The Motley Fool: Can Novartis AG Maintain Its Momentum?

Novartis (NYSE: NVS  ) has done better over the past six months than I thought it would back in December of 2013, as investors have liked what they've seen with the company's restructuring efforts and surprisingly positive clinical data on heart failure drug candidate LCZ696. In the "what have you done for me lately?" world of Wall Street, though, I do wonder whether Novartis has enough potential catalysts in hand to keep up a level of enthusiasm that frankly seems outsized relative to the valuation.

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Can Novartis AG Maintain Its Momentum?

The Motley Fool: What Does This Rejection Mean for Eli Lilly?

In the extremely competitive world of Big Pharma, companies have to be careful to keep all of their ducks in neat little rows. I have made no secret of the fact that I believe Lilly (NYSE: LLY  ) struggles in that regard, and yesterday's surprising announcement that the FDA rejected empagliflozin over manufacturing issues at a plant owned and operated by its partner Boehringer Ingelheim doesn't help matters.

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What Does This Rejection Mean for Eli Lilly?

The Motley Fool: AstraZeneca plc (ADR) Hopes Farxiga Can Go Far

Now the hard work really begins.

AstraZeneca's (NYSE: AZN  ) SGLT-2 inhibitor dapaglifozin has had a difficult path to market, but the company finally got the FDA's go-ahead to market the drug on Wednesday. While SGLT-2 inhibitors are a promising new class of drug, it remains to be seen whether AstraZeneca's Farxiga (it's U.S. brand name) can become a blockbuster in the face of competition from Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE: JNJ  ) first-to-market Invokana and follow-on drugs from Lilly (NYSE: LLY  ) and Astellas.

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AstraZeneca plc (ADR) Hopes Farxiga Can Go Far

Seeking Alpha: After A Big Rally, What Propels Lonza Now?

I've always been a little surprised at how willing investors can be to bid up the manufacturers of pharmaceutical components. While these are fine specialty chemical businesses, nothing about the revenue or margins (or the persistence of either) is particularly outstanding. Be that as it may, investors have certainly taken a more positive view on Switzerland's Lonza (OTCPK:LZAGY) over the past 18 months as the company has digested its Arch Chemicals acquisition and a new CEO who appears more focused on margins and returns than growth for the sake of growth.

On one hand, I do like Lonza's capabilities in small molecules, peptides, and monoclonal antibodies. On the other hand, recent contract wins by Samsung Biologics highlight that there is no particular shortage of competition in pharma/biotech contract manufacturing. Even if I give the company a higher multiple than specialty chemical/materials companies typically get, nothing in the valuation suggests a substantially undervalued stock.

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After A Big Rally, What Propels Lonza Now?

The Motley Fool: Johnson & Johnson Continues To Play To Its Strengths

I continue to be impressed with the strength Johnson & Johnson has been showing of late. The only fly in the ointment is that it's not a particularly well-balanced strength, as the company's drug business is really driving the improvements. As ointment-flies go, though, that's really not so bad and the company continues to see respectable performance in key categories like cardiology, orthopedics, and surgery. Johnson & Johnson isn't particularly undervalued today, but investors should nevertheless be able to expect high single-digit to low double-digit returns from this point, which is pretty compelling for investors looking for a quality long-term holding.

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http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/10/15/johnson-johnson-continues-to-play-to-its-strengths.aspx

Seeking Alpha: Pfizer Needs To Reload

I was a fan of Pfizer (PFE) early in 2012, and the stock delivered good returns as it beat the S&P 500. At this new, higher, price level it is a little harder to have quite the same affection for the company. I do have respect for how the company has streamlined - cutting costs, selling the nutrition business to Nestle, and preparing for the spin-off of Zoetis. I also think there are some worthwhile drugs both in the pipeline and early launch phases. All that said, it's hard to be as excited about the stock's value today, and I wonder if it's time for another large-scale move to better position the company for long-term growth.

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Pfizer Needs To Reload

Investopedia: Greece - Of Banks And Tanks

The great thing about reality (at least for a writer) is that it has this way of going in directions so strange that not even fiction writers would dare attempt. If recent news out of Greece is to be believed, the Greek government has pulled a whopper - ordering some heavy-duty military hardware at a time when its largest European creditors are debating just how far they should push their own citizens to float this bankrupt nation. (For more on Greece, read 5 Reasons You Should Care About Greece.)

Tanks, with a Side of Skepticism  
Word broke yesterday morning that the Greek and U.S. governments have apparently reached agreement on a deal that will "grant" up to 400 Abrams tanks to Greece, along with a host of refurbishments and upgrades. Investors should realize that the sourcing on this is hardly airtight - the sources include Svenska Dagbladet and other less-than-regular outfits like Defencegreece.com and Hellenic Defence & Technology. Accordingly, this could be a hoax or old news made to seem new again, and it is worth noting that there aren't any corresponding entries in the Federal Register yet.

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http://stocks.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/2011/Greece--Of-Banks-And-Tanks-GD-NOC-NBG-DB-ING-CCH-MS1006.aspx

Seeking Alpha: It Might Be Time For Amylin And Lilly To Head To Divorce Court

It's not unusual for business partnerships to have their ups and downs, but it looks like the relationship between biotech company Amylin Pharmaceuticals (AMLN) and major pharmaceutical Lilly (LLY) may well be damaged beyond repair. Between Lilly's decision to market drugs from Boehringer Ingelheim, Amylin's decision to sue in response, and the information revealed through court documents that Lilly was apparently not expecting much from Bydureon, it seems as though the days of constructive partnership are over.

Restraining Order Has Only Limited Benefit
Despite nearly a decade of partnership, Amylin recently filed against Lilly, arguing that Lilly's decision to market competing diabetes drugs with the same salesforce that markets Byetta will compromise the company's sales strategy and revenue potential. Although the agreement between Lilly and BI was reached in January of this year, it is likely that Amylin attempted to resolve this more amicably. What's more, prior to the FDA's approval of linagliptin in mid-May, it was more of a theoretical risk anyway.

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It Might Be Time for Amylin and Lilly to Head to Divorce Court