News
The day at a glance · 3 min read
Mood · Risk-On
+65
Sentiment, −100 to +100
Pfizer Phase 3 Obesity Trials Planned
10
Big Pharma & Biotech
AbbVie Price Target (Canaccord)
$262+29%
Big Pharma & Biotech
ISRG Stock Movement
7.6%+7.6%
MedTech & Devices
Key driverPfizer's Phase 2b GLP-1 results and expanding obesity drug franchise intensify competition in the lucrative weight loss market
Daily briefHealthcare· Money365.Market AI ·

GLP-1 Race Heats Up as Pfizer Eyes Monthly Dosing

Obesity market expands with new entrants; Merck wins FDA priority review for Keytruda; Thermo Fisher beats Q1 expectations

Big Pharma & Biotech

Bullish
PFEMRKABBV
Pfizer ($PFE) reported Phase 2b results for its GLP-1 anti-obesity candidate, PF-08653944, showing potential for once-monthly injection dosing. The company plans more than 20 anti-obesity trials, including 10 Phase 3 studies targeted for 2026, as it builds out its obesity franchise to compete with current market leaders offering primarily weekly dosing options.
Merck & Co. ($MRK) announced that the FDA granted Priority Review to two supplemental Biologics License Applications for Keytruda and Keytruda QLEX, each used in combination for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Meanwhile, $MRK partnered with Google Cloud on an agentic AI transformation initiative, combining the company's scientific and data expertise with cloud-based AI technology.
AbbVie ($ABBV) received coverage initiation from Canaccord with a Buy rating and a $262 price target on April 20, offering an upside potential of around 29% from the company's last close.

MedTech & Devices

Bullish

Thermo Fisher Q1 Net Income

$1.65 billion

Thermo Fisher Q1 EPS

$4.43

Automated Insulin Market 2026

$1,093M

Automated Insulin Market 2035

$2,684M

Market CAGR

10.5%
ISRGTMOABT
Intuitive Surgical ($ISRG) shares jumped 7.6% after the medical technology company reported strong first-quarter 2026 financial results that significantly exceeded analyst expectations. The automated insulin delivery system market is projected to grow from approximately $989 million in 2025 to $1,093 million in 2026, reaching around $2,684 million by 2035 at a compound annual growth rate of 10.5%, according to Healthcare Foresights research.
Thermo Fisher Scientific ($TMO) posted higher first-quarter profit and revenue, with net income of $1.65 billion, or $4.43 per share, up from $1.51 billion in the year-ago period. The Waltham, Massachusetts-based life sciences tools and diagnostics company reported results that beat expectations.

FDA & Regulation

Bullish
ABUS
Arbutus Biopharma ($ABUS) announced on April 14 that the FDA granted Fast Track designation to imdusiran for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, a step that could help accelerate its development and review timeline. The designation is designed to facilitate development and expedite review of drugs treating serious conditions with unmet medical needs.

Health Insurance & Managed Care

Neutral

UnitedHealth Price Target (HSBC)

$300
UNH
UnitedHealth Group ($UNH) announced a broad rural health initiative on April 20 to strengthen underserved communities. HSBC upgraded $UNH from Reduce to Hold on April 7 and set a price target of $300. A shareholder proposal asking that any future Board Chair be an independent director will be put to a vote at the company's upcoming annual meeting, with the board opposing the measure and encouraging shareholders to vote against it.

Looking Ahead

Bullish
PFEREGN
The obesity treatment market continues to expand as multiple pharmaceutical companies advance their GLP-1 programs through clinical development, with $PFE planning significant Phase 3 activity throughout 2026. Investor attention remains focused on comparative efficacy and dosing convenience as differentiation factors in this increasingly competitive space.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals ($REGN) published a slide deck on its C5 complement development program focusing on cemdisiran and pozelimab for complement-mediated diseases. Separately, partner Sanofi reported better-than-expected first-quarter revenue and operating income, helped by strong demand for flagship drug Dupixent.

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