Animal Spirits & Eye Waters: A 2026 Forecast

by

The markets, as anyone who’s spent more than five minutes observing them will tell you, are a curious beast. A capricious god demanding sacrifice in the form of perfectly good money. And, like all gods, prone to bouts of inexplicable favouritism. We’ve been observing two entities – Zoetis and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals – that have, shall we say, been experiencing a period of divine disfavour. A bit like being stuck in the queue behind a goblin with a complicated order. But the auguries are shifting, and a comeback, while never guaranteed (the gods are fickle, remember?), appears increasingly likely. It’s not about ‘growth’ per se, you understand. It’s about managing expectations. And avoiding angry shareholders wielding pitchforks.1

1. Zoetis: A Paw-sitive Outlook?

Zoetis, for those unfamiliar, is in the business of keeping animals…well, not immortal, but certainly more comfortable. A noble pursuit, one might think. They deal in remedies for everything from the sniffles in a goldfish to the existential ache of a particularly melancholy poodle. Their strength, naturally, lies with the companion animal market – because let’s be honest, we lavish more attention on Fluffernutter the Persian than on most of our relatives. Last year, however, things got a bit…complicated. Two of their leading potions – Librela and Solensia – designed to alleviate the aches and pains of aging canines and felines, ran into a spot of bother. Not a plague of locusts, thankfully, but enough concerned whispers about side effects to cause a ripple of unease.2

Apparently, some animals experienced…let’s call it ‘discomfort’ after receiving the treatments. A veterinary equivalent of accidentally summoning a minor demon. This understandably caused a bit of a wobble in the share price. But Zoetis, to their credit, has been brewing up a counter-potion. Lenivia and Portela, their next-generation remedies, have been gaining approval in various territories. Veterinarians, understandably wary of turning beloved pets into furry, four-legged cautionary tales, are likely to embrace these newer options. It’s a simple matter of risk assessment, really. And a healthy dose of self-preservation.

Furthermore, these new concoctions boast the added benefit of being long-acting. Fewer injections mean happier animals (and happier owners). A win-win, as the alchemists of Wall Street like to say. And let’s not forget Apoquel, a reliably effective remedy for itchy dogs. Despite increased competition, it continues to perform admirably. A solid performer in a world of volatile enchantments.3

Loading widget...

2. Regeneron: Seeing Clearly, at Last

Regeneron, on the other hand, deals with the slightly more…fragile organ of sight. Specifically, they’ve been battling a rather tenacious rival for dominance in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration and other eye ailments. Eylea, their flagship potion, had been facing stiff competition. A bit like a wizard’s duel, only with more ophthalmologists. However, they’ve managed a clever manoeuvre – a higher-dose version of Eylea, coupled with expanded labeling. This allows for less frequent injections, a significant boon for patients (and, let’s be honest, for the practitioners administering the potion). Convenience, as any shrewd merchant will tell you, is a powerful enchantment.

The result? Regeneron’s share price has begun to…brighten. A fitting metaphor, wouldn’t you say? And they’re not resting on their laurels. Dupixent, a versatile potion treating eczema, COPD, and various other conditions, remains a key growth driver. Plus, they’re dabbling in the exciting (and potentially lucrative) field of weight management. A quest as old as time itself, really. The pursuit of the perfect potion to defy the laws of thermodynamics.4

Loading widget...

So, what does it all mean? Well, it means that these two companies, while not immune to the vagaries of the market, appear to be positioning themselves for a potential comeback in 2026. It’s not a guarantee, of course. The market is a fickle god, and anything can happen. But, as any seasoned observer will tell you, sometimes, just sometimes, the auguries are right.

  1. The Guild of Alchemists and Venture Capitalists, while outwardly respectable, operates on a complex system of favours, insider information, and carefully worded prophecies.
  2. Veterinary medicine, much like human medicine, is a delicate balance of science, art, and the ability to convince a creature that a strange-tasting liquid is, in fact, good for them.
  3. Apoquel’s continued success is a testament to the enduring power of a well-formulated potion and a robust marketing campaign.
  4. The quest for the perfect weight management potion is a Sisyphean task, fraught with ethical dilemmas and the constant threat of unintended consequences.

Read More

2026-01-22 21:13