Earnings Results, Agreements, Study Results, FDA Approvals, and Drug Trial Results - Analyst Notes on Merck, Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis and Intercept

NEW YORK, May 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Today, Analysts Review released its analysts' notes regarding Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MRK), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), GlaxoSmithKline plc (NYSE: GSK), Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) and Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ICPT). Private wealth members receive these notes ahead of publication. To reserve complementary membership, limited openings are available at: http://www.analystsreview.com/2305-100free.

--
Merck & Co. Inc. Analyst Notes
On May 6, 2014, Merck & Co. Inc. (Merck) announced an agreement with Bayer AG wherein the Company will sell its Merck Consumer Care (MCC) business for $14.2 billion. According to the agreement, Bayer AG will acquire Merck's existing OTC business, including the global trademark and prescription rights for Claritin® and Afrin®. "The sale of our consumer care business is part of our efforts to ensure that assets within our portfolio align with our core strategy, have industry-leading potential and generate long-term shareholder value," stated Kenneth C. Frazier, Chairman and CEO, Merck. "By unlocking value in Merck Consumer Care, we're able to further our goal of being the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company through targeted investments that strengthen our product portfolio and enhance our pipeline." In the same release, the Company also announced a worldwide clinical development collaboration with Bayer to market and develop its portfolio of soluble guanylate cyclase modulators. The full analyst notes on Merck are available to download free of charge at:

http://www.analystsreview.com/2305-MRK-12May2014.pdf

--
Johnson & Johnson Analyst Notes
On May 6, 2014, Janssen Pharmaceuticals - a Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Company announced the results of the Janssen Pharmaceuticals' schizoaffective relapse prevention study of once-monthly atypical long-acting antipsychotic INVEGA SUSTENNA (paliperidone palmitate). The results found that INVEGA SUSTENNA met its primary endpoint of delayed time to and reduced risk of relapse compared to placebo as monotherapy and adjunctive therapy in patients with schizoaffective disorder. Janssen Pharmaceuticals also stated that INVEGA SUSTENNA showed significant efficacy in manic and depressive mood symptoms and psychosis, and improved and maintained patient functioning. According to the release, the 15-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo (PBO)-controlled, international study evaluated 334 adults (INVEGA® SUSTENNA®, n=164; PBO, n=170) who met the DSM-IV diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder experiencing an acute exacerbation of psychotic symptoms with prominent mood symptoms as determined by the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and/or Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D-21). The full analyst notes on Johnson & Johnson are available to download free of charge at:

http://www.analystsreview.com/2305-JNJ-12May2014.pdf

--
GlaxoSmithKline plc Analyst Notes
On April 30, 2014, GlaxoSmithKline plc (GlaxoSmithKline) announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved GlaxoSmithKline's Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) as an anticholinergic indicated for the long-term, once-daily, maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. The Company informed that Umeclidinium is GSK's first once-daily anticholinergic, a type of bronchodilator also known as a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), and is contained in the Ellipta® inhaler. GlaxoSmithKline stated that following this approval by the FDA, it is anticipated that launch activities in the US will commence during Q4 2014. The full analyst notes on GlaxoSmithKline are available to download free of charge at:

http://www.analystsreview.com/2305-GSK-12May2014.pdf

--
Novartis AG Analyst Notes
On May 5, 2014, Novartis AG (Novartis) presented results from a pivotal Phase III trial of investigational therapy Signifor LAR (pasireotide LAR; SOM230) in patients with acromegaly for whom current standard of care provides inadequate disease control. Novartis stated that the study findings showed that patients taking pasireotide long-acting release (LAR) achieved greater disease control when compared to continued treatment with the standard somatostatin analogue therapies, octreotide LAR or lanreotide Autogel. Novartis informed that data from the trial was presented at the 16th European Congress of Endocrinology. President, Novartis Oncology ad interim and Global Head, Oncology Development and Medical Affairs Alessandro Riva said, "These results strengthen our understanding of this rare endocrine disorder and suggest pasireotide LAR may offer benefit for acromegaly patients whose disease is not fully controlled on their current therapy." The full analyst notes on Novartis are available to download free of charge at:

http://www.analystsreview.com/2305-NVS-12May2014.pdf

--
Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Analyst Notes
On May 7, 2014, Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Intercept) reported its financial results for Q1 2014. Licensing revenue remained flat at $405,000. Net loss stood at $10.2 million or $0.62 per diluted share, compared to $257.7 million or $13.2 per diluted share in Q1 2013. The Company posted an increase in its research and development expenses which amounted to $25.9 million, compared to $4.8 million Q1 2013. According to Intecept, the jump was primarily as a result of an increase in non-cash stock-based compensation of $16.9 million and increased activities in the Company's PBC development program for its product candidate, obeticholic acid (OCA). The full analyst notes on Intercept are available to download free of charge at:

http://www.analystsreview.com/2305-ICPT-12May2014.pdf

--
About Analysts Review
We do things differently. Our goal is to provide the best content to our exclusive membership. We are constantly hiring researchers, writers, editors and analysts to add to our team and become better than yesterday. If being a part of a fast growing community with an edge in today's market sounds interesting to you, then sign-up today and experience the full benefits of membership.


===============
EDITOR'S NOTES:
===============

1. This is not company news. We are an independent source and our views do not reflect the companies mentioned.

2. Information in this release is produced on a best efforts basis by Rohit Tuli, a CFA charterholder. The content is then further fact checked and reviewed by an outsourced research provider. However, we are only human and are prone to make mistakes. If you notice any errors or omissions, please notify us below.

3. This information is submitted as a net-positive to companies mentioned, to increase awareness for mentioned companies to our subscriber base and the investing public.

4. If you wish to have your company covered in more detail by our team, or wish to learn more about our services, please contact us at pubco [at] http://www.analystsreview.com.

5. For any urgent concerns or inquiries, please contact us at compliance [at] http://www.analystsreview.com.

6. Are you a public company? Would you like to see similar coverage on your company? Send us a full investors' package to research [at] http://www.analystsreview.com for consideration.

COMPLIANCE PROCEDURE
Content is researched, written and reviewed on a best-effort basis. This document, article or report is prepared and authored by Analysts Review, represented by Rohit Tuli, CFA. An outsourced research services provider has only reviewed the information provided by Analysts Review in this article or report according to the procedures outlined by Analysts Review. Analysts Review is not entitled to veto or interfere in the application of such procedures by the outsourced provider to the articles, documents or reports, as the case may be.

NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE
Analysts Review makes no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness or fitness for a purpose (investment or otherwise), of the information provided in this document. This information is not to be construed as personal financial advice. Readers are encouraged to consult their personal financial advisor before making any decisions to buy, sell or hold any securities mentioned herein.

NO WARRANTY OR LIABILITY ASSUMED
Analysts Review is not responsible for any error which may be occasioned at the time of printing of this document or any error, mistake or shortcoming. No liability is accepted by Analysts Review whatsoever for any direct, indirect or consequential loss arising from the use of this document. Analysts Review expressly disclaims any fiduciary responsibility or liability for any consequences, financial or otherwise arising from any reliance placed on the information in this document. Analysts Review does not (1) guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness or correct sequencing of the information, or (2) warrant any results from use of the information. The included information is subject to change without notice.

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

SOURCE Analysts Review

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED