07.16.21
Headquarters: London, UK
twitter.com/astrazeneca
www.astrazeneca.com
Headcount: 76,100
Year Established: 1999
Revenues: $26,617 (+9%)
Net Income: $3,144 (n/m)
R&D: $5,991 (-1%)
TOP SELLING DRUGS
In 2020, AstraZeneca’s revenue for the year grew 9% to $26.6 billion driven by the performance of new medicines across oncology and biopharmaceuticals, as well as emerging markets. New medicine total revenue improved by 33% to $13.9 billion, including growth in emerging markets of 53% to $2,845 million. Globally, new medicines represented 52% of total revenue.
Sales grew across most regions during the year. Total emerging markets sales increased by 7% to $8.7 billion, with China sales leading the way with 10% growth to $5.4 billion. In the U.S., total revenue increased by 13% to $8.8 billion and in Europe by 10% to $5.5 billion. Japan’s total revenue was $2.6 billion, up 1% from 2019.
Sales growth was reported in two of AstraZeneca’s three therapy areas: Oncology was up 23% to $11.5 billion, while CVRM increased by 3% to $7 billion. Respiratory and immunology declined by 1% to $5.4 billion, a reflection of the impact in China of Covid-19.
Tagrisso remained the company’s top-selling medicine as it continued its global rollout for 1st-line advanced EGFRm non-small cell lung cancer and secured the first global approval in the adjuvant setting in the U.S. in December 2020, based on the unprecedented disease-free survival benefit demonstrated in the ADAURA Phase III trial. Tagrisso also continues to be investigated in the Stage III, unresectable setting (LAURA), in the neoadjuvant resectable setting (NeoADAURA), in combination with chemotherapy in the metastatic setting (FLAURA2), and in combination with potential new medicines to address resistance to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
The oncology segment continued to benefit mostly from newer drugs like Tagrisso, Lynparza and Imfinzi. Still, more established brands performed better than expected, with growth in Zoladex and moderate sales decreases of Faslodex and Iressa due to generic competition in the U.S. and Europe.
In the CVRM sector, 2020 saw label extensions across AstraZeneca’s current brand portfolio, supporting stable performances from its Farxiga franchise across type-2 diabetes and heart failure, and strong launches with roxadustat and Lokelma.
Key growth drivers for the respiratory and immunology segment were Fasenra and Symbicort and, in the late stages of 2020, Breztri Aerosphere (Breztri). Highlights included positive results for the NAVIGATOR Phase III trial of tezepelumab in severe asthma, positive results in the OSTRO Phase III trial in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) for Fasenra and positive results in the ETHOS Phase III trial for Breztri leading to approvals for Breztri for maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the U.S. and moderate to severe COPD in the EU.
Acquisitions
In September 2020, AstraZeneca entered into an agreement with Dogma Therapeutics to acquire its preclinical oral PCSK9 inhibitor program. The company aims to take the program forward into clinical development for dyslipidaemia, or abnormal amounts of lipids in the blood, and familial hypercholesterolemia, a common genetic condition that causes high cholesterol.
In December, AstraZeneca and Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. entered into a definitive agreement for AstraZeneca to acquire Alexion. AstraZeneca's acquisition of Alexion, with its strong commercial portfolio and robust pipeline, will support its long-term ambition to develop novel medicines in areas of immunology with high unmet medical needs.
Alexion's franchise includes Soliris (eculizumab), a first-in-class anti-complement component 5 (C5) monoclonal antibody. The medicine is approved in many countries for the treatment of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH), atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome, generalized myasthenia gravis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. More recently, Alexion launched Ultomiris (ravulizumab), a second-generation C5 monoclonal antibody with a more convenient dosing regimen. AstraZeneca, with Alexion's R&D team, will work to build on Alexion's pipeline of 11 molecules across more than 20 clinical-development programs across the spectrum of indications, in rare diseases and beyond.
The acquisition is also expected to improve the combined Group’s profitability, with the core operating margin significantly enhanced in the short term, and with continued expansion thereafter. The acquisition is expected to close in Q3 2021.
In June 2021, AstraZeneca announced that the Board had appointed Dr. Aradhana Sarin as an executive director and chief financial officer. Sarin is currently executive vice-president, chief financial officer of Alexion. She will report to AstraZeneca’s chief executive officer, Pascal Soriot.
Collaborations and alliances
AstraZeneca works with academia, governments, industry, scientific organizations and patient groups, as well as other pharmaceutical companies, to access the best science to stimulate innovation and accelerate the delivery of new medicines to target unmet medical needs. The company currently has more than 800 collaborations around the world.
Of particular note, AstraZeneca announced a global development and commercialization collaboration agreement with Daiichi Sankyo for DS-1062, Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2 (TROP2)- directed ADC and potential new medicine for the treatment of multiple tumor types. DS-1062 is currently in development for the treatment of multiple tumors that commonly express the cell-surface glycoprotein TROP2. Among them, TROP2 is overexpressed in the majority of NSCLC and breast cancers tumor types that have long been a strategic focus for AstraZeneca. This collaboration reflects AstraZeneca’s strategy to invest in ADCs as a class, the innovative nature of the technology and the successful existing collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo.
In addition, AstraZeneca recovered the global rights to brazikumab (formerly MEDI2070), a mAb targeting IL23, from Allergan. Brazikumab is currently in a Phase IIb/III program in Crohn’s disease (CD) and a Phase IIb trial in ulcerative colitis (UC). AstraZeneca and Allergan terminated the existing license agreement and all rights to brazikumab reverted to AstraZeneca.
The company also entered a strategic collaboration agreement with OM Pharma SA, through which the company was granted the exclusive right to import, distribute and promote the immunological therapy Broncho-Vaxom (Bacterial Lysates/OM-85) in China. BronchoVaxom can prevent and treat recurrent or acute respiratory infections in patients by boosting host immunity. In China, recurrent respiratory tract infection is a particularly common disease in children.
Covid-19 vaccine and treatment
The largest direct impacts of Covid-19 on AstraZeneca’s portfolio of medicines included reduced sales of Pulmicort in China on fewer nebulization-center visits and reduced elective surgery, and less use globally of infused and injectable medicines, such as Imfinzi and Fasenra. There was also a decline in the number of hospital admissions around the world for the treatment of heart attacks and lower levels of elective percutaneous coronary intervention, adversely impacting sales of Brilinta. Some medicines, however, may have benefited from shifts in patient care and behaviors, including oral medicines such as Calquence, which saw an element of benefit from the substitution from infused-chemotherapy regimens.
AstraZeneca has collaborated to mobilize research efforts to target the SARS-CoV-2 virus, in order to provide protection to societies and people against Covid-19 and to treat patients with severe disease. C19VAZ, developed in collaboration with the University of Oxford, received authorization in December 2020 for emergency supply from the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Additional regulatory decisions have also been granted by regulatory authorities in a number of individual countries, including India, Argentina, Mexico and Morocco, and by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). In February 2021, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) also recommended C19VAZ for use in individuals 18 years and over, with a preferred dosing interval of eight to 12 weeks.
A rare but serious blood-clotting reaction disrupted the rollout of C19VAZ after 55 deaths were reported in the UK. In response, use of the AstraZeneca jab has been restricted or suspended in more than a dozen countries. Despite this, new data from Public Health England (PHE) in June demonstrated that the vaccine offers high levels of protection against the Delta variant (formerly the ‘Indian’ variant).
AstraZeneca is committed to supplying the vaccine at no profit during the pandemic and will make it available to low-income countries at no profit in perpetuity. So far, it has built supply capacity for billions of doses with agreements spanning more than 180 countries and multiple parallel supply chains across the world.
In addition to C19VAZ, the company has initiated five Phase III clinical trials of AZD7442, a long-acting antibody (LAAB) combination therapy for the prevention and treatment of Covid-19, to evaluate safety and efficacy in preventing infection and treating patients in outpatient and inpatient settings. AstraZeneca has received support of around $486 million from the U.S. Government for the development and supply of AZD7442 under an agreement with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).
twitter.com/astrazeneca
www.astrazeneca.com
Headcount: 76,100
Year Established: 1999
Revenues: $26,617 (+9%)
Net Income: $3,144 (n/m)
R&D: $5,991 (-1%)
TOP SELLING DRUGS
Drug | Indication | 2020 Sales | (+/-%) |
Tagrisso | lung cancer | $4,328 | 36% |
Symbicort | Asthma | $2,721 | 9% |
Lynparza | Fallopian tube cancer | $2,236 | 24% |
Imfinzi | Bladder cancer | $2,042 | 39% |
Farxiga | Type 2 diabetes | $1,964 | 27% |
Brilinta | antiplatelet | $1,593 | 1% |
Nexium | Acid reflux | $1,524 | 1% |
Crestor | Cholesterol | $1,182 | -10% |
Pulmicort | Asthma | $996 | -32% |
Fasenra | Asthma | $949 | 35% |
In 2020, AstraZeneca’s revenue for the year grew 9% to $26.6 billion driven by the performance of new medicines across oncology and biopharmaceuticals, as well as emerging markets. New medicine total revenue improved by 33% to $13.9 billion, including growth in emerging markets of 53% to $2,845 million. Globally, new medicines represented 52% of total revenue.
Sales grew across most regions during the year. Total emerging markets sales increased by 7% to $8.7 billion, with China sales leading the way with 10% growth to $5.4 billion. In the U.S., total revenue increased by 13% to $8.8 billion and in Europe by 10% to $5.5 billion. Japan’s total revenue was $2.6 billion, up 1% from 2019.
Sales growth was reported in two of AstraZeneca’s three therapy areas: Oncology was up 23% to $11.5 billion, while CVRM increased by 3% to $7 billion. Respiratory and immunology declined by 1% to $5.4 billion, a reflection of the impact in China of Covid-19.
Tagrisso remained the company’s top-selling medicine as it continued its global rollout for 1st-line advanced EGFRm non-small cell lung cancer and secured the first global approval in the adjuvant setting in the U.S. in December 2020, based on the unprecedented disease-free survival benefit demonstrated in the ADAURA Phase III trial. Tagrisso also continues to be investigated in the Stage III, unresectable setting (LAURA), in the neoadjuvant resectable setting (NeoADAURA), in combination with chemotherapy in the metastatic setting (FLAURA2), and in combination with potential new medicines to address resistance to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
The oncology segment continued to benefit mostly from newer drugs like Tagrisso, Lynparza and Imfinzi. Still, more established brands performed better than expected, with growth in Zoladex and moderate sales decreases of Faslodex and Iressa due to generic competition in the U.S. and Europe.
In the CVRM sector, 2020 saw label extensions across AstraZeneca’s current brand portfolio, supporting stable performances from its Farxiga franchise across type-2 diabetes and heart failure, and strong launches with roxadustat and Lokelma.
Key growth drivers for the respiratory and immunology segment were Fasenra and Symbicort and, in the late stages of 2020, Breztri Aerosphere (Breztri). Highlights included positive results for the NAVIGATOR Phase III trial of tezepelumab in severe asthma, positive results in the OSTRO Phase III trial in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) for Fasenra and positive results in the ETHOS Phase III trial for Breztri leading to approvals for Breztri for maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the U.S. and moderate to severe COPD in the EU.
Acquisitions
In September 2020, AstraZeneca entered into an agreement with Dogma Therapeutics to acquire its preclinical oral PCSK9 inhibitor program. The company aims to take the program forward into clinical development for dyslipidaemia, or abnormal amounts of lipids in the blood, and familial hypercholesterolemia, a common genetic condition that causes high cholesterol.
In December, AstraZeneca and Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. entered into a definitive agreement for AstraZeneca to acquire Alexion. AstraZeneca's acquisition of Alexion, with its strong commercial portfolio and robust pipeline, will support its long-term ambition to develop novel medicines in areas of immunology with high unmet medical needs.
Alexion's franchise includes Soliris (eculizumab), a first-in-class anti-complement component 5 (C5) monoclonal antibody. The medicine is approved in many countries for the treatment of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH), atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome, generalized myasthenia gravis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. More recently, Alexion launched Ultomiris (ravulizumab), a second-generation C5 monoclonal antibody with a more convenient dosing regimen. AstraZeneca, with Alexion's R&D team, will work to build on Alexion's pipeline of 11 molecules across more than 20 clinical-development programs across the spectrum of indications, in rare diseases and beyond.
The acquisition is also expected to improve the combined Group’s profitability, with the core operating margin significantly enhanced in the short term, and with continued expansion thereafter. The acquisition is expected to close in Q3 2021.
In June 2021, AstraZeneca announced that the Board had appointed Dr. Aradhana Sarin as an executive director and chief financial officer. Sarin is currently executive vice-president, chief financial officer of Alexion. She will report to AstraZeneca’s chief executive officer, Pascal Soriot.
Collaborations and alliances
AstraZeneca works with academia, governments, industry, scientific organizations and patient groups, as well as other pharmaceutical companies, to access the best science to stimulate innovation and accelerate the delivery of new medicines to target unmet medical needs. The company currently has more than 800 collaborations around the world.
Of particular note, AstraZeneca announced a global development and commercialization collaboration agreement with Daiichi Sankyo for DS-1062, Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2 (TROP2)- directed ADC and potential new medicine for the treatment of multiple tumor types. DS-1062 is currently in development for the treatment of multiple tumors that commonly express the cell-surface glycoprotein TROP2. Among them, TROP2 is overexpressed in the majority of NSCLC and breast cancers tumor types that have long been a strategic focus for AstraZeneca. This collaboration reflects AstraZeneca’s strategy to invest in ADCs as a class, the innovative nature of the technology and the successful existing collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo.
In addition, AstraZeneca recovered the global rights to brazikumab (formerly MEDI2070), a mAb targeting IL23, from Allergan. Brazikumab is currently in a Phase IIb/III program in Crohn’s disease (CD) and a Phase IIb trial in ulcerative colitis (UC). AstraZeneca and Allergan terminated the existing license agreement and all rights to brazikumab reverted to AstraZeneca.
The company also entered a strategic collaboration agreement with OM Pharma SA, through which the company was granted the exclusive right to import, distribute and promote the immunological therapy Broncho-Vaxom (Bacterial Lysates/OM-85) in China. BronchoVaxom can prevent and treat recurrent or acute respiratory infections in patients by boosting host immunity. In China, recurrent respiratory tract infection is a particularly common disease in children.
Covid-19 vaccine and treatment
The largest direct impacts of Covid-19 on AstraZeneca’s portfolio of medicines included reduced sales of Pulmicort in China on fewer nebulization-center visits and reduced elective surgery, and less use globally of infused and injectable medicines, such as Imfinzi and Fasenra. There was also a decline in the number of hospital admissions around the world for the treatment of heart attacks and lower levels of elective percutaneous coronary intervention, adversely impacting sales of Brilinta. Some medicines, however, may have benefited from shifts in patient care and behaviors, including oral medicines such as Calquence, which saw an element of benefit from the substitution from infused-chemotherapy regimens.
AstraZeneca has collaborated to mobilize research efforts to target the SARS-CoV-2 virus, in order to provide protection to societies and people against Covid-19 and to treat patients with severe disease. C19VAZ, developed in collaboration with the University of Oxford, received authorization in December 2020 for emergency supply from the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Additional regulatory decisions have also been granted by regulatory authorities in a number of individual countries, including India, Argentina, Mexico and Morocco, and by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). In February 2021, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) also recommended C19VAZ for use in individuals 18 years and over, with a preferred dosing interval of eight to 12 weeks.
A rare but serious blood-clotting reaction disrupted the rollout of C19VAZ after 55 deaths were reported in the UK. In response, use of the AstraZeneca jab has been restricted or suspended in more than a dozen countries. Despite this, new data from Public Health England (PHE) in June demonstrated that the vaccine offers high levels of protection against the Delta variant (formerly the ‘Indian’ variant).
AstraZeneca is committed to supplying the vaccine at no profit during the pandemic and will make it available to low-income countries at no profit in perpetuity. So far, it has built supply capacity for billions of doses with agreements spanning more than 180 countries and multiple parallel supply chains across the world.
In addition to C19VAZ, the company has initiated five Phase III clinical trials of AZD7442, a long-acting antibody (LAAB) combination therapy for the prevention and treatment of Covid-19, to evaluate safety and efficacy in preventing infection and treating patients in outpatient and inpatient settings. AstraZeneca has received support of around $486 million from the U.S. Government for the development and supply of AZD7442 under an agreement with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).