A1. Legal Proceedings––Patent Litigation
We are involved in suits relating to our patents (or those of our collaboration/licensing partners to which we have licenses or co-promotion rights), including but not limited to, those discussed below. We face claims by generic drug manufacturers that patents covering our products (or those of our collaboration/licensing partners to which we have licenses or co-promotion rights and to which we may or may not be a party), processes or dosage forms are invalid and/or do not cover the product of the generic drug manufacturer. Also, counterclaims, as well as various independent actions, have been filed alleging that our assertions of, or attempts to enforce, patent rights with respect to certain products constitute unfair competition and/or violations of antitrust laws. In addition to the challenges to the U.S. patents that are discussed below, patent rights to certain of our products or those of our collaboration/licensing partners are being challenged in various other jurisdictions. Some of our collaboration or licensing partners face challenges to the validity of their patent rights in non-U.S. jurisdictions. For example, in April 2022, the U.K. High Court issued a judgment finding invalid a BMS patent related to Eliquis due to expire in 2026. In May 2023, the Court of Appeal dismissed BMS’s appeal and in October 2023, the Supreme Court refused BMS’s permission to appeal. Additional challenges are pending in other jurisdictions. Also, in July 2022, CureVac AG (CureVac) brought a patent infringement action against BioNTech and certain of its subsidiaries in the German Regional Court alleging that Comirnaty infringes certain German utility model patents and certain expired and unexpired European patents. Additional challenges involving Comirnaty patents may be filed against us and/or BioNTech in other jurisdictions in the future. Adverse decisions in these matters could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. We are also party to patent damages suits in various jurisdictions pursuant to which generic drug manufacturers, payors, governments or other parties are seeking damages from us for allegedly causing delay of generic entry.
We also are often involved in other proceedings, such as inter partes review, post-grant review, re-examination or opposition proceedings, before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the European Patent Office, or other foreign counterparts, as well as court proceedings relating to our intellectual property or the intellectual property rights of others, including challenges to such rights initiated by us. Also, if one of our patents (or one of our collaboration/licensing partner’s patents) is found to be invalid by such proceedings, generic or competitive products could be introduced into the market resulting in the erosion of sales of our existing products. For example, several of the patents in our pneumococcal vaccine portfolio have been challenged in inter partes review and post-grant review proceedings in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, as well as outside the U.S. The invalidation of any of the patents in our pneumococcal portfolio could potentially allow additional competitor vaccines, if approved, to enter the marketplace earlier than anticipated. In the event that any of the patents are found valid and infringed, a competitor’s vaccine, if approved, might be prohibited from entering the market or a competitor might be required to pay us a royalty.
We are also subject to patent litigation pursuant to which one or more third parties seek damages and/or injunctive relief to compensate for alleged infringement of its patents by our commercial or other activities. If one of our marketed products (or a product of our collaboration/licensing partners to which we have licenses or co-promotion rights) is found to infringe valid patent rights of a third party, such third party may be awarded significant damages or royalty payments, or we may be prevented from further sales of that product. Such damages may be enhanced as much as three-fold if we or one of our subsidiaries is found to have willfully infringed valid patent rights of a third party.
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Actions In Which We Are The Plaintiff
Xeljanz (tofacitinib)
Beginning in 2017, we brought patent-infringement actions against several generic manufacturers that filed separate abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) with the FDA seeking approval to market their generic versions of tofacitinib tablets in one or both of 5 mg and 10 mg dosage strengths, and in both immediate and extended release forms. To date, we have settled actions with several manufacturers on terms not material to us. The remaining action continues in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware as described below.
In October 2021, we brought a separate patent-infringement action against Sinotherapeutics Inc. (Sinotherapeutics) asserting the infringement and validity of our patent covering extended release formulations of tofacitinib that was challenged by Sinotherapeutics in its ANDA seeking approval to market a generic version of tofacitinib 11 mg extended release tablets. In November 2022, we filed an additional patent-infringement action against Sinotherapeutics relating to its challenge of our extended release formulation and method of treatment patents in its ANDA seeking approval to market a generic version of tofacitinib 22 mg extended release tablets.
Mektovi (binimetinib)
Beginning in August 2022, several generic companies notified us that they had filed ANDAs with the FDA seeking approval to market generic versions of Mektovi. The companies assert the invalidity and non-infringement of two method of use patents expiring in 2030, a method of use patent expiring in 2031, two method of use patents expiring in 2033, and a product by process patent expiring in 2033. Beginning in September 2022, we brought patent infringement actions against the generic filers in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, asserting the validity and infringement of all six patents.
In August 2022 we received notice from Teva Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Teva) that it had filed an ANDA seeking approval to market a generic version of Mektovi. Teva asserts the invalidity and non-infringement of two method of use patents expiring in 2033 and a product by process patent expiring in 2033. In June 2023, we brought a patent infringement action against Teva in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, asserting the validity and infringement of the three patents.
Vyndaqel-Vyndamax (tafamidis/tafamidis meglumine)
Beginning in June 2023, several generic companies notified us that they had filed ANDAs with the FDA seeking approval to market generic versions of tafamidis capsules (61 mg) or tafamidis meglumine capsules (20 mg), challenging some or all of the patents listed in the FDA’s Orange Book for Vyndamax (tafamidis) and Vyndaqel (tafamidis meglumine). Scripps Research Institute (Scripps) owns the composition of matter patent and the method of treatment patents covering the products, and Pfizer is the exclusive licensee. Pfizer separately owns the crystalline form patent. Beginning in August 2023, we and Scripps brought patent infringement actions against the generic filers in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, asserting the validity and infringement of the patents in suit. Pfizer is the sole plaintiff in actions that assert only the infringement and validity of the crystalline form patent.
Oxbryta (voxelotor)
In January 2024, Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc., Zydus Lifesciences Limited, and Zydus Worldwide DMCC (collectively, Zydus) and MSN Pharmaceuticals Inc. and MSN Laboratories Private Ltd. (collectively, MSN) separately notified us that they had filed ANDAs with the FDA seeking approval to market generic versions of voxelotor tablets, challenging some of the patents listed in the FDA’s Orange Book for Oxbryta (voxelotor tablets in 300 mg and 500 mg strengths and/or for oral suspension) on non-infringement grounds. In March 2024, we filed patent infringement actions against both generic filers in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, asserting the validity and infringement of the challenged patents. Zydus and MSN have not challenged our composition of matter patents or method of treatment patents for Oxbryta.
Actions in Which We are the Defendant
Comirnaty
In March 2022, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Alnylam) filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against Pfizer and Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC, our wholly owned subsidiary, alleging that Comirnaty infringes a U.S. patent issued in February 2022, and seeking unspecified monetary damages. In July 2022, Alnylam filed a second complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against Pfizer, Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC, BioNTech and BioNTech Manufacturing GmbH, alleging that Comirnaty infringes a U.S. patent issued in July 2022, and seeking unspecified monetary damages. In May 2023, Alnylam filed a separate complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against Pfizer and Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC alleging that Comirnaty infringes four additional U.S. patents issued on various dates in 2023 and seeking unspecified monetary damages.
In August 2022, ModernaTX, Inc. (ModernaTX) and Moderna US, Inc. (Moderna) sued Pfizer, BioNTech, BioNTech Manufacturing GmbH and BioNTech US Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, alleging that
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Comirnaty infringes three U.S. patents. In its complaint, Moderna stated that it is seeking damages for alleged infringement occurring after March 7, 2022. In March 2024, the U.S. Patent Office Patent Trial & Appeal Board instituted a review of two of the three patents in suit.
In August 2022, ModernaTX filed a patent infringement action in Germany against Pfizer and certain subsidiary companies, as well as BioNTech and certain subsidiary companies, alleging that Comirnaty infringes two European patents. The German infringement action was stayed in December 2023 pending further action from the European Patent Office on the patents at issue. In September 2022, ModernaTX filed patent infringement actions in the U.K. and in the Netherlands against Pfizer and certain subsidiary companies, as well as BioNTech and certain subsidiary companies, on the same two European patents. In its complaints, ModernaTX stated that it is seeking damages for alleged infringement occurring after March 7, 2022. In the U.K., Pfizer and BioNTech brought an action against ModernaTX seeking to revoke these two European patents, which was consolidated with the September 2022 action filed by ModernaTX. In November 2023, one of the European patents was revoked by the European Patent Office. In December 2023, the other European patent was declared invalid by a court in the Netherlands (the invalidity decision is limited to the Netherlands). ModernaTX has also filed additional patent infringement actions against Pfizer and BioNTech in certain other ex-U.S. jurisdictions.
In April 2023, Arbutus Biopharma Corporation (Arbutus) and Genevant Sciences GmbH (Genevant) filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey against Pfizer and BioNTech alleging that Comirnaty and its manufacture infringe five U.S. patents, and seeking unspecified monetary damages.
In April 2024, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA and GlaxoSmithKline LLC sued Pfizer and Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC, BioNTech, BioNTech Manufacturing GmbH and BioNTech US Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, alleging that Comirnaty infringes five U.S. patents and seeking unspecified money damages.
Paxlovid
In June 2022, Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against Pfizer alleging that the active ingredient in Paxlovid, nirmatrelvir, infringes a U.S. patent issued in June 2022, and seeking unspecified monetary damages.
Abrysvo
In August 2023, GlaxoSmithKline Biologics SA and GlaxoSmithKline LLC (collectively, GSK Group) filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against Pfizer alleging that the active ingredient in Abrysvo infringes four U.S. patents. The complaint seeks unspecified monetary damages and a permanent injunction against sales of Abrysvo for use in adults over 60 years of age. In November 2023, GSK Group amended its complaint to assert infringement of two additional patents. In addition, we have challenged certain of GSK’s RSV vaccine patents in certain ex-U.S. jurisdictions, including the U.K., the Netherlands and Belgium, and GSK has asserted that Abrysvo infringes these patents.
Matters Involving Pfizer and its Collaboration/Licensing Partners
Comirnaty
In July 2022, Pfizer, BioNTech and BioNTech Manufacturing GmbH filed a declaratory judgment complaint against CureVac in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts seeking a judgment of non-infringement for three U.S. patents relating to Comirnaty. In May 2023, the case was transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Also in May 2023, CureVac asserted that Comirnaty infringes the three patents that were the subject of our declaratory judgment complaint, and in May and July 2023, CureVac asserted that Comirnaty infringes a number of additional U.S. patents.
In the U.K., Pfizer and BioNTech have sued CureVac seeking a judgment of invalidity of several patents and CureVac has made certain infringement counterclaims.
A2. Legal Proceedings––Product Litigation
We are defendants in numerous cases, including but not limited to those discussed below, related to our pharmaceutical and other products. Plaintiffs in these cases seek damages and other relief on various grounds for alleged personal injury and economic loss.
Asbestos
Between 1967 and 1982, Warner-Lambert owned American Optical Corporation (American Optical), which manufactured and sold respiratory protective devices and asbestos safety clothing. In connection with the sale of American Optical in 1982, Warner-Lambert agreed to indemnify the purchaser for certain liabilities, including certain asbestos-related and other claims. Warner-Lambert was acquired by Pfizer in 2000 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pfizer. Warner-Lambert is actively engaged in the defense of, and will continue to explore various means of resolving, these claims.
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Numerous lawsuits against American Optical, Pfizer and certain of its previously owned subsidiaries are pending in various federal and state courts seeking damages for alleged personal injury from exposure to products allegedly containing asbestos and other allegedly hazardous materials sold by Pfizer and certain of its previously owned subsidiaries.
There also are a small number of lawsuits pending in various federal and state courts seeking damages for alleged exposure to asbestos in facilities owned or formerly owned by Pfizer or its subsidiaries.
Effexor
Beginning in 2011, actions, including purported class actions, were filed in various federal courts against Wyeth and, in certain of the actions, affiliates of Wyeth and certain other defendants relating to Effexor XR, which is the extended-release formulation of Effexor. The plaintiffs in each of the class actions seek to represent a class consisting of all persons in the U.S. and its territories who directly purchased, indirectly purchased or reimbursed patients for the purchase of Effexor XR or generic Effexor XR from any of the defendants from June 14, 2008 until the time the defendants’ allegedly unlawful conduct ceased. The plaintiffs in all of the actions allege delay in the launch of generic Effexor XR in the U.S. and its territories, in violation of federal antitrust laws and, in certain of the actions, the antitrust, consumer protection and various other laws of certain states, as the result of Wyeth fraudulently obtaining and improperly listing certain patents for Effexor XR in the Orange Book, enforcing certain patents for Effexor XR and entering into a litigation settlement agreement with a generic drug manufacturer with respect to Effexor XR. Each of the plaintiffs seeks treble damages (for itself in the individual actions or on behalf of the putative class in the purported class actions) for alleged price overcharges for Effexor XR or generic Effexor XR in the U.S. and its territories since June 14, 2008. All of these actions have been consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
In 2014, the District Court dismissed the direct purchaser plaintiffs’ claims based on the litigation settlement agreement, but declined to dismiss the other direct purchaser plaintiff claims. In 2015, the District Court entered partial final judgments as to all settlement agreement claims, including those asserted by direct purchasers and end-payor plaintiffs, which plaintiffs appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. In 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit reversed the District Court’s decisions and remanded the claims to the District Court. In April 2024, the parties reached agreements to settle the litigation. Certain of the settlements are subject to court approval.
Lipitor
Beginning in 2011, purported class actions relating to Lipitor were filed in various federal courts against, among others, Pfizer, certain Pfizer affiliates, and, in most of the actions, Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited (Ranbaxy) and certain Ranbaxy affiliates. The plaintiffs in these various actions seek to represent nationwide, multi-state or statewide classes consisting of persons or entities who directly purchased, indirectly purchased or reimbursed patients for the purchase of Lipitor (or, in certain of the actions, generic Lipitor) from any of the defendants from March 2010 until the cessation of the defendants’ allegedly unlawful conduct (the Class Period). The plaintiffs allege delay in the launch of generic Lipitor, in violation of federal antitrust laws and/or state antitrust, consumer protection and various other laws, resulting from (i) the 2008 agreement pursuant to which Pfizer and Ranbaxy settled certain patent litigation involving Lipitor and Pfizer granted Ranbaxy a license to sell a generic version of Lipitor in various markets beginning on varying dates, and (ii) in certain of the actions, the procurement and/or enforcement of certain patents for Lipitor. Each of the actions seeks, among other things, treble damages on behalf of the putative class for alleged price overcharges for Lipitor (or, in certain of the actions, generic Lipitor) during the Class Period. In addition, individual actions have been filed against Pfizer, Ranbaxy and certain of their affiliates, among others, that assert claims and seek relief for the plaintiffs that are substantially similar to the claims asserted and the relief sought in the purported class actions described above. These various actions have been consolidated for pre-trial proceedings in a MDL in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
In September 2013 and 2014, the District Court dismissed with prejudice the claims of the direct purchasers. In October and November 2014, the District Court dismissed with prejudice the claims of all other MDL plaintiffs. All plaintiffs appealed the District Court’s orders dismissing their claims with prejudice to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. In addition, the direct purchaser class plaintiffs appealed the order denying their motion to amend the judgment and for leave to amend their complaint to the Court of Appeals. In 2017, the Court of Appeals reversed the District Court’s decisions and remanded the claims to the District Court. In April 2024, the parties reached agreements to settle the litigation. Certain of the settlements are subject to court approval.
Also, in 2013, the State of West Virginia filed an action in West Virginia state court against Pfizer and Ranbaxy, among others, that asserts claims and seeks relief on behalf of the State of West Virginia and residents of that state that are substantially similar to the claims asserted and the relief sought in the purported class actions described above.
EpiPen (Direct Purchaser)
In February 2020, a lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas against Pfizer, its current and former affiliates King and Meridian, and various Mylan entities, on behalf of a purported U.S. nationwide class of direct purchaser
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plaintiffs who purchased EpiPen devices directly from the defendants. Plaintiffs in this action generally allege that Pfizer and Mylan conspired to delay market entry of generic EpiPen through the settlement of patent litigation regarding EpiPen, and thereby delayed market entry of generic EpiPen in violation of federal antitrust law. Plaintiffs seek treble damages for alleged overcharges for EpiPen since 2011. In July 2021, the District Court granted defendants’ motion to dismiss the direct purchaser complaint, without prejudice. In September 2021, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint. In August 2022, the District Court granted Pfizer’s motion to dismiss the complaint, and plaintiffs appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. In October 2023, the parties reached an agreement to settle the litigation on terms not material to Pfizer. The settlement is subject to court approval.
Docetaxel
•Personal Injury Actions
A number of lawsuits have been filed against Hospira and Pfizer in various federal and state courts alleging that plaintiffs who were treated with Docetaxel developed permanent hair loss. The significant majority of the cases also name other defendants, including the manufacturer of the branded product, Taxotere. Plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages. Additional lawsuits have been filed in which plaintiffs allege they developed blocked tear ducts following their treatment with Docetaxel.
In 2016, the federal cases were transferred for coordinated pre-trial proceedings to a MDL in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. In 2022, the eye injury cases were transferred for coordinated pre-trial proceedings to a MDL in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
•Mississippi Attorney General Government Action
In 2018, the Attorney General of Mississippi filed a complaint in Mississippi state court against the manufacturer of the branded product and eight other manufacturers including Pfizer and Hospira, alleging, with respect to Pfizer and Hospira, a failure to warn about a risk of permanent hair loss in violation of the Mississippi Consumer Protection Act. The action seeks civil penalties and injunctive relief.
Zantac
A number of lawsuits have been filed against Pfizer in various federal and state courts alleging that plaintiffs developed various types of cancer, or face an increased risk of developing cancer, purportedly as a result of the ingestion of Zantac. The significant majority of these cases also name other defendants that have historically manufactured and/or sold Zantac. Pfizer has not sold Zantac since 2006, and only sold an OTC version of the product. In 2006, Pfizer sold the consumer business that included its Zantac OTC rights to Johnson & Johnson and transferred the assets and liabilities related to Zantac OTC to Johnson & Johnson in connection with the sale. Plaintiffs in these cases seek compensatory and punitive damages.
In February 2020, the federal actions were transferred for coordinated pre-trial proceedings to a MDL in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida (the Federal MDL Court). Plaintiffs in the MDL filed against Pfizer and many other defendants a master personal injury complaint, a consolidated consumer class action complaint alleging, among other things, claims under consumer protection statutes of all 50 states, and a medical monitoring complaint seeking to certify medical monitoring classes under the laws of 13 states. In December 2022, the Federal MDL Court granted defendants’ Daubert motions to exclude plaintiffs’ expert testimony and motion for summary judgment on general causation, which has resulted in the dismissal of all complaints in the litigation. Plaintiffs have appealed the Federal MDL Court’s rulings.
In addition, (i) Pfizer has received service of Canadian class action complaints naming Pfizer and other defendants, and seeking compensatory and punitive damages for personal injury and economic loss, allegedly arising from the defendants’ sale of Zantac in Canada; and (ii) the State of New Mexico and the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore separately filed civil actions against Pfizer and many other defendants in state courts, alleging various state statutory and common law claims in connection with the defendants’ alleged sale of Zantac in those jurisdictions. In April 2021, a Judicial Council Coordinated Proceeding was created in the Superior Court of California in Alameda County to coordinate personal injury actions against Pfizer and other defendants filed in California state court. Coordinated proceedings have also been created in other state courts. The large majority of the state court cases have been filed in the Superior Court of Delaware in New Castle County.
Many of these Zantac-related cases have been outstanding for a number of years and could take many more years to resolve. From time to time, Pfizer has explored and will continue to explore opportunistic settlements of these matters, and has settled certain cases.
Chantix
Beginning in August 2021, a number of putative class actions have been filed against Pfizer in various U.S. federal courts following Pfizer’s voluntary recall of Chantix due to the presence of a nitrosamine, N-nitroso-varenicline. Plaintiffs assert that they suffered economic harm purportedly as a result of purchasing Chantix or generic varenicline medicines sold by Pfizer. Plaintiffs seek to represent nationwide and state-specific classes and seek various remedies, including damages and medical
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monitoring. In December 2022, the federal actions were transferred for coordinated pre-trial proceedings to a MDL in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Similar putative class actions have been filed in Canada and Israel, where the product brand is Champix.
A3. Legal Proceedings––Commercial and Other Matters
Monsanto-Related Matters
In 1997, Monsanto Company (Former Monsanto) contributed certain chemical manufacturing operations and facilities to a newly formed corporation, Solutia Inc. (Solutia), and spun off the shares of Solutia. In 2000, Former Monsanto merged with Pharmacia & Upjohn Company to form Pharmacia. Pharmacia then transferred its agricultural operations to a newly created subsidiary, named Monsanto Company (New Monsanto), which it spun off in a two-stage process that was completed in 2002. Pharmacia was acquired by Pfizer in 2003 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pfizer.
In connection with its spin-off that was completed in 2002, New Monsanto assumed, and agreed to indemnify Pharmacia for, any liabilities related to Pharmacia’s former agricultural business. New Monsanto has defended and/or is defending Pharmacia in connection with various claims and litigation arising out of, or related to, the agricultural business, and has been indemnifying Pharmacia when liability has been imposed or settlement has been reached regarding such claims and litigation.
In connection with its spin-off in 1997, Solutia assumed, and agreed to indemnify Pharmacia for, liabilities related to Former Monsanto’s chemical businesses. As the result of its reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, Solutia’s indemnification obligations relating to Former Monsanto’s chemical businesses are primarily limited to sites that Solutia has owned or operated. In addition, in connection with its spin-off that was completed in 2002, New Monsanto assumed, and agreed to indemnify Pharmacia for, any liabilities primarily related to Former Monsanto’s chemical businesses, including, but not limited to, any such liabilities that Solutia assumed. Solutia’s and New Monsanto’s assumption of, and agreement to indemnify Pharmacia for, these liabilities apply to pending actions and any future actions related to Former Monsanto’s chemical businesses in which Pharmacia is named as a defendant, including, without limitation, actions asserting environmental claims, including alleged exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls. Solutia and/or New Monsanto are defending Pharmacia in connection with various claims and litigation arising out of, or related to, Former Monsanto’s chemical businesses, and have been indemnifying Pharmacia when liability has been imposed or settlement has been reached regarding such claims and litigation.
Environmental Matters
In 2009, as part of our acquisition of Wyeth, we assumed responsibility for environmental remediation at the Wyeth Holdings LLC (formerly known as Wyeth Holdings Corporation and American Cyanamid Company) discontinued industrial chemical facility in Bound Brook, New Jersey. Since that time, we have executed or have become a party to a number of administrative settlement agreements, orders on consent, and/or judicial consent decrees, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and/or federal and state natural resource trustees to perform remedial design, removal and remedial actions, and related environmental remediation activities, and to resolve alleged damages to natural resources, at the Bound Brook facility. We have accrued for the currently estimated costs of these activities.
We are also party to a number of other proceedings brought under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, and other state, local or foreign laws in which the primary relief sought is the cost of past and/or future remediation.
Contracts with Iraqi Ministry of Health
In 2017, a number of U.S. service members, civilians, and their families brought a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against a number of pharmaceutical and medical devices companies, including Pfizer and certain of its subsidiaries, alleging that the defendants violated the U.S. Anti-Terrorism Act. The complaint alleges that the defendants provided funding for terrorist organizations through their sales practices pursuant to pharmaceutical and medical device contracts with the Iraqi Ministry of Health and seeks monetary relief. In July 2020, the District Court granted defendants’ motions to dismiss and dismissed all of plaintiffs’ claims. In January 2022, the Court of Appeals reversed the District Court’s decision. In February 2022, the defendants filed for en banc review of the Court of Appeals’ decision. In February 2023, the Court of Appeals denied defendants’ en banc petitions.
Allergan Complaint for Indemnity
In 2019, Pfizer was named as a defendant in a complaint, along with King, filed by Allergan Finance LLC (Allergan) in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, asserting claims for indemnity related to Kadian, which was owned for a short period by King in 2008, prior to Pfizer's acquisition of King in 2010. This suit was voluntarily discontinued without prejudice in January 2021.
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Viatris Securities Litigation
In October 2021, a putative class action was filed in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania on behalf of former Mylan N.V. shareholders who received Viatris common stock in exchange for Mylan shares in connection with the spin-off of the Upjohn Business and its combination with Mylan (the Transactions). Viatris, Pfizer, and certain of each company’s current and former officers, directors and employees are named as defendants. An amended complaint was filed in January 2023, and alleges that the defendants violated certain provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with certain disclosures made in or omitted from the registration statement and related prospectus issued in connection with the Transactions, as well as related communications. Plaintiff seeks damages, costs and expenses and other equitable and injunctive relief. In November 2023, the parties reached an agreement to settle the litigation on terms not material to Pfizer. The settlement is subject to court approval.
Breach of Contract – Comirnaty
In 2023, Pfizer and BioNTech Manufacturing GmbH initiated separate formal proceedings against the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Romania and Hungary in Belgium’s Court of First Instance of Brussels. Pfizer and BioNTech are seeking an order from the Court holding those countries to their commitments for COVID-19 vaccine orders, which were placed as part of their contracts signed in 2021.
A4. Legal Proceedings––Government Investigations
Like other multi-national pharmaceutical companies, we are subject to extensive regulation by government agencies in the U.S., other developed markets and multiple emerging markets in which we operate. Criminal charges, substantial fines and/or civil penalties, limitations on our ability to conduct business in applicable jurisdictions, corporate integrity or deferred prosecution agreements, as well as reputational harm and increased public interest in the matter could result from government investigations in the U.S. and other jurisdictions in which we do business. These matters often involve government requests for information on a voluntary basis or through subpoenas after which the government may seek additional information through follow-up requests or additional subpoenas. In addition, in a qui tam lawsuit in which the government declines to intervene, the relator may still pursue a suit for the recovery of civil damages and penalties on behalf of the government. Among the investigations by government agencies are the matters discussed below.
Greenstone Antitrust Litigation
In May 2019, Attorneys General of more than 50 states and territories filed a complaint in the District of Connecticut against a number of pharmaceutical companies, including Greenstone and Pfizer. Greenstone is a former Pfizer subsidiary that sold generic drugs. The matter was transferred for coordinated pre-trial proceedings to a MDL in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. As to Greenstone and Pfizer, the complaint alleges anticompetitive conduct in violation of federal and state antitrust laws and state consumer protection laws. In June 2020, the State Attorneys General filed a new complaint against a number of companies, including Greenstone and Pfizer, making similar allegations, concerning different drugs. This complaint was transferred to the MDL in July 2020. The MDL also includes civil complaints filed by private plaintiffs and state counties against Pfizer, Greenstone and a number of other defendants asserting allegations that generally overlap with those asserted by the State Attorneys General. In April 2024, the two cases naming Greenstone and Pfizer filed by the State Attorneys General were remanded to the District of Connecticut.
Subpoena relating to Tris Pharma/Quillivant XR
In October 2018, we received a subpoena from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) seeking records relating to our relationship with another drug manufacturer and its production and manufacturing of drugs including, but not limited to, Quillivant XR. We have produced records in response to this request.
Government Inquiries relating to Meridian Medical Technologies
In February 2019, we received a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the SDNY. The CID seeks records and information related to alleged quality issues involving the manufacture of auto-injectors at the Meridian site. In August 2019, we received a HIPAA subpoena issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, in coordination with the Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch, seeking similar records and information. We have produced records in response to these and subsequent requests.
Docetaxel––Mississippi Attorney General Government Investigation
See Legal Proceedings––Product Litigation––Docetaxel––Mississippi Attorney General Government Action above for information regarding a government investigation related to Docetaxel marketing practices.
U.S. Department of Justice Inquiries relating to India Operations
In March 2020, we received an informal request from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch seeking documents relating to our manufacturing operations in India, including at our former facility located at Irrungattukottai in India.
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In April 2020, we received a similar request from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the SDNY regarding a civil investigation concerning operations at our facilities in India. We are producing records pursuant to these requests.
U.S. Department of Justice/SEC Inquiry relating to China Operations
In June 2020, we received an informal request from the U.S. Department of Justice’s FCPA Unit seeking documents relating to our operations in China. In August 2020, we received a similar request from the SEC’s FCPA Unit. We have produced records pursuant to these requests.
Zantac––State of New Mexico and Mayor and City Council of Baltimore Civil Actions
See Legal Proceedings––Product Litigation––Zantac above for information regarding civil actions separately filed by the State of New Mexico and the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore alleging various state statutory and common law claims in connection with the defendants’ alleged sale of Zantac in those jurisdictions.
Government Inquiries relating to Biohaven
In June 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Commercial Litigation Branch and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York issued a CID relating to Biohaven. The CID seeks records and information related to, among other things, engagements with healthcare professionals and co-pay coupons cards. In March 2023, the California Department of Insurance issued a subpoena seeking records similar to those requested by the CID. Biohaven is a wholly-owned subsidiary that we acquired in October 2022. We are producing records in response to these requests.
U.S. Department of Justice Inquiry relating to Mexico Operations
In March 2023, we received an informal request from the U.S. Department of Justice’s FCPA Unit seeking documents relating to our operations in Mexico. We are producing records pursuant to this request.
Government Inquiries relating to Xeljanz
In April 2023, we received a HIPAA subpoena issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia, in coordination with the Department of Justice’s Commercial Litigation Branch, seeking records and information related to programs Pfizer sponsored in retail pharmacies relating to Xeljanz. We are producing records pursuant to this request.
B. Guarantees and Indemnifications
In the ordinary course of business and in connection with the sale of assets and businesses and other transactions, we often indemnify our counterparties against certain liabilities that may arise in connection with the transaction or that are related to events and activities prior to or following a transaction. If the indemnified party were to make a successful claim pursuant to the terms of the indemnification, we may be required to reimburse the loss. These indemnifications are generally subject to various restrictions and limitations. Historically, we have not paid significant amounts under these provisions and, as of March 31, 2024, the estimated fair value of these indemnification obligations is not material to Pfizer.
In addition, in connection with our entry into certain agreements and other transactions, our counterparties may be obligated to indemnify us. For example, our global agreement with BioNTech to co-develop a mRNA-based coronavirus vaccine program aimed at preventing COVID-19 infection includes certain indemnity provisions pursuant to which each of BioNTech and Pfizer has agreed to indemnify the other for certain liabilities that may arise in connection with certain third-party claims relating to Comirnaty.
See Note 7D in our 2023 Form 10-K for information on Pfizer Inc.’s guarantee of the debt issued by Pfizer Investment Enterprises Pte. Ltd. (a wholly-owned finance subsidiary of Pfizer) in May 2023. We have also guaranteed the long-term debt of certain companies that we acquired and that now are subsidiaries of Pfizer.
C. Contingent Consideration for Acquisitions
We may be required to make payments to sellers for certain prior business combinations that are contingent upon future events or outcomes. See Note 1D in our 2023 Form 10-K.
Note 13. Segment, Geographic and Other Revenue Information
A. Segment Information
We manage our commercial operations through two operating segments, each led by a single manager: Biopharma and Business Innovation. Biopharma is engaged in the discovery, development, manufacture, marketing, sale and distribution of biopharmaceutical products worldwide. Business Innovation includes PC1, our contract development and manufacturing organization and a leading supplier of specialty active pharmaceutical ingredients, and Pfizer Ignite, an offering that provides strategic guidance and end-to-end R&D services to select innovative biotech companies that align with Pfizer’s R&D focus areas. Biopharma is the only reportable segment. Our commercial divisions market, distribute and sell our products and global
PFIZER INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
operating functions are responsible for the research, development, manufacturing and supply of our products. Each operating segment is supported by our global corporate enabling functions. Our chief operating decision maker uses the revenues and earnings of the operating segments, among other factors, for performance evaluation and resource allocation. We regularly review our segments and the approach used by management to evaluate performance and allocate resources.
At the beginning of 2024, we made changes in our commercial organization to incorporate Seagen and improve focus, speed and execution. Specifically, within our Biopharma reportable segment we created the Pfizer Oncology Division, the Pfizer U.S. Commercial Division, and the Pfizer International Commercial Division:
•Pfizer Oncology Division combines the U.S. Oncology commercial organizations, global Oncology marketing organizations and global and U.S. Oncology medical affairs from both Pfizer and Seagen.
•Pfizer U.S. Commercial Division includes the U.S. Primary Care and U.S. Specialty Care customer groups, the Chief Marketing Office, the Global Chief Medical Affairs Office and Global Access & Value.
•Pfizer International Commercial Division includes the ex-U.S. commercial and medical affairs organizations covering Pfizer’s entire product portfolio in all international markets.
Beginning January 1, 2024, Biopharma’s earnings include costs related to R&D, medical and safety, manufacturing and supply, and sales and marketing activities that are associated with products in our Biopharma segment. Prior to 2024, costs associated with R&D and medical and safety activities managed by our global ORD and PRD organizations and overhead costs associated with our manufacturing operations were presented as part of Other business activities. We have reclassified our prior period segment information to conform to the current period presentation.
Other Business Activities and Reconciling Items––Other business activities include the operating results of Business Innovation as well as certain pre-tax costs not allocated to our operating segment results, such as costs associated with corporate enabling functions and other corporate costs as well as our share of earnings from Haleon. Reconciling items include the following items, transactions and events that are not allocated to our operating segments: (i) all amortization of intangible assets; (ii) acquisition-related items; and (iii) certain significant items, representing substantive and/or unusual, and in some cases recurring, items that are evaluated on an individual basis by management and that, either as a result of their nature or size, would not be expected to occur as part of our normal business on a regular basis.
Segment Assets––We manage our assets on a total company basis, not by operating segment, as our operating assets are shared or commingled. Therefore, our chief operating decision maker does not regularly review any asset information by operating segment and, accordingly, we do not report asset information by operating segment. Total assets were $221 billion as of March 31, 2024 and $227 billion as of December 31, 2023.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
GENERAL
The following MD&A is intended to assist the reader in understanding our financial condition and results of operations, including an evaluation of the amounts and certainty of cash flows from operations and from outside sources, and is provided as a supplement to and should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes in Item 1. Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q. References to operational variances pertain to period-over-period changes that exclude the impact of foreign exchange rates. Although foreign exchange rate changes are part of our business, they are not within our control and because they can mask positive or negative trends in the business, we believe presenting operational variances excluding these foreign exchange changes provides useful information to evaluate our results.
In the first quarter of 2024, we reclassified royalty income (substantially all of which is related to our Biopharma segment) from Other (income)/deductions––net and began presenting Royalty revenues as a separate line item within Total revenues in our consolidated statements of income. Prior-period amounts have been recast to conform to the current presentation.
OVERVIEW OF OUR PERFORMANCE, OPERATING ENVIRONMENT, STRATEGY AND OUTLOOK
Our Business and Strategy––Pfizer Inc. is a research-based, global biopharmaceutical company. We apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. Our 2024 key priorities are:
•Achieve world-class oncology leadership
•Deliver next wave of pipeline innovation
•Maximize performance of our new products
•Expand margins by realigning our cost base
•Allocate capital to enhance shareholder value
One way we believe we will be more efficient, effective and able to execute on these five strategic priorities is through technology, including artificial intelligence (AI).
We manage our commercial operations through a global structure consisting of two operating segments: Biopharma and Business Innovation. Biopharma is the only reportable segment. See Note 13A. For additional information about our business, strategy and operating environment, see the Item 1. Business section and Overview of Our Performance, Operating Environment, Strategy and Outlook section within MD&A of our 2023 Form 10-K.
Our Business Development Initiatives––We are committed to strategically capitalizing on growth opportunities, primarily by advancing our own product pipeline and maximizing the value of our existing products, but also through various business development activities. For a description of the more significant recent transactions through February 22, 2024, the filing date of our 2023 Form 10-K, see Note 2 in our 2023 Form 10-K. See Note 2 for significant recent activities. Our First Quarter 2024 Performance
Total Revenues––Total revenues decreased $3.6 billion, or 20%, in the first quarter of 2024 to $14.9 billion from $18.5 billion in the first quarter of 2023, reflecting an operational decrease of $3.5 billion, or 19%, as well as an unfavorable impact of foreign exchange of $107 million, or 1%. The operational decrease was primarily driven by declines in Comirnaty and Paxlovid. Excluding contributions from Comirnaty and Paxlovid, Total revenues increased $1.2 billion, or 11%, operationally, reflecting revenues from legacy Seagen products acquired in December 2023; continued growth from the Vyndaqel family and Eliquis; as well as U.S. revenues from Abrysvo following the launch of the older adult indication, partially offset by lower revenues from Sulperazon in China and oncology biosimilars in the U.S.
See the Total Revenues by Geography and Total Revenues––Selected Product Discussion sections for more information, including a discussion of key drivers of our revenue performance. Certain of our vaccines, including Comirnaty, are subject to seasonality of demand, with a greater portion of revenues anticipated in the fall and winter seasons. See also The Global Economic Environment––COVID-19 section below for information about our COVID-19 products. For information regarding the primary indications or class of certain products, see Note 13C.
Income from Continuing Operations Before Provision/(Benefit) for Taxes on Income––Income from continuing operations before provision/(benefit) for taxes on income in the first quarter of 2024 was $3.4 billion, compared to income of $6.3 billion in the same period in 2023, primarily due to (i) lower revenues, (ii) higher net interest expense, (iii) lower dividend income and (iv) an increase in Amortization of intangible assets, partially offset by (v) a decrease in Cost of sales and (vi) net gains on equity securities in 2024 versus net losses on equity securities in 2023.
Our Operating Environment––We, like other businesses in our industry, are subject to certain industry-specific challenges. These include, among others, the topics listed below, as well as in the Item 1. Business––Government Regulation and Price Constraints and Item 1A. Risk Factors sections, and the Overview of Our Performance, Operating Environment, Strategy and Outlook––Our Operating Environment section of the MD&A of our 2023 Form 10-K.
Intellectual Property Rights and Collaboration/Licensing Rights––The loss, expiration or invalidation of intellectual property rights, patent litigation settlements and judgments, and the expiration of co-promotion and licensing rights can have a material adverse effect on our revenues. Certain of our products have experienced patent-based expirations or loss of regulatory exclusivity in certain markets in the last few years, and we expect certain products to face increased generic competition over the next few years. While additional patent expiries will continue, we expect a moderate impact of reduced revenues due to patent expiries from 2024 through 2025. We anticipate a more significant impact of reduced revenues from patent expiries in 2026 through 2030 as several of our in-line products experience patent-based expirations. We continue to vigorously defend our patent rights against infringement, and we will continue to support efforts that strengthen worldwide recognition of patent rights while taking necessary steps to help ensure appropriate patient access.
For additional information on patent rights we consider most significant to our business as a whole, see the Item 1. Business––Patents and Other Intellectual Property Rights section of our 2023 Form 10-K. For a discussion of recent developments with respect to patent litigation, see Note 12A1. Regulatory Environment/Pricing and Access––Government and Other Payor Group Pressures––Governments globally, as well as private third-party payors in the U.S., may use a variety of measures to control costs, including, among others, legislative or regulatory pricing reforms, drug formularies (including tiering and utilization management tools), cross country collaboration and procurement, price cuts, mandatory rebates, health technology assessments, forced localization as a condition of market access, “international reference pricing” (i.e., the practice of a country linking its regulated medicine prices to those of other countries), quality consistency evaluation processes and volume-based procurement. We anticipate that these and similar initiatives will continue to increase pricing and access pressures globally. In the U.S., we expect to see continued focus by Congress and the Biden Administration on regulating pricing. The drug pricing provisions of the IRA, which was signed into law in August 2022, began to be implemented in 2022 and implementation efforts will continue over the next several years. In August 2023, the Biden Administration unveiled the first ten medicines subject to the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program (the Program), which requires manufacturers of select drugs to engage in a process with the federal government to set new Medicare prices which would go into effect in 2026. Among the first ten medicines subject to the Program included Eliquis. We continue to evaluate the impact of the IRA on our business, operations and financial condition and results as the full effect of the IRA on our business and the pharmaceutical industry remains uncertain. In addition, changes to the Medicaid Drug Rebate program or the 340B Drug Pricing Program (the 340B Program), including legal or legislative developments at the federal or state level with respect to the 340B Program, could have a material impact on our business. See the Item 1. Business––Pricing Pressures and Managed Care Organizations and ––Government Regulation and Price Constraints and the Item 1A. Risk Factors––Pricing and Reimbursement sections, and the Overview of Our Performance, Operating Environment, Strategy and Outlook––Our Operating Environment section of the MD&A of our 2023 Form 10-K.
Impact of the July 2023 Tornado in Rocky Mount, North Carolina (NC)––Our manufacturing facility in Rocky Mount, NC was damaged by a tornado in July 2023. The facility is a key producer of sterile injectables and is responsible for manufacturing nearly 25 percent of all our sterile injectables—including anesthesia, analgesia, and micronutrients—which is nearly eight percent of all the sterile injectables used in U.S. hospitals. While manufacturing has resumed, the supply of medicines impacted by the tornado is expected to be affected through 2024.
We incurred losses in 2023 that were partially offset by insurance recoveries received. We may record additional losses and/or costs and/or insurance recoveries in future periods, but we are unable to predict them with certainty at this time.
Product Supply––We periodically encounter supply delays, disruptions and shortages, including due to voluntary product recalls and natural or man-made disasters. In 2021, Pfizer recalled all lots of Chantix in the U.S. due to the presence of a nitrosamine, N-nitroso-varenicline, at or above the FDA interim acceptable intake limit. Regulatory authorities outside the U.S. have issued updated guidance on nitrosamine acceptable intake levels. With this guidance, which included an updated intake level for N-nitroso-varenicline, we expect to make regulatory submissions in 2024 to potentially enable Chantix to return to market in the U.S. and in certain international markets.
Except for the impact of the tornado in Rocky Mount, NC discussed above, we have not seen a significant disruption of our supply chain in the first three months of 2024 and through the date of filing of this Form 10-Q, and all of our manufacturing sites globally have continued to operate at or near normal levels. We continue to monitor industry demand for certain components and raw materials and implement mitigation strategies in an effort to reduce any potential risk or impact to product supply, including active supplier management, qualification of additional suppliers and advanced purchasing to the extent possible. For information on risks related to product manufacturing, see the Item 1A. Risk Factors––Product Manufacturing, Sales and Marketing Risks section of our 2023 Form 10-K.
The Global Economic Environment––In addition to the industry-specific factors discussed above, we, like other businesses of our size and global extent of activities, are exposed to economic cycles. See the Overview of Our Performance, Operating Environment, Strategy and Outlook––The Global Economic Environment section of the MD&A of our 2023 Form 10-K.
COVID-19––In response to COVID-19, we developed Paxlovid and collaborated with BioNTech to jointly develop Comirnaty, including an Omicron XBB.1.5-adapted monovalent vaccine. As part of our strategy for COVID-19, we are continuing to make significant investments in breakthrough science and global manufacturing. This includes continuing to evaluate Comirnaty and Paxlovid, including against new variants of concern, developing variant adapted vaccine candidates and developing potential combination respiratory vaccines and potential next generation vaccines and therapies. We are also evaluating Paxlovid for additional populations. See the Product Developments section within MD&A. In 2023, we principally sold Comirnaty globally under government contracts. In September 2023, Comirnaty transitioned to traditional commercial market sales in the U.S., triggered by the expiration of contracts and the COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and BioNTech purchased through them becoming either depleted or not used following the introduction of a new variant vaccine. Internationally, sales of Comirnaty in international developed markets were generally under government contracts in 2023, and in emerging markets, under a combination of private channels and government contracts; in both cases, we started transitioning to commercial markets in 2024. Due to the commercial market transition as well as the anticipated seasonality of demand for COVID vaccinations, we expect approximately 90% of our 2024 global revenues for Comirnaty to be recorded in the second half of the year, mostly in the fourth quarter.
In 2023, we principally sold Paxlovid globally to government agencies. On October 13, 2023, we announced an amended agreement with the U.S. government, which facilitated the transition of Paxlovid to traditional commercial markets in the U.S. in November 2023, with minimal uptake of NDA-labeled commercial product before January 1, 2024 (see Note 13C). Internationally, for Paxlovid, we continue the transition to commercial markets and are expecting most revenue for Paxlovid to be generated through commercial channels in 2024. For information on risks associated with our COVID-19 products, including certain assumptions made for purposes of our operational planning and financial projections and the uncertainty of future developments, as well as COVID-19 intellectual property disputes, see the Item 1A. Risk Factors—COVID-19, —Intellectual Property Protection and —Third-Party Intellectual Property Claims sections of our 2023 Form 10-K, as well as Notes 12A1 and 13 and the Forward-Looking Information and Factors that May Affect Future Results section of this Form 10-Q. Israel/Hamas Conflict––Our local operations have been impacted by the armed conflict between Israel and Hamas that began on October 7, 2023. For both the three months ended March 31, 2024 and the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the business of our Israeli subsidiary represented less than 1% of our consolidated revenues and assets. We are closely monitoring developments in this conflict, including evaluating potential impacts to our business, customers, suppliers, employees, and operations in Israel and elsewhere in the Middle East that may impact global operations. At this time, longer term impacts to the Company are uncertain and subject to change.
Russia/Ukraine Conflict––Our local operations have been impacted by the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine. For both the three months ended March 31, 2024 and the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the business of our Russia and Ukraine subsidiaries represented less than 1% of our consolidated revenues and assets, and while we are monitoring the effects of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the situation continues to evolve and the long-term implications, including the broader economic consequences of the conflict, potential additional sanctions, and actions by our customers or suppliers (including financial institutions) are difficult to predict at this time.
For information on risks associated with these conflicts, see the Item 1A. Risk Factors—Global Operations section of our 2023 Form 10-K.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS
For a description of our significant accounting policies, see Note 1 in our 2023 Form 10-K. Of these policies, the following are considered critical to an understanding of our consolidated financial statements as they require the application of the most subjective and the most complex judgments: Acquisitions (Note 1D); Fair Value (Note 1E); Revenues (Note 1G); Asset
Impairments (Note 1M); Restructuring Charges and Other Costs Associated with Acquisitions and Cost-Reduction/Productivity Initiatives (Note 1N); Tax Assets and Liabilities and Income Tax Contingencies (Note 1Q); Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans (Note 1R); and Legal and Environmental Contingencies (Note 1S).
For a discussion about the critical accounting estimates and assumptions impacting our consolidated financial statements, see the Significant Accounting Policies and Application of Critical Accounting Estimates and Assumptions section within MD&A of our 2023 Form 10-K. See also Note 1C in our 2023 Form 10-K for a discussion about the risks associated with estimates and assumptions.
For a discussion of a recently adopted accounting standard, see Note 1B. ANALYSIS OF THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Total Revenues by Geography
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The following presents worldwide Total revenues by geography: |
| | Three Months Ended |
| | Worldwide | | U.S. | | International | | World-wide | | U.S. | | Inter-national |
(MILLIONS) | | March 31, 2024 | | April 2, 2023 | | March 31, 2024 | | April 2, 2023 | | March 31, 2024 | | April 2, 2023 | | % Change |
Operating segments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Biopharma | | $ | 14,604 | | | $ | 18,173 | | | $ | 9,426 | | | $ | 8,598 | | | $ | 5,178 | | | $ | 9,575 | | | (20) | | | 10 | | | (46) | |
Business Innovation | | 275 | | | 313 | | | 88 | | | 113 | | | 187 | | | 200 | | | (12) | | | (22) | | | (7) | |
Total revenues | | $ | 14,879 | | | $ | 18,486 | | | $ | 9,514 | | | $ | 8,711 | | | $ | 5,365 | | | $ | 9,775 | | | (20) | | | 9 | | | (45) | |
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The following provides an analysis of the worldwide change in Total revenues by geographic areas in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter of 2023: |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 |
(MILLIONS) | | Worldwide | | U.S. | | International |
Operational growth/(decline): | | | | | | |
Worldwide declines from Comirnaty | | $ | (2,708) | | | $ | (211) | | | $ | (2,498) | |
Worldwide declines from Paxlovid | | (2,030) | | | (160) | | | (1,870) | |
Decline in oncology biosimilars, largely due to lower net price in the U.S. | | (148) | | | (141) | | | (7) | |
Decreased revenues from Sulperazon, largely driven by lower demand in China in the first quarter of 2024 as compared to the first quarter of 2023 | | (145) | | | — | | | (145) | |
Revenues from legacy Seagen, which was acquired in December 2023 | | 742 | | | 713 | | | 29 | |
Worldwide growth from the Vyndaqel family, Eliquis, the Prevnar family, Xtandi and Nurtec ODT/Vydura, partially offset by worldwide declines from Ibrance, Xeljanz and Inlyta | | 681 | | | 566 | | | 115 | |
Revenues from Abrysvo, primarily driven by the launch of the older adult indication in the U.S. in July 2023 | | 145 | | | 131 | | | 14 | |
Other operational factors, net | | (36) | | | (95) | | | 59 | |
Operational growth/(decline), net | | (3,500) | | | 803 | | | (4,303) | |
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Unfavorable impact of foreign exchange | | (107) | | | — | | | (107) | |
Total revenues increase/(decrease) | | $ | (3,607) | | | $ | 803 | | | $ | (4,410) | |
Product Revenue Deductions––Our gross product revenues are subject to a variety of deductions, which generally are estimated and recorded in the same period that the revenues are recognized. These deductions represent estimates of the related obligations and, as such, knowledge and judgment are required when estimating the impact of these product revenue deductions on gross sales for a reporting period. Historically, adjustments to these estimates to reflect actual results or updated expectations, have not been material to our overall business and generally have been less than 1% of revenues. Product-specific rebates, however, can have a significant impact on year-over-year individual product revenue growth trends.
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The following presents information about product revenue deductions: |
| | | | Three Months Ended |
(MILLIONS) | | | | | | March 31, 2024 | | April 2, 2023 |
Medicare rebates | | | | | | $ | 720 | | | $ | 225 | |
Medicaid and related state program rebates | | | | | | 609 | | | 411 | |
Performance-based contract rebates | | | | | | 1,382 | | | 1,192 | |
Chargebacks | | | | | | 2,751 | | | 2,285 | |
Sales allowances | | | | | | 1,493 | | | 1,516 | |
Sales returns and cash discounts(a) | | | | | | (183) | | | 513 | |
Total | | | | | | $ | 6,773 | | | $ | 6,141 | |
(a)The 2024 amount includes a $771 million favorable final adjustment to the estimated non-cash Paxlovid revenue reversal of $3.5 billion recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023 (see Note 13C). Product revenue deductions are primarily a function of product sales volume, mix of products sold, contractual or legislative discounts and rebates.
For information on our accruals for product revenue deductions, including the balance sheet classification of these accruals, see Note 1C.
Total Revenues––Selected Product Discussion
Biopharma
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(MILLIONS) | | | | | | | | Revenue | | % Change | | |
Product | | | | Global Revenues | | Region | | March 31, 2024 | | April 2, 2023 | | Total | | Oper. | | Operational Results Commentary |
Eliquis | | | | $2,040
Up 10%
(operationally) | | U.S. | | $ | 1,413 | | | $ | 1,261 | | | 12 | | | | | Growth driven primarily by continued oral anti-coagulant adoption and market share gains in the non-valvular atrial fibrillation indication in the U.S. and certain markets in Europe, partially offset by declines due to loss of patent-based exclusivity and generic competition in certain international markets. |
| | | Int’l. | | 626 | | 613 | | | 2 | | | 5 | | |
| | | Worldwide | | $ | 2,040 | | $ | 1,874 | | | 9 | | | 10 | | |
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Paxlovid | | | | $2,035
Down 50%
(operationally) | | U.S. | | $ | 1,800 | | | $ | 1,960 | | | (8) | | | | | Declines primarily driven by: • lower contractual deliveries in most international markets and in the U.S. as a result of the transition to traditional commercial market sales; and • lower demand in China due to the non-recurrent surge in COVID-19 infection during the first quarter of 2023, partially offset by: • a $771 million favorable final adjustment to the estimated non-cash revenue reversal of $3.5 billion recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023 (see Note 13C). |
| | | Int’l. | | 234 | | 2,109 | | | (89) | | | (89) | | |
| | | Worldwide | | $ | 2,035 | | $ | 4,069 | | | (50) | | | (50) | | |
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Prevnar family | | | | $1,691
Up 7% (operationally) | | U.S. | | $ | 1,149 | | | $ | 1,084 | | | 6 | | | | | Growth primarily driven by the pediatric indication in the U.S. due to favorable timing of government purchases and higher patient demand in the private market, as well as strong uptake of the adult indication in certain international markets, partially offset by fewer adult vaccinations in the U.S. |
| | | Int’l. | | 542 | | | 518 | | | 5 | | | 8 | |
| | | Worldwide | | $ | 1,691 | | | $ | 1,602 | | | 6 | | | 7 | |
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Vyndaqel family | | | | $1,137
Up 66%
(operationally) | | U.S. | | $ | 751 | | | $ | 384 | | | 96 | | | | | Growth largely driven by continued strong uptake of the ATTR-CM indication, primarily in the U.S. and developed markets in Europe. |
| | | Int’l. | | 386 | | 302 | | | 28 | | | 28 | | |
| | | Worldwide | | $ | 1,137 | | $ | 686 | | | 66 | | | 66 | | |
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Ibrance | | | | $1,054
Down 7% (operationally) | | U.S. | | $ | 679 | | | $ | 750 | | | (9) | | | | | Declines primarily driven by lower demand globally due to competitive pressure and price decreases in certain international developed markets. |
| | | Int’l. | | 375 | | 394 | | | (5) | | | (4) | | |
| | | Worldwide | | $ | 1,054 | | $ | 1,144 | | | (8) | | | (7) | | |
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Xtandi | | | | $418
Up 23%
(operationally) | | U.S. | | $ | 418 | | | $ | 339 | | | 23 | | | | | Growth largely driven by strong patient demand and higher net price mainly due to favorable changes in channel mix. |
| | | Int’l. | | — | | — | | | — | | — | |
| | | Worldwide | | $ | 418 | | $ | 339 | | | 23 | | | 23 | | |
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Comirnaty | | | | $354
Down 88%
(operationally) | | U.S. | | $ | 118 | | | $ | 329 | | | (64) | | | | | Declines largely driven by lower contractual deliveries and demand in international markets as well as lower U.S. volumes, reflecting the anticipated seasonality of demand for vaccinations and as certain markets, including the U.S., transition to traditional commercial market sales. |
| | | Int’l. | | 236 | | 2,735 | | | (91) | | | (91) | | |
| | | Worldwide | | $ | 354 | | $ | 3,064 | | | (88) | | | (88) | | |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Padcev | | | | $341 * | | U.S. | | $ | 334 | | | $ | — | | | * | | | | Growth driven by the acquisition of Seagen in the fourth quarter of 2023. |
| | | Int’l. | | 7 | | — | | | * | | * | |
| | | Worldwide | | $ | 341 | | $ | — | | | * | | * | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adcetris | | | | $257 * | | U.S. | | $ | 252 | | | $ | — | | | * | | | | Growth driven by the acquisition of Seagen in the fourth quarter of 2023. |
| | Int’l. | 5 | | — | | | * | | * |
| | Worldwide | $ | 257 | | $ | — | | | * | | * |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Inlyta | | | | $237
Down 8%
(operationally) | | U.S. | | $ | 141 | | | $ | 155 | | | (9) | | | | | Declines primarily driven by lower demand in the U.S. as well as lower volumes and lower net price in international developed markets. |
| Int’l. | 96 | | 104 | | | (8) | | (7) | |
| Worldwide | $ | 237 | | | $ | 259 | | | (9) | | (8) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Xeljanz | | | | $194
Down 17%
(operationally) | | U.S. | | $ | 74 | | | $ | 90 | | | (18) | | | | | Declines driven primarily by decreased prescription volumes globally resulting from ongoing shifts in prescribing patterns related to label changes, as well as lower net price in the U.S. due to unfavorable changes in channel mix and the impact of regulatory exclusivity expiry in Canada. |
| | Int’l. | 120 | | 147 | | | (18) | | | (17) | |
| | Worldwide | $ | 194 | | $ | 237 | | | (18) | | | (17) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Nurtec ODT/Vydura | | | | $178
Up 7%
(operationally) | | U.S. | | $ | 167 | | | $ | 163 | | | 3 | | | | | Growth primarily driven by strong patient demand in the U.S. largely offset by lower net price in the U.S. due to unfavorable changes in channel mix, as well as recent launches in international markets. |
| Int’l. | 10 | | 4 | | | * | * |
| Worldwide | $ | 178 | | | $ | 167 | | | 7 | | 7 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Abrysvo | | | | $145
* | | U.S. | | $ | 131 | | | $ | — | | | * | | | | Growth primarily driven by the launch of the older adult indication in the U.S. in July 2023. |
| Int’l. | 14 | | — | | | * | * |
| Worldwide | $ | 145 | | | $ | — | | | * | * |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Business Innovation
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(MILLIONS) | | | | | | | | Revenue | | % Change | | |
Operating Segment | | | | Global Revenues | | Region | | March 31, 2024 | | April 2, 2023 | | Total | | Oper. | | Operational Results Commentary |
Business Innovation | | | | $275
Down 12%
(operationally) | | U.S. | | $ | 88 | | | $ | 113 | | | (22) | | | | | Declines primarily driven by lower manufacturing of divested products under manufacturing and supply agreements, partially offset by growth in manufacturing-related services as well as an increase in R&D services to select innovative biotech companies under our Pfizer Ignite operations. |
Int’l. | 187 | | | 200 | | | (7) | | | (6) | | |
Worldwide | $ | 275 | | | $ | 313 | | | (12) | | | (12) | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
* Indicates calculation not meaningful.
See the Item 1. Business—Patents and Other Intellectual Property Rights section of our 2023 Form 10-K for information regarding the expiration of various patent rights, Note 12 for a discussion of recent developments concerning patent and product litigation relating to certain of the products discussed above and Note 13C for additional information regarding the primary indications or class of the selected products discussed above. Costs and Expenses
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Costs and expenses follow: |
| | | Three Months Ended |
(MILLIONS) | | | | | | | | March 31, 2024 | | April 2, 2023 | | % Change |
Cost of sales | | | | | | | | $ | 3,379 | | | $ | 4,886 | | | (31) | |
Percentage of Total revenues | | | | | | | | 22.7 | % | | 26.4 | % | | |
Selling, informational and administrative expenses | | | | | | | | 3,495 | | | 3,418 | | | 2 | |
Research and development expenses | | | | | | | | 2,493 | | | 2,505 | | | — | |
Acquired in-process research and development expenses | | | | | | | | — | | | 21 | | | (100) | |
Amortization of intangible assets | | | | | | | | 1,308 | | | 1,103 | | | 19 | |
Restructuring charges and certain acquisition-related costs | | | | | | | | 102 | | | 9 | | | * |
Other (income)/deductions—net | | | | | | | | 680 | | | 275 | | | * |
* Indicates calculation not meaningful. |
First Quarter of 2024 vs. First Quarter of 2023
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales decreased $1.5 billion in the first quarter of 2024, primarily due to:
•reductions of $1.9 billion and $440 million from lower sales of Comirnaty and Paxlovid, respectively,
partially offset by:
•an impact of $420 million from our Seagen acquisition, inclusive of the amortization of the fair value step-up of inventory.
The decrease in Cost of sales as a percentage of Total revenues in the first quarter of 2024 was driven primarily by favorable changes in sales mix, including lower sales of Comirnaty which resulted in a lower related charge for the 50% gross profit split with BioNTech and applicable royalty expenses; and, to a much lesser extent, the impact of a $771 million favorable final adjustment to the non-cash Paxlovid revenue reversal, partially offset by the amortization of the fair value step-up of inventory related to the Seagen acquisition, as well as lower sales of Paxlovid.
Certain of our vaccines, including Comirnaty, are subject to seasonality of demand, with a greater portion of revenues and related cost of sales anticipated in the fall and winter seasons. See also The Global Economic Environment––COVID-19 section for information about our COVID-19 products.
Selling, Informational and Administrative Expenses
Selling, informational and administrative expenses increased $77 million in the first quarter of 2024, primarily due to:
•an increase of $220 million in marketing and promotional expenses for recently acquired and launched products,
partially offset by:
•a decrease of $180 million in marketing and promotional expenses for Paxlovid and Comirnaty.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses were relatively flat in the first quarter of 2024, primarily due to:
•lower spending of $320 million as a result of our cost realignment program as well as lower spending on certain ongoing vaccine programs,
largely offset by:
•increased investments of $300 million, mainly to develop certain medicines acquired from Seagen.
Amortization of Intangible Assets
Amortization of intangible assets increased $205 million in the first quarter of 2024 primarily driven by an increase of $140 million related to assets reclassified in 2023 from IPR&D to developed technology rights and $130 million of amortization from our December 2023 acquisition of Seagen, partially offset by a decrease of $80 million from fully amortized assets.
Restructuring Charges and Other Costs Associated with Acquisitions and Cost-Reduction/Productivity Initiatives
Realigning our Cost Base Program––This program, described in Note 3A, is expected to deliver net cost savings of at least $4 billion, to be achieved primarily from 2023 through 2024. Certain qualifying costs for these programs in all periods since inception were recorded and reflected as Certain Significant Items and excluded from our non-GAAP measure of Adjusted Income. See the Non-GAAP Financial Measure: Adjusted Income section within MD&A. In connection with our acquisition of Seagen, we are focusing our efforts on achieving an appropriate cost structure for the combined company. We expect to generate approximately $1 billion of annual cost synergies, to be achieved by 2026. The one-time costs to generate these synergies are expected to be approximately $1.5 billion, incurred primarily from 2023 through 2025.
The program savings discussed above may be rounded and represent approximations. In addition to these programs, we continuously monitor our operations for cost reduction and/or productivity opportunities, especially in light of the losses of exclusivity and the expiration of collaborative arrangements for various products. Improvement of gross margin will continue to be an important focus for the Company going forward.
Other (Income)/Deductions—Net
The unfavorable period-over-period change of $406 million was primarily driven by higher net interest expense and lower dividend income, partially offset by net gains on equity securities in the first quarter of 2024 versus net losses on equity securities in the first quarter of 2023. See Note 4. Provision/(Benefit) for Taxes on Income
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Three Months Ended |
(MILLIONS) | | | | | | | | March 31, 2024 | | April 2, 2023 | | % Change |
Provision/(benefit) for taxes on income | | | | | | | | $ | 293 | | | $ | 715 | | | (59) | |
Effective tax rate on continuing operations | | | | | | | | 8.6 | % | | 11.4 | % | | |
|
For information about our effective tax rate and the events and circumstances contributing to the changes between periods, as well as details about discrete elements that impacted our tax provisions, see Note 5. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds, consisted of: |
| | | | Year Ended December 31, |
(MILLIONS) | | | | | | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
United States | | | | | | | | $ | 1,923 | | | $ | 3,867 | | | $ | 4,455 | |
International | | | | | | | | 1,224 | | | 4,000 | | | 2,972 | |
Total | | | | | | | | $ | 3,147 | | | $ | 7,867 | | | $ | 7,427 | |
Changes in Tax Laws––Many countries outside the U.S. have enacted legislation for global minimum taxation resulting from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Base Erosion and Profit Shifting “Pillar 2” project. The EU has approved a directive requiring member states to incorporate the OECD provisions into their respective domestic laws, and countries outside the EU are also enacting the provisions into their domestic law. The provisions are generally effective for Pfizer in 2024, though significant details and guidance around the provisions are still pending. Income tax expense could be adversely affected as the legislation becomes effective in countries in which we do business, and such impact could be material to our results of operations. We continue to monitor pending OECD guidance and legislation enactment and implementation by individual countries.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENTS
A comprehensive update of Pfizer’s development pipeline was published as of May 1, 2024 and is available at www.pfizer.com/science/drug-product-pipeline. It includes an overview of our research and a list of compounds in development with targeted indication and phase of development, as well as mechanism of action for some candidates in Phase 1 and all candidates from Phase 2 through registration.
This section provides information as of the date of this filing about significant marketing application-related regulatory actions by, and filings pending with, the FDA and regulatory authorities in the EU and Japan.
The table below includes filing and approval milestones for products that have occurred in the last twelve months and generally does not include approvals that may have occurred prior to that time. The table includes filings with regulatory decisions pending (even if the filing occurred outside of the last twelve-month period).
Products
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
PRODUCT | INDICATION OR PROPOSED INDICATION | APPROVED/FILED* |
U.S. | EU | JAPAN |
COVID-19 Vaccine (pediatric)(a) | Active immunization to prevent COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 for individuals 6 months through 4 years of age | Authorized September 2023 | Approved August 2023 | Approved September 2023 |
Active immunization to prevent COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 for individuals 5 through 11 years of age | Authorized September 2023 | Approved August 2023 | Approved September 2023 |
Comirnaty (COVID-19 Vaccine)(b) | Active immunization to prevent COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 in individuals 12 years of age and older | Approved September 2023 | Approved August 2023 | Approved September 2023 |
Ngenla (somatrogon)(c) | Pediatric growth hormone deficiency | Approved June 2023 | Approved February 2022 | Approved January 2022 |
Prevnar 20/Apexxnar (Vaccine) | Active immunization to prevent pneumonia, invasive disease and otitis media caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (adults) | Approved June 2021 | Approved February 2022 | Filed September 2023 |
Active immunization to prevent pneumonia, invasive disease and otitis media caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (pediatric) | Approved April 2023 | Approved March 2024 | Approved March 2024 |
TicoVac (Vaccine) | Active immunization to prevent tick-borne encephalitis disease | Approved August 2021 | | Approved March 2024 |
Paxlovid(d) (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) | COVID-19 in high-risk adults | Approved May 2023 | Approved February 2023 | Approved July 2023 |
Nurtec ODT/Vydura (rimegepant) | Acute treatment of migraine with or without aura (adults) | Approved February 2020 | Approved April 2022 | |
Prevention of episodic migraine (adults) | Approved May 2021 | Approved April 2022 | |
Litfulo/Ritfulo (ritlecitinib) | Alopecia areata | Approved June 2023 | Approved September 2023 | Approved June 2023 |
Zavzpret (zavegepant) (intranasal) | Acute treatment of migraine with or without aura (adults) | Approved March 2023 | | |
Penbraya (PF-06886992) (Vaccine) | Active immunization to prevent serogroups ABCWY meningococcal infections (adolescent and young adults) | Approved October 2023 | Filed June 2023 | |
Abrysvo (Vaccine) | Active immunization to prevent RSV infection (maternal) | Approved August 2023 | Approved August 2023 | Approved January 2024 |
Active immunization to prevent RSV infection (older adults) | Approved May 2023 | Approved August 2023 | Approved March 2024 |
Velsipity (etrasimod) | Ulcerative colitis (moderately to severely active) | Approved October 2023 | Approved February 2024 | |
Braftovi (encorafenib) and Mektovi (binimetinib) | BRAFV600E-mutant metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (adults) | Approved October 2023 | Filed October 2023(e) | |
Elrexfio (elranatamab) | Multiple myeloma triple-class relapsed/refractory | Approved August 2023 | Approved December 2023 | Approved March 2024 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
PRODUCT | INDICATION OR PROPOSED INDICATION | APPROVED/FILED* |
U.S. | EU | JAPAN |
Talzenna (talazoparib) | Combination with Xtandi (enzalutamide) for adult patients with HRR gene-mutated mCRPC(f) | Approved June 2023 | Approved January 2024 | Approved January 2024 |
Treatment of BRCA gene-mutated, HER2-negative, inoperable or recurrent breast cancer who have been treated with cancer chemotherapy | Approved October 2018 | Approved June 2019 | Approved January 2024 |
Beqvez (fidanacogene elaparvovec)(g) | Hemophilia B (adults) | Approved April 2024 | Filed May 2023 | |
Xtandi (enzalutamide)(h) | nmCSPC with biochemical recurrence at high risk for metastasis (high-risk BCR) | Approved November 2023 | Approved April 2024 | |
marstacimab (PF-06741086) | Hemophilia A and B | Filed December 2023 | Filed October 2023 | Filed February 2024 |
Emblaveo (aztreonam-avibactam)(i) | Treatment of infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria with limited or no treatment options | | Approved April 2024 | |
Padcev (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv)(j) | In combination with Keytruda(k) (pembrolizumab) for locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (adults) | Approved December 2023 | Filed January 2024 | Filed January 2024 |
Tivdak (tisotumab vedotin-tftv)(l) | Recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after first-line therapy (adults) | Approved(m) April 2024 | Filed February 2024 | |
Tukysa (tucatinib) | In combination with trastuzumab for HER2-positive metastatic colorectal cancer that has progressed following treatment with fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin-, and irinotecan-based chemotherapy | Approved January 2023 | | |
*For the U.S., the filing date is the date on which the FDA accepted our submission. For the EU, the filing date is the date on which the EMA validated our submission.
(a)In September 2023, Pfizer and BioNTech announced the FDA granted EUA for the Omicron XBB.1.5-adapted monovalent COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 6 months through 4 years of age and 5 through 11 years of age (Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (2023-2024 Formula)).
(b)In September 2023, Pfizer and BioNTech announced the FDA approved a regulatory application for their Omicron XBB.1.5-adapted monovalent COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 12 years of age and older (Comirnaty (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA, 2023-2024 Formula)).
(c)Being developed in collaboration with OPKO Health, Inc. (OPKO).
(d)Previously authorized under EUA in the U.S. (December 2021) and approved by the FDA in high-risk adults (May 2023). Remains under EUA for children (12-18 years of age; >88lbs) in the U.S.
(e)Pierre Fabre is the Marketing Authorization Holder for Braftovi (encorafenib) and Mektovi (binimetinib) in the EU.
(f)Listed indication applies to U.S. only. EU indication (all comers): mCRPC in whom chemotherapy is not clinically indicated; Japan indication: BRCA gene-mutated mCRPC.
(g)Being developed in collaboration with Spark Therapeutics, Inc.
(h)Being developed in collaboration with Astellas.
(i)Being developed in collaboration with AbbVie Inc, (Abbvie). AbbVie has the exclusive commercialization rights to this investigative therapy in the U.S. and Canada; Pfizer leads the joint development program and has commercialization rights in all other countries.
(j)Being developed in collaboration with Astellas.
(k)Keytruda is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
(l)Being developed in collaboration with Genmab A/S.
(m)April 2024 approval date in the U.S. refers to the conversion of a prior accelerated approval to full approval.
The following provides information about additional indications and new drug candidates in late-stage development:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | PRODUCT/CANDIDATE | PROPOSED DISEASE AREA |
LATE-STAGE CLINICAL PROGRAMS FOR ADDITIONAL USES AND DOSAGE FORMS FOR IN-LINE AND IN-REGISTRATION PRODUCTS | Ibrance (palbociclib)(a) | ER+/HER2+ metastatic breast cancer |
Talzenna (talazoparib) | Combination with Xtandi (enzalutamide) for DNA Damage Repair-deficient mCSPC |
Ngenla (somatrogon)(b) | Adult growth hormone deficiency |
Braftovi (encorafenib) and Erbitux® (cetuximab)(c) | First-line BRAFV600E-mutant mCRC |
Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir; ritonavir) | COVID-19 in high-risk children (6-11 years of age; >88lbs) |
Litfulo (ritlecitinib) | Vitiligo |
Elrexfio (elranatamab) | Multiple myeloma double-class exposed |
Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma post-transplant maintenance |
Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma transplant-ineligible |
Multiple myeloma resistant refractory |
Oxbryta (voxelotor) | Sickle cell disease (pediatric) |
Leg ulcers in patients with sickle cell disease |
Eliquis (apixaban)(d) | Venous thromboembolism (pediatric) |
Abrysvo (vaccine) | Active immunization to prevent RSV infection in adults (18-59) |
Padcev (enfortumab vedotin)(e) | Cisplatin-ineligible/decline muscle-invasive bladder cancer |
Cisplatin-eligible muscle-invasive bladder cancer |
Tukysa (tucatinib) | HER2+ adjuvant breast cancer |
2nd line/3rd line HER2+ metastatic breast cancer |
1st line HER2+ maintenance metastatic breast cancer |
1st line HER2+ metastatic colorectal cancer |
| Adcetris (brentuximab vedotin)(f) | Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma |
NEW DRUG CANDIDATES IN LATE-STAGE DEVELOPMENT | | giroctocogene fitelparvovec (PF-07055480)(g) | Hemophilia A |
PF-06425090 (Vaccine) | Immunization to prevent primary clostridioides difficile infection |
sasanlimab (PF-06801591) | Combination with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer |
fordadistrogene movaparvovec (PF-06939926) | Duchenne muscular dystrophy (ambulatory) |
VLA15 (PF-07307405) vaccine(h) | Immunization to prevent Lyme disease |
PF-07252220 (quadrivalent mRNA-based vaccine) | Immunization to prevent influenza |
vepdegestrant (PF-07850327)(i) | Breast cancer metastatic - 2nd line ER+/HER2- |
inclacumab (PF-07940370) | Sickle cell disease |
Ibrance + vepdegestrant(i) | ER+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer |
dazukibart (PF-06823859) | Dermatomyositis, polymyositis |
disitamab vedotin(j) | 1st line HER2 (≥IHC1+) metastatic urothelial cancer |
PF-07926307 (COVID/flu combo vaccine)(k) | Immunization to prevent COVID infection and influenza |
sisunatovir (PF-07923568) | Respiratory syncytial virus infection (adults) |
| sigvotatug vedotin (PF-08046047) | 2nd line non-small cell lung cancer |
| osivelotor (PF-07940367) | Sickle cell disease |
| atirmociclib (PF-07220060) | 2nd line metastatic breast cancer |
(a)Being developed in collaboration with The Alliance Foundation Trials, LLC.
(b)Being developed in collaboration with OPKO.
(c)Erbitux is a registered trademark of ImClone LLC. In the EU, we are developing in collaboration with the Pierre Fabre Group. In Japan, we are developing in collaboration with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
(d)Being developed in collaboration with BMS.
(e)Being developed in collaboration with Astellas.
(f)Being developed in collaboration with Takeda. Takeda has ex-U.S./Canada rights.
(g)Being developed in collaboration with Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc.
(h)Being developed in collaboration with Valneva SE.
(i)Vepdegestrant is being developed in collaboration with Arvinas, Inc.
(j)Being developed in collaboration with RemeGen Co., Ltd.
(k)Being developed in collaboration with BioNTech.
For additional information about our R&D organization, see Note 13 and the Item 1. Business—Research and Development section of our 2023 Form 10-K. For additional information regarding certain collaboration arrangements see the Item 1. Business—Collaboration and Co-Promotion Agreements section of our 2023 Form 10-K.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE: ADJUSTED INCOME
Adjusted income is an alternative measure of performance used by management to evaluate our overall performance as a supplement to our GAAP Reported performance measures. As such, we believe that investors’ understanding of our performance is enhanced by disclosing this measure. We use Adjusted income, certain components of Adjusted income and Adjusted diluted EPS to present the results of our major operations––the discovery, development, manufacture, marketing, sale and distribution of biopharmaceutical products worldwide––prior to considering certain income statement elements as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Measure | | Definition | | Relevance of Metrics to Our Business Performance |
Adjusted income | | Net income attributable to Pfizer Inc. common shareholders(a) before the impact of amortization of intangible assets, certain acquisition-related items, discontinued operations and certain significant items | | •Provides investors useful information to: ◦evaluate the normal recurring operational activities, and their components, on a comparable year-over-year basis ◦assist in modeling expected future performance on a normalized basis •Provides investors insight into the way we manage our budgeting and forecasting, how we evaluate and manage our recurring operations and how we reward and compensate our senior management(b) |
Adjusted cost of sales, Adjusted selling, informational and administrative expenses, Adjusted research and development expenses and Adjusted other (income)/deductions––net | | Cost of sales, Selling, informational and administrative expenses, Research and development expenses and Other (income)/deductions––net(a), each before the impact of amortization of intangible assets, certain acquisition-related items, discontinued operations and certain significant items, which are components of the Adjusted income measure | |
Adjusted diluted EPS | | EPS attributable to Pfizer Inc. common shareholders––diluted(a) before the impact of amortization of intangible assets, certain acquisition-related items, discontinued operations and certain significant items | |
(a)Most directly comparable GAAP measure.
(b)The short-term incentive plans for substantially all non-sales-force employees worldwide are funded from a pool based on our performance, measured in significant part versus three budgeted metrics, one of which is Adjusted diluted EPS (as defined for annual incentive compensation purposes), which is derived from Adjusted income and accounts for 40% of the bonus pool funding tied to financial performance. Additionally, the payout for performance share awards is determined in part by Adjusted net income, which is derived from Adjusted income. Since 2022, we no longer exclude any expenses for acquired IPR&D from our non-GAAP Adjusted results but we continue to exclude certain of these expenses for our financial results for annual incentive compensation purposes. The bonus pool funding, which is largely based on financial performance, may be adjusted by our R&D pipeline performance, as measured by three metrics, and performance against certain of our ESG metrics, and may be further modified by our Compensation Committee’s assessment of other factors.
Adjusted income and its components and Adjusted diluted EPS are non-GAAP financial measures that have no standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and, therefore, are limited in their usefulness to investors. Because of their non-standardized definitions, they may not be comparable to the calculation of similar measures of other companies and are presented to permit investors to more fully understand how management assesses performance. A limitation of these measures is that they provide a view of our operations without including all events during a period, and do not provide a comparable view of our performance to peers. These measures are not, and should not be viewed as, substitutes for their most directly comparable GAAP measures of Net income attributable to Pfizer Inc. common shareholders, components of Net income attributable to Pfizer Inc. common shareholders and EPS attributable to Pfizer Inc. common shareholders—diluted, respectively.
We also recognize that, as internal measures of performance, these measures have limitations, and we do not restrict our performance-management process solely to these measures. We also use other tools designed to achieve the highest levels of performance. For example, our R&D organization has productivity targets, upon which its effectiveness is measured. In addition, total shareholder return, both on an absolute basis and relative to a publicly traded pharmaceutical index, plays a significant role in determining payouts under certain of our incentive compensation plans.
Adjusted Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS
Amortization of Intangible Assets—Adjusted income excludes all amortization of intangible assets.
Acquisition-Related Items—Adjusted income excludes certain acquisition-related items, which are composed of transaction, integration, restructuring charges and additional depreciation costs for business combinations because these costs are unique to each transaction and represent costs that were incurred to restructure and integrate businesses as a result of an acquisition. We have made no adjustments for resulting synergies. Acquisition-related items may include purchase accounting impacts such as the incremental charge to cost of sales from the sale of acquired inventory that was written up to fair value, depreciation related to the increase/decrease in fair value of acquired fixed assets, amortization related to the increase in fair value of acquired debt, and the fair value changes for contingent consideration.
Discontinued Operations—Adjusted income excludes the results of discontinued operations, as well as any related gains or losses on the disposal of such operations. We believe that this presentation is meaningful to investors because, while we review our product portfolio for strategic fit with our operations, we do not build or run our business with the intent to discontinue parts of our business. Restatements due to discontinued operations do not impact compensation or change the Adjusted income measure for the compensation in respect of the restated periods, but are presented for consistency across all periods.
Certain Significant Items—Adjusted income excludes certain significant items representing substantive and/or unusual items that are evaluated individually on a quantitative and qualitative basis. Certain significant items may be highly variable and difficult to predict. Furthermore, in some cases it is reasonably possible that they could reoccur in future periods. For example, although major non-acquisition-related cost-reduction programs are specific to an event or goal with a defined term, we may have subsequent programs based on reorganizations of the business, cost productivity or in response to LOE or economic conditions. Legal charges to resolve litigation are also related to specific cases, which are facts and circumstances specific and, in some cases, may also be the result of litigation matters at acquired companies that were inestimable, not probable or unresolved at the date of acquisition, or legal matters related to divested products or businesses. Gains and losses on equity securities and pension and postretirement actuarial remeasurement gains and losses have a very high degree of inherent market volatility, which we do not control and cannot predict with any level of certainty, and we do not believe including these gains and losses assists investors in understanding our business or is reflective of our core operations and business. Unusual items represent items that are not part of our ongoing business; items that, either as a result of their nature or size, we would not expect to occur as part of our normal business on a regular basis; items that would be non-recurring; or items that relate to products we no longer sell. See the Reconciliations of GAAP Reported to Non-GAAP Adjusted information—Certain Line Items below for a non-inclusive list of certain significant items and the Non-GAAP Financial Measure: Adjusted Income section within MD&A of our 2023 Form 10-K.
Reconciliations of GAAP Reported to Non-GAAP Adjusted Information––Certain Line Items
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| | Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 |
Data presented will not (in all cases) aggregate to totals. (MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) | | Cost of sales(a) | | Selling, informational and administrative expenses(a) | | Other (income)/deductions––net(a) | | Net income attributable to Pfizer Inc. common shareholders(a), (b) | | Earnings per common share attributable to Pfizer Inc. common shareholders––diluted |
GAAP Reported | | $ | 3,379 | | | $ | 3,495 | | | $ | 680 | | | $ | 3,115 | | | $ | 0.55 | |
Amortization of intangible assets | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1,308 | | | |
Acquisition-related items | | (317) | | | (7) | | | (3) | | | 508 | | | |
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Certain significant items: | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges/(credits) and implementation costs and additional depreciation—asset restructuring(c) | | (20) | | | (29) | | | — | | | (17) | | | |
Certain asset impairments(d) | | — | | | — | | | (109) | | | 109 | | | |
(Gains)/losses on equity securities | | — | | | — | | | 25 | | | (25) | | | |
Actuarial valuation and other pension and postretirement plan (gains)/losses | | — | | | — | | | (3) | | | 3 | | | |
Other(e) | | (6) | | | (5) | | | (294) | | | 307 | | | |
Income tax provision—non-GAAP items | | | | | | | | (636) | | | |
Non-GAAP Adjusted | | $ | 3,036 | | | $ | 3,454 | | | $ | 296 | | | $ | 4,674 | | | $ | 0.82 | |
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| | Three Months Ended April 2, 2023 |
Data presented will not (in all cases) aggregate to totals. (MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) | | Cost of sales(a) | | Selling, informational and administrative expenses(a) | | Other (income)/deductions––net(a) | | Net income attributable to Pfizer Inc. common shareholders(a), (b) | | Earnings per common share attributable to Pfizer Inc. common shareholders––diluted |
GAAP Reported | | $ | 4,886 | | | $ | 3,418 | | | $ | 275 | | | $ | 5,543 | | | $ | 0.97 | |
Amortization of intangible assets | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1,103 | | | |
Acquisition-related items | | (97) | | | (2) | | | 18 | | | 163 | | | |
Discontinued operations | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (1) | | | |
Certain significant items: | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges/(credits) and implementation costs and additional depreciation—asset restructuring(c) | | (32) | | | (59) | | | — | | | 30 | | | |
Certain asset impairments(d) | | — | | | — | | | (264) | | | 264 | | | |
(Gains)/losses on equity securities(d) | | — | | | — | | | (452) | | | 452 | | | |
Actuarial valuation and other pension and postretirement plan (gains)/losses | | — | | | — | | | (8) | | | 8 | | | |
Other(e) | | (10) | | | (6) | | | 107 | | | (88) | | | |
Income tax provision—non-GAAP items | | | | | | | | (437) | | | |
Non-GAAP Adjusted | | $ | 4,746 | | | $ | 3,350 | | | $ | (324) | | | $ | 7,036 | | | $ | 1.23 | |
(a)Items that reconcile GAAP Reported to non-GAAP Adjusted balances are shown pre-tax. Our effective tax rates for GAAP Reported income from continuing operations were 8.6% in the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 11.4% in the three months ended April 2, 2023. See Note 5. Our effective tax rates for non-GAAP Adjusted income were 16.6% in the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 14.0% in the three months ended April 2, 2023. (b)The amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and April 2, 2023 include reconciling amounts for Research and development expenses that are not material to our non-GAAP consolidated results of operations.
(c)Includes employee termination costs, asset impairments and other exit costs related to our cost-reduction and productivity initiatives not associated with acquisitions. See Note 3. (e)For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the total Other (income)/deductions––net adjustment of $294 million includes charges of (i) $246 million mostly related to our equity-method accounting pro-rata share of intangible asset amortization, impairments and restructuring costs recorded by Haleon, as well as adjustments to our equity-method basis differences associated with the impact of Haleon’s brand sales and intangible asset impairments and changes in Haleon’s tax rates on intangible asset-related deferred tax liabilities and (ii) $208 million for certain legal matters, primarily representing certain product liability expenses related to products discontinued and/or divested by Pfizer, partially offset by (iii) a $150 million gain on the partial sale of our investment in Haleon. For the three months ended April 2, 2023, the total Other (income)/deductions––net adjustment of $107 million primarily included dividend income of $211 million from our investment in Nimbus resulting from Takeda’s acquisition of Nimbus’s oral, selective allosteric tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor program subsidiary, partially offset by charges of (i) $50 million mostly related to our equity-method accounting pro-rata share of intangible asset amortization and impairments, costs of separating from GSK and restructuring costs recorded by Haleon, and (ii) $36 million for certain legal matters, primarily for certain product liability expenses related to products discontinued and/or divested by Pfizer. ANALYSIS OF THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
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| | Three Months Ended | | |
(MILLIONS) | | March 31, 2024 | | April 2, 2023 | | | | Drivers of change |
Cash provided by/(used in): | | | | | | | | |
Operating activities | | $ | 1,090 | | | $ | 1,212 | | | | | The change was primarily driven by a decrease in net income adjusted for non-cash items and the timing of receipts and payments in the ordinary course of business. |
Investing activities | | $ | 1,732 | | | $ | 3,315 | | | | | The change was driven mainly by $5.7 billion greater net purchases of short-term investments in 2024, partially offset by $3.5 billion of proceeds from the partial sale of the Haleon investment. |
Financing activities | | $ | (4,931) | | | $ | (2,771) | | | | | Change was driven mainly by $1.2 billion greater net payments on short-term borrowings and $1.0 billion greater repayments of long-term debt in 2024. |
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ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY, CAPITAL RESOURCES AND MARKET RISK
Our historically robust operating cash flows, which we expect to continue over time, is a key strength of our liquidity and capital resources and our primary funding source. We believe as a result of this, together with our financial assets, access to capital markets, revolving credit agreements, and available lines of credit, we have and will maintain the ability to meet our liquidity needs to support ongoing operations, our capital allocation objectives, and our contractual and other obligations for the foreseeable future. For information about the sources and uses of our funds and capital resources, as well as our operating cash flows, see our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, Condensed
For information about our diverse sources of funds, off-balance sheet arrangements, contractual and other obligations, global economic conditions and market risk, see the Analysis of Financial Condition, Liquidity, Capital Resources and Market Risk section within MD&A of our 2023 Form 10-K. For more information on guarantees and indemnifications, see Note 12B.
Credit Ratings––The cost and availability of financing are influenced by credit ratings, and an increase or decrease in our credit rating could have a beneficial or adverse effect on financing. Our long-term debt is rated high-quality by both S&P and Moody’s. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
As of the date of the filing of this Form 10-Q, the following ratings have been assigned to our commercial paper and senior unsecured long-term debt: |
NAME OF RATING AGENCY | | Pfizer Short-Term Rating | | Pfizer Long-Term Rating | | Outlook/Watch |
Moody’s | | P-1 | | A2 | | Stable Outlook |
S&P | | A-1 | | A | | Stable Outlook |
These ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities and the ratings are subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the rating organizations. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.
Debt Capacity––Lines of Credit––As of the date of the filing of this Form 10-Q, we had access to a total of $15 billion in committed U.S. revolving credit facilities, consisting of an $8.0 billion facility maturing in October 2024 and a $7.0 billion facility maturing in October 2028, which may be used for general corporate purposes including to support our global commercial paper borrowings. In addition to the U.S. revolving credit facilities, our lenders have provided us an additional $314 million in lines of credit, of which $283 million expire within one year. Essentially all lines of credit were unused as of the date of the filing of this Form 10-Q.
Capital Allocation Framework––Our capital allocation framework is primarily devised to enhance shareholder value and is based on three core pillars: maintaining and growing our dividend over time, reinvesting in the business and making share repurchases after de-levering our balance sheet. In April 2024, our BOD declared a dividend of $0.42 per share, payable on June 14, 2024, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 10, 2024. As of March 31, 2024, our remaining share-purchase authorization was $3.3 billion, with no repurchases in the first three months of 2024. See Note 12 in our 2023 Form 10-K for more information on our publicly announced share-purchase plans.
In March 2024, we sold a portion of our investment in Haleon for $3.5 billion (see Note 2B). Our intentions with respect to our remaining Haleon stake are set out in our Schedule 13D (as amended) initially filed with the SEC on July 27, 2022. NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Recently Adopted Accounting Standard
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Recently Issued Accounting Standards, Not Adopted as of March 31, 2024 |
Standard/Description | | Effective Date | | Effect on the Financial Statements |
In November 2023, the FASB issued final guidance to improve transparency of segment disclosures. The final guidance requires the disclosure of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss, other segment items by reportable segment and a description of its composition, and requires all current annual disclosures be provided in interim periods. | | 2024 for annual reports and 2025 for interim reports. Early adoption is permitted. | | This new guidance will result in increased disclosures in the notes to our financial statements. |
In December 2023, the FASB issued final guidance to improve income tax disclosures. The final guidance requires enhanced disclosures primarily related to existing rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. | | January 1, 2025, with early adoption permitted. | | This new guidance will result in increased disclosures in the notes to our financial statements. |
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS
This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements. We also provide forward-looking statements in other materials we release to the public, as well as public oral statements. Given their forward-looking nature, these statements involve substantial risks, uncertainties and potentially inaccurate assumptions.
We have tried, wherever possible, to identify such statements by using words such as “will,” “may,” “could,” “likely,” “ongoing,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “assume,” “target,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “goal,” “objective,” “aim,” “seek,” “potential,” “hope” and other words and terms of similar meaning or by using future dates.
We include forward-looking information in our discussion of the following, among other topics:
•our anticipated operating and financial performance, including financial guidance and projections;
•reorganizations, business plans, strategy, goals and prospects;
•expectations for our product pipeline, in-line products and product candidates, including anticipated regulatory submissions, data read-outs, study starts, approvals, launches, clinical trial results and other developing data; revenue contribution and projections; potential pricing and reimbursement; potential market dynamics, including patient demand, market size and utilization rates; and growth, performance, timing of exclusivity and potential benefits;
•strategic reviews, capital allocation objectives, dividends and share repurchases;
•plans for and prospects of our acquisitions, dispositions and other business development activities, and our ability to successfully capitalize on growth opportunities and prospects;
•sales, expenses, interest rates, foreign exchange rates and the outcome of contingencies, such as legal proceedings;
•expectations regarding the impact of or changes to existing or new government regulations or laws;
•our ability to anticipate and respond to and our expectations regarding the impact of macroeconomic, geopolitical, health and industry trends, pandemics, acts of war and other large-scale crises; and
•manufacturing and product supply.
In particular, forward-looking information in this Form 10-Q includes statements relating to specific future actions, performance and effects, including, among others, the expected benefits of the organizational changes to our operations; our anticipated operating and financial performance; our ongoing efforts to respond to COVID-19, including our plans and expectations regarding Comirnaty and Paxlovid, and any potential future vaccines or treatments, including anticipated revenue and expectations for the commercial market for Comirnaty and Paxlovid; our expectations regarding the impact of COVID-19 on our business; the expected seasonality of demand for certain of our vaccines, including Comirnaty; expected patent terms; the expected impact of patent expiries and generic and biosimilar competition; the expected pricing pressures on our products and the anticipated impact to our business; the benefits expected from our business development transactions, including our December 2023 acquisition of Seagen; our anticipated cash flows and liquidity position; the anticipated costs, savings and potential benefits from certain of our initiatives, including our enterprise-wide Realigning our Cost Base program, which we launched in October 2023; our expectations regarding the impact from the 2023 tornado on our manufacturing facility in Rocky Mount, NC; our planned capital spending; and our capital allocation framework.
Given their nature, we cannot assure that any outcome expressed in these forward-looking statements will be realized in whole or in part. Actual outcomes may vary materially from past results and those anticipated, estimated, implied or projected. These forward-looking statements may be affected by underlying assumptions that may prove inaccurate or incomplete, or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties, including those described in this section and in the Item 1A. Risk Factors section in our 2023 Form 10-K.
Therefore, you are cautioned not to unduly rely on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities law. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects.
Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ are identified below, as well as those discussed in the Item 1A. Risk Factors section in our 2023 Form 10-K and within MD&A. We note these factors for investors as permitted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The occurrence of any of the risks identified below, in the Item 1A. Risk Factors section in our 2023 Form 10-K or within MD&A, or other risks currently unknown, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations, or we may be required to increase our accruals for contingencies. It is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, you should not consider the following to be a complete discussion of all potential risks or uncertainties:
Risks Related to Our Business, Industry and Operations, and Business Development
•the outcome of R&D activities, including the ability to meet anticipated pre-clinical or clinical endpoints, commencement and/or completion dates for our pre-clinical or clinical trials, regulatory submission dates, and/or regulatory approval and/or launch dates; the possibility of unfavorable pre-clinical and clinical trial results, including the possibility of unfavorable new pre-clinical or clinical data and further analyses of existing pre-clinical or clinical data; risks associated with preliminary, early stage or interim data; the risk that pre-clinical and clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations and assessments, including during the peer review/publication process, in the scientific community generally, and by regulatory authorities; and whether and when additional data from our pipeline programs will be published in scientific journal publications, and if so, when and with what modifications and interpretations;
•our ability to successfully address comments received from regulatory authorities such as the FDA or the EMA, or obtain approval for new products and indications from regulators on a timely basis or at all;
•regulatory decisions impacting labeling, including the scope of indicated patient populations, product dosage, manufacturing processes, safety and/or other matters, including decisions relating to emerging developments regarding potential product impurities; uncertainties regarding the ability to obtain, and the scope of, recommendations by technical or advisory committees, and the timing of, and ability to obtain, pricing approvals and product launches, all of which could impact the availability or commercial potential of our products and product candidates;
•claims and concerns that may arise regarding the safety or efficacy of in-line products and product candidates, including claims and concerns that may arise from the outcome of post-approval clinical trials, which could impact marketing approval, product labeling, and/or availability or commercial potential;
•the success and impact of external business development activities, such as the December 2023 acquisition of Seagen, including the ability to identify and execute on potential business development opportunities; the ability to satisfy the conditions to closing of announced transactions in the anticipated time frame or at all; the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of any such transactions in the anticipated time frame or at all; the potential need for and impact of additional equity or debt financing to pursue these opportunities, which has in the past and could in the future result in increased leverage and/or a downgrade of our credit ratings and could limit our ability to obtain future financing; challenges integrating the businesses and operations; disruption to business and operations relationships; risks related to growing revenues for certain acquired or partnered products; significant transaction costs; and unknown liabilities;
•competition, including from new product entrants, in-line branded products, generic products, private label products, biosimilars and product candidates that treat or prevent diseases and conditions similar to those treated or intended to be prevented by our in-line products and product candidates;
•the ability to successfully market both new and existing products, including biosimilars;
•difficulties or delays in manufacturing, sales or marketing; supply disruptions, shortages or stock-outs at our facilities or third-party facilities that we rely on; and legal or regulatory actions;
•the impact of public health outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics (such as COVID-19) on our business, operations and financial condition and results, including impacts on our employees, manufacturing, supply chain, sales and marketing, R&D and clinical trials;
•risks and uncertainties related to our efforts to continue to develop and commercialize Comirnaty and Paxlovid or any potential future COVID-19 vaccines, treatments or combinations, as well as challenges related to their manufacturing, supply and distribution, including, among others, the risk that as the market for COVID-19 products continues to become more endemic and seasonal, demand for our COVID-19 products has and may continue to be reduced or not meet expectations, or may no longer exist, which has and may continue to lead to reduced revenues, excess inventory on-hand and/or in the channel which, for Paxlovid and Comirnaty, resulted in significant inventory write-offs in 2023 and could continue to result in inventory write-offs, or other unanticipated charges; challenges related to the transition to the commercial market for our COVID-19 products; uncertainties related to the public’s adherence to vaccines, boosters, treatments or combinations; risks related to our ability to accurately predict or achieve our revenue forecasts for Comirnaty and Paxlovid or any potential future COVID-19 vaccines or treatments; and potential third-party royalties or other claims related to Comirnaty or Paxlovid;
•trends toward managed care and healthcare cost containment, and our ability to obtain or maintain timely or adequate pricing or favorable formulary placement for our products;
•interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, including the impact of currency devaluations and monetary policy actions in countries experiencing high inflation or deflation rates;
•any significant issues involving our largest wholesale distributors or government customers, which account for a substantial portion of our revenues;
•the impact of the increased presence of counterfeit medicines, vaccines or other products in the pharmaceutical supply chain;
•any significant issues related to the outsourcing of certain operational and staff functions to third parties;
•any significant issues related to our JVs and other third-party business arrangements, including modifications or disputes related to supply agreements or other contracts with customers including governments or other payors;
•uncertainties related to general economic, political, business, industry, regulatory and market conditions including, without limitation, uncertainties related to the impact on us, our customers, suppliers and lenders and counterparties to our foreign-exchange and interest-rate agreements of challenging global economic conditions, such as inflation or interest rate fluctuations, and recent and possible future changes in global financial markets;
•the exposure of our operations globally to possible capital and exchange controls, economic conditions, expropriation, sanctions and/or other restrictive government actions, changes in intellectual property legal protections and remedies, unstable governments and legal systems and inter-governmental disputes;
•the impact of disruptions related to climate change and natural disasters, including uncertainties related to the impact of the tornado at our manufacturing facility in Rocky Mount, NC in 2023;
•any changes in business, political and economic conditions due to actual or threatened terrorist activity, geopolitical instability, political or civil unrest or military action, including the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East and the resulting economic or other consequences;
•the impact of product recalls, withdrawals and other unusual items, including uncertainties related to regulator-directed risk evaluations and assessments, including our ongoing evaluation of our product portfolio for the potential presence or formation of nitrosamines;
•trade buying patterns;
•the risk of an impairment charge related to our intangible assets, goodwill or equity-method investments;
•the impact of, and risks and uncertainties related to, restructurings and internal reorganizations, as well as any other corporate strategic initiatives and growth strategies, and cost-reduction and productivity initiatives, each of which requires upfront costs but may fail to yield anticipated benefits and may result in unexpected costs, organizational disruption, adverse effects on employee morale, retention issues or other unintended consequences;
•the ability to successfully achieve our climate goals and progress our environmental sustainability and other ESG priorities;
Risks Related to Government Regulation and Legal Proceedings
•the impact of any U.S. healthcare reform or legislation or any significant spending reduction or cost control efforts affecting Medicare, Medicaid or other publicly funded or subsidized health programs, including the IRA, or changes in the tax treatment of employer-sponsored health insurance that may be implemented;
•U.S. federal or state legislation or regulatory action and/or policy efforts affecting, among other things, pharmaceutical product pricing, intellectual property, reimbursement or access or restrictions on U.S. direct-to-consumer advertising; limitations on interactions with healthcare professionals and other industry stakeholders; as well as pricing pressures for our products as a result of highly competitive biopharmaceutical markets;
•legislation or regulatory action in markets outside of the U.S., such as China or Europe, including, without limitation, laws related to pharmaceutical product pricing, intellectual property, medical regulation, environmental protections, reimbursement or access, including, in particular, continued government-mandated reductions in prices and access restrictions for certain biopharmaceutical products to control costs in those markets;
•legal defense costs, insurance expenses, settlement costs and contingencies, including without limitation, those related to actual or alleged environmental contamination;
•the risk and impact of an adverse decision or settlement and risk related to the adequacy of reserves related to legal proceedings;
•the risk and impact of tax related litigation and investigations;
•governmental laws and regulations affecting our operations, including, without limitation, the IRA, changes in laws and regulations or their interpretation, including, among others, changes in tax laws and regulations internationally and in the U.S., the adoption of global minimum taxation requirements outside the U.S. generally effective in most jurisdictions since January 1, 2024 and potential changes to existing tax law by the current U.S. Presidential administration and Congress, including the House-passed bill called “Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024”;
Risks Related to Intellectual Property, Technology and Security
•any significant breakdown or interruption of our information technology systems and infrastructure (including cloud services);
•any business disruption, theft of confidential or proprietary information, security threats on facilities or infrastructure, extortion or integrity compromise resulting from a cyber-attack, which may include those using adversarial artificial intelligence techniques, or other malfeasance by, but not limited to, nation states, employees, business partners or others;
•risks and challenges related to the use of software and services that include artificial intelligence-based functionality and other emerging technologies;
•the risk that our currently pending or future patent applications may not be granted on a timely basis or at all, or any patent-term extensions that we seek may not be granted on a timely basis, if at all; and
•risks to our products, patents and other intellectual property, such as: (i) claims of invalidity that could result in LOE; (ii) claims of patent infringement, including asserted and/or unasserted intellectual property claims; (iii) claims we may assert against intellectual property rights held by third parties; (iv) challenges faced by our collaboration or licensing partners to the validity of their patent rights; or (v) any pressure, or legal or regulatory action by, various stakeholders or governments that could potentially result in us not seeking intellectual property protection or agreeing not to enforce or being restricted from enforcing intellectual property rights related to our products, including Comirnaty and Paxlovid.