The latest Market Talks covering the Health Care sector. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires at 4:20 ET, 12:20 ET and 16:50 ET.

0808 ET - GSK CEO Luke Miels sees the U.K. drugmaker's oncology business as underappreciated by the market and expects upcoming updates at a medical congress to boost investors' confidence, J.P. Morgan analysts say, citing a recent call with Miels. "[Miels] reiterated his confidence in delivering GSK's 2031 sales target of [more than 40 billion pounds], pointing to the breadth and depth of the portfolio, particularly in oncology, which [Miels] sees as underappreciated by consensus," the analysts say in a note. GSK expects to provide updates on its oncology portfolio at the annual congress of the European Society For Medical Oncology, which Miels expects will improve confidence in the pipeline, JPM says. Shares fall 1.8%. (adria.calatayud@wsj.com)

0758 ET - The latest study results from an obesity drug candidate that Roche Holding and Zealand Pharma are jointly developing seem unlikely to alter investors' views on the product, Jefferies analysts say in a research note. The drug, petrelintide, showed a modest effect in reducing blood-sugar levels and the reported weight-loss rate of 9.2% in obese patients with type 2 diabetes was broadly as expected, according to Jefferies. This suggests petrelintide's weight-loss efficacy fell by between 15% and 20% for this group compared with nondiabetic obesity patients, for whom Zealand previously reported a 10.7% reduction, the analysts say. A benign tolerability profile remains the main point of differentiation for the drug, the analysts say. Zealand Pharma shares fall 4%, while Roche's trade 1.4% lower. (adria.calatayud@wsj.com)

0740 ET - Argenx's positive results for a midstage clinical trial in celiac disease vindicates its CEO change earlier this year, Bernstein analysts say in a research note. The Amsterdam-based biotech company said a drug candidate it acquired through its Forte Biosciences deal, FB102, hit the goal in a study, reinforcing the potential of a medicine being tested for two diseases with little or no existing nonsystemic drug treatment options, the analysts say. "A key rationale for the CEO transition was to diversify the organic pipeline with external innovation," the analysts add. Argenx separately said it would discontinue a trial for its main drug Vyvgart in Sjogren's disease. This should come as little surprise given that Sjogren's is a heterogeneous disease that has become a research-and-development "graveyard" for the industry, according to Bernstein. Shares fall 16%. (adria.calatayud@wsj.com)

0725 ET - Argenx's decision to stop a late-stage clinical trial of its Vyvgart drug in Sjogren's disease comes as a major negative surprise for the European biotech company, UBS analysts say in a note. "We believe Argenx's discontinuation of Sjogren's study at interim suggests potentially very little efficacy--if any--not just a 'near miss'," the analysts say. The drug had generated positive and solid results in a midstage study, as had a similar medicine from rival Johnson & Johnson, Imaavy, they add. The study was supposed to be one of the most closely watched updates from Argenx next year, and UBS had modeled peak annual sales for Vyvgart in Sjogren's at $3.5 billion, the analysts say. Shares fall 16%. (adria.calatayud@wsj.com)

0307 ET - Fresenius Medical Care's surprise CEO change will be taken negatively by investors and points to a challenging outlook for the German dialysis specialist, analysts at J.P. Morgan say. The departure of CEO Helen Giza comes less than 18 months after she presented an ambitious business plan with guidance through 2030, the analysts say in a research note. Her exit suggests it is now less likely the company will be able to demonstrate the benefits from the rollout of a new dialysis technology in the U.S., they add. The end of regulatory tailwinds that recently flattered the group's results mean Fresenius Medical Care could be set for an operating profit contraction, according to JPM. Shares fall 2.7%. (adria.calatayud@wsj.com)

0122 ET - Gland Pharma is likely benefiting from deepening ties with China's Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical, which center around four priorities, Nomura analysts say in a research report. One is contract development and manufacturing organization contracts that use Gland Pharma's large injectable capacity, the analysts say. Others are: joint business development between Gland Pharma and subsidiary Cenexi; the Indian pharmaceutical company's entry into biologics drug substances and products; and its sourcing innovation assets. Nomura raises the stock's target price to 3,750.00 rupees from 3,330.00 rupees to reflect a valuation roll-forward, with an unchanged buy rating. Shares are 0.7% lower at 3,130.55 rupees.(ronnie.harui@wsj.com)

2108 ET - IHH Healthcare's recent share price weakness likely offers an attractive entry point, with earnings growth seen supported by more complex treatments, hospital expansions and Fortis-Gleneagles synergies, says Maybank IB analyst Nur Natasha Ariza in a note. Its focus on higher-value treatments and day-care services should also support growth beyond bed additions, she says. IHH's core net profit is expected to grow 18% annually over 2025-2028, faster than its 11% annual growth over 2016-2025, she reckons. Legal developments in its India operations provide little basis to revise earnings forecasts, in the analyst's view. Maybank maintains a buy rating on IHH and keeps its target price at 11.20 ringgit. Shares are unchanged at 7.90 ringgit.