get sick take humira get sicker

Cell Mol Life Sci. 2005 Aug;62(16):1850-62.

The therapeutic potential of tumor necrosis factor for autoimmune disease: a mechanistically based hypothesis.

Kodama S1, Davis M, Faustman DL.

Author information

Abstract

Excess levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) have been associated with certain autoimmune diseases. Under the rationale that elevated TNF-alpha levels are deleterious, several anti-TNF-alpha therapies are now available to block the action of TNF-alpha in patients with autoimmune diseases with a chronic inflammatory component to the destructive process. TNF-alpha antagonists have provided clinical benefit to many patients, but their use also is accompanied by new or aggravated forms of autoimmunity. Here we propose a mechanistically based hypothesis for the adverse events observed with TNF-alpha antagonists, and argue for the opposite therapeutic strategy: to boost or restore TNF-alpha activity as a treatment for some forms of autoimmunity. Activation defects in the transcription factor nuclear factor kappaB leave autoreactive T cells sensitive to TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis. Treatment with TNF-alpha, by destroying autoreactive T cells, appears to be a highly targeted strategy to interrupt the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes, lupus and certain forms of autoimmunity.

PMID:

 

15968469

 

DOI:

 

10.1007/s00018-005-5022-6

• BUSINESS

AbbVie Says Tax Overhaul Will Slash 2018 Effective Tax Rate to 9% 

Drugmaker plans to return cash to shareholders, boost employee compensation 

AbbVie Inc. said the new U.S. tax overhaul will slash its effective tax rate to 9% for 2018. PHOTO: DAVID J. PHILLIP/ASSOCIATED PRESS

By 

Peter Loftus

Updated Jan. 26, 2018 5:06 p.m. ET

AbbVie Inc. ABBV 13.77% said Friday the new U.S. tax overhaul will slash its effective tax rate to 9% for 2018 and yield savings the drugmaker said it would use to return cash to shareholders and boost employee compensation.

Shares of AbbVie jumped 13.8%, to $123.21, adding about $24 billion to the market value of the North Chicago, Ill., maker of the multibillion-dollar arthritis drug Humira.

The 9% effective tax rate AbbVie expects for 2018 is down from about 18.9% in the fourth quarter of 2017. AbbVie Chief Financial Officer Bill Chase said the new tax law allows “more efficient” repatriation of future foreign earnings.

JPMorgan analyst Christopher Schott said AbbVie has relied on repatriating foreign earnings to help fund its stock dividend, and is now able to repatriate that money at a lower tax than under the old law.

”The company said the tax rate should inch back up to about 13% over the next five years because of increased U.S. income and investments.

Over the next five years, AbbVie plans to invest about $2.5 billion in capital projects in the U.S., and is evaluating additional expansion of its U.S. facilities, the company said.

Also, in 2018, the company plans to make a one-time charitable contribution of approximately $350 million to certain not-for-profit organizations based in the U.S., including rebuilding efforts for storm-ravaged Puerto Rico, Chief Executive Richard Gonzalez told analyst on a conference call.

AbbVie also said it plans to accelerate pension funding by $750 million, and enhance nonexecutive employee compensation.

Shareholders won’t be left out. The company said it is working on a plan to accelerate the growth of its stock dividend and repurchase more of its shares.

AbbVie reported improved fourth-quarter financial results and substantially boosted its expectation of full-year 2018 earnings to reflect the impact of the new U.S. tax law, which lowered the top corporate rate to 21% from 35%, and stronger operating performance. The company now expects full-year earnings, excluding certain items, of $7.33 to $7.43 a share, versus its prior view of $6.37 to $6.57 per share.

Winners and Losers of the GOP Tax Bill

Christmas may be over but WSJ’s Richard Rubin keeps the holiday spirit alive by explaining who’s getting presents and who’s getting coal with the GOP tax bill.

Write to Peter Loftus at peter.loftus@wsj.com