Pfizer has entered a $43 billion merger agreement with biotechnology firm Seagen. The deal is designed to bolster the pharmaceutical giant's efforts to fight cancer by scaling up the production of a promising antibody drug.
“Pfizer is deploying its financial resources to advance the battle against cancer, a leading cause of death worldwide with a significant impact on public health,” said CEO Dr. Albert Bourla.
“Together, Pfizer and Seagen seek to accelerate the next generation of cancer breakthroughs and bring new solutions to patients by combining the power of Seagen’s antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology with the scale and strength of Pfizer’s capabilities and expertise."
ADCs are designed to kill cancer cells and limit off-target toxicities. Bourla noted that oncology is the "largest growth driver in global medicine," and that the deal would improve Pfzier's position in the space.
Seagen forecast $2.2 billion in revenue in 2023, up 12 percent from last year. Pfizer said the company could contribute $10 billion in risk-adjusted revenues by 2030. This would supplement the company's existing oncology division, which brought in $12 billion in revenue in 2022 with a combination of prostate cancer and the breast cancer treatments.
“Pfizer shares our steadfast commitment to patients, and this combination is a testament to the passion, dedication and talent of the Seagen team to achieve our mission to discover, develop, and commercialize transformative cancer medicines that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives,” said Seagan CEO David Epstein.
Gene sequencing test maker Illumina Inc. said Sunday that its board has accepted the resignation of its CEO and director, Francis deSouza, effective immediately.
“Any consumer can tell you that online airline bookings are confusing enough," said William McGee, an aviation expert at the American Economic Liberties Project. "The last thing we need is to roll back an existing protection that provides effective transparency.”
Cheddar News checks in to see what to look out for Next Week on the Street as former president Donald Trump makes an appearance in federal court after being indicted. Investors will also keep an eye on the Federal Reserve meeting to see what comes out of that while earnings continue to pour in.
Google will launch its long-delayed News Showcase product this summer.
Walmart is expanding its HIV treatments, planning to add over 80 specialty facilities across nearly a dozen states by the end of the year.
The Internal Revenue Service said there are about $1.5 billion in unclaimed tax refunds dating back to 2019.
General Motors will allow its electric vehicles to use Tesla charging stations across the country.
The Week's Top Stories is a guided tour through the biggest market stories of the week, from winning stocks to brutal dips to the facts and forecasts generating buzz on Wall Street.
Modelo Especial is now the top-selling beer in the United States, dethroning Bud Light after 22 years. In May, sales of Modelo Especial hit $333 million. That's up 15.6 percent from the same period last year.
Electric vehicles made by General Motors will be able to use much of Tesla's extensive charging network beginning early next year. In addition, GM will adopt Tesla's connector, the plug that links an electric vehicle to a charging station.
