Connect with us

Business

Pfizer and Moderna Reaping Billions From COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Market

Published

on

COVID-19 Vaccine - Investors King

Drugmakers Pfizer Inc, BioNTech and Moderna Inc are expected to reap billions of dollars from COVID-19 booster shots in a market that could rival the $6 billion in annual sales for flu vaccines for years to come, analysts and healthcare investors say.

For several months, the companies have said they expect that fully inoculated people will need an extra dose of their vaccines to maintain protection over time and to fend off new coronavirus variants.

Now a growing list of governments, including Chile, Germany and Israel, have decided to offer booster doses to older citizens or people with weak immune systems in the face of the fast-spreading Delta variant.

Late on Thursday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized a booster dose of vaccines from Pfizer Inc and Moderna Inc for people with compromised immune systems.

Pfizer, along with its German partner BioNTech, and Moderna have together locked up over $60 billion in sales of the shots just in 2021 and 2022. The agreements include a supply of the initial two doses of their vaccines as well as billions of dollars in potential boosters for wealthy nations.

Going forward, analysts have forecast revenue of over $6.6 billion for the Pfizer/BioNTech shot and $7.6 billion for Moderna in 2023, mostly from booster sales. They eventually see the annual market settling at around $5 billion or higher, with additional drugmakers competing for those sales.

The vaccine makers say that evidence of waning antibody levels in vaccinated people after six months, as well as an increasing rate of breakthrough infections in countries hit by the Delta variant, support the need for booster shots.

Some early data suggests that the Moderna vaccine, which delivers a higher dose at the outset, maybe more durable than Pfizer’s shot, but more research is needed to determine whether that is influenced by the age or underlying health of the people vaccinated.

As a result, it is far from clear how many people will need boosters, and how often. The profit potential of booster shots may be limited by the number of competitors who enter the market. In addition, some scientists question whether there is enough evidence that boosters are needed, particularly for younger, healthy people. The World Health Organization has asked governments to hold off on booster shots until more people worldwide receive their initial doses.

“We don’t know what the market forces will be,” Moderna President Stephen Hoge said in an interview last week. “At some point, this will become a more traditional market – we’ll look at what are the populations at risk, what value are we creating, and what is the number of products that serve that value. That will ultimately impact price.”

Pfizer declined to comment on the story. During the company’s second-quarter earnings call, executives said they believe a third dose will be necessary 6 to 8 months after vaccination, and regularly afterward.

A MODEL IN FLU SHOTS

If regular COVID-19 boosters are needed among the general population, the market would most resemble the flu shot business, which distributes more than 600 million doses per year. Four competitors split the U.S. flu market, which is the most lucrative and accounts for around half the global revenue, according to Dave Ross, an executive at CSL’s flu vaccine unit Seqirus.

Flu vaccination rates in developed countries have settled at around 50 percent of the population, and COVID boosters would likely follow a similar pattern if approved widely, said Atlantic Equities analyst Steve Chesney.

Flu shots cost around $18 to $25 a dose, according to U.S. government data and competition has kept price increases in check, with producers raising prices 4 or 5 percent in 2021.

Pfizer and Moderna may have greater pricing power for their boosters, at least at the outset, until competitors arrive. Pfizer initially charged $19.50 per dose for its vaccine in the United States and 19.50 euros for the European Union but has already raised those prices by 24 percent and 25 percent, respectively, in subsequent supply deals.

AstraZeneca Plc and Johnson & Johnson are both gathering additional data on boosters of their vaccines. Novavax, Curevac, and Sanofi could also potentially be used as boosters, though their vaccines have yet to receive any regulatory authorization.

“A lot of these firms aren’t even in the market yet. I think within a year’s time, all these companies will have booster strategies,” said Morningstar analyst Damien Conover, who covers Pfizer.

Mizuho Securities analyst Vamil Divan expects at least 5 players in the COVID-19 booster market within a few years.

There’s still a lot of uncertainty around how boosters would be rolled out in the United States. Still, it is possible or even likely that people will be boosted with different vaccines than they were originally vaccinated with. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is already testing mixed boosting, and other countries that have used so-called mix and match vaccination have not had problems with that strategy.

One factor that could curb prices is if the U.S. government continues paying for most or all of the shots administered in the country, rather than leave it in the hands of private health insurers. In that scenario, the government would still be negotiating prices directly with vaccine makers and could use its buying power to stave off price increases.

Bijan Salehizadeh, managing director at healthcare investment firm Navimed Capital, said the U.S. government is likely going to want to keep paying in order to keep vaccination rates high and prevent new COVID surges, particularly if a Democratic administration is still in power.

“It’s going to be paid for until the virus disappears or mutates to be less virulent,” Salehizadeh said.

Continue Reading
Comments

Business

Government’s Concrete Road Plan Threatens Cement Prices, Warns Nigerian Cement Producers

Published

on

cement price

The Cement Producers Association of Nigeria has issued a stern warning that the Federal Government’s ambitious plan to introduce concrete roads could lead to a significant hike in cement prices, potentially reaching an alarming N9,000 per bag, up from the current N5,000.

The association is urging the government to tackle the persistent issue of cement price fluctuations and ensure Nigerians do not have to pay more than N5,600 per bag.

In a joint statement released by the National Chairman, Prince David Iweta, and National Secretary, Chief Reagan Ufomba, the association commended the Works Minister’s advocacy for cement-made roads but cautioned against potential consequences if the supply-side challenges are not addressed comprehensively.

The cement producers proposed a solution, emphasizing the need for road designs that facilitate the concurrent use of cement technology and asphalt pavement. They argue that such designs would allow contractors ample time for investment in necessary equipment and retooling, ensuring a smoother transition.

According to the statement, “Our findings across the country indicate that cement prices can surge to as high as N6,000 per bag during the rainy season. With the Minister of Works’ endorsement of cement technology and the President’s housing directives, we predict prices could exceed N9,000 per bag in the dry season if proactive measures are not taken.”

The association also urged the government to expedite the backward integration policy initiated during the late Yar’adua administration, which had started to positively impact cement availability and affordability.

They emphasized the necessity of breaking monopolies and favoritism in the sector, urging the government to expand participation with companies demonstrating verifiable local investment.

They further called for harmonization between fiscal and monetary policies, intervention in the foreign exchange market, restructuring of manufacturers’ bad loans, and a review of palliative measures to revive manufacturing concerns and reduce dependence on elusive foreign direct investment.

The Cement Producers Association of Nigeria’s statement underscores the urgency of addressing these issues to ensure the stability of the cement industry and maintain affordable prices for Nigerians, especially amid ambitious infrastructure projects.

Continue Reading

Company News

Conoil Plc Declares N1.73 Billion Dividend

Published

on

Conoil - Investors King

Conoil Plc announced its intention to pay N1.73 billion in divided to its shareholders for the 2022 financial year. This translates to N2.50 per share. 

The major oil marketer revealed these impressive figures after its 53rd Annual General Meeting, held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Despite the challenging economic landscape in Nigeria, Conoil demonstrated remarkable growth with its Profit Before Tax surging by an astounding 60.1 percent to N6.13 billion in 2022, up from N3.83 billion in the preceding year.

This performance also translated to a 60 percent increase in Profit After Tax, soaring from N3.08 billion to N4.96 billion.

Conoil Plc’s gross earnings rose by 5.1 percent to N145.8 billion in the 2022 financial year, compared to N138.2 billion in 2021.

Shareholders unanimously approved the proposed dividend payout, reflecting their confidence in the company’s ability to navigate a challenging business environment.

Dr. Mike Adenuga, the Chairman of Conoil Plc, expressed the company’s commitment to creating value for shareholders and ensuring a growing share price.

He emphasized their consistent ability to improve operational margins and expand across all locations, focusing on delivering exceptional service to customers.

Looking ahead, Adenuga acknowledged potential challenges in the ever-changing geopolitical and socio-economic landscape but assured shareholders that Conoil would remain focused on strategies that yield dividends.

He highlighted the government’s reform initiatives, including the elimination of petrol subsidies and foreign exchange market reforms, as opportunities for growth.

Continue Reading

Brands

Chivita Crowned “Outstanding Juice Brand of the Decade” at MarketingEdge Excellence Awards

Published

on

Chivita Active Zest- Investors King

Chivita, Nigeria’s beloved fruit juice brand, emerged victorious as it clinched the highly sought-after title of “Outstanding Juice Brand of the Decade” at the esteemed MarketingEdge Brand and Advertising Excellence Awards.

The prestigious award ceremony, held recently, celebrated Chivita’s remarkable journey to becoming a beacon of excellence in the Nigerian fruit juice market over the past ten years.

The recognition underscores Chivita’s unwavering commitment to superior quality, innovation, strategic engagement, and unswerving dedication to consumer satisfaction.

The organizers of the MarketingEdge Brand and Advertising Excellence Award heaped praise on Chivita for its unparalleled contribution to the juice industry. In their words, this award is a testament to Chivita’s transformation into the gold standard for premium quality fruit juices in Nigeria.

“We also know that Chivita has been at the forefront of enlightening the public and promoting the benefit of daily fruit juice consumption for everyday wellness for over forty years, ensuring that everyone has a Chivita. This has not gone unnoticed,” they noted.

Mrs. Toyin Nnodi, the Marketing Director of CHI Limited, the parent company of Chivita, expressed her gratitude to the award organizers and the brand’s loyal consumers. She highlighted the relentless pursuit of innovation and the commitment to producing high-quality products as the driving force behind Chivita’s success.

“At CHI Limited, we have dedicated years of innovation and commitment to high-quality products with the ultimate goal of consumer preference and satisfaction. The ‘Outstanding Fruit Juice Brand of the Decade’ award to Chivita is proof that our efforts are appreciated by consumers,” she stated.

Chivita’s product lineup includes a wide range of fruit juices, juice nectars, and fruit-flavored drinks, such as Chivita 100%, Chi Exotic, Chivita Active, Chivita Ice Tea, Chivita Happy Hour, and Chivita Smart Malt. These offerings come in a variety of variants and different pack sizes and packaging formats, catering to the diverse desires of consumers for healthy and great-tasting juices.

As Chivita basks in the glory of this remarkable achievement, it continues to stand as a testament to the power of unwavering dedication to quality, innovation, and consumer satisfaction. The brand’s journey to becoming Nigeria’s outstanding juice brand of the decade is indeed a story of resilience, excellence, and an unyielding commitment to providing refreshing moments to every Nigerian, one Chivita at a time.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement




Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending