Daniel Clark

Dan Clark asked about the pacing of sales improvement as Dentsply Sirona's Return-to-Growth action plan is implemented, specifically regarding the first half versus second half weighting of sales and the expectation for sequential acceleration into early 2027.

Answer

President and CEO Dan Scavilla indicated that he expects consistent sales velocity in Q1 and Q2, with a noticeable change anticipated in Q3. He aims for the U.S. business to show positive growth, even if small, in Q4 2026 to properly set the stage for 2027, while refraining from specific predictions for 2027.

Dan Clark from Leerink Partners asked about the pacing of Dentsply Sirona's sales improvement as the Return to Growth action plan is implemented, specifically the first half versus second half weighting of sales in 2026, and expectations for sequential acceleration into early 2027.

Answer

President and CEO Dan Scavilla stated that he expects a consistent sales velocity in Q1 and Q2, with a noticeable change and lift anticipated in Q3. He aims for the U.S. business to show positive growth, even if small, in Q4 2026 to set the stage for 2027, but refrained from commenting on 2027 projections.

Daniel Clark asked if Credelio Quattro's continued gains in the Kinetic Puppy Index during Q4 were in line with expectations or represented incremental upside. He also inquired about the ongoing duration of Elanco's 'no-regrets' investment policy for successful launches, asking if continued support is expected throughout 2026 and into 2027, and the strategic considerations behind this approach.

Answer

Jeff Simmons, President and CEO, stated that Credelio Quattro's performance, including its leadership in the Kinetic Puppy Index and continued climb from Q3 to Q4, exceeded expectations, reinforcing its position as a differentiated 'best medicine' product. Bob Van Hembergen, CFO, confirmed that Elanco will apply the same 'no-regrets' approach to launches in 2026 as in 2025, using data to ensure ROI. He noted that the 7% OpEx growth guided for 2026 supports these launches and R&D, with Elanco Ascend productivity initiatives enabling high single-digit EBITDA growth while funding these strategic investments.

Daniel Clark asked if the further gains seen by Credelio Quattro in the Kynetec Puppy Index during Q4 2025 were in line with expectations or represented incremental upside. He also inquired about the ongoing duration of investment in Elanco's 'no-regrets' launch policy for both current and upcoming products, and how to think about continued launch support through 2026 and into 2027.

Answer

Jeff Simmons, President and CEO, Elanco Animal Health, noted that Quattro's continued climb in the Puppy Index, exceeding Q3 performance, was a strong statement about its differentiation, especially with palatability as a fourth dimension. He also highlighted the significance of international approvals for Quattro. Bob Van Hembergen, CFO, Elanco Animal Health, confirmed the application of the 'no-regrets' approach in 2026, including for Befrena and 2025 launches, with OpEx growth of 7% supporting these investments and R&D, balanced by Elanco Ascend productivity initiatives.

Daniel Clark from Leerink Partners asked for a breakdown of the main product drivers behind the increased innovation sales guidance for 2025 and how the growth of the innovation basket is expected to look in 2026.

Answer

CFO Bob VanHimbergen highlighted that the innovation basket's strong progress is driven by Experior, AdTab, Credelio, and Zenrelia, with some seasonality weighting parasiticides more towards the first half of the year. He expressed confidence in significant momentum for 2026, driven by growing markets and improving market share.

Daniel Clark asked about the main drivers and products contributing to the increased innovation sales guidance and how Elanco anticipates the growth of the innovation basket to trend into the next year.

Answer

Bob VanHimbergen, CFO, highlighted the $100 million increase in innovation guidance, noting the seasonality of the business with parasiticides and AdTab in Europe being more weighted towards the first half of the year. He emphasized strong progress across the basket, specifically mentioning Experior, AdTab, Credelio Quattro, and Zenrelia as key contributors in the year and Q3. VanHimbergen expressed confidence in the momentum carrying into 2026, driven by performance in growing markets and improving market share.

Daniel Clark from Leerink Partners inquired about the primary product contributors to the $60 million increase in the full-year innovation sales guidance and questioned the company's philosophy on reinvesting financial upside into the business versus accelerating debt reduction.

Answer

CFO Bob VanHimbergen stated that while the entire innovation portfolio is performing well, Credelio Quattro is a standout driver of the guidance raise. He noted some seasonality in products like AdTab. Regarding capital allocation philosophy, VanHimbergen explained that the company will continue to reinvest in DTC and R&D as long as the data supports strong top-line growth and returns, but will actively monitor effectiveness and ratchet down spending if returns diminish. He highlighted that total dollar OpEx is guided to be down sequentially from Q2 to Q3.

Daniel Clark questioned whether the success of the Zenrelia sampling program has altered the product's sales and marketing strategy, and asked for feedback from veterinarians on its use as a first-line treatment.

Answer

President and CEO Jeff Simmons confirmed the sampling program is a key driver of clinic adoption, stating that once veterinarians experience Zenrelia's efficacy, it leads to conversion. He explained the strategy is multifaceted, including vet tech-to-tech engagement and DTC marketing to drive pet owner interest. Simmons noted that experience with the product, supported by KOLs, is increasing vets' willingness to prescribe it, which is critical for establishing it as a first-line treatment, especially as the peak allergy season begins.

Dan Clark inquired about the expected contributions from price and volume to Labcorp's 2026 guidance, particularly within the diagnostics segment, and sought clarification on the future revenue contributions from the integrated Invitae business.

Answer

Chairman and CEO Adam Schechter stated that 2026 is expected to be a strong year with 5.4% revenue growth at the midpoint, with diagnostics revenue growing 5%-6%. He noted that about half of the organic growth in diagnostics would come from volume and half from price mix, similar to the prior year. Schechter also mentioned that the Invitae integration was successful, and its contributions are now too integrated to be broken out specifically, but it's expected to drive strong growth in specialty areas. EVP and CFO Julia Wang added that enterprise margins expanded over 50 basis points in 2025, driven by strong top-line growth and LaunchPad initiatives, with further meaningful margin improvement expected in 2026, particularly in the BLS segment.

Dan Clark asked about the expected contributions from price and volume to Labcorp's 2026 guidance, specifically at the high and low ends of the range, and followed up on the anticipated contributions from Invitae in 2026 after its integration.

Answer

Adam Schechter (Chairman, President and CEO, Labcorp) stated that 2026 is expected to be a strong year with 5.4% revenue growth at the midpoint, with Diagnostics revenue growing 5-6%. He noted that about half of the organic growth in Diagnostics is expected from volume and half from price mix, similar to 2025. Julia Wang (EVP and CFO, Labcorp) added that enterprise margins expanded over 50 basis points in 2025, driven by strong top-line growth, disciplined expense management, and LaunchPad initiatives, and expects meaningful margin improvement in both segments in 2026, with BLS improving more than Diagnostics. Schechter also explained that Invitae's integration was successful, with operations and sales forces combined, making it difficult to break out specifically. He expects strong revenue growth for this specialty area, projected to grow 2-3 times faster than the overall market, but Labcorp will no longer report Invitae separately.

Daniel Clark from Leerink Partners asked about Zoetis's assumptions for the dermatology market growth in 2026, particularly how it influences the high and low ends of the guidance. He also requested a reminder of the key patent expiry dates for Simparica and Apoquel.

Answer

Wetteny Joseph, CFO, stated that key franchises, including dermatology, are expected to contribute mid- to high-single-digit growth in 2026, with the Simparica franchise leading. He noted that the Apoquel patent expiry is around the 2032 timeframe and directed to public filings for more specific details on patent expiries.

Daniel Clark, VP and Equity Research Analyst at Leerink Partners, asked about Zoetis's assumptions for the dermatology market growth in 2026, including how it influences the guidance range, and inquired about the key patent expiry dates for Simparica and Apoquel.

Answer

CFO Wetteny Joseph stated that the dermatology franchise is expected to contribute mid- to high-single-digit growth in 2026, with the Simparica franchise being the leading driver. He noted that Apoquel's patent expiry is around 2032 and advised referring to public filings for specific patent dates.

Daniel Clark of Leerink Partners inquired about the current tracking of Zoetis's previous guidance for double-digit growth across its dermatology, Simparica Trio, and OA pain franchises, and how to project the future growth of these key areas given the recent market dynamics.

Answer

CFO Wetteny Joseph stated that the key franchises (dermatology, Simparica, OA pain) are tracking at approximately 9% year-to-date, down to 2% for the quarter, and are now expected to achieve high single-digit growth for the full year. He noted that the stabilization in OA pain is helpful, and therapeutic visits for dermatology in U.S. clinics were down less than 1% in the quarter, an improvement from previous quarters. Joseph deferred specific 2026 forecasts to the February guidance call but highlighted encouraging signs.

Daniel Clark asked about the tracking of Zoetis's previous guidance for double-digit growth across the dermatology, Simparica Trio, and OA pain franchises, and how to project their future growth given current market dynamics.

Answer

Wetteny Joseph, Chief Financial Officer, stated that the key franchises (dermatology, Simparica, OA pain) are tracking to about 9% year-to-date, down from the initial double-digit expectation, and are now expected to achieve high single-digit growth for the full year. He noted the impact of OA pain headwinds on Q3 performance but highlighted encouraging signs of Librela stabilization and a less than 1% decline in U.S. dermatology therapeutic visits in Q3, an improvement from prior quarters.

Daniel Clark sought clarification on the expected timing of a competing launch in the dermatology space, which the company anticipates in the fourth quarter. He asked if this timing had changed from previous expectations and how that might have affected the full-year guidance.

Answer

EVP & CFO Wetteny Joseph explained that the company's guidance has consistently factored in a competitive launch in the second half of the year. He noted that they model various scenarios regarding timing and competitive intensity, and the current expectation for a Q4 launch is within that range of scenarios and is fully reflected in the company's raised full-year guidance.

Dan Clark asked about pricing trends in new awards during Q4 and the outlook for 2026. He also inquired about customer focus on AI in RFPs and discussions, specifically regarding any AI angles.

Answer

CEO August Troendle stated that pricing on net has not changed materially over time and is not expected to impact margin, which is anticipated to be maintained. President Jesse Geiger explained that customer conversations about AI are balanced, focusing on both how AI can help with studies and how Medpace ensures data confidentiality and quality.

Dan Clark asked about the pricing trends observed in new awards during Q4 and Medpace's outlook on pricing for 2026. He also inquired about what customers are focusing on from an AI perspective when engaging in discussions or RFPs.

Answer

CEO August Troendle stated that Medpace's pricing on net has not changed materially over time and is not expected to be a driver of margin change. President Jesse Geiger explained that customer conversations about AI are balanced, focusing on both the benefits of AI for studies and Medpace's commitment to risk management, quality adoption, and data confidentiality.

Daniel Clark asked about the progress of inVue Dx placements into larger corporate practices and how this is factored into the 2026 guidance. He also inquired about the stability of non-wellness visits and whether the second half of 2025 run rate for non-wellness visits could be extrapolated into 2026, given the overall 2% visit decline guide.

Answer

President and CEO Jay Mazelsky confirmed that inVue Dx is now being placed into corporate practices, noting that these typically have a longer sell-in cycle. He reiterated that the 2% decline in overall visits for 2026 is a baseline, encompassing both wellness and non-wellness trends. Mazelsky emphasized that non-wellness visits are more resilient to macro pressures and that the aging pandemic pet population is expected to modestly grow over time, requiring more healthcare.

Daniel Clark inquired about the current status of inVue Dx placements within larger corporate practices and how these placements are factored into the 2026 guidance. He also asked if it would be fair to extrapolate the second half of 2025 run rate for non-wellness visits into 2026, given the 2% overall visit decline guide.

Answer

CEO Jay Mazelsky confirmed that inVue Dx is now being placed into corporate practices, noting their longer sell-in cycles due to pilot programs and focus on clinical and economic benefits. Regarding visit trends, Jay Mazelsky reiterated the 2% overall decline guide for 2026, which includes both well and non-well visits, and stated that non-wellness visits are more resilient to macro pressures. He also mentioned the expectation for continued modest growth from aging pandemic pets.

Daniel Clark asked what factors would drive international CAG recurring revenue growth from its current 13% (days-adjusted) to the higher end of the 15%-16% growth potential. He also followed up on the impact of a different company's pain medicine launch, mentioned in the prior year's third quarter, on headline visit numbers in the current quarter, now that IDEXX has lapped that launch.

Answer

Jay Mazelsky, President and CEO, explained that achieving 15-16% growth involves continued Salesforce expansions (disciplined, market-ready, product-market fit), specific products like ProSite One, building out the global reference lab network for next-day performance, and ensuring strong in-country customer support ahead of commercial investment. Andrew Emerson, CFO, clarified that the prior year's commentary on the pain medicine launch referred to its effect on clinical visits and inverse impact on diagnostic frequency, not a direct impact on IDEXX's business. He stated there's nothing specific to call out in Q3 related to that, and they have a clean view of sector metrics and IDEXX's interim performance.

Daniel Clark asked what factors would drive international CAG recurring revenue growth from its current 13% (days-adjusted) to the higher end of the 15%-16% potential range. He also asked if there was any impact on headline visit numbers in Q3 from lapping the prior year's launch of a competitor's pain medicine.

Answer

Jay Mazelsky, President and CEO, reiterated that continued sales force expansion, product-market fit (e.g., ProSite One), building out the reference lab network, and ensuring strong customer support are key drivers for achieving higher international growth rates. Andrew Emerson, CFO, clarified that there was no specific impact to highlight in Q3 related to lapping the competitor's pain medicine launch, indicating a clean view of sector metrics and IDEXX's performance.

Daniel Clark questioned the long-term launch trajectory for InVueDx, asking if its performance could exceed that of the SediVue analyzer, which serves as a historical analog.

Answer

CFO Andrew Emerson stated that IDEXX is not updating its long-term outlook at this time but reiterated the five-year placement opportunity of approximately 20,000 units for InVueDx. He noted that the strong start of 5,500 placements in 2025 positions them well to achieve this goal and mentioned that further updates may be provided at the upcoming Investor Day.

Daniel Clark of Leerink Partners questioned the long-term launch trajectory for InVue Dx, asking if there's reason to be more positive about its path compared to the SediVue launch, which could serve as an analog.

Answer

CFO Andrew Emerson responded that IDEXX is not updating its long-term outlook at this time but reiterated the previously stated five-year placement opportunity of approximately 20,000 units for InVue Dx. He noted the strong start of 5,500 placements in 2025 positions them well and mentioned that updates might be provided at the upcoming Investor Day.

Daniel Clark of Leerink Partners inquired about customer buying behavior in the Supply Chain Services segment, specifically asking if there was any pull-forward ahead of potential tariffs, and questioned the primary drivers behind the recent momentum in the advisory business.

Answer

President & CEO Michael Alkire stated that the company did not observe any significant pull-forward of buying behavior related to tariffs. Regarding the advisory business, both Mr. Alkire and David Zito, President of Performance Services, attributed the momentum to a combination of strong market demand driven by financial pressures on health systems and improved execution, including the hiring of new leadership. They emphasized that Premier's trusted brand and comprehensive capabilities are key differentiators.

Daniel Clark of Leerink Partners asked for clarification on whether the selling season's early commitments being 'comparable' to last year was on a gross or net basis, particularly regarding the large former client.

Answer

CEO Peter Anevski confirmed the comparison is on a gross basis. He explained that to assess the underlying growth, one should exclude the large former client from both this year's and last year's figures to get a true like-for-like view of new business momentum.

Daniel Clark of Leerink Partners, on for Michael Cherny, asked about the significance of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) qualification for Simcyp, seeking to understand how it differentiates the product and what early customer feedback has been.

Answer

CEO William Feehery called the qualification a major accomplishment that provides a pre-qualification for the platform's underlying science. He explained that this streamlines the review process for customers by increasing consistency and reducing uncertainty across EMA member nations, making it easier to use the software in regulatory submissions.

Daniel Clark of Leerink Partners questioned the competitive dynamics in the RFP process, asking if more CROs are competing for deals and if there have been any notable changes in pricing.

Answer

CEO & Chairman Ari Bousbib responded that for large pharma, the top three CROs remain the main providers, while in other segments, the number of bidders hasn't changed much. He confirmed there is pricing pressure due to a tighter market and some competitors being aggressive. He stated that IQVIA's strategy has shifted to be more willing to match lower prices to win business and build its backlog, accepting some short-term margin pressure.