Moderna Surges on FDA Flu Vaccine Review; Gilead HIV Filing

Moderna ($MRNA) extended gains, rising 9.1% as the FDA released positive briefing documents ahead of a June 18 advisory committee meeting to assess the benefit-risk profile of mFluvia, the company's mRNA seasonal flu vaccine. The stock climbed to $57 in afternoon trading and has surged 94% year-to-date, marking the strongest performance among major vaccine manufacturers. $MRNA announced it expects to launch three new vaccines over the next two years, broadening its commercial pipeline beyond COVID-19 products.

Gilead Sciences ($GILD) won FDA acceptance for a filing seeking approval of once-weekly oral Yeztugo for HIV prevention, aiming to expand access with a new long-acting PrEP option. The filing could broaden Yeztugo into a once-weekly oral HIV prevention option, expanding $GILD's HIV portfolio beyond existing therapies.

AbbVie ($ABBV) posted Q1 2026 revenue of $15.002 billion, beating consensus estimates by $284 million, prompting management to raise full-year adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $14.08 to $14.28. The stock yields nearly 3%, and the operational beat has shifted investor sentiment on the company's post-Humira transition strategy.

Johnson & Johnson ($JNJ) reported late-stage trial results for its blood-cancer drug TALVEY on June 13, as the company seeks to demonstrate sustained growth following the loss of a multibillion-dollar product. Bristol Myers Squibb ($BMY) is pursuing FDA approval to expand Camzyos into adolescents with obstructive HCM, aiming to strengthen its cardiovascular portfolio and broaden the drug's market reach.

Pfizer ($PFE) entered a new partnership with SINOPHARM to promote antifungal drug Diflucan in China, with the collaboration also covering future product launches, supply chain optimization, and commercial execution across the Chinese market. The agreement deepens $PFE's presence in one of the world's most important pharmaceutical markets.

The global GLP-1 receptor agonist market was valued at approximately $28.7 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach $34.2 billion in 2026, advancing toward a projected $95.3 billion by 2035 at a compound annual growth rate of 12.1%, according to a market research study. Key players include Novo Nordisk ($NVO) and Eli Lilly ($LLY).

$NVO has lost GLP-1 leadership against $LLY, according to analyst commentary, with the stock now trading at fair value rather than a bargain. $NVO CEO Doustdar expects to submit oral Wegovy for Chinese regulatory approval within a few months, seeking to expand the drug's geographic footprint.

$LLY shares have gained more than 18% in the past month and soared nearly 50% over the past year, driven by strong performance of its obesity and diabetes medications including Mounjaro and Zepbound. The company presented results from late-stage trials of weight-loss drug candidate retatrutide on June 6. $LLY became the first pharmaceutical company to cross a $1 trillion market valuation in November last year, though demand for its hottest drugs now faces operational friction.

Rigel Pharmaceuticals ($RIGL) announced the closing of its exclusive global license agreement for VEPPANU (vepdegestrant) with Arvinas, following early termination of the Hart-Scott Rodino waiting period and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. The deal advances $RIGL's commercial-stage pipeline focused on hematologic disorders and cancer.

The FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee will convene on June 18 to assess the benefit-risk profile of Moderna's ($MRNA) mFluvia, a pivotal review for the company's mRNA seasonal flu vaccine program. Novo Nordisk ($NVO) expects to file oral Wegovy for Chinese regulatory approval within a few months, potentially opening a major new geographic market. Bristol Myers Squibb ($BMY) awaits FDA review of its application to expand Camzyos into adolescents with obstructive HCM, while Gilead Sciences ($GILD) progresses through regulatory review for once-weekly oral Yeztugo as an HIV prevention therapy.