On Wednesday, biopharma powerhouse Genentech
With biotech, though, it's not the past that matters so much as the future. To gauge the future outlook for large biopharmas like Genentech, you have to look at other companies' drug pipelines. For example, just last month GlaxoSmithKline
Investors don't need to sweat the financials so much at Genentech as compared to the pipeline and potential competitors for its top cancer products. Whether sales are growing at 30% or 35% for the quarter isn't going to dictate how bright Genentech's star shines in the future. Rather, what matters is how its drugs compare to its competitors and if compounds like Avastin can be used in combination with other potent new cancer treatments.
Just look at shares of Amgen
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Fool contributor Brian Lawler does not own shares of any company mentioned in this article. GlaxoSmithKline is an Income Investor recommendation. The Fool has a disclosure policy.