Search This Blog

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

LA Mayor Declares Local Emergency, Issues A Curfew For Downtown Los Angeles

 In a bizarre twist, after spending much of the past week pleading just how peaceful the LA riots hugfest has been, and slamming Trump for deploying the national guard to the city after the local police was ordered to stand down, moments ago LA mayor Karen Bass announced that a curfew will be put into effect for one square mile of downtown Los Angeles following four nights of violent, chaotic protests and looting, during which the LAPD arrested more than 150 people.

The curfew will extend from 8 pm to 6 am and will extend for several days. 

But before anyone gets ideas that this was a sincere gesture meant to protect the lives of innocent civilians, keep in mind that the mayor explicitly wanted to highlight just how contained the curfew zone will be. It will apply to the area of downtown from the 5 Freeway to the 110 Freeway and from the 10 Freeway to where the 110 Freeway and the 5 Freeway merge, Bass said. In other words, see - the rest of LA is perfectly safe. Well, we'll see. 

The mayor made the announcement Tuesday evening after suggesting earlier in the day that she would consider a curfew if violence broke out again. It did.

The curfew comes as arrests have increased every night since protests began in response to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Southern California.

No one was arrested by Los Angeles police on Friday night, but 27 were arrested Saturday, 40 were arrested Sunday, and 114 were arrested Monday, according to Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell. Some would call it a wave of escalating peace. 

Bass and other elected officials in Los Angeles have repeatedly asked protesters to remain nonviolent and refrain from spray-painting graffiti or otherwise vandalizing or burglarizing businesses. But each morning, new, often explicit, graffiti has adorned buildings across downtown. Oh, and of course, the looting did not help to demonstrate just how peaceful the illegal LA immigrant communist are. 

So to summarize leftist governance:

  1. Let rioters rage
  2. Call it “peace”
  3. Impose curfews to protect your narrative, not your citizens

And when reality contradicts ideology, they don’t change policies—they change the vocabulary. “Mostly peaceful” is the mask they put on urban ruin. 

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/la-mayor-declares-local-emergency-issues-curfew-downtown-los-angeles

Posted by at No comments:

Quanterix at Goldman Sachs Conference

 On Monday, 09 June 2025, Quanterix Corp (NASDAQ:QTRX) presented at the Goldman Sachs 46th Annual Global Healthcare Conference 2025. The company discussed its strategic outlook, focusing on its innovative Simoa platform while addressing challenges such as academic funding concerns and biopharma project delays. Quanterix aims to broaden its market reach and achieve profitability by 2026.

Key Takeaways

  • Quanterix is expanding into immunology and oncology, aiming to increase its market from $1 billion to $5 billion.
  • The company is preparing for the launch of Simoa one and its associated consumables, targeting broader accessibility.
  • Quanterix plans to submit its LUCIN AD complete test for Alzheimer’s to the FDA, leveraging its neurology expertise.
  • A cost savings program aims to save $55 million by 2026, focusing on volume-related and G&A adjustments.
  • The pending Akoya acquisition is expected to bring $30 million to $40 million in synergies.

Financial Results

  • Consumables: Record performance with over 20 new assays launched in the past year, with similar growth expected.
  • Instruments: Stable year-over-year performance.
  • Accelerator Services: Grew 36% last year, but facing delays in pharma and biotech projects, shifting from Q1/Q2 to Q3/Q4.
  • Government End Market: Approximately 20-22% of customers have NIH exposure; CapEx remains challenging.
  • Cost Savings Program: Targeting $55 million in savings by 2026, without impacting R&D or innovation.

Operational Updates

  • Accelerator Lab: Transitioned from "try before you buy" to a sustainable business model with pharma clinical adoption.
  • Consumables: Increased volumes due to scalable manufacturing.
  • Simoa one Launch: Expected before year-end, focusing on immunology.
  • Simoa one Consumables: Oncology immunology-focused consumables to be compatible with over 20,000 flow cytometers by early 2026.

  • Future Outlook

  • Expansion: Targeting immunology and immuno-oncology to grow the addressable market.
  • Akoya Acquisition: Anticipated synergies of $30 million to $40 million, aiming for profitability in 2026 with revenues above $200 million.
  • Alzheimer’s Testing: Planning FDA submission for LUCIN AD complete; sees major opportunity in therapy monitoring.
  • Simoa for all labs: Expanding from neurology to immunology and oncology.

Q&A Highlights

  • Biopharma Project Delays: Projects are delayed, not canceled, due to budget issues.
  • Academic Research Funding: Experiencing decision paralysis, but mitigating pressure through services and consumables.
  • Alzheimer’s Testing: Confident in multi-marker approach despite existing FDA-approved tests.
  • Adoption of BBMs: Therapy adoption expected to drive BBM use in Alzheimer’s management.
  • Health System Partnerships: Most partners prefer on-premises capabilities.

In conclusion, Quanterix is poised for significant growth and innovation, with a focus on expanding its market presence and enhancing its product offerings. For a more detailed discussion, please refer to the full transcript below.

Full transcript - Goldman Sachs 46th Annual Global Healthcare Conference 2025:


Posted by at No comments:

AbbVie at Goldman Sachs Conference

 On Tuesday, 10 June 2025, AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) presented at the Goldman Sachs 46th Annual Global Healthcare Conference, providing insights into its robust financial performance and strategic initiatives. The company highlighted its strong Q1 results and optimistic future outlook, while also addressing potential challenges such as drug pricing pressures and PBM reform.

Key Takeaways

  • AbbVie exceeded Q1 revenue guidance by $550 million and EPS guidance by $0.10.
  • The company increased its full-year revenue guidance to $59.7 billion.
  • SKYRIZI and RINVOQ are capturing significant market share in immunology.
  • AbbVie is focusing on early-stage business development opportunities in key therapeutic areas.
  • The company anticipates substantial growth in the obesity market with the Gubra asset.

Financial Results

AbbVie reported a strong Q1 2024 performance, with revenue surpassing guidance by $550 million and earnings per share exceeding expectations by $0.10. The ex-HUMIRA business grew approximately 23% operationally year-over-year, demonstrating the company’s resilience post-HUMIRA’s U.S. loss of exclusivity.

For 2024, AbbVie has increased its revenue guidance by $700 million, now projecting $59.7 billion. Guidance for SKYRIZI and RINVOQ has been raised by $900 million, while neuroscience and oncology have seen increases of $200 million each. Despite economic headwinds, aesthetics guidance decreased by $200 million. Ex-HUMIRA sales are expected to rise by approximately 15% for the full year, with an operating margin guidance of 46.5%, including a 0.5% IPR&D charge.

Operational Updates

Immunology:

  • SKYRIZI and RINVOQ are leading in Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis markets.
  • Access remains stable despite the introduction of Stellara biosimilars.
  • Phase III data for RINVOQ in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is anticipated next year.

  • Neuroscience:

  • AbbVie aims to surpass Roche as the leading neuroscience business next year.
  • Vylev is performing well internationally, with U.S. Medicare reimbursement expected in late 2025.
  • Tirvapadone submission is planned for this year, with a launch expected next year.

Oncology:

  • Development of an ADC pipeline in ovarian, colon, and lung cancer is underway.
  • The BCMA bispecific (entantamig) is in Phase III trials, with potential for simplified outpatient use.

Aesthetics:

  • The toxin market is stabilizing, with market share recovery underway.
  • The filler market is experiencing a decline due to consumer sentiment.
  • Trinobot E, a fast-acting off-toxin, was submitted in April, with approval expected early next year.

Future Outlook

AbbVie is focusing on early-stage business development opportunities in immunology, oncology, and neuroscience to drive growth beyond the next eight years. The company is building around the Gubra asset in obesity, targeting a $100-150 billion market by the mid-2030s. While anticipating some price erosion, AbbVie believes its differentiated products will maintain value. Additionally, the aesthetics business positions AbbVie uniquely in the cash-pay market.

Q&A Highlights

During the Q&A session, AbbVie expressed confidence in competing effectively despite PBM reform, citing product differentiation and broader formulary access. The company does not expect drug pricing risks to spill over from government channels into the commercial segment, drawing on past experiences with the Inflation Reduction Act. AbbVie is encouraged by the administration’s focus on affordability and innovation.

For more detailed insights, readers are invited to refer to the full transcript below.

Full transcript - Goldman Sachs 46th Annual Global Healthcare Conference:


Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)