As the craze of earnings season draws to a close, here’s a look back at some of the most exciting (and some less so) results from Q4. Today, we are looking at therapeutics stocks, starting with United Therapeutics (NASDAQ: UTHR).
Over the next few years, therapeutic companies, which develop a wide variety of treatments for diseases and disorders, face strong tailwinds from advancements in precision medicine (including the use of AI to improve hit rates) and growing demand for treatments targeting rare diseases. However, headwinds such as rising scrutiny over drug pricing, regulatory unknowns, and competition from larger, more resourced pharmaceutical companies could weigh on growth.
The 10 therapeutics stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 2.6%.
Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 15.4% since the latest earnings results.
United Therapeutics (NASDAQ: UTHR)
Founded by a mother seeking treatment for her daughter's pulmonary arterial hypertension, United Therapeutics (NASDAQ: UTHR) develops and commercializes medications for chronic lung diseases and other life-threatening conditions, with a focus on pulmonary hypertension treatments.
United Therapeutics reported revenues of $735.9 million, up 19.7% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations, but overall, it was a slower quarter for the company with a slight miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.
“I want to congratulate every Unitherian for their relentless dedication, which has allowed us to deliver a third consecutive year of record revenue,” said Martine Rothblatt, Ph.D., Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of United Therapeutics.
The stock is down 21.4% since reporting and currently trades at $281.52.
Is now the time to buy United Therapeutics? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Best Q4: BioMarin Pharmaceutical (NASDAQ: BMRN)
Pioneering treatments for conditions that often had no previous therapeutic options, BioMarin Pharmaceutical (NASDAQ: BMRN) develops and commercializes therapies that address the root causes of rare genetic disorders, particularly those affecting children.
BioMarin Pharmaceutical reported revenues of $747.3 million, up 15.6% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 4.8%. The business had a stunning quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ full-year EPS guidance estimates.
BioMarin Pharmaceutical achieved the highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. The stock is down 11.7% since reporting. It currently trades at $58.
Is now the time to buy BioMarin Pharmaceutical? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Slowest Q4: Moderna (NASDAQ: MRNA)
Rising to global prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic with one of the first effective vaccines, Moderna (NASDAQ: MRNA) develops messenger RNA (mRNA) medicines that direct the body's cells to produce proteins with therapeutic or preventive benefits for various diseases.
Moderna reported revenues of $966 million, down 65.6% year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. It was a slower quarter as it posted full-year revenue guidance missing analysts’ expectations.
Moderna delivered the slowest revenue growth and weakest full-year guidance update in the group. As expected, the stock is down 25% since the results and currently trades at $23.96.
Read our full analysis of Moderna’s results here.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: VRTX)
Founded in 1989 with a mission to create medicines that treat the underlying causes of disease rather than just symptoms, Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: VRTX) develops and markets transformative medicines for serious diseases, with a focus on cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, and pain management.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals reported revenues of $2.91 billion, up 15.7% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 4.9%. It was a strong quarter as it also put up full-year revenue guidance meeting analysts’ expectations.
The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $464.80.
Read our full, actionable report on Vertex Pharmaceuticals here, it’s free.
Biogen (NASDAQ: BIIB)
Founded in 1978 and pioneering treatments for some of medicine's most complex challenges, Biogen (NASDAQ: BIIB) develops and markets therapies for neurological conditions, including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, spinal muscular atrophy, and rare diseases.
Biogen reported revenues of $2.45 billion, up 2.9% year on year. This print surpassed analysts’ expectations by 1.8%. Taking a step back, it was a slower quarter as it logged a significant miss of analysts’ full-year EPS guidance estimates.
The stock is down 13.7% since reporting and currently trades at $120.21.
Read our full, actionable report on Biogen here, it’s free.
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