The British-Swedish company AstraZeneca PLC (GB:AZN) is one of the leading pharmaceutical giants that is sharpening its focus on innovation and aims to address some of the world’s most pressing healthcare challenges. With a rich history spanning decades, AstraZeneca has cemented its position as a major player in the development of life-saving medications and groundbreaking therapies.
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AstraZeneca’s Quest for Innovation
One of the key pillars of AstraZeneca’s success lies in its relentless pursuit of innovation. The company operates in three main categories: Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals.
It invests heavily in research and development (R&D), dedicating significant resources to the discovery of treatments for a wide range of diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disorders, respiratory conditions, and more. It is worth noting that AstraZeneca spent $10.9 billion, or about 24% of its overall revenue, on R&D in 2023.
AstraZeneca’s notable breakthroughs include oncology treatments such as Tagrisso for non-small cell lung cancer and Lynparza for ovarian and breast cancers.
Moving forward, the company has 178 projects in its development pipeline and 17 new molecular entities (NMEs) in its late-stage pipeline. The company aims to launch 15 new molecular entities by 2030, out of which three were approved in 2023. Moreover, at the end of 2023, the company had 27 new phase 3 drugs in its portfolio. Notably, the company believes that 10 of these therapies have the potential to become blockbuster drugs (drugs that generate annual sales of at least $1 billion).
Beyond drug development, AstraZeneca is also committed to advancing healthcare through digital innovation. The company intends to deliver more precise, targeted treatments tailored to individual patient needs through the power of big data, artificial intelligence, and cutting-edge technologies.
AstraZeneca’s Oncology Portfolio Shines
AstraZeneca’s current portfolio features multiple growth catalysts, particularly in the field of cancer medications.
Sales of its cancer drug Imfinzi grew by 55% at CER (constant exchange rates) in 2023. Overall, in Oncology, the company’s revenues increased by 20% at CER in 2023. Revenues from Farxiga, the company’s blockbuster diabetes drug, soared 39% on a constant-currency basis in 2023 compared to the previous year.
Continuing its momentum, the company reported double-digit growth in Oncology in the first-quarter results for 2024. On the whole, Q1 revenue increased by 19% year-over-year to $12.68 billion.
The COVID-19 Vaccine Story
During the COVID-19 pandemic, AstraZeneca showed agility and resilience by rapidly developing and distributing vaccines worldwide. Through collaborative efforts with governments, global health organizations, and industry partners, it played a pivotal role in the fight against the pandemic.
AstraZeneca supplied 2 billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to more than 170 countries. The company achieved this milestone around 18 months after its partnership with the University of Oxford to develop the vaccine.
However, the company recently withdrew its COVID-19 vaccine globally amid falling demand. AstraZeneca’s decision to withdraw followed recent media reports concerning potential side effects of the vaccine, such as blood clots and low blood platelet counts. Additionally, the company is currently under global scrutiny and is facing class-action lawsuits claiming that its vaccine has resulted in fatalities and severe injuries in several cases.
Despite the recent setbacks related to the COVID-19 vaccine, the company recently announced encouraging findings from the SUPERNOVA Phase III trial. The study reveals that AstraZeneca’s investigational long-acting antibody (LAA), sipavibart, achieved a statistically significant decrease in the occurrence of symptomatic COVID-19.
AstraZeneca’s Efforts to Capitalize on the Weight Loss Race
Given the global obesity crisis and consumers’ growing awareness about health, weight-loss drugs are getting a lot of hype. According to MarketResearch.biz, the global weight loss market is projected to exceed approximately $532.5 billion by 2032, up from $260.7 billion in 2022. The big pharma giants, including AstraZeneca, are looking to capitalize on this opportunity, which could turn out to be a boon for their stocks.
AstraZeneca is currently lagging in this booming weight-loss and obesity drug market compared to Denmark-based Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NOV) (DE:NOV) and the U.S. pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE:LLY), who are the biggest beneficiaries in this domain. Products such as Ozempic and Wegovy from Nordisk, along with Mounjaro from Eli, are dominating the charts in this sector.
Both Ozempic and Mounjaro are injectable prescription medications primarily designed for adults with diabetes. However, they are frequently prescribed off-label for weight loss. In contrast, Wegovy received approval in 2021 specifically for the treatment of obesity.
Nonetheless, AstraZeneca has also marked its presence in this market. In November 2023, the company announced a deal to acquire an exclusive license for an oral weight-loss drug candidate from China’s Eccogene for approximately $2 billion.
AstraZeneca acknowledges that it is lagging in this segment but is actively developing the next wave of products. It aims to reach over one billion overweight or obese people worldwide, offering the once-daily pill in both developed and emerging markets for broader access.
The Road Ahead
AstraZeneca’s pipeline boasts a diverse portfolio of promising drug candidates across multiple therapeutic areas. From groundbreaking therapies in oncology to pivotal contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, AstraZeneca continues to lead the way in developing life-saving treatments. Looking ahead, the company remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing healthcare and driving innovation.
