Pfizer Stock: More Than Just COVID-19 Vaccines

You may be familiar with the negative sentiment surrounding Pfizer, with many citing the company's heavy reliance on its COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty and antiviral therapy Paxlovid as a cause for concern. In addition to this, several of Pfizer's top-selling drugs will face patent expirations in the near future, leading many to believe that the company's stock will suffer.

While there are certainly challenges facing Pfizer, the conclusion that its stock will suffer is flawed. Despite the company's current predicament, there is a lot to be excited about. Let's explore why Pfizer's stock is becoming increasingly attractive.

Over the past five weeks, Pfizer has received a string of positive news. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Cibinqo for the treatment of adolescents with atopic dermatitis, marking a significant milestone for the company's growth strategy. Additionally, a late-stage study evaluating the combination of Talzenna and Xtandi to treat metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer produced positive results, reducing the risk of disease progression or death by 37%.

Furthermore, Pfizer announced that regulatory applications for elranatamab had been accepted by the FDA and the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of multiple myeloma. The company expects FDA approval to be granted later this year. In addition, an FDA advisory committee voted to approve Pfizer's respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for older adults, which could open up a major market opportunity for the company.

On March 10, the FDA approved Zavzpret for the treatment of migraine. Pfizer acquired the drug as part of its purchase of Biohaven in 2022. The company also announced plans to acquire Seagen for $43 billion, which caused Pfizer's stock to rise significantly. The acquisition will provide Pfizer with four approved cancer drugs and promising antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that could generate $10 billion in risk-adjusted revenue by 2030.

Despite all of these positive developments, Pfizer's stock remains undervalued by investors. Its price is still nearly 35% below its late 2021 high, trading at just 12 times expected earnings. However, the company's dividend has risen to 4.1%, its highest level since mid-2021.

Investors seem to be fixated on the difficulties associated with COVID-19 and its treatment, but Pfizer predicts that even on this front, there is good news to come. The company expects demand for Comirnaty to rise to 98 million doses by 2026 due to the launch of the combination flu vaccine COVID. Additionally, demand for Paxlovid is predicted to grow steadily over the next few years, with the possibility of promoting antiviral therapy in China.

In conclusion, while there are certainly challenges facing Pfizer, the outlook for the company's stock is better than many people think. Despite the conventional wisdom that Pfizer's stock will suffer, the company is making significant strides towards achieving its goals. Investors should take note of the recent positive developments and consider investing in this pharmaceutical giant.