Astrazeneca Plc Stock Price, News & Analysis

AstraZeneca's Tagrisso® is now part of a clinical trial evaluating EMB-01, a bispecific antibody from EpimAb Biotherapeutics, for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The U.S. FDA has approved an IND application for a Phase Ib/II study, which intends to assess the safety, pharmacokinetics, and anti-tumor activity of this combination therapy. Dr. Chengbin Wu emphasized the importance of this milestone. The trial aims to tackle the unmet needs of NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations resistant to third-generation TKIs, potentially enhancing treatment options.

AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo's ENHERTU has shown promising results in the DESTINY-Breast04 trial, offering significant improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) for patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer. ENHERTU demonstrated a 49% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death compared to chemotherapy, with median PFS of 10.1 months vs. 5.4 months and median OS of 23.9 months vs. 17.5 months. These findings suggest a potential shift in standard treatment for approximately half of breast cancer patients previously considered HER2-negative.

Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca's ENHERTU has shown promising results in the DESTINY-Breast04 trial, enhancing median overall survival by over 6 months compared to chemotherapy for patients with HER2 low metastatic breast cancer. Key findings include a 49% reduction in disease progression or death risk and a median progression-free survival of 10.1 months. The treatment demonstrated a confirmed overall response rate of 52.6%, significantly higher than chemotherapy's 16.3%. The safety profile remains consistent, with most adverse events being manageable.

AstraZeneca announced updates on CALQUENCE® (acalabrutinib) during the ASCO Annual Meeting, showcasing its efficacy and safety in treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The ELEVATE-TN trial results indicated a statistically significant progression-free survival (PFS) benefit, with CALQUENCE combination therapy reducing disease progression or death risk by 89% compared to chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab. Additionally, CALQUENCE showed sustained PFS benefits in the ASCEND trial. Both trials confirmed CALQUENCE's long-term safety profile with no new severe adverse events reported.

Innate Pharma announced that its anti-CD39 monoclonal antibody, IPH5201, will advance to a Phase 2 clinical trial in lung cancer. The company will receive a $5M milestone payment from AstraZeneca (AZN), which will share study costs and supply clinical trial drugs. This trial showcases Innate's progress in building its late-stage pipeline. The IPH5201 antibody targets the immunosuppressive CD39 pathway, crucial in tumor biology. Innate's partnership with AstraZeneca includes multiple trials, indicating a strong collaboration.

AstraZeneca has partnered with GRAIL to develop companion diagnostic (CDx) assays that will help identify patients with high-risk, early-stage cancer. This collaboration aims to enhance clinical trial recruitment and provide critical information for early-stage cancer treatment. GRAIL's methylation platform will be used in these efforts, with plans for regulatory approvals for liquid biopsy diagnostics. The partnership reflects a commitment to improving patient outcomes in oncology by leveraging innovative blood-based detections.

AstraZeneca has commenced the IRIS Phase III clinical trial for anifrolumab, targeting lupus nephritis (LN), a severe kidney complication affecting up to 60% of lupus patients. Anifrolumab, a type I interferon receptor antibody, aims to provide new treatment options for LN, which often leads to dialysis and early mortality. The trial will enroll 360 patients and evaluate anifrolumab's effectiveness against a placebo when combined with standard therapies. Despite Phase II results not meeting primary endpoints, secondary outcomes showed promise, paving the way for further development.

AstraZeneca announced groundbreaking data for ENHERTU® at the ASCO Annual Meeting, showing potential to improve survival rates in patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer. Results from the DESTINY-Breast04 Phase III trial indicate statistically significant benefits in overall survival and progression-free survival. The portfolio includes 18 medicines featured across 100 abstracts, highlighting the company's commitment to innovation in oncology. The firm aims to redefine cancer care while presenting favorable data for other therapeutics such as CALQUENCE, IMFINZI, and LYNPARZA.

AstraZeneca (AZN) has expanded its collaboration with Proteros biostructures GmbH, focusing on the discovery and development of novel epigenetic drugs. The multi-year agreement builds upon a prior collaboration from June 2021 and includes research funding along with potential milestone payments up to USD 75 million plus tiered royalties on net sales. Proteros will leverage its expertise in drug-target interactions using advanced technologies like X-ray crystallography and cryo-Electron Microscopy to enhance drug discovery efficiency.