Don’t Blame AbbVie Inc (ABBV) for Humira’s Success

Pipeline to the rescue?
While I do believe the company has some intriguing molecules in the pipeline, most are still a few years away from the market. The company states that it plans to submit 15 major applications worldwide between 2013 and 2017. In January, CFO William Chase told investors that the company will focus on specialty segments (diseases with few medical options) that have less competition and higher margins.

Good news for sure, but the real question is whether Humira and AndroGel can hold up the fort in the meantime. Chase admitted that lost sales will merely be offset by growth in its two leading products and that the company expects to return to growth in 2015 when the pipeline bears marketable fruit.

The article Don’t Blame AbbVie for Humira’s Success originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Maxx Chatsko.

Fool contributor Maxx Chatsko has no position in any stocks mentioned. Check out his personal portfolio, his CAPS page, or follow him on Twitter @BlacknGoldFool to keep up with his writing on energy, bioprocessing, and emerging technologies.The Motley Fool recommends Johnson & Johnson. The Motley Fool owns shares of Johnson & Johnson.

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