The HealthCare unit of
Bayer
(
BAYRY
) announced recently that it has filed an application seeking
approval to market its low-dose birth control patch,
ethinylestradiol/gestodene, in the EU. Bayer further stated in its
press release that the nation, which will act as the reference
point in the decentralized procedure for gaining marketing approval
in the EU member states will be France.
We note that Bayer's birth control patch has performed well in
clinical trials. Data from the trials, which evaluated 4,200 women
across the globe, revealed that the drug, a hormonal contraceptive,
was not only effective but also boasted a good safety profile.
Bayer intends to present data from the studies at the FIGO world
congress of gynecology and obstetrics in Rome next month.
Bayer's move of seeking European approval for its birth control
patch is aimed at expanding its birth-control business, which
already boasts birth control pills such as Yaz. The birth control
market already has players like
Warner Chilcott
(
WCRX
).
Our Recommendation
We recently upgraded Bayer to Outperform following its strong
second quarter 2012 results, an upbeat guidance and a series of
positive subsequent developments at the German company. The stock
carries a Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy rating) in the short run.
Bayer performed impressively in the second quarter of 2012 driven
by increased revenues. Following the impressive results, management
raised their guidance for 2012 revenues as well as earnings.
Subsequently, Bayer has witnessed a series of positive developments
including progress regarding oncology candidate regorafenib and
label expansion efforts for blood thinner Xarelto, which has been
co-developed with the Janssen Research and Development unit at
Johnson & Johnson
(
JNJ
). Moreover, the decision of Bayer's HealthCare unit to buy
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited
's (
TEVA
) animal health business in the US is a positive move.
BAYER A G -ADR (BAYRY): Free Stock Analysis
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JOHNSON & JOHNS (JNJ): Free Stock Analysis
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