Eli Lilly increased its profit and sales expectations for 2021, driven by the recent governmental contract it closed for its COVID-19 antibody treatment. Last month, the US government bought 640,000 additional doses of antibody therapy for $1.29 billion. The recent deal followed a previous one made in September for 388,000 extra doses.
The company expects the COVID-19 therapies to bring in roughly $2.1 billion in sales in 2021, up from a previous forecast of $1.3 billion. At the same time, the adjusted earnings per share are expected to range between $8.15 - $8.20. An earlier forecast was of $7.95 - $8.05 adjusted EPS. Moreover, the 2022 overall revenue is seen at a high of $28.3 billion, compared to the previous $27.6 billion.
Eli Lilly aims to complete the submission for approval for its Alzheimer’s treatment from the Food & Drug Administration in Q1 2022, later than anticipated.
After the news hit the wires, Eli Lilly shares traded 4.25% higher in pre-market trading, pointing to an opening bell price of $260 apiece. If so, the stock’s six-month gain could be around 17%.
Sources: reuters.com, thestreet.com
