 diabetes, without a plateau, also lowering HbA1c by 2.2 points. MariTide targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, offering a longer half-life and potential for durable weight loss. Amgen plans a Phase 3 study, MARITIME, amid growing demand for GLP-1 drugs.

Brendan, a Ph.D. in organic synthesis from Stanford, worked at Merck and biotech start-ups before co-founding 1200 Pharma. He remains an investor, focusing on biotech stocks. Currently long AMGN stock and considering adding to the position, with a smaller long position in LLY. Investment involves risk; this discussion is a framework for understanding price movement, not investment advice.

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Amgen's weight loss drug MariTide helped people with obesity lose up to 20% of their body weight in a Phase 2 trial, prompting a Phase 3 program. MariTide's monthly dosing differentiates it from competitors like Zepbound and Wegovy, though higher discontinuation rates due to side effects were noted.

Amgen's share price dropped despite positive Phase II MariTide data showing 20% weight loss in non-diabetic patients and 17% in those with T2D. Despite AEs, mainly GI-related, and a 10% share drop, Amgen plans to continue Phase II and launch Phase III MARITIME program. MariTide's monthly dosing could make it competitive in the weight loss market.

Amgen's MariTide, a monthly weight loss injection, showed average 20% weight loss in a Phase 2 trial, with potential for less frequent dosing. Despite a 10% drop in Amgen's shares due to analysts' higher expectations, MariTide's unique GLP-1 targeting and competitive profile offer hope in the $150 billion weight loss drug market.

Amgen's obesity drug, MariTide, showed participants lost about 20% of their weight after one year, comparable to Eli Lilly's Zepbound. MariTide, a peptide antibody conjugate targeting GLP-1 and GIP receptors, offers longer dosing intervals and potential for greater weight loss with extended treatment. Phase 2 results indicate safety and tolerability similar to peers, with gastrointestinal issues as the most common adverse event. Amgen plans to advance MariTide to Phase 3 testing.

MariTide showed up to ~20% average weight loss at 52 weeks without a plateau in people with obesity or overweight, including ~17% in those with Type 2 diabetes, also without a plateau. MariTide improved cardiometabolic parameters and reduced HbA1c by up to 2.2 percentage points.