Small-to-medium-sized companies launching their first or one of their only commercial products faced a particular difficult time during the pandemic. In the second quarter earnings calls, some of these SMEs are seeing momentum as the most serious COVID headwinds resolve but others are contending with ongoing challenges. [Check back tomorrow for Part 2 on companies experiencing continuing challenges.]

Thyroid eye disease drug Tepezza is now expected to generate more than $1.55bn in full year sales, despite missing a full quarter of revenue.

The upcoming filing of Lilly's Alzheimer's antibody donanemab dominated the company's second quarter call. Lilly is also developing a new blood test to confirm diagnosis and a second-generation antibody. 

Merck's new CEO Robert Davis talked about his vision for business development and how the company might use the $9bn gained from the spinout of Organon.

The company raised revenue guidance for its COVID-19 vaccine this year to a staggering $33bn from a prior estimate of $26bn.

Despite commercial success in biosimilars, Pfizer said it is more interested in investing in innovative therapeutics.