The first-quarter 2024 earnings season is almost over as far as large drugmakers are concerned. Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY), Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO), Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) announced their first-quarter results this week. J&J (NYSE: JNJ) announced a new plan to completely resolve its talc-related lawsuits. Recap of the Week's Most Important Stories Earnings Update: Pfizer's first-quarter results were strong as it beat estimates for earnings as well as sales. While sales of COVID products declined due to lower demand, some key non-COVID products like Prevnar, Vyndaqel and Eliquis, new launches like Abrysvo and newly acquired products from Seagen boosted the top line in the first quarter. Sales of all key products like Prevnar, Vyndaqel and Eliquis beat estimates. Seagen drugs contributed $742 million to the top line in the first quarter. Revenues from Pfizer's non-COVID products rose 11% operationally in the first quarter. The company raised its 2024 earnings guidance while retaining revenue expectations. Adjusted earnings are expected in the range of $2.15 to $2.35 versus the prior expectation of $2.05 to $2.25 per share.The revenue guidance was maintained in the range of $58.5 to $61.5 billion in 2024, almost flat from the 2023 levels. Lilly's first-quarter results were soft as it beat estimates for earnings but missed the same for sales. Strong demand for Mounjaro, Zepbound, Verzenio and Jardiance pulled the top line in the quarter. However, continued supply constraints for incretin-based products like Trulicity, Mounjaro and Zepbound hurt sales. Demand for incretin-based products exceeded supply. Mounjaro recorded sales of $1.81 billion during the quarter, while Zepbound's sales were $517.4 million. Lilly is investing in new advanced manufacturing plants and lines in the United States and Europe to increase supply. Lilly expects the production of incretin-based products to increase from the second half of 2024. "Greater visibility" on its production expansion plans and strong demand for Mounjaro and Zepbound pushed Lilly to raise its ...