Lilly Shares Tumble Most In Years On Sagging Obesity Drug Demand

 Shares of Eli Lilly & Co. were hammered in the first 30 minutes of the US cash session, marking the steepest intraday decline since March 15, 2021.

The selloff was triggered after an update by Lilly that announced preliminary fourth-quarter revenue that fell short of Wall Street analysts (via Bloomberg Consensus), driven mainly by weaker-than-expected sales of its blockbuster weight-loss and diabetes drugs.

In a news release, the Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical company stated that it expects fourth-quarter revenue of about $13.5 billion, $400 million below the low end of its previous estimate issued in October. Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg had forecasted $14 billion, while FactSet analysts expected $13.93 billion.

Both Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for obesity came in below estimates. Lilly revealed that the market for the drugs expanded slower than previously forecasted in the fourth quarter and inventory was lower than expected. The company did note that other drugs performed inline with its expectations.

In an interview at the JPMorgan Healthcare Conference in December, Lilly CEO Dave Ricks said drug purchases usually ramp up at the end of the year. 

"But we did not see that," Ricks said, adding, "Our guidance relied on a bit of a bump up, which we had seen the last four or five years in December. It just didn't occur."

For 2025, Lilly expects revenue between $58 billion and $61 billion, compared with analysts' average estimate of around $58.7 billion. 

Meanwhile, Goldman's GLP-1 Winner Basket is underperforming its Loser Basket, reflecting the sagging obesity drug bubble. This shift comes ahead of Trump 2.0, with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. likely to head the Department of Health and Human Services. 

Lilly expects to release full quarterly results in February. 

CEO Ricks will participate in a fireside chat at the JPM Healthcare Conference later today at 5:15 p.m. Eastern time (more about that here).

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/lilly-shares-tumble-most-years-sagging-obesity-drug-demand

Firefly Neuroscience Breakthrough Cognitive Brain Age Biomarker Uses FDA-Cleared BNA Platform

 

Measuring brain age with EEG and BNA™ could lead to a proactive and scalable approach to early screening for Alzheimer's patients

Firefly Neuroscience, Inc. (“Firefly” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: AIFF), an Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) company developing innovative solutions that improve brain health outcomes for patients with neurological and mental disorders, today announced the advancement of research to assess a patient’s brain age - an estimation of the biological age of a person's brain – via its FDA-cleared BNA™ technology platform.

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/01/14/3009212/0/en/Firefly-Neuroscience-Discovers-Breakthrough-Cognitive-Brain-Age-Biomarker-Using-its-FDA-Cleared-BNA-Platform.html

Eterna Positive Preclinical Study Results on Lead Product ERNA-101 in Ovarian Cancer

  Eterna Therapeutics (Nasdaq: ERNA), a leader in cell therapies for the treatment of advanced solid tumors, today announced positive results from a preclinical study on the company’s lead cell therapy product, ERNA-101, which is designed to activate and regulate the immune system's response to recognize and attack ovarian cancer cells.

This successful proof-of-concept study demonstrated massive T cell infiltration after only one dose of ERNA-101, reduced tumor burden, and extended survival in mice with ovarian cancer.

By successfully turning the “cold” tumor into “hot” – transforming the tumor microenvironment from having low immune activity to an active immune environment – ERNA-101 may not only lead to improved therapeutic outcomes as a monotherapy but is also anticipated to significantly enhance the efficacy of CAR-T and CAR-NK cell therapies in the future.

ERNA-101 is a cell therapy that utilizes induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to create induced allogenic mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs) that secrete interleukins IL-7 and IL-15. These cytokines enhance the immune system's response against tumors, improving immune cell infiltration and activation. ERNA-101 capitalizes on the intrinsic tumor-homing and infiltration ability of MSCs to slip through the tumor’s defenses and to deliver potent pro-inflammatory factors directly to the tumor microenvironment, limiting systemic exposure and potential toxicity while unleashing potent anti-cancer immune responses, including enhancement of T cell anti-tumor activity.

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/01/14/3009318/0/en/Eterna-Therapeutics-Announces-Positive-Preclinical-Study-Results-on-Lead-Product-ERNA-101-in-Ovarian-Cancer.html

"Close The Borders Completely" – AfD's Weidel Calls For 'Remigration' At Party Conference

 Via Remix News,

The co-leader of Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, Alice Weidel, called for mass deportations during a speech at her party’s conference in Riesa over the weekend, saying that if this is to be called ‘remigration,’ then let it be called ‘remigration.'”

Weidel made the statement in the broader context of the AfD’s immigration policies, which she outlined in her speech, detailing what the AfD would deliver in its first 100 days of power if she is elected chancellor.

“(We will) switch from cash to benefits in kind for asylum seekers, cancel social benefits for non-residents, and carry out deportations on a grand scale. I have to tell you quite honestly that if this must be called ‘remigration,’ then let it be called ‘remigration.’”

During her speech, she also stated that the AfD will “close the borders completely and turn back every illegal and undocumented migrant. And a very clear message to the whole world: Germany’s borders are closed, dear friends. They are secure.”

International newspapers such as the Telegraph claim that the term remigration refers to the “return of migrants to their place of origin — regardless of their citizenship status.” However, this is misinformation, as the AfD has been very clear that it will not deport Germans citizens, nor is it permitted to legally do so.

AfD is currently polling at 22 percent, which is the highest level in a year. The party conference in the east of Germany saw Antifa conduct numerous protest actions along with thousands of other protesters.

The AfD also used the conference to put forth a number of its plans for the first 100 days. Among the campaign promises would be a push to lower taxes, reduce green regulations and go back to nuclear and coal power.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/close-borders-completely-afds-weidel-calls-remigration-party-conference

Teladoc Health Joins Amazon’s Health Benefits Connector for Cardiometabolic Programs

 Teladoc Health (NYSE: TDOC), the global leader in virtual care, today announced a new collaboration with Amazon to expand access to Teladoc’s industry-leading chronic condition programs. Customers of Amazon that are eligible for Teladoc Health’s diabetes, hypertension, pre-diabetes and weight management programs can now seamlessly discover and enroll in these benefits directly through Amazon’s Health Benefits Connector, previously known as Health Condition Programs.

Teladoc Health has more than 1 million active enrollees across its chronic condition programs, which leverage connected devices, data-driven personalization and expert coaching to support sustainable behavior change and improved cardiometabolic health.

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/01/14/3008957/0/en/Teladoc-Health-Joins-Amazon-s-Health-Benefits-Connector-for-Cardiometabolic-Programs.html

'Ukraine Not Yet In Strong Enough Position For Negotiations: NATO Chief'

 The head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has just made an admission which surely won't help Ukraine at the negotiating table in any potential future talks. The fresh words might also be by designed aimed at sabotaging expected Trump efforts to quickly end the war.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday described that Ukraine is not yet in a strong position to begin peace talks, now with less than a week before President-elect Donald Trump enters the White House.

"At this moment, clearly, Ukraine is not there," Rutte told the European parliament's foreign affairs and defense committees. "Because they cannot, at this moment, negotiate from a position of strength. And we have to do more to make sure, by changing the trajectory of the conflict, that they can get to the position of strength."

Via Associated Press

He went on to say that the hope is to obtain security guarantees so that Ukraine can never be attacked by Russia again. He said that this involves mapping out Ukraine's future relations with NATO.

"But it’s too early now to exactly sketch out what that exactly will mean, also something we have to discuss with the incoming U.S. administration," he stated. "But let’s hope that we will get to that point as soon as possible."

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said last Friday that the latest energy sanctions placed on Russia were not intended to be a "bargaining chip" that can be taken off the table when Ukraine is ready to negotiate.

"There's no expectation right now that either side is ready to negotiate," he stated, also emphasizing that timing is up to the Ukrainian government. 

Another Biden official has been quoted as saying, "It’s entirely up to [the next administration] to determine whether, when, and on what terms they might lift any sanctions we put in place."

The Kremlin has described this as a "sanctions trap" left by the Biden administration to make things harder for Trump to negotiate and maneuver:

"Of course, we are aware that the administration will try to leave the most difficult legacy possible in bilateral relations to Trump and his associates," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said ahead of the sanctions announcement.

Biden officials have framed the sanctions as a long-term strategy. "We believe our actions are leaving a solid foundation upon which the next administration can build," one official said, predicting the measures would cost Russia billions in monthly revenue and force “hard decisions” between sustaining its economy.

The Washington Post had also observed of the comments, "Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, speaking before the widely anticipated sanctions were announced, said Friday that the Biden administration was trying to make things difficult for the incoming Trump team."

Continued defense and economic aid to the Ukraine has also been something that Europe and the Biden administration have long been trying to 'Trump-proof'. So far, the president-elect has said he doesn't immediately plan to cut or end aid, but this could be him telegraphing negotiations or an attempt to maintain leverage in this regard over the Russian side.

As for the battlefield, there's near universal consensus at this point that Russian forces are winning. Steady gains have persisted in the Donetsk region, while Ukraine tries to make life difficult for Russian leadership in Kursk region.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/ukraine-not-yet-strong-enough-position-negotiations-nato-chief

FBI, DHS warn of possible copycat efforts following New Orleans attack

 Federal law enforcement is asking the public to remain vigilant as they warn of possible copycat attacks similar to those seen in New Orleans.

In a joint statement from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, officials asked the public to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.

“The FBI and DHS are concerned about possible copycat or retaliatory attacks due to the persistent appeal of vehicle ramming as a tactic for aspiring violent extremist attackers. Previous attackers inspired by foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) who have conducted vehicle attacks in the United States and abroad have used rented, stolen, and personally owned vehicles, which are easy to acquire,” they wrote.

“Some have used additional weapons, such as firearms and knives, to attack individuals after the vehicle has stopped. Additionally, attackers may attempt to conceal and pre-position improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to supplement a vehicle attack.”

The warning comes after Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove his car into pedestrians on Bourbon Street over the New Years holiday, killing 14 before he later died in a shootout with police.

Jabbar has said he was inspired by ISIS to carry out the attack. In addition to renting a car, he was found to have other weapons and also had placed two bombs in the area that he could detonate remotely.

Both agencies have previously warned of the risks posed by lone wolf actors radicalized by terror groups, including the difficulty of monitoring those who may wish to carry out deadly plots.

“You’re talking about guys like this, who radicalize not in years but in weeks, and whose method of attack is still very deadly but fairly crude,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said during a Sunday night appearance on CBS’s “60 Minutes.”

“And if you think about that old saying about connecting the dots, there are not a lot of dots out there to connect. And there’s very little time in which to connect them.”

https://thehill.com/homenews/5083217-fhi-dhs-new-orleans-copycat/