Pfizer recently announced strong earnings for the third quarter, surpassing Wall Street expectations, and has increased its revenue forecast for 2024 to between $61 and $64 billion. The company’s sales from July to September reached $17.7 billion, a 32% increase from the previous year, largely due to high demand for its COVID-19 treatment, Paxlovid. Even without its COVID products, Pfizer saw a 14% sales increase thanks to its other medications like Vyndaqel for rare diseases, Xtandi for prostate cancer, and Nurtec ODT for migraines.
Pfizer’s CEO, Albert Bourla, expressed confidence in meeting the company’s financial goals for 2024 and continuing to advance important medical research. Pfizer has been cutting costs and restructuring due to a decreasing global market for its COVID products, which has included layoffs and operational changes.
Despite these efforts, Pfizer is facing criticism from an activist investor group, Starboard Value, which claims the company has lost significant market value under Bourla’s leadership due to costly acquisitions and unmet research goals. Starboard has urged Pfizer’s board to hold management accountable but has not suggested specific changes.
Pfizer’s strong quarterly performance and improved financial outlook might help counter Starboard’s criticisms. The company has also increased its profit margins and aims to save $4 billion in costs by the end of the year. Bourla mentioned that Pfizer plans to engage with shareholders, including Starboard, and consider any ideas that could enhance long-term value.
While some of Pfizer’s newer drugs are doing well, others have seen slower growth. Last month, Pfizer decided to stop selling Oxbryta, a treatment for sickle cell disease, which it acquired for $5.4 billion two years ago.