The Zacks Analyst Blog AbbVie's, Rinvoq and AstraZeneca's and Novartis

For Immediate ReleasesChicago, IL – April 14, 2025 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include AbbVie’s ABBV, Rinvoq and AstraZeneca’s AZN and Novartis NVS.Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:Pharma Stock Roundup: EU Gives Nod to Expanded Use for ABBV, AZN Drugs & MoreThis week, the European Commission granted marketing authorization to the expanded use of AbbVie’s  Rinvoq and AstraZeneca’s blockbuster cancer drugs, Imfinzi and Daiichi-Sankyo partnered, Enhertu. Novartis announced plans to invest $23 billion over the next five years to boost manufacturing, R&D and technology in the United States amid the tariff threats.Here's a recap of the week’s most important stories.European Commission Approves AbbVie’s Rinvoq for 8th IndicationThe European Commission (“EC”) granted marketing approval to AbbVie’s Rinvoq for treating giant cell arteritis (“GCA”), an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the large arteries. Rinvoq is the first JAK inhibitor approved in the European Union (“EU”) for this indication, based on data from the phase III SELECT-GCA study. An application seeking approval of Rinvoq for GCA is also under review in the United States.GCA marks the eighth approved indication for Rinvoq, which is already approved for seven immune-mediated inflammatory diseases in several countries, including the United States and the EU. It is being studied in late-stage studies for some others like systemic lupus erythematosus, hidradenitis suppurativa vitiligo and Takayasu arteritis.EU Approval for the Expanded Use of AZN’s Key Cancer DrugsAstraZeneca announced that the EC has approved the expanded use of Imfinzi in combination with chemotherapy for treating adults with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with no known EGFR mutations or ALK rearrangements. In this regimen, Imfinzi, in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, is administered before surgery and as adjuvant monotherapy after surgery.The approval in the EU was expected as the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use had recommended the approval of Imfinzi for the given indication last month. This approval was based on data from the phase III AEGEAN study. Imfinzi was approved for a similar indication in the United States in August last year.The EC also approved the expanded use of AstraZeneca and partner Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu in breast cancer. The regulatory body has now approved Enhertu as a monotherapy for treating metastatic HR-positive, HER2-low or HER2-ultralow breast cancer in adult patients who have received at least one endocrine therapy in the metastatic setting and are not considered suitable for endocrine therapy as the next line of treatment in the EU.The latest nod in the EU expands the approved indication of Enhertu in HER2-low metastatic breast cancer to include use in an earlier disease setting as well as in a broader patient population that includes HER2-ultralow. The latest approval is based on data from the DESTINY-Breast06 study. Enhertu was approved for HR-positive, HER2-low or HER2-ultralow metastatic breast cancer in the United States in January.Novartis to Invest $23B to Boost U.S. Manufacturing & R&D PresenceAfter J&J and Lilly, Novartis is the latest drugmaker to announce plans to expand its U.S.-based manufacturing and R&D footprint. Novartis said it would invest $23 billion in 10 facilities, including seven brand new facilities, over the next five years to boost production in the United States. This will bring Novartis’ total U.S. investments to nearly $50 billion.Novartis believes the manufacturing expansion will allow it to produce 100% of its key medicines end-to-end in the country, which is much higher than its current ability. This expansion of its current manufacturing, research and technology presence will create nearly 1,000 new jobs at Novartis and approximately 4,000 additional U.S. jobs.With Trump planning to impose tariffs on pharmaceutical imports, drugmakers are looking to ramp up U.S. investments to boost domestic production, which had shifted to lower-cost markets outside the United States for years.AbbVie, Novartis and AstraZeneca carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) each.The NYSE ARCA Pharmaceutical Index has declined 9.8% in the past five trading sessions.Large Cap Pharmaceuticals Industry 5YR % ReturnHere’s how the eight major stocks performed in the previous five trading sessions:In the last five trading sessions, all the stocks were in the red with AbbVie declining the most (13.6%).In the past six months, all the stocks were in the red with Novo Nordisk declining the most (48.3%).(See the last pharma stock roundup here: FDA Nod to SNY, AZN, NVS & JNJ Talc Suits Failure)What's Next in the Pharma World?Watch this space for regular pipeline and regulatory updates next week.Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.See Stocks Free >>Note: Sheraz Mian heads the Zacks Equity Research department and is a well-regarded expert of aggregate earnings. He is frequently quoted in the print and electronic media and publishes the weekly Earnings Trends and Earnings Previewreports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>Media ContactZacks Investment Research800-767-3771 ext. 9339support@zacks.com                                     https://www.zacks.com                                                Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance  for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.5 Stocks Set to DoubleEach was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2024. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +143.0%, +175.9%, +498.3% and +673.0%.Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor.Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report AstraZeneca PLC (AZN): Free Stock Analysis Report Novartis AG (NVS): Free Stock Analysis Report AbbVie Inc. 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