Pharma Intelligence Scan - 2026-02-12

Urgent (Action Required)

Sanofi CEO Change: Paul Hudson OUT, Belen Garijo IN

Sanofi's Board decided Feb 11 not to renew Paul Hudson's contract. His last day is Feb 17, 2026. Interim CEO: Olivier Charmeil (EVP General Medicines). Belen Garijo (current Merck KGaA CEO, former Sanofi exec for 15 years) takes over April 29 after AGM.
Reason: R&D setbacks, pipeline concerns as Dupixent patent approaches early 2030s expiry.
Patient Finder impact: HIGH. Daniel has a warm direct relationship with Paul Hudson. This relationship resets. Garijo is a known quantity (ex-Sanofi, ran Genzyme integration) but outreach strategy must pivot immediately. Interim period (Feb 17 - Apr 29) creates a window where decision-making may stall. Need to identify Garijo's priorities and network connections ASAP.
Sources: Sanofi PR, STAT, FiercePharma

Novartis Acquires Avidity Biosciences for ~$12B

Deal for RNA therapeutics (AOC platform) targeting neuromuscular diseases (DMD, DM1, FSHD). Closing H1 2026. Spin-off record date: Feb 12.
Patient Finder impact: MEDIUM. Novartis deepening in rare neuromuscular = potential Patient Finder use case for undiagnosed DMD/DM1 patients. Flag for Andrea Marazzi conversation. Rare disease patient finding is squarely in our wheelhouse.
Sources: BioPharma Dive, Novartis

Notable

Novo Nordisk Shares Crater ~25% on Brutal 2026 Guidance

FY2025: 6% sales growth, Q4 beat ($1.01 EPS vs $0.90 est). But 2026 guidance: sales and operating profit DOWN 5-13% (constant FX). Driven by US price declines, GLP-1 competition from Lilly, MFN impacts.
Wegovy pill launched (~170K patients) but market share losses to Lilly's orforglipron accelerating.
Morningstar cut fair value to DKK 372 from DKK 423.
Sources: FiercePharma, Morningstar

Takeda: FDA Accepts Priority Review for Oveporexton (Narcolepsy Type 1)

TAK-861, first-in-class orexin agonist for narcolepsy type 1. NDA accepted with priority review.
Also signed $1.7B AI drug discovery deal with Iambic Therapeutics (oncology, GI, inflammatory).
Organizational restructuring for FY2026: new International Business Unit.
Note: Christophe Weber retiring soon per Daniel's intel.
Sources: Stockhouse, BioPharma Dive

AstraZeneca: Soriot Teases Weight-Loss Drug, 20+ Phase 3 Readouts in 2026

Zacks projects 6% sales growth, 12% EPS growth for 2026. On track for $80B revenue by 2030.
Pascal Soriot (Feb 10 presser): obesity candidate has "competitive profile" vs Lilly/Novo. 20+ Phase 3 readouts planned.
European M&A: acquired EsoBiotec.
Sources: Morningstar, Pharmaphorum

J&J: 2026 Sales Could Top $100B

Q4 revenue up 9.1% to $24.6B. 10 pipeline candidates with $5B+ peak sales potential each.
FDA fast-pass voucher for Tecvayli/Darzalex multiple myeloma combo.
Acquired Intra-Cellular Therapies for $14.6B (2025).
Sources: Pharmaphorum, BioPharma Dive

CSL Behring: CEO Ousted, Earnings Miss

Paul McKenzie retired under pressure ahead of Feb 11 earnings. Gordon Naylor (ex-Seqirus president) interim CEO.
Net profit down 81% (one-offs); CSL Behring revenue down 7% to $5.5B. Immunoglobulin decline from Medicare Part D reforms.
HEMGENIX (hemophilia gene therapy) +16% growth; ANDEMBRY launched (1,000+ patients).
Sources: FiercePharma, Morningstar

BioMarin Acquiring Amicus Therapeutics

Financing: $850M senior notes + $2B term loan + cash. Notes priced Feb 12.
Also: Voxzogo (achondroplasia) approved in Canada.
Sources: PR Newswire, BioSpace

Novartis: Strong 2025 Results, Tough 2026 Ahead

High single-digit sales growth, 40% core margin in 2025. FDA approved Itvisma (SMA gene therapy for 2+). Scemblix expanded in CML.
Broke ground on 466K sqft San Diego research center (operational 2029, ~1,000 employees, neuro/onc/gene therapy/AI).
CEO warns 2026 is "largest patent expiry" year. Multistate price-fixing lawsuit filed Feb 3 against Novartis/Sandoz.
Cut six early-stage solid tumor programs; pivoting to genetic medicines + AI.
Sources: Novartis, STAT

Ipsen: Strong Growth, 5 Regulatory Milestones Expected in 2026

2025 sales ~EUR 3.68B (+10.9% CER). 2026 guidance: >13% sales growth CER, >35% operating margin.
IPN60340 (ICT01) FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for first-line AML (Jan 2026).
Tovorafenib EMA review for pediatric low-grade glioma.
Sources: Ipsen

Routine

AbbVie

2026 EPS guidance $14.37-$14.57 (above Street's $14.24). Revenue guidance ~$67B (+9.5%).
Skyrizi $21.5B + Rinvoq $10.1B projected. Humira $1.25B in Q4 (down 25.9%).
FDA approved Epkinly for follicular lymphoma. Rinvoq submitted for vitiligo.
Pledged $100B US R&D investment over next decade (tariff exemption deal).
Sources: KWSN, BioPharma Dive

Amgen

Q4 2025 product sales ~$9.4B (beat). FY2025 $36.8B (+10%). 2026 guidance: $37-38.4B.
MariTide (obesity): six Phase 3 trials ongoing. ~20% weight loss at 52 weeks in Ph2.
Tavneos: FDA requested withdrawal (liver risks); Amgen refused, citing real-world evidence.
14 blockbuster products including Prolia ($4.4B) and Repatha ($3B, +30% YoY).
Sources: BioSpace, Pharmaphorum

Pfizer

FY2025 revenue $62.6B. 2026 guidance: $59.5-62.5B revenue, $2.80-3.00 adj. EPS.
~$5B from COVID products in 2026. ~20 pivotal trials planned including obesity assets from Metsera.
Q4 2025 beat: $0.66 EPS (vs $0.57), $17.56B revenue.
Sources: Pfizer

GSK

FY2025 sales GBP 32.7B (+7% CER). Core EPS +12%. Specialty medicines +17%, oncology +43%.
2026 guidance: 3-5% turnover growth, 7-9% core EPS growth.
Shingrix $3.6B (+8%).
Sources: GSK

Eli Lilly

Q4 2025 beat estimates. Revenue +43% in quarter. Consensus 2026 EPS ~$6.99 (+31% YoY).
Gaining GLP-1 market share vs Novo Nordisk (orforglipron).
Sources: NASDAQ, CSRxP

Gilead

Q4 2025: $1.86 EPS (beat $1.83), $7.93B revenue (+4.63% vs est). Shares +23.6% YTD.
Sources: Zacks

Bristol-Myers Squibb

FY2025: $48.2B revenue. Growth portfolio now 55% of total revenue (+17%).
2026 guidance: $46-47.5B revenue, $6.05-6.35 non-GAAP EPS.
Partnered with AZ's Evinova on AI for clinical development.
Sources: BioPharma Dive

Teva

Q4 2025 beat: $0.96 EPS (vs $0.65), $4.71B revenue (vs $4.33B). Includes $500M Sanofi milestone.
2026 guidance: $16.4-16.8B (down from $17.3B due to generic Revlimid competition).
Austedo/Ajovy/Uzedy: $3.1B in 2025, targeting $3.6B in 2026.
Royalty Pharma deal for TEV-408 (anti-IL-15, vitiligo).
Sources: Teva IR

Eisai

Licensed serplulimab (anti-PD-1) from Henlius for Japan. Deal up to $1.55B, $75M upfront.
Indications: ES-SCLC, metastatic CRC, perioperative gastric cancer.
Sources: PR Newswire

Biogen

Transitioning from MS to diversified portfolio. 10 Phase 3 programs, 5 new launches planned 2026.
BIIB080 (tau-targeting ASO for Alzheimer's) Phase 2 readout expected Q2-Q3 2026.
CEO Viehbacher at JPM: described shift from "melting iceberg" of MS patents.
Sources: PharmExec

Regeneron

Settled with Samsung Bioepis on aflibercept biosimilar (ex-US). Settled with Sandoz for US Enzeevu launch by end-2026.
Balanced 2026 outlook per RBC, driven by Dupixent growth + Sanofi collaboration.
Sources: Sandoz

Sandoz

Resolved US patent litigation with Regeneron for Enzeevu (aflibercept biosimilar). Launch by end-2026.
Named in multistate price-fixing lawsuit alongside Novartis.
Sources: Sandoz

Lundbeck

Completed $2.6B acquisition of Longboard Pharmaceuticals (pipeline replenishment).
Sources: Cooley MA

Grifols

Positive Phase II/III results for Flebogamma in post-polio syndrome.
FDA submission for fibrinogen treatment. Egyptian facility approved.
Sources: PharmaLetter

Servier

Launched GATINN platform in India for single-pill combinations (cardiometabolic). EUR 15M investment.
Targeting EUR 500M global exports by 2030.
Sources: Economic Times

Sanofi (additional)

Completed Dynavax acquisition (Feb 10): hepatitis B vaccine + shingles candidate.
Rilzabrutinib: US breakthrough therapy + Japan orphan drug designation for warm AIHA.
EUR 1B share buyback mandate (Feb 3).
Positive Phase 3 for venglustat in type 3 Gaucher disease (Feb 2).
$100M Dren Bio alliance expansion (B-cell targeting therapy).
Sources: Sanofi

Decision Maker Moves

Paul Hudson (Sanofi CEO) -- DEPARTING

Board decided Feb 11 not to renew. Last day: Feb 17, 2026. After 6 years as CEO (since 2019).
CRITICAL for Patient Finder: Daniel's direct warm relationship. Must reassess Sanofi engagement strategy.

Belen Garijo -- Incoming Sanofi CEO (from April 29)

Current CEO of Merck KGaA. Former Sanofi exec for 15 years (ran pharma operations, Genzyme integration).
Appointed to drive R&D productivity, AI-powered drug discovery, immunology focus.
Interim: Olivier Charmeil (EVP General Medicines) covers Feb 17 - Apr 29.

Pascal Soriot (AstraZeneca CEO)

Feb 10 press conference: teased competitive obesity drug candidate. Reiterated $80B by 2030 goal. 20+ Phase 3 readouts in 2026.

Paul McKenzie (CSL CEO) -- DEPARTED

Retired under pressure ahead of Feb 11 earnings. Gordon Naylor (ex-Seqirus president) serving as interim CEO.

Christopher Viehbacher (Biogen CEO)

JPM 2026 keynote: described Biogen's pivot from MS to diversified model. 10 Phase 3 programs.

Chris Arendt (Takeda CSO)

Quoted on Iambic AI deal, emphasizing unmet needs through AI-driven discovery.

Knowledge Graph Updates

life/areas/companies/sanofi/ -- CEO change: Hudson out, Garijo in. Dynavax acquisition. Venglustat Ph3 positive. Rilzabrutinib breakthrough.
life/areas/companies/novartis/ -- Avidity acquisition $12B. Itvisma approved (SMA). San Diego research center. Patent cliff warning.
life/areas/companies/novo-nordisk/ -- 2026 guidance cut, shares -25%. Wegovy pill launched.
life/areas/companies/takeda/ -- Oveporexton priority review. Iambic AI deal $1.7B. Org restructure.
life/areas/companies/astrazeneca/ -- Obesity drug teased. $80B by 2030 reaffirmed.

Briefing Highlights

URGENT: Sanofi CEO Paul Hudson is out (last day Feb 17). Belen Garijo (Merck KGaA CEO) takes over April 29. Daniel's warm relationship with Hudson resets -- need new engagement strategy for Garijo and interim CEO Charmeil.
Novartis acquiring Avidity Biosciences for ~$12B (rare neuromuscular RNA therapeutics) -- potential Patient Finder angle for undiagnosed DMD/DM1 patients. Flag for Andrea Marazzi.
Novo Nordisk shares cratered ~25% on 2026 guidance cut (sales/profit down 5-13%). GLP-1 competition from Lilly intensifying.
Takeda's narcolepsy drug oveporexton (TAK-861) gets FDA priority review -- first-in-class orexin agonist, rare disease patient identification opportunity.
Q4 earnings season largely positive across the board: AbbVie, Pfizer, GSK, Gilead, BMS, Eli Lilly all beat or met expectations.

Scan completed 2026-02-12 02:30 PT. Sources: Perplexity Sonar (web_search), Exa AI (api.exa.ai). 70 companies scanned. Companies with no notable news omitted per protocol.

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