Eli Lilly sets guidance for 2018, expects regulatory moves on pipeline drugs

Drug company Eli Lilly and Co. on Wednesday set guidance for 2018, saying it expects EPS of $4.24 to $4.34, or adjusted EPS of $4.60 to $4.70. revenue is expected to range from $23.0 billion to $23.5 billion. The FactSet consensus is for EPS of $4.65 and revenue of $23.1 billion. "The company is expecting continued pipeline progress, including U.S. regulatory action for baricitinib for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, galcanezumab for the treatment of migraine and a new indication for Verzenio in breast cancer, as well as the launch of a new indication for Taltz in psoriatic arthritis," it said in a statement. The company is now expecting 2017 EPS of $1.56 to $1.66, or $4.15 to $4.25 on an adjusted basis. That compares with a FactSet consensus of $4.21. Shares were not yet active premarket, but have gained 18% in 2017, while the S&P 500 has gained 19%.

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