AstraZeneca (AZN) is aiming to meet its ambitious $80 billion target by 2030, with three promising cancer treatments unveiled in recent studies. The drugs focus on breast and gastric cancers and could help the pharmaceutical giant reach more than 82,000 patients annually across several global markets, including the U.S., U.K., and Canada, according to Dave Fredrickson, AstraZeneca’s Executive Vice President of Oncology.
Imfinzi’s Impact on Gastric Cancer
One of the key drivers of this ambition is the results of the Matterhorn study, testing AstraZeneca’s immuno-oncology drug Imfinzi in patients with gastric and gastroesophageal cancers. The treatment showed a 29% reduction in the risk of cancer recurrence following chemotherapy and surgery, a promising outcome for patients with a high recurrence rate. Fredrickson estimates that 40,000 patients in G7 countries could benefit from this advancement in cancer care.
Enhertu’s Potential in Breast Cancer
AstraZeneca is also betting on Enhertu, an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that targets cancer cells with more precision than traditional chemotherapy. In the Destiny Breast-09 study, Enhertu, when combined with Perjeta, outperformed standard treatments for advanced breast cancer. The results suggest that Enhertu could be used earlier in the treatment process, offering better outcomes for patients who haven’t yet received prior treatments. This development opens up a 32,000-patient market opportunity in the G7 countries.
Camizestrant Targets Mutations in Breast Cancer
The final promising treatment comes in the form of camizestrant, designed to tackle ESR1 mutations in patients with a certain type of breast cancer. A blood test is used to detect the mutation, allowing for earlier intervention and switching to camizestrant, which has demonstrated a 56% reduction in the risk of cancer progression. This strategy aims to “outsmart the cancer” and could benefit approximately 10,000 patients annually.
Expanding in Cancer Treatment
Fredrickson emphasized that AstraZeneca is at the forefront of multiple trends in cancer treatment, including the use of ADCs, immune system harnessing, and earlier interventions. These new modalities have the potential to drive significant advancements in oncology.
Stock Performance and Outlook
Despite the promising developments in their pipeline, AstraZeneca’s stock has recently underperformed its industry. The company’s Relative Strength Rating (RSR) has dropped to 34 from 76 three months ago, placing it in the bottom one-third of all stocks. The company is currently in a consolidation phase, with a buy point at $87.67, though it remains below its 200-day moving average.