Injectible drug specialist Hospira, Inc. (HSP) shot up +16.69% on good and surprising news about a new compound. Specifically, its Inflectra drug—a biosimilar medicine to Remicade— was recommended for approval by a crucial European authority for multiple treatments. In Europe, it is likely to be approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and plaque psoriasis. Typically, a drug is only approved for one condition first and then may receive other indications over time. Given Remicade had sales of roughly $2 billion in Europe last year, this was huge news. In recent quarters, there has been such a tight focus on existing facilities and historical problems that few have looked to the future. Our point of view has been the issues will get fixed and the company will go on to create new and better compounds to continue to drive growth; it seems the market needed a reminder such a future was even possible.
From John Rogers’ Ariel Fund Second Quarter 2013 Commentary.
From John Rogers’ Ariel Fund Second Quarter 2013 Commentary.
