Novartis (NVS) Releases Positive Data on Cardiovascular Drug
Novartis AG NVS announced new analysis from the PARADIGM-HF study on cardiovascular drug Entresto at the American College of Cardiology's 65th Annual Scientific Session in Chicago.
The results from the study demonstrated the benefits of Entresto in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), regardless of background therapy and even when patients are considered clinically stable.
Moreover, treatment with Entresto led to a 20% or greater reduction in cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization in patients suffering from HFrEF.
We note Entresto was approved for patients with chronic HFrEF both in the U.S. and EU in 2015. The drug generated sales worth $21 million in 2015.
Additionally, Novartis is working on expanding Entresto’s label and is evaluating the drug for preserved ejection fraction heart failure conditions.
Approval of new drugs and label expansion of the existing ones should bode well for Novartis as it has been facing stiff generic competition for some of its key drugs like Diovan. Additionally, its oncology drugs are facing competition in the form of immuno-oncology therapies.
Moreover, the Alcon segment is facing a decline in surgical equipment sales in the U.S. and emerging markets, while Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals is grappling with issues like the threat of increased generic competition in the U.S.
Novartis currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the health care sector include Novo Nordisk A/S NVO, Eli Lilly and Co. LLY and Johnson & Johnson JNJ. All the three stocks carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
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