Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD), AbbVie Inc (ABBV): Which Company Needs a HCV Win?

AbbVie Inc (NYSE:ABBV) spun off from Abbott earlier this year and was born carrying over a dozen of the mother ship’s research-based pharmaceuticals. Based on the 2012 sales of those products, Humira now accounts for over 50% of AbbVie Inc (NYSE:ABBV)’s overall net sales. Niaspan and Tricor added up to over 10% of net sales and both of those drugs will fall off patent this year.

It seems likely that AbbVie will receive an HCV approval and go toe-to-toe with Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD). But take away the HCV drug plus the attempts at broadening Humira’s approved indications and the AbbVie pipeline looks very stark. A strong showing with the HCV drugs could help offset concerns about the company’s small number of development projects.

Foolish final thoughts

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK)’s interferon sales could still help the company stay afloat as it charts a new course without the patent-expired Singulair. But you should mostly count Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) out of the HCV game.

Gilead’s HCV victory is widely expected so a stumble would sting. But AbbVie desperately needs some more backup for Humira — and to show that it’s capable of churning out another blockbuster.

The article Which Company Needs a HCV Win? originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Brandy Betz.

Brandy Betz has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD). Brandy is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network — entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.

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