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.

0621 ET - EssilorLuxottica remains on a strong track after a solid first half, Equita SIM's Domenico Ghilotti says. The Franco-Italian eyewear group reported a robust performance in core business sales, despite weakness in its professional solutions division and a more limited contribution from smartglasses, the analyst writes in a research note. The company also provided indications on profitability that were more positive than expected, he adds. EssilorLuxottica's investment case has changed from extra revenue growth and margin dilution to more moderate growth but with greater operating leverage, Ghilotti says. Equita SIM confirms its buy recommendation on the stock. Shares are down 1% at 157.95 euros. (andrea.figueras@wsj.com)

0442 ET - Novartis's new multiple sclerosis drug might stand apart from a rival product Roche Holding is developing due to its safety profile, Citi analysts say in a research note. Novartis reported no liver-safety signals in its late-stage studies for its remibrutinib drug in multiple sclerosis, while Roche had a case of significant risk of severe drug-induced liver injury in trials for its fenebrutinib drug, the analysts say. Citi estimates Novartis's drug could generate $3.2 billion in annual peak sales in multiple sclerosis. Whether that estimate is conservative will largely depend on the magnitude of the efficacy of Novartis's drug and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's stance on the safety of Roche's medicine, the analysts say. Novartis's shares fall 0.75%, while Roche's rise 0.8%. (adria.calatayud@wsj.com)

0415 ET - Novartis's decision to suspend several clinical trials for a cell therapy after three patients died is expected to have a limited financial impact, Citi analysts say in a research note. Pending further updates, the news reduces the likelihood that the Swiss drugmaker's next-generation cell-therapy platform--which aims to accelerate the process of T-cell expansion to treat autoimmune diseases--could provide a future boost, the analysts say. However, the treatment was still in midstage trials, and Citi's current peak sales estimate stands at only $440 million. Novartis shares fall 0.6%. (adria.calatayud@wsj.com)

2229 ET - CSL's bulls at UBS don't think the Australia-based pharmaceutical company will experience much of a direct financial impact from its U.S. pricing agreements. CSL has agreed to give Medicaid access to medicines at prices comparable to those in other developed economies, but the investment bank's analysts point out that the state-based program accounts for a relatively small part of its U.S. sales. On top of that, they don't see obligations around the pricing of future drug launches as onerous, given that CSL will be in control of settings and able to manage the impact in its best interests. UBS has a last-published buy rating on the stock and a target price of 181.00 Australian dollars. Shares are up 0.5% at A$173.12. (stuart.condie@wsj.com)

2208 ET - The Delhi High Court's appointment of a forensic auditor to trace alleged asset dissipation linked to former Fortis promoters Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh is likely to have minimal impact on IHH Healthcare, says CIMB Securities analyst Chun Sung Oong in a note. However, the development could prolong legal proceedings and delay IHH's mandatory takeover offer for an additional 26% of Fortis Healthcare, he says. Fortis shareholders acceptance is also likely to remain limited as Fortis is trading well above the original INR170/share offer price, he reckons. IHH could explore alternative routes to raise its effective Fortis stake, including a potential share swap involving Gleneagles India, he says. CIMB has a buy rating and 10.30 ringgit target price on IHGH, which is down 0.5% at 8.11 ringgit.