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AstraZeneca

A merger between Astra of Sweden and Zeneca Group of the United Kingdom formed AstraZeneca in 1999. The firm sells branded drugs across several major therapeutic classes, including gastrointestinal, diabetes, cardiovascular, respiratory, cancer, immunology and rare diseases. The majority of sales come from international markets with the United States representing close to one third of its revenue.

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Merck (NYSE: MRK) and its partner Daiichi Sankyo announced that the FDA has issued a complete response letter (&#34;CRL&#34;) to the biologics license application (BLA) seeking accelerated approval for patritumab deruxtecan for previously-treated EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Merck&#39;s Lung Cancer Candidate Faces FDA Rejection

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China has approved AstraZeneca&#39;s Tagrisso (osimertinib) combined with pemetrexed and platinum-based chemotherapy for first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer.

China Approves AstraZeneca&#39;s Tagrisso-Chemotherapy Combo Regime For Previously Untreated Lung Cancer Patients

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AstraZeneca&#39;s ADJUVANT BR.31 Phase 3 trial reveals Imfinzi didn&#39;t meet the primary endpoint for disease-free survival in early-stage NSCLC. Despite this, Imfinzi&#39;s safety profile remains consistent.

AstraZeneca&#39;s Blockbuster Cancer Drug Imfinzi Flunks As Follow-Up In Type Of Early-Stage Lung Cancer, But Hits Primary Goal In Phase 3 Bladder Cancer Study

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The U.S. Supreme Court supports pharmaceutical companies, led by AstraZeneca, in a lawsuit accusing them of funding terrorism in Iraq, dismissing a lower court&#39;s ruling and sending the case back for reconsideration.

Supreme Court Backs Pharmaceutical Giants in Iraq Terrorism Funding Case

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Gilead Sciences faces Wall Street speculation about its potential in the obesity drug market despite its focus on liver treatments.

Gilead Sciences Faces Wall Street Speculation About Obesity Drugs Despite Focus On Liver Treatments

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AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ: AZN) kicked off the week by receiving approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its blockbuster cancer drug Imfinzi combined with chemotherapy being used as a treatment forpatients suffering from specific type of endometrial cancer.

Covid-19 Pharma Stars Continue Their Quest To Set New Standards In Cancer Treatment

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AstraZeneca announced that the CAPItello-290 Phase 3 trial for Truqap (capivasertib) combined with paclitaxel in advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer did not meet primary endpoints for overall survival.

AstraZeneca&#39;s Combination Cancer Drug For Advanced Breast Cancer Study Flunks Late-Stage Trial

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Nurix Therapeutics presented updated clinical data for NX-5948, an orally bioavailable BTK degrader, at the EHA Congress. NX-5948 showed promising safety and efficacy in Phase 1a/b trials for relapsed/refractory B-cell malignancies

What&#39;s Going On With Small-Cap Cancer Focused Nurix Therapeutics On Monday?

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AstraZeneca&#39;s breakthrough drug, Imfinzi, combined with chemotherapy, has been officially approved by the FDA to treat advanced forms of endometrial cancer with mismatch repair deficiency. This critical approval is based on Phase III trial results showing a 58% reduction in disease progression, promising improved outcomes for those battling this severe cancer.

FDA Approves AstraZeneca Treatment For Advanced Endometrial Cancer

AstraZeneca shares data from the ECHO Phase 3 trial on Calquence plus bendamustine and rituximab in untreated mantle cell lymphoma patients over 65.

AstraZeneca Says Calquence/Chemo Combo Data Shows Additional 16.8 Months Without Disease Progression In Patients With Certain Type Of Blood Cancer

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Merck (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mrk#NYSE">MRK</a>) and its partner Daiichi Sankyo announced that the FDA has issued a complete response letter (&quot;CRL&quot;) to the biologics license application (BLA) seeking accelerated approval for patritumab deruxtecan for previously-treated EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung&nbsp;cancer (NSCLC).
The BLA seeks approval for patritumab deruxtecan, a specifically engineered potential first-in-class HER3-directed DXd antibody drug conjugate, to treat adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutated NSCLC previously treated with two or more systemic therapies.
The FDA&#39;s CRL was based on observations made after the inspection of a third-party manufacturing facility. The FDA has not requested any additional efficacy/safety studies, nor has it identified any issues related to the safety and efficacy of the candidate.&nbsp;Merck said it will work closely with the FDA and the third-party manufacturer to resolve the issue.
The BLA was supported by data from the HERTHENA-Lung01 pivotal phase II study. The study demonstrated an objective response rate of 29.8%, while the median duration of response (DoR) was 6.4 months.
Merck&#39;s stock has risen 20.6% so far this year compared with an increase of 23.1% for the industry.
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Merck acquired global co-development and co-commercialization rights to patritumab deruxtecan/MK-1022 and two other ADCs, raludotatug deruxtecan/MK-5909 and ifinatamab deruxtecan/MK-2400 from Daiichi Sankyo in October last year for a total potential consideration of up to $22 billion. While raludotatug deruxtecan is being developed in phase II/III study for ovarian cancer, ifinatamab deruxtecan is being studied for colorectal and small-cell lung cancer in phase II. Daiichi Sankyo has retained exclusive rights for the development of the candidates in Japan.
ADCs are being considered a disruptive innovation in the pharmaceutical industry as these will enable better treatment of cancer by harnessing the targeting power of antibodies to deliver cytotoxic molecule drugs to tumors.
Daiichi Sankyo has six ADCs in clinical development across multiple types of cancer. It markets Enhertu, a HER2-directed ADC for HER2-mutated breast, lung and gastric cancers, in partnership with AstraZeneca (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/azn#NASDAQ">AZN</a>). Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca have also developed datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd), a TROP2-directed ADC. Dato-DXd is under FDA review for advanced nonsquamous NSCLC as well as previously treated metastatic HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. The sixth ADC candidate is DS-3939, a TA-MUC1-directed ADC, which Daiichi Sankyo is developing on its own.
Pfizer also has a strong portfolio of ADC drugs, which were added with last year&#39;s acquisition of Seagen. The December 2023 acquisition of Seagen added four ADCs &mdash; Adcetris, Padcev, Tukysa and Tivdak &mdash; to Pfizer&#39;s portfolio. Adcetris, Padcev, Tukysa and Tivdak contributed $257 million, $341 million, $106 million and $28 million, respectively, to Pfizer&#39;s oncology revenues in the first quarter of 2024.
On Jun 25, the FDA also issued a CRL to AbbVie&#39;s (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/abbv#NYSE">ABBV</a>) new drug application seeking approval for pipeline candidate, ABBV-951, for the treatment of motor fluctuations in patients with advanced Parkinson&#39;s disease. This was the second CRL issued for ABBV-951 by the FDA. AbbVie received the first CRL in March last year.
Merck has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) currently.
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<h3>Merck &amp; Co., Inc. Price and Consensus</h3>
<img alt="Merck &amp; Co., Inc. Price and Consensus" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/charts/d8/1719484857.png" style="height:265px; width:590px" title="" />
Merck &amp; Co., Inc. price-consensus-chart | Merck &amp; Co., Inc. Quote
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<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2294389/merck-s-mrk-lung-cancer-candidate-faces-fda-rejection?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|company_news_medical_sector-2294389">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Merck's Lung Cancer Candidate Faces FDA Rejection

On Wednesday, China approved AstraZeneca plc's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AZN#NYSE">AZN</a>) Tagrisso (osimertinib) with the addition of pemetrexed and platinum-based chemotherapy for the 1st-line treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated non-small cell lung cancer whose tumors have exon 19 deletions or exon 21 mutations.  
On Tuesday, the Tagrisso with pemetrexed and platinum-based chemotherapy regime <a target="_blank" href="https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/press-releases/2024/tagrisso-addition-chemotherapy-approved-japan-new-first-line-treatment-patients-egfr-mutated-advanced-lung-cancer.html" rel="noreferrer noopener">received</a> approval in Japan for the same indication.
China's National Medical Products Administration approved the drug based on the results of the FLAURA2 Phase 3 trial, which were published in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nejm.org/" rel="noreferrer noopener">the New England Journal of Medicine</a>.
In the overall trial population,&nbsp;Tagrisso, with the addition of chemotherapy, reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 38% by investigator assessment compared to&nbsp;Tagrisso monotherapy, which is the 1st-line global standard of care.
Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 25.5 months for patients treated with&nbsp;Tagrisso&nbsp;plus chemotherapy, an 8.8-month improvement versus&nbsp;Tagrisso&nbsp;monotherapy (16.7 months).
PFS results by blinded independent central review (BICR) in the overall trial population were consistent with results by investigator assessment, showing a median PFS of 29.4 months with&nbsp;Tagrisso plus chemotherapy, a 9.5-month improvement over&nbsp;Tagrisso&nbsp;monotherapy (19.9 months).
While the overall survival (OS) remained immature at the second interim analysis (41% maturity), an encouraging trend towards an OS benefit was observed with&nbsp;Tagrisso&nbsp;plus chemotherapy versus&nbsp;Tagrisso&nbsp;alone. The trial continues to assess OS as a key secondary endpoint.&nbsp;
Efficacy results from the China cohort of FLAURA2 were broadly consistent with the overall trial.
By investigator assessment, Tagrisso, with the addition of chemotherapy reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 44% compared to&nbsp;Tagrisso&nbsp;monotherapy. Median PFS was 27.4 months for patients treated with&nbsp;Tagrisso&nbsp;plus chemotherapy, a 5.1-month improvement versus&nbsp;Tagrisso&nbsp;monotherapy (22.3 months).
PFS results in the China cohort by BICR were consistent with the results by investigator assessment, showing 33.2 months median PFS with&nbsp;Tagrisso&nbsp;plus chemotherapy, an 11.2-month improvement over&nbsp;Tagrisso&nbsp;monotherapy (22.0 months).
A trend towards an OS benefit was also observed in the China cohort for&nbsp;Tagrisso&nbsp;plus chemotherapy versus&nbsp;Tagrisso&nbsp;alone.
Price Action: AZN shares were trading lower by 0.92% to $79.02 at the last check on Wednesday.
Photo by Aunt Spray via Shutterstock

China Approves AstraZeneca's Tagrisso-Chemotherapy Combo Regime For Previously Untreated Lung Cancer Patients

China Approves AstraZeneca's Tagrisso (Osimertinib) With The Addition Of Pemetrexed And Platinum-based Chemotherapy For The First-Line Treatment Of Locally Advanced Or Metastatic EGFR-Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

On Tuesday, AstraZeneca Plc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AZN#NASDAQ">AZN</a>) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/press-releases/2024/update-on-imfinzi-adjuvant-br31-trial.html" rel="noreferrer noopener">released</a> topline data from the ADJUVANT BR.31 Phase 3 trial, sponsored by the Canadian Cancer Trials Group.
The data showed&nbsp;that Imfinzi&nbsp;(durvalumab) did not achieve statistical significance for the primary endpoint of disease-free survival versus placebo in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after complete tumor resection in patients whose tumors express PD-L1 on 25% or more tumor cells.
&#8220;We are disappointed in the ADJUVANT BR.31 results,&#8221; said Susan Galbraith, executive vice president of oncology research and development at AstraZeneca.
The safety profile for&nbsp;Imfinzi&nbsp;was consistent with its known safety profile, and no new safety concerns were reported.
Imfinzi&nbsp;is the only approved immunotherapy and the global standard of care in the curative-intent setting of unresectable, Stage III NSCLC patients whose disease has not progressed after chemoradiotherapy based on the PACIFIC Phase 3 trial.
Imfinzi&nbsp;is also being investigated as monotherapy and in combinations in several other early-stage lung cancer settings, including in medically inoperable or unresected Stage I-II NSCLC (PACIFIC-4) and unresectable, Stage III NSCLC (PACIFIC-5, 8 and 9).
In April, the European pharma giant shared data from the ADRIATIC Phase 3 trial. Imfinzi demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in the dual primary endpoints of overall survival and progression-free survival compared to placebo in limited-stage <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/04/38110994/new-hope-for-aggressive-lung-cancer-astrazenecas-imfinzi-shows-promising-results-in-phase-3-trial" rel="noreferrer noopener">small-cell lung cancer patients</a>.
AstraZeneca also <a target="_blank" href="https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/press-releases/2024/imfinzi-improved-efs-and-os-in-bladder-cancer.html" rel="noreferrer noopener">shared</a> high-level results from the NIAGARA Phase 3 trial showing Imfinzi&nbsp;in combination with chemotherapy demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in&nbsp;the primary endpoint of&nbsp;event-free survival and the key secondary endpoint of overall survival versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy for&nbsp;muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
Patients were treated with&nbsp;Imfinzi&nbsp;in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy before cystectomy (surgery to remove the bladder),&nbsp;followed by&nbsp;Imfinzi&nbsp;as adjuvant monotherapy.
The addition of&nbsp;Imfinzi&nbsp;did not increase the discontinuation rate due to adverse events and did not compromise patients&#8217; ability to complete surgery compared to neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone.
Concurrently, Japan <a target="_blank" href="https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/press-releases/2024/tagrisso-addition-chemotherapy-approved-japan-new-first-line-treatment-patients-egfr-mutated-advanced-lung-cancer.html" rel="noreferrer noopener">approved</a> AstraZeneca&#8217;s&nbsp;Tagrisso&nbsp;(osimertinib) with the addition of pemetrexed and platinum-based chemotherapy as the 1st-line treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated NSCLC whose tumors have exon 19 deletions or exon 21 mutations.
Price Action: At the last check on Tuesday, AZN shares were up 0.44% at $79.72.
Image by Robert Way via Shutterstock

AstraZeneca's Blockbuster Cancer Drug Imfinzi Flunks As Follow-Up In Type Of Early-Stage Lung Cancer, But Hits Primary Goal In Phase 3 Bladder Cancer Study

Japan Approves AstraZeneca's Tagrisso (Osimertinib) With Addition Of Pemetrexed And Platinum-based Chemotherapy As New First-line Treatment For Patients With EGFR-Mutated Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

AstraZeneca's High-level Results From ADJUVANT Br.31 Phase 3 Trial Of Imfinzi Did Not Achieve Statistical Significance For Primary Endpoint Of Disease-free Survival Versus Placebo In Early-stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

AstraZeneca's NIAGARA Phase 3 Trial Of Imfinzi (Durvalumab) Plus Chemotherapy Showed Statistically Significant And Clinically Meaningful Improvement In Event-free Survival And Overall Survival Vs Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy In Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer

The U.S. Supreme Court has supported 21 pharmaceutical and medical equipment companies, led by AstraZeneca Plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AZN#NYSE">AZN</a>), in a lawsuit accusing them of funding terrorism that harmed American <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/05/38992121/biden-administration-urges-supreme-court-review-in-terrorism-funding-lawsuit-against-pharma-compa" rel="noreferrer noopener">troops and civilians in Iraq</a>.
The justices dismissed a lower court&#8217;s ruling that had allowed the case to proceed, directing the court to reconsider the lawsuit.
The plaintiffs allege that major U.S. and European pharmaceutical and device manufacturers, including Pfizer Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>), GE Healthcare USA, a unit of&nbsp;GE Healthcare Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GEHC#NASDAQ">GEHC</a>), Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>), and F. Hoffmann-La Roche (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RHHBY#OTC">RHHBY</a>), provided corrupt payments to the Hezbollah-sponsored militia group Jaysh al-Mahdi.
These payments were allegedly made to secure medical supply contracts from Iraq&#8217;s health ministry, which the plaintiffs claim was controlled by the militia group.
Initiated in 2017 in federal court in Washington, Reuters notes that the lawsuit seeks unspecified damages under the Anti-Terrorism Act, allowing Americans to pursue claims related to acts of international terrorism.
In 2020, a federal trial judge dismissed the lawsuit, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit revived the case in 2022, the report added.
Reuters noted that in a joint statement on Monday, pharmaceutical and device companies expressed approval of the Supreme Court&#8217;s ruling and called for the lawsuit&#8217;s dismissal based on a previous Supreme Court decision involving Twitter, now known as X.
The companies argued that the ruling, which protected Twitter from liability under the Anti-Terrorism Act, should also apply to their case.
The Supreme Court&#8217;s decision in the Twitter case established that aiding and abetting claims under the Anti-Terrorism Act requires proof that a defendant &#8220;consciously and culpably&#8221; participated in a terror act to aid its success.
The plaintiffs in the current case argued that the pharmaceutical and device companies&#8217; knowing bribes to terrorists were more culpable than Twitter&#8217;s alleged failure to exclude a terrorist group from its platform.
The case now returns to the lower court for reconsideration, as per the Supreme Court&#8217;s instructions.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Pixabay

Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GILD#NASDAQ">GILD</a>) witnessed a flurry of Wall Street speculation regarding its potential involvement in the obesity drug market. But, the biotech company, renowned for its cancer and HIV treatments, has not positioned itself as a contender in this lucrative field.
Most recently, Gilead shared topline results from an interim analysis of its Phase 3 PURPOSE 1 trial indicating its twice-yearly injectable HIV-1 capsid inhibitor, lenacapavir,&nbsp;demonstrated 100% efficacy for the investigational use of HIV prevention <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/06/39416579/why-is-gilead-sciences-stock-trading-higher-on-thursday" rel="noreferrer noopener">in cisgender women</a>.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) <a href="https://www.wsj.com/health/pharma/why-wall-street-is-chasing-ozempic-wannabes-318a20aa?mod=latest_headlines" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">noted</a> last week, Michael Yee, a Jefferies analyst, published a note that stirred interest by highlighting patents and early-stage data suggesting a possible metabolic program which might evolve into an obesity treatment.
The insights spurred a 3.6% surge in Gilead&#8217;s shares, marking their most significant one-day gain in a year. But, this optimism was short-lived.
Gilead clarified that its focus remains on liver treatments, specifically targeting nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a metabolic disease often linked to obesity.
The WSJ cited a company spokesperson and noted Gilead was conducting a mid-stage study on potential combinations with a GLP-1 drug for NASH treatment.
While Jefferies analyst maintained this focus on NASH does not preclude an eventual pivot toward obesity, analysts remained skeptical.
BMO Capital Markets analyst Evan Seigerman expressed doubts about Gilead&#8217;s competitiveness in the obesity drug space, emphasizing that Gilead did not intend to enter this market.
The broader health care finance landscape underscores the allure of the obesity drug market. GLP-1 drugs like Zepbound and Wegovy have captivated both the public and investors, with high-profile figures like Oprah Winfrey and Elon Musk among their users.
Companies like Eli Lilly And Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) and Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) are approaching unprecedented market capitalizations driven by the success of their weight-loss medications.
According to Jared Holz, a healthcare equity strategist at Mizuho, the popularity of obesity drugs significantly boosted sector-specific ETFs, such as health care.
In contrast, established pharmaceutical giants like Bristol-Myers Squibb &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BMY#NYSE">BMY</a>), Pfizer Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>), Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>), and Merck &amp; Co Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) faced growth challenges as patents expire on blockbuster drugs.
Many are now eyeing the obesity market, with Roche Holdings AG (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RHHBY#OTC">RHHBY</a>), AstraZeneca Plc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AZN#NASDAQ">AZN</a>), Amgen Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMGN#NASDAQ">AMGN</a>), Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/REGN#NASDAQ">REGN</a>) all developing their own weight-loss drugs.
Merck even hinted at pursuing oral obesity treatments during a Goldman Sachs conference.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/06/39431836/5-charts-expose-troubling-weaknesses-in-record-high-stock-market-this-is-not-normal">5 Charts Expose Troubling Weaknesses In Record-High Stock Market: &#8216;This Is Not Normal&#8217;</a>
Photo: Shutterstock

AstraZeneca&nbsp;PLC&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/azn#NASDAQ">AZN</a>) kicked off the week by receiving approval from the&nbsp;U.S. Food and Drug Administration&nbsp;for its&nbsp;blockbuster cancer drug Imfinzi combined with chemotherapy&nbsp;being used as a treatment forpatients suffering from specific type of endometrial cancer. Its pharma peer,&nbsp;BioNTech SE&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bntx#NASDAQ">BNTX</a>) wasn&rsquo;t as lucky as also on Monday, the FDA put its experimental cancer drug study on&nbsp;partial clinical hold.
<h3>Combining Immunotherapy And Chemotherapy Is Emerging As A&nbsp;New Standard In Cancer Treatment</h3>
On Monday, the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical company revealed its&nbsp;late-stage trial&nbsp;&nbsp;showed that&nbsp;the combination of&nbsp;Imfinzi&nbsp;and&nbsp;chemotherapy drugs carboplatin and paclitaxel, followed by Imfinzi by itself, reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 58% in adult&nbsp;suffering from&nbsp;primary, advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer that is mismatch repair deficient (dMMR), compared to chemotherapy alone.&nbsp;Endometrial cancer&nbsp;is&nbsp;the fourth most prevalent cancer among women in the U.S.
AstraZeneca is certainly not the first drug maker to test this combined approach. Moderna Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mrna#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>) and Merck &amp; Co Inc (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mrk#NYSE">MRK</a>) developed an experimental mRNA vaccine and tested it combined with Merck&rsquo;s blockbuster immunotherapy drug, Keyytuda, as a treatment for melanoma. On June 3rd,&nbsp;Moderna and Merck&nbsp;revealed their combined treatment improved survival&nbsp;rates&nbsp;and showed durable efficacy in a midstage study in patients&nbsp;suffering from this&nbsp;deadly form of skin cancer.&nbsp;Nearly&nbsp;75% of patients&nbsp;that received the experimental vaccine Moderna and Merck developed, along with Keytruda,&nbsp;were alive without any signs or symptoms of their cancer returning&nbsp;after two and a half years. The overall survival rate of those patients who received the combined treatment that Moderna and Merck developed was 96% after the two-and-a-half-year period. Moreover, Merck and Moderna are expanding the scope of their trial by testing their combined treatment in patients diagnosed with a type of lung cancer.&nbsp;
<h3>BioNTech Faces A&nbsp;Setback On Its Oncology Journey&nbsp;</h3>
Like Pfizer (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pfe#NYSE">PFE</a>), with which it developed the revolutionary COVID-19 vaccine, BioNTech is turning to cancer drugs in response to declining post-pandemic sales.&nbsp;The antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), was being studied in a trial sponsored by China-based MediLink, in patients&nbsp;diagnosed with&nbsp;types of non-small cell lung cancer or breast cancer who&nbsp;underwent&nbsp;prior&nbsp;treatment.&nbsp;On Monday, the U.S. health regulator&nbsp;expressed&nbsp;concerns that&nbsp;at higher doses, thedrug&nbsp;could&nbsp;expose&nbsp;patients&nbsp;to unreasonable and significant risk of illness or injuries.&nbsp;Upon the news,&nbsp;BioNTech stated that the partial hold affects the enrollment of new patients in the trial in the U.S.&nbsp;
DISCLAIMER:&nbsp;This content is for informational purposes only. It is not intended as investing advice.
This article is from an unpaid external contributor. It does not represent Benzinga&#39;s reporting and has not been edited for content or accuracy.

Tuesday, AstraZeneca Plc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AZN#NASDAQ">AZN</a>) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/press-releases/2024/update-on-capitello-290-phase-iii-trial.html" rel="noreferrer noopener">announced</a> topline data from the CAPItello-290 Phase 3 trial for&nbsp;Truqap&nbsp;(capivasertib) in combination with paclitaxel in patients with locally advanced (inoperable) or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
The study did not meet the dual primary endpoints of improvement in overall survival (OS) versus paclitaxel in combination with placebo in either the overall trial population or in a subgroup of patients with tumors harboring specific biomarker alterations (PIK3CA, AKT1, or PTEN).
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/06/39351572/astrazeneca-says-calquencechemo-combo-data-shows-additional-16-8-months-without-disease-progressi" rel="noreferrer noopener">AstraZeneca Says Calquence/Chemo Combo Data Shows Additional 16.8 Months Without Disease Progression In Patients With Certain Type Of Blood Cancer</a>.
TNBC is defined as negative for all three. In the 1st-line setting, approximately 59,000 patients with TNBC are treated with a medicine.
Collectively, mutations in PIK3CA, AKT1, and alterations in PTEN affect approximately 35% of patients with TNBC.
&#8220;While we are disappointed in the CAPItello-290 outcome, these results will further our understanding of the role of the PI3K/AKT pathway in breast cancer as we continue our clinical research across the&nbsp;Truqap clinical development program and across our pipeline,&#8221; said Susan Galbraith, executive vice president, oncology R&amp;D, AstraZeneca.
The safety profile of&nbsp;Truqap in combination with paclitaxel in CAPItello-290 was broadly consistent with the known safety profile of each medicine with no new safety concerns identified.
Truqap&nbsp;is currently being evaluated in Phase 3 trials for breast cancer (CAPItello-292) and prostate cancer (CAPItello-280 and CAPItello-281) in combination with established treatments.
Last month, AstraZeneca said the survival results did not reach statistical significance in the overall trial population in the TROPION-Lung01&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/05/39045243/why-is-astrazeneca-stock-trading-lower-on-tuesday" rel="noreferrer noopener">phase 3 trial</a>.
Price Action: AZN shares are down 0.49% at $78.92 during the premarket session at last check Tuesday.
Image by Lydia Ilyakhina via Shutterstock

AstraZeneca's Combination Cancer Drug For Advanced Breast Cancer Study Flunks Late-Stage Trial

AstraZeneca's CAPItello Phase 3 Trial For Truqap (Capivasertib) Combined With Paclitaxel In Locally Advanced/Metastatic Triple-negative Breast Cancer Did Not Meet The Dual Primary Endpoints Of Improvement In Overall Survival Versus Paclitaxel Plus Placebo

Sunday, Nurix Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NRIX#NASDAQ">NRIX</a>) announced the presentation of updated clinical data for NX-5948, an orally bioavailable degrader of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/06/g39347302/nurix-therapeutics-presents-positive-results-from-ongoing-clinical-trial-of-nx-5948-in-patients-wi" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bruton&#8217;s tyrosine kinase (BTK)</a>.
BTK inhibitors have become a major commercial class, with drugs such as BeiGene Inc&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BGNE#NASDAQ">BGNE</a>) Brukinsa (Zanubrutinib), Eli Lilly And Co&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) Jaypirca (Pirtobrutinib), Johnson &amp; Johnson&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>) Imbruvica (Ibrutinib), and AstraZeneca Plc&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AZN#NASDAQ">AZN</a>) Calquence (Acalabrutinib).
NX-5948 is being evaluated in an ongoing Phase 1a/b trial in adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies, including CLL and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).
The data presented at EHA include safety findings for all patients in the Phase 1a dose escalation study regardless of diagnosis (n=79) and efficacy findings for those patients with relapsed or refractory CLL (n=31).
Patients were treated with NX-5948 at doses ranging from 50 to 600 mg once daily by oral administration.
NX-5948 was well tolerated across all doses evaluated, with the most common treatment-emergent adverse events of purpura/contusion, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia.
Among the efficacy-evaluable patients with CLL (n=26), NX-5948 treatment resulted in an objective response rate (ORR) of 69.2% across all doses tested.
Responses were observed as early as the first scan (8 weeks), and many patients experienced a deepening of their response with longer treatment time.
All responses remained ongoing as of the April 17 data cutoff.
Dr. Linton also presented an updated case report detailing the response of one patient who entered the study with CLL with CNS involvement after undergoing three prior therapies.
After daily treatment with 100 mg, and later 300 mg, of NX-5948, the patient exhibited a deepening response approaching complete response criteria by 36 weeks, with malignant cells eliminated in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by 24 weeks.
Another case report presented by the company involved a patient who had received eleven prior lines of therapy. After daily treatment with 200 mg of NX-5948, the patient achieved a response by week 8, which deepened over time and was ongoing with over six months of follow-up.
&#8220;We intend to move rapidly forward with the goal of initiating pivotal trial(s) with NX-5948 in 2025,&#8221; said Arthur Sands, president and CEO of Nurix.
Analyst Reaction:
<ul>
<li>JP Morgan maintains Nurix with an Overweight rating, raising the price <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NRIX/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">target from $30 to $31</a>.</li>
<li>Needham reiterates Nurix Therapeutics with a Buy and maintains $31 price target.</li>
</ul>
Price Action: NRIX shares are down 3.26% at $14.69 at last check Monday. 
Photo via Shutterstock

What's Going On With Small-Cap Cancer Focused Nurix Therapeutics On Monday?

AstraZeneca plc&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AZN#NASDAQ">AZN</a>) cancer drug, Imfinzi (durvalumab), in conjunction with standard chemotherapy, has now <a target="_blank" href="https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/press-releases/2024/imfinzi-approved-in-the-us-for-endometrial-cancer.html" rel="noreferrer noopener">received </a>endorsement from the U.S. authorities for treating certain severe forms of endometrial cancer.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration&#8217;s (FDA) approval is specifically for adults with primary, advanced, or recurrent endometrial cancer that shows mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR).
The decision stems from the compelling evidence provided by the DUO-E Phase III trial, which has been documented in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
In the clinical study, patients treated with Imfinzi in addition to the chemotherapy drugs carboplatin and paclitaxel, followed by a maintenance dose of Imfinzi alone, showed a 58% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death.
This combination demonstrated significant efficacy compared to chemotherapy alone, offering a new beacon of hope for those affected by the challenging condition.
According to Shannon N. Westin, Professor of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and principal investigator of the trial, &#8220;With the incidence and mortality of endometrial cancer expected to continue to increase significantly in the coming decades, it is more important than ever that we bring new treatment options to patients at the earliest possible moment in their care.&#8221;
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/05/39026687/astrazeneca-merck-gsk-struck-record-44-1b-licensing-deals-with-chinese-drugmakers-in-2023-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">AstraZeneca, Merck, GSK Struck Record $44.1B Licensing Deals With Chinese Drugmakers In 2023: Report</a>
Endometrial cancer, the fourth most prevalent cancer among U.S. women, led to almost 12,000 deaths in 2022.
Despite high survival rates at early stages, advanced cases remain difficult to treat, underscoring the need for effective therapies.
The safety profile of the Imfinzi and chemotherapy regimen aligns well with previous findings, showing manageability and tolerability within expected norms, and continues to be evaluated in ongoing trials including a combination of Imfinzi and Lynparza (olaparib).
AstraZeneca aims to increase its total revenue to $80 billion by 2030, a significant rise from $45.8 billion in 2023, through expansion in its oncology, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/05/38936595/astrazeneca-targets-ambitious-80b-in-total-revenue-by-2030-through-pipeline-expansion" rel="noreferrer noopener">biopharmaceuticals, and rare disease portfolios</a>.
Price Action: AZN shares are down 0.82% at $78.94 during the premarket session at last check Monday.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/05/38924527/pfizer-wins-107-5m-verdict-against-astrazeneca-over-cancer-drug-patent-dispute" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pfizer Wins $107.5M Verdict Against AstraZeneca Over Cancer Drug Patent Dispute</a>
Image by PDPics from Pixabay

AstraZeneca Plc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AZN#NASDAQ">AZN</a>) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/press-releases/2024/calquence-plus-chemoimmunotherapy-reduced-the-risk-of-disease-progression-or-death-by-27-percent.html" rel="noreferrer noopener">released</a> data from the ECHO Phase 3 trial of&nbsp;Calquence&nbsp;(acalabrutinib) plus bendamustine and rituximab compared to standard-of-care chemoimmunotherapy (bendamustine and rituximab) in adult patients at or over 65 years of age (n=635) with previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).
The data showed that the Calquence combo regime demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS).
The results will be presented at the European Hematology Association 2024 Hybrid Congress.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/05/38936595/astrazeneca-targets-ambitious-80b-in-total-revenue-by-2030-through-pipeline-expansion" rel="noreferrer noopener">AstraZeneca Targets Ambitious $80B In Total Revenue By 2030 Through Pipeline Expansion</a>.
Results showed that the&nbsp;Calquence&nbsp;combination regimen reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 27% compared to standard-of-care chemoimmunotherapy.
Median PFS was 66.4 months for patients treated with the&nbsp;Calquence&nbsp;combination (n=299) versus 49.6 months with standard-of-care chemoimmunotherapy (n=299).
The secondary endpoint of overall survival (OS) showed a favorable trend for the&nbsp;Calquence&nbsp;combination compared to standard-of-care chemoimmunotherapy.
The OS data were not mature at the time of this analysis, and the trial will continue to assess OS.
The ECHO trial enrolled during the pandemic period, and a pre-specified analysis censoring for COVID-19-related deaths was conducted to assess the impact.
PFS was further improved in both arms, with the Calquence combination reducing the risk of disease progression or death by 36%.
Median PFS was not reached among patients treated with the&nbsp;Calquence&nbsp;combination versus 61.6 months for standard-of-care chemoimmunotherapy. A favorable trend was seen for OS in this analysis for the&nbsp;Calquence&nbsp;combination.
Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&amp;D, AstraZeneca, said: &#8220;The ECHO trial data demonstrate important progress in improving outcomes for patients with mantle cell lymphoma. The 16.8 months of additional time patients can live without their disease progressing is highly clinically meaningful, with a trend to improvement in overall survival.&#8221;
Price Action: AZN shares are down 0.45% at $79.23 during the premarket session at last check Monday.
Image by Robert Way via Shutterstock

First and only BTK inhibitor to demonstrate favorable overall survival trend vs. standard-of-care chemoimmunotherapy in this setting
Positive results from the ECHO Phase III trial showed AstraZeneca&#39;s CALQUENCE&reg;(acalabrutinib) in combination with bendamustine and rituximab demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) and showed a favorable trend in overall survival (OS) compared to standard-of-care chemoimmunotherapy (bendamustine plus rituximab) in previously untreated patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

Reports Sunday, AstraZeneca Reports 27% Decrease In Progression Or Death Risk With CALQUENCE Combination In Phase III Mantle Cell Lymphoma Study

AstraZeneca Reports FDA Approved Durvalumab With Chemotherapy For Mismatch Repair Deficient Primary Advanced Or Recurrent Endometrial Cancer

Macro Economic Events

Economics

NVAX

FDA On June 13 Updates Advice To Manufacturers Of Covid-19 Vaccines (2024-2025 Formula), Says If Feasible Use KP.2 Strain Of JN.1-Lineage

This week, an FDA advisory committee unanimously recommended approval of Eli Lilly&#39;s (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/lly#NYSE">LLY</a>) Alzheimer&#39;s disease drug, donanemab. Pfizer&#39;s (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pfe#NYSE">PFE</a>) phase III study of investigational gene therapy, fordadistrogene movaparvovec, for ambulatory boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy&nbsp;failed to meet the primary endpoint as well as key secondary endpoints. The FDA approved AstraZeneca&#39;s (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/azn#NASDAQ">AZN</a>) type-II diabetes (T2D) medicine, Farxiga, for pediatric patients.&nbsp;AbbVie (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/abbv#NYSE">ABBV</a>) announced that it is in-licensing exclusive global rights to a next-generation TL1A antibody for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from a Chinese biotech.
<h3>Recap of the Week&#39;s Most Important Stories</h3>
FDA Panel Unanimously Endorses Lilly&#39;s Donanemab: The FDA&#39;s Peripheral and Central Nervous System Drugs Advisory Committee (PCNS) voted 11-0 unanimously recommending approval of Lilly&#39;s Alzheimer&#39;s disease drug, donanemab. The committee said that data from clinical studies on donanemab demonstrated substantial evidence of efficacy and clinically meaningful slowing of disease progression for early symptomatic Alzheimer&#39;s patients. Overall, the committee voted that the benefits of donanemab outweighed the risks despite some safety concerns. Anti-amyloid antibodies like donanemab can cause a brain swelling side effect called amyloid-related imaging abnormalities. However, to Lilly&#39;s advantage, the panel said such risks could be addressed by &quot;appropriate labelling and management&quot;.
If approved by the FDA, donanemab will face strong competition from Biogen and Japanese partner Eisai&#39;s Leqembi, which was granted full approval by the FDA for early Alzheimer&#39;s disease in the United States in July 2023.
Pfizer&#39;s Duchenne Therapy Study Fails: Pfizer&#39;s phase III study, CIFFREO, evaluating its mini-dystrophin gene therapy fordadistrogene movaparvovec for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy, failed to show improvement in motor function among patients four to eight years of age with DMD. The study failed to meet the primary endpoint of improvement in motor function, which was assessed by change in the North Star Ambulatory Assessment (&quot;NSAA&quot;) at one year after treatment. NSAA is a rating scale used to measure motor abilities. The study also failed to show a significant difference between participants treated with fordadistrogene movaparvovec and placebo for the key secondary endpoints. The study&#39;s key secondary endpoints included 10-meter run/walk velocity and time to rise from floor velocity.
The CIFFREO study is currently on a dosing pause due to the death of a young boy who participated in another phase II study called DAYLIGHT in May this year. The DAYLIGHT study is evaluating fordadistrogene movaparvovec for treating DMD in boys aged two to three years.
FDA Approves AstraZeneca&#39;s Farxiga for Pediatric Use: The FDA granted approval to AstraZeneca&#39;s medicine, Farxiga, to improve glycaemic control in pediatric patients10 years and older with T2D. Farxiga is already approved for adults with T2D in several countries, including the United States and the EU. The approval for pediatric use was based on data from the T2NOW phase III study, which demonstrated a significant reduction in A1C, a marker of average blood sugar, in Farxiga-treated patients compared to placebo. Farxiga is a key top-line driver for AstraZeneca. The expanded approval for younger patients should further boost sales. Farxiga is already approved for pediatric patients aged 10 years and above with T2D in several countries, including the EU (marketed under the brand name&nbsp;Forxiga).
The FDA accepted AstraZeneca&#39;s supplemental new drug application (sNDA), seeking expanded use of Tagrisso (osimertinib) for stage III EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) following treatment with chemoradiotherapy. With the FDA granting a priority review to the sNDA, a decision from the regulatory body is expected in the fourth quarter of 2024. If approved by the FDA, Tagrisso will be indicated for EGFRm NSCLC patients whose tumors have exon 19 deletions or exon 21 (L858R) mutations. The latest sNDA was based on data from the phase III LAURA study. Data from the study showed that treatment with Tagrisso reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 84% versus placebo.
AbbVie&#39;s New Deal to Develop Novel IBD Treatments: AbbVie announced an exclusive global licensing deal with the Chinese company FutureGen Biopharmaceutical to develop FG-M701, a next-generation TL1A antibody for the treatment of IBD. IBD includes two conditions, Crohn&#39;s disease and ulcerative colitis both characterized by chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. FG-M701, a novel TL1A inhibitor, is in pre-clinical development. These next-generation IBD therapies are developed to drive greater efficacy and less frequent dosing than the first-generation TL1A antibodies. For the deal, AbbVie will pay $150 million&nbsp;in upfront and near-term milestone payments&nbsp;to FutureGen, with the latter also being entitled to an additional&nbsp;$1.56 billion in potential milestone payments.
The NYSE ARCA Pharmaceutical Index rose 0.5% in the last five trading sessions.
<div class="chart_embed">
<h3>Large Cap Pharmaceuticals Industry 5YR % Return</h3>
<img alt="Large Cap Pharmaceuticals Industry 5YR % Return" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/charts/f3/1718349434.png" style="height:268px; width:546px" title="" />
Large Cap Pharmaceuticals Industry 5YR % Return
</div>
Here&#39;s how the eight major stocks performed in the last five trading sessions.
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/74/68831.jpg?v=537135530" /> 
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
In the last five trading sessions, Lilly rose the most (5.5%), while Pfizer declined the most (4.0%).
In the past six months, Lilly has risen the most (54.5%), while J&amp;J has dropped the most (6.2%).
<h3>What&#39;s Next in the Pharma World?</h3>
Watch this space for regular pipeline and regulatory updates next week.
Pfizer, Lilly and AstraZeneca have a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) each.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2288361/pharma-stock-roundup-fda-panel-endorses-lly-s-donanemab-pfe-s-dmd-therapy-study-fails?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|stock_roundup-2288361">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Pharma Stock Roundup: FDA Panel Endorses LLY's Donanemab, PFE's DMD Therapy Study Fails

The FDA approval was based on positive results from the pediatric T2NOW Phase III trial. FARXIGA was previously approved in the US in adults with T2D as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control.&nbsp;
To improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with T2D, the recommended starting dose is 5 mg orally once daily. Dose can be increased to 10 mg orally once daily for additional glycemic control.

AstraZeneca's FARXIGA (Dapagliflozin) Secures FDA Approval To Improve Glycemic Control In Pediatric Patients With Type-2 Diabetes Aged 10 Years And Older

<a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice &amp; Trading Tips</a>
There are multiple reasons to consider exposure to pharmaceutical stocks for the long-term portfolio. First, pharma stocks have a low-beta and provide and help in reducing the overall beta of a portfolio that&rsquo;s overweight <a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-types/growth-stocks/">growth stocks</a>. Further, pharma stock represents a business that&rsquo;s relatively immune to economic shocks.



At the same time, well established pharma companies have healthy cash flows and therefore sustained value creation through dividends. With these factors in consideration, investors should look at undervalued pharma stocks for the portfolio.



I must add here that the global disease burden has been rising. Pharmaceutical companies aggressively investing in research and development are likely to benefit from drugs launched for various conditions. The focus of this column is therefore on blue-chip pharma stocks with high financial flexibility to invest in building an attractive drug pipeline.



Given the low-beta factor, it&rsquo;s unrealistic to expect high returns. However, the undervalued pharma stocks discussed have the potential to beat index returns on a consistent basis.



<h2>Pfizer (PFE)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/pfe-stock-3-300x169.jpg" alt="Pfizer logo on Pfizer building. Pfizer is an American pharmaceutical corporation."><div>Source: Manuel Esteban / Shutterstock.com</div></div>Pfizer (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/pfe-stock-quote/">PFE</a>) stock is in a phase of peak pessimism and trades at a valuation gap. After a correction of almost 30% in the last 12 months, the biopharmaceutical stock trades at a forward P/E of 11.8. The stock also offers a healthy dividend yield of 6%. In my view, this is the best time to accumulate PFE stock for healthy total returns.



There is no doubt that Pfizer&rsquo;s growth has been impacted in a post-pandemic world as Covid-19 vaccine sales decline. At the same time, drugs going off-patent have impacted growth. However, at current valuations, these factors are discounted.



It&rsquo;s worth noting that Pfizer has been building base for the next stage of revenue acceleration. On the organic front, the pharma company has a <a href="https://www.pfizer.com/science/drug-product-pipeline">deep pipeline of 113 molecular entities</a>. With 37 candidates in phase three and three in the registration phase, there is visibility for growth as new drugs are commercialized.



On the inorganic front, Pfizer has pursued multiple acquisitions in the last 12 to 18 months. The most prominent being that of Seagen. The acquisition was completed in December 2023 and establishes Pfizer as a <a href="https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-completes-acquisition-seagen">leading oncology company</a>. This diversification will support long term growth.



<h2>Merck (MRK)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/mrk-stock-3-300x169.jpg" alt="Merck (MRK) logo outside of corporate building"><div>Source: Atmosphere1 / Shutterstock.com</div></div>Merck (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/mrk-stock-quote/">MRK</a>) stock has not been depressed like Pfizer. On the contrary, the stock has trended higher by 18% in the last 12 months. However, valuations remain attractive and MRK stock offers a dividend yield of 2.36%. For a long-term investor, fresh exposure can be considered at current levels.



For Q1 2024, Merck reported healthy sales growth of 9% on a year-on-year basis to $15.8 billion. The <a href="https://s21.q4cdn.com/488056881/files/doc_financials/2024/q1/Merck-News-Release-04-25-24-Merck-Announces-First-Quarter-2024-Financial-Results.pdf">oncology and vaccine segment</a> were sales growth drivers. It&rsquo;s worth mentioning here that based on the oncology pipeline, Merck expects <a href="https://s21.q4cdn.com/488056881/files/doc_events/2024/Jun/03/asco-investor-event-slides-final-for-website.pdf">sales of $20 billion</a> from the segment by mid-2030s.



Further, if we look at the overall pipeline, there is clear visibility for sustained growth. Currently, Merck has <a href="https://www.merck.com/research/product-pipeline/">80 programs in the second phase</a>, 30 in the third phase, and 10 programs under review. For Q1 2024, Merck reported research and development expense of $4 billion. Aggressive investment in R&amp;D will continue to ensure that the pipeline remains robust.



<h2>AstraZeneca (AZN)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/azn-stock-3-300x169.jpg" alt="Exterior of the AstraZeneca's manufacturing facility at Snackviken"><div>Source: Roland Magnusson / Shutterstock.com</div></div>After an extended period of consolidation, AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/azn-stock-quote/">AZN</a>) stock has trended higher by 17% for year-to-date. I believe that AZN stock remains undervalued. Further, the biopharma stock offers a healthy dividend yield of 2.5%.



For 2023, AstraZeneca reported revenue of $45.8 billion. The biopharmaceutical company has guided for a <a href="https://www.astrazeneca.com/content/dam/az/Investor_Relations/events/ID/AstraZeneca-Ambition-2030-presentation.pdf">revenue target of $80 billion</a> by the end of the decade. Therefore, there is visibility for sustained growth and cash flow upside. The company has also guided for mid-30s% core operating margin by 2030.



It&rsquo;s worth noting that AstraZeneca has <a href="https://www.astrazeneca.com/our-therapy-areas/pipeline.html">182 projects in the pipeline</a> with 19 new molecular entities in the late-stage. The guidance to launch 20 new molecular entities by 2030 is realistic.



Another growth driver for AstraZeneca is wide geographic presence. The company reported 26% growth in emerging markets. However, excluding China, <a href="https://www.astrazeneca.com/content/dam/az/PDF/2024/q1/Q1-2024-results-presentation.pdf">emerging market growth</a> was 40% on a year-on-year basis. There is ample headroom for growth in markets like India. Overall, AstraZeneca, with a deep pipeline, is positioned to achieve its ambitious growth target and create value on a sustained basis.



On the date of publication, Faisal Humayun did not hold (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com&nbsp;<a href="https://investorplace.com/corporate/investorplace-publishing-guidelines/" target="_blank">Publishing Guidelines</a>.
<div>Faisal Humayun is a senior research analyst with 12 years of industry experience in the field of credit research, equity research and financial modeling. Faisal has authored over 1,500 stock specific articles with focus on the technology, energy and commodities sector.</div><h3>More From InvestorPlace</h3>
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The post <a href="https://investorplace.com/2024/06/3-undervalued-pharma-stocks-to-buy-for-dividends-and-capital-gains/">3 Undervalued Pharma Stocks to Buy for Dividends and Capital Gains</a> appeared first on <a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace</a>.

3 Undervalued Pharma Stocks to Buy for Dividends and Capital Gains

AstraZeneca adds novel systemic lupus erythematosus target with BenevolentAI

Goldman Sachs analyst Rajan Sharma maintained a Buy rating on AstraZeneca (AZN – Research Report) today and set a price target of £152.00. The comp...

AstraZeneca (AZN) Receives a Buy from Goldman Sachs

AstraZeneca lung cancer therapy Imfinzi fails in late-stage trial

With uncertainty looming over the stock market, investors are flocking toward blue-chip companies for stability and long-term growth potential. Thus, one could consider adding these three fundamentally sound blue-chip stocks, Walmart (WMT), The Procter & Gamble (PG), and AstraZeneca (AZN), for stable results. Read more… Investors seeking consistent, long-term returns in today's volatile markets gravitate towards <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bluechipstock.asp">blue-chip stocks</a>. These companies are renowned for their stability, robust financial health, and sustained growth over time, making them reliable pillars during uncertain times.
Given this backdrop, I have highlighted three fundamentally strong blue-chip stocks: Walmart Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/WMT/">WMT</a>), The Procter &amp; Gamble Company (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/PG/">PG</a>), and AstraZeneca PLC (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/AZN/">AZN</a>) for investors seeking long-term stability.
In May, consumer prices remained unchanged for the first time since July 2022, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) slowing to <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/06/12/cpi-report-june-inflation.html">3.3% year-over-year</a>. This is a decrease from 3.4% in April and 3.5% in March. Despite this moderation, inflation remains above the Federal Reserve's target of 2%. The Fed has kept interest rates steady and expects only <a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/rates-bonds/fed-expected-hold-rates-steady-project-fewer-cuts-2024-2024-06-12/#:~:text=The%20Fed%20raised%20rates%20aggressively,we%20have%2C%22%20Powell%20said.">one rate cut in 2024</a>.
Additionally, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/25/economy/first-quarter-gdp-economy/index.html#:~:text=Gross%20domestic%20product%2C%20which%20measures,2022%20when%20the%20economy%20contracted.">grew by 1.6% in the first quarter</a>, the weakest growth rate since the second quarter of 2022, when the economy contracted. This was a significant drop from the 3.4% growth rate in the last quarter of 2023 and below the 2.2% projected by economists. The slowdown was driven by reduced growth in consumer spending, exports, and federal government expenditures.
Given the economic uncertainty, particularly with inflation still above target, speculative stocks face heightened risks. In contrast, blue-chip stocks offer stability, value, and diversification, shielding investments from potential downturns.
With that in mind, let's take a closer look at the featured stocks to evaluate their fundamentals.
Walmart Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/WMT/">WMT</a>)
Retail giant WMT operates supercentres, supermarkets, hypermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, discount stores, membership-only warehouse clubs, and e-commerce websites, including walmart.com and Walmart.com.mx flipkart.com, and others. The company operates through three segments: Walmart U.S.; Walmart International; and Sam's Club.
Recently, the company announced its biggest savings event, "Walmart Deals," featuring discounts on thousands of items, including back-to-school essentials, tech, toys, outdoor, and travel gear. Scheduled from July 8 to July 11, the event is expected to boost sales across various categories significantly.
Moreover, with early access for Walmart+ members, the event aims to attract more shoppers, drive membership subscriptions, enhance customer loyalty, and increase long-term revenue.
In February 2024, the company raised its dividend by 9% year-over-year to $0.83 per share on a post-stock split basis ($2.49 per share on a pre-split basis), underscoring its commitment to rewarding shareholders.
WMT's four-year average dividend yield is 1.52%, while its annual dividend translates to a 1.20% yield on prevailing prices. Its dividend has grown at a 3% CAGR over the past three years and a 2.6% CAGR over the past five years. Further, this hike marked the company's 51st consecutive year of dividend growth.
For the fiscal first quarter that ended April 30, 2024, WMT's total revenues increased 6% year-over-year to $161.51 billion, driven by a 21% increase in global e-commerce sales. Its adjusted operating income grew 13.7% from the year-ago value to $7.09 billion, while its adjusted EPS came in at $0.60, up 22.4% year-over-year. Also, the company's attributable net income improved from $1.67 billion in the previous year to $5.10 billion.
Street expects WMT's revenue for the second quarter (ending July 2024) to increase 4.3% year-over-year to $167.18 billion. Its EPS for the current quarter is expected to grow 4.9% from the prior-year period to $0.64. Moreover, the company surpassed the revenue and EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, which is promising.
Shares of WMT have gained 31.9% over the past nine months to close the last trading session at $68.90. Also, it has a five-year monthly beta of 0.52, indicating comparative stability than the broader market.
WMT's strong fundamentals are reflected in its <a href="https://stocknews.com/powr-ratings/">POWR Ratings</a>. The stock has an overall rating of A, translating to a Strong Buy in our proprietary rating system. The POWR Ratings assess stocks by 118 different factors, each with its own weighting.
It also has an A grade for Stability and Sentiment and a B for Momentum. Among the 36 stocks in the A-rated <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/grocery-big-box-retailers/">Grocery/Big Box Retailers</a> industry, it is ranked #10. <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/WMT/">Click here</a> to see WMT's rating for Growth, Value, and Quality.
The Procter &amp; Gamble Company (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/PG/">PG</a>)
PG offers branded consumer packaged goods to consumers across the world. It operates through Beauty, Grooming, Health Care, Fabric &amp; Home Care, and Baby, Feminine &amp; Family Care segments.
On May 15, the company paid a quarterly dividend of $1.0065 per share on the Common Stock and the Series A and Series B ESOP Convertible Class A Preferred Stock of PG, marking a 7% increase from the prior quarter.
PG has raised its dividends for 68 consecutive years. It pays a $4.03 per share dividend annually, which translates to a 2.39% yield on the current price. Its four-year average dividend yield is 2.41%. Over the past three and five years, PG's dividend payments have grown at CAGRs of 5.7% each.
PG's net sales for the fiscal third quarter that ended March 31, 2024, increased marginally year-over-year to $20.20 billion. Its gross profit grew 7% from the year-ago value to $10.34 billion, while its operating income rose 5% from the prior year's quarter to $4.46 billion.
In addition, its net earnings attributable to PG amounted to $3.75 billion or $1.52 per share, reflecting an 11% year-over-year increase. Also, the adjusted free cash flow for the quarter stood at $3.29 billion.
Analysts expect the company's EPS and revenue for the fiscal fourth quarter ending June 2024 to increase marginally year-over-year to $1.37 and $20.91 billion, respectively. Furthermore, PG topped the consensus EPS in each of the four trailing quarters, which is excellent.
The stock has gained 15.9% over the past six months to close the last trading session at $168.45. It has a five-year monthly beta of 0.41.
PG's stance is apparent in its POWR Ratings. The stock has an A grade for Stability and a B for Quality. Within the B-rated <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/consumer-goods/">Consumer Goods</a> industry, it is ranked #27 out of 53 stocks.
<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/PG/">Click here</a> to see the additional ratings of PG (Growth, Value, Momentum, and Sentiment).
AstraZeneca PLC (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/AZN/">AZN</a>)
Headquartered in Cambridge, the United Kingdom, AZN is a renowned biopharmaceutical company focusing on discovering, developing, manufacturing, and commercializing prescription medicines. Its marketed products treat oncology, COVID-19, respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, and metabolism diseases, etc.
On June 4, AZN acquired Fusion Pharmaceuticals Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in next-generation radioconjugates (RCs). The acquisition strengthens the company's oncology portfolio with Fusion's innovative RC pipeline, including FPI-2265 for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
It also enhances AZN's expertise in RCs and expands its R&amp;D, manufacturing, and supply chain capabilities while bolstering its presence in Canada.
AZN's four-year average dividend yield is 2.34%, while its annual dividend of $1.97 translates to a 2.48% yield on prevailing prices.
For the first quarter that ended March 31, 2024, AZN's total revenue increased 16.5% year-over-year to $12.68 billion, while its gross profit rose 16.6% from the year-ago value to $10.46 billion. The company's profit for the period and EPS amounted to $2.18 billion and $1.41, representing increases of 20.8% and 21.6% from the prior-year quarter, respectively. In addition, its operating profit stood at $2.55 billion, up 22.2% year-over-year.
The consensus EPS estimate of $1.08 for the third quarter (ending September 2024) represents a 24.3% improvement year-over-year. The consensus revenue estimate of $12.97 billion for the same period indicates a 12.9% increase from the prior-year period. The company has an impressive surprise history; it surpassed the consensus revenue and EPS estimates in three of the trailing four quarters.
AZN's shares have gained 19.8% over the past three months to close the last trading session at $79.37. It has a five-year monthly beta of 0.17.
It's no surprise that AZN has an overall rating of A, which equates to a Strong Buy in our proprietary rating system. It has an A grade for Growth and Stability and a B for Quality. Out of 154 stocks in the <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/pharmaceuticals/">Medical - Pharmaceuticals</a> industry, it is ranked #4.
In addition to the POWR Ratings we've stated above, we also have AZN's ratings for Value, Momentum, and Sentiment. Get all AZN ratings <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/AZN/">here</a>.
What To Do Next?
Discover 10 widely held stocks that our proprietary model shows have tremendous downside potential. Please make sure none of these "death trap" stocks are lurking in your portfolio:
<a href="https://report.stocknews.com/free-report/10-stocks-to-sell/?formplacement=artbotad_10sell">10 Stocks to SELL NOW! &gt;</a>

<hr />
WMT shares were trading at $66.98 per share on Tuesday morning, down $1.92 (-2.79%). Year-to-date, WMT has gained 28.33%, versus a 14.80% rise in the benchmark S&amp;P 500 index during the same period.
<hr><div style="clear:both;"></div> <h2>About the Author: Shweta Kumari</h2> <img src='https:/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Shweta-Kumari_Image-2.jpg' style="float:left; padding:5px;width:125px;">Shweta's profound interest in financial research and quantitative analysis led her to pursue a career as an investment analyst. She uses her knowledge to help retail investors make educated investment decisions.<a href="https://stocknews.com/authors/?author=shweta-kumari">More...</a>The post <a href=https://stocknews.com/news/wmt-pg-azn-3-blue-chip-stocks-for-long-term-stability/>3 Blue-Chip Stocks for Long-Term Stability</a> appeared first on <a href=https://stocknews.com/>StockNews.com</a>

3 Blue-Chip Stocks for Long-Term Stability

AstraZeneca's Oncology Success: Fueling Future Growth

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In a report released today, Emmanuel Papadakis from Deutsche Numis maintained a Hold rating on AstraZeneca (AZN – Research Report), with a price ta...

Deutsche Numis Reaffirms Their Hold Rating on AstraZeneca (AZN)

<a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice &amp; Trading Tips</a>
While innovations such as artificial intelligence have become all the rage, there&rsquo;s another type of technology &ndash; biotechnology &ndash; that deserves careful consideration for your portfolio. Indeed, if you haven&rsquo;t considered the sector, it&rsquo;s really time to focus on <a href="https://investorplace.com/industries/healthcare/biotech/">biotech stocks</a>.



First, let&rsquo;s get the obvious matter out of the way: biotech stocks benefit broadly from a permanently relevant narrative. That doesn&rsquo;t mean individual companies are guaranteed to rise. It&rsquo;s just that the concept of addressing diseases and chronic conditions is effectively eternal. A thousand years from now, you can probably bet that people are investing in healthcare enterprises.



Second, biotech stocks enjoy a massive total addressable market. According to Grand View Research, the global sector <a href="https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/biotechnology-market">reached a valuation of $1.55 trillion last year</a>. By 2030, the ecosystem could be worth $3.88 trillion. If so, that would imply a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.96%.



Finally, we may see a sector rotation away from tech and toward the healthcare arena. If so, that would likely benefit the below biotech stocks to buy.



<h2>Boston Scientific (BSX)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/bsx-stock-1-300x169.jpg" alt="a zoom-in on the Boston Scientific logo (BSX) on a web page"><div>Source: Pavel Kapysh / Shutterstock.com</div></div>One of the top medical device companies in the world, Boston Scientific (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/bsx-stock-quote/">BSX</a>) also ranks among the best biotech stocks thanks to its business unit covering cardiovascular conditions. Analysts rate BSX a <a href="https://www.tipranks.com/stocks/bsx/forecast">consensus strong buy</a> with an $82.95 average price target, implying 7% upside potential. Further, the most optimistic target calls for a price per share of $95.



Financially, Boston Scientific brings much consistency to the table. Between the second quarter of last year to Q1 2024, the company&rsquo;s average earnings per share reached 53.5 cents. This performance translated to an average earnings beat &mdash; that is, how much the actual EPS exceeded analysts&rsquo; consensus view &ndash; of 7.5%.



During the trailing 12 months (TTM), Boston posted net income of $117.2 million or earnings of $1.05 per share. Revenue during the period hit $523.53 million. For fiscal 2024, covering experts believe that EPS may rise 13.7% to hit $2.33. On the top line, sales could land at $16 billion, up 12.3% from the prior year.



<h2>Zoetis (ZTS)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/zts1600-300x169.jpg" alt="a magnifying glass enlarges the Zoetis logo on a website"><div>Source: Casimiro PT / Shutterstock.com</div></div>Zoetis (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/zts-stock-quote/">ZTS</a>) falls under the drug manufacturing industry, focusing on the discovery, development, manufacture and commercialization of animal health medicines, vaccines and diagnostic products and services. While not the most traditional candidate for biotech stocks, ZTS is compelling for focusing on four-legged creatures. After all, Americans love their animals and that goes for citizens of other nations.



It&rsquo;s not just about fluffy fundamental assumptions: Zoetis brings performance to the table. Admittedly, the company did suffer an earnings disappointment in Q4. However, during the past four quarters, Zoetis posted an average EPS of nearly $1.35. This print translated to an average earnings surprise of 1.13%. That&rsquo;s very good because it includes the Q4 miss.



In the TTM period, the drug manufacturer posted net income of $2.39 billion or $5.19 per share. Revenue in the cycle reached $8.73 billion. For fiscal 2024, analysts anticipate expansion of 8.3% in EPS to land at $5.76. On the top line, sales may rise 7.1% to reach $9.15 billion.



It&rsquo;s not particularly generous but the company also offers a forward yield of 1.03%.



<h2>Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/jazz-stock-1-300x169.jpg" alt="Image of the Jazz Pharmaceuticals logo on a sign"><div>Source: Michael Vi / Shutterstock.com</div></div>Based in Ireland, Jazz Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/jazz-stock-quote/">JAZZ</a>) identifies, develops and commercializes pharmaceutical products for unmet medical needs. <a href="https://stockanalysis.com/stocks/jazz/company/">Per its public profile</a>, the company offers various therapeutics for sleep disorders, epilepsy and hematologic cancers. Analysts rate shares a <a href="https://www.tipranks.com/stocks/jazz/forecast">consensus strong buy</a> with a $179 average price target. That implies an upside potential of nearly 66%.



Financially, the company could use some work. During the past four quarters, it averaged an EPS of around $4.26. However, analysts were looking for more. Thus, Jazz is currently running a negative earnings surprise of almost 10%. At the same time, it&rsquo;s not impossible for the enterprise to make a comeback given its broad relevancies.



To note, JAZZ stock presently trades at a trailing-year sales multiple of 1.95X. Over the past one-year period, the market supported an average sales multiple of 2.3X. Again, it&rsquo;s possible that JAZZ could rise back up.



For fiscal 2024, experts believe EPS may rise 1.4% to $18.55. Further, sales may see a 5.6% lift to $4.05 billion. If you&rsquo;re looking for a potential discount in biotech stocks, JAZZ could be a solid idea.



<h2>AstraZeneca (AZN)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/azn-stock-1-300x169.jpg" alt="The AstraZeneca plc (AZN) logo is displayed on three waving red flags."><div>Source: Shutterstock</div></div>Based in the U.K., AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/azn-stock-quote/">AZN</a>) also falls under the drug manufacturing ecosystem. It focuses on the discovery, development, manufacture and commercialization of prescription medicines. Specifically, AstraZeneca offers relevancies across a wide range of treatment areas, including oncology, cardiovascular, renal and respiratory. AZN stock enjoys a <a href="https://www.tipranks.com/stocks/azn/forecast">unanimous strong buy</a> view among analysts with an $85.80 average price target.



To be fair, AstraZeneca is also one of the biotech stocks that could use a ramp up in the financial department. Between Q2 2023 and Q1 2024, the company posted an average EPS of 92.5 cents. However, analysts were looking for more. While AstraZeneca did beat in Q2 and Q3, disappointments in Q4 and Q1 led to a negative earnings surprise of 1.8%.



Now, during the TTM period, the drug manufacturer posted net income of $6.33 billion or $2.03 per share. Revenue in the cycle hit $47.61 billion. The most recent quarterly sales growth rate (year-over-year) landed at 16.5%.



Looking to year&rsquo;s end, experts anticipate 11% growth in EPS to $4.03. On the top line, revenue may expand by 13.4% to reach just under $52 billion.



<h2>Corcept Therapeutics (CORT)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/shutterstock_1726134715-300x169.png" alt="Biochemical/biotech research scientist team working with microscope"><div>Source: Mongkolchon Akesin / Shutterstock.com</div></div>A biopharmaceutical firm, Corcept Therapeutics (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/cort-stock-quote/">CORT</a>) focuses on the discovery and development of drugs for the treatment of severe endocrinologic, oncologic, metabolic and neurologic disorders. It&rsquo;s one of the most important biotech stocks and as a result, analysts rate CORT a <a href="https://www.tipranks.com/stocks/cort/forecast">unanimous strong buy</a>. Just as well, the experts see shares reaching $45.88, implying an upside potential of 51%.



Financially, Corcept has been on a roll. Over the last four quarters, the company posted an average EPS of 26.5 cents. This performance translated to an average earnings surprise of 28.83%. Of course, with that hot performance comes a hot premium. Shares trade for 6.41X trailing-year sales. However, it must be noted that during the past year, the market accepted a multiple of 6.76X.



During the TTM period, Corcept posted net income of $117.2 million or $1.05 per share. Revenue in the cycle reached $523.53 million. For fiscal 2024, experts see a 2.13% rise in EPS to 96 cents. However, all eyes will be on the top line, with revenue expected to rise 31%. If so, we&rsquo;re talking about $632.15 million, with a high-side target of $640.83 million.



<h2>Crinetics Pharmaceuticals (CRNX)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/biotechnologyepzm1600-300x169.png" alt="OLK Stock. Modern Medical Research Laboratory: Two Scientists Wearing Face Masks use Microscope, Analyse Sample in Petri Dish, Talk. Advanced Scientific Lab for Medicine, Biotechnology. Blue Color. KZR stock. RSLS stock. Best Biotech Stocks to Buy"><div>Source: Gorodenkoff / Shutterstock.com</div></div>Headquartered in San Diego, California, Crinetics Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/crnx-stock-quote/">CRNX</a>) is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical firm. It focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapeutics for rare endocrine diseases and endocrine-related tumors. Analysts rate shares a <a href="https://www.tipranks.com/stocks/crnx/forecast">unanimous strong buy</a> with a $72.20 average price target, implying 61% upside potential. The high-side estimate calls for $97 per share.



At first glance, Crinetics seems awfully risky for one of the heavily endorsed biotech stocks. In the past four quarters, the company posted a loss per share of 94.5 cents. Many biotechs lose money, that&rsquo;s no surprise. However, the red ink missed analysts expectations by an average of 11.55%. That&rsquo;s not the greatest look.



In the TTM period, Crinetics incurred a net loss of $235.46 million or $3.77 per share. Revenue however hit $1.97 million. For fiscal 2024, experts project a big loss of 47.9% to $2.09 million in sales. So, why the fuss?



For fiscal 2025, analysts are expecting sales of $14.13 million. That&rsquo;s a massive cry from 2023&rsquo;s tally of $4.01 million.



<h2>Cytokinetics (CYTK)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/pte_biotech_1600-300x169.png" alt="Medical technology network team meeting concept. Doctor hand working smart phone modern digital tablet laptop computer graphics chart interface, sun flare effect photo, PTE"><div>Source: everything possible / Shutterstock.com</div></div>Based in South San Franciso, California, Cytokinetics (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/cytk-stock-quote/">CYTK</a>) is a late-stage biopharmaceutical firm. It focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of musical activators and inhibitors as potential treatments for debilitating diseases. Overall, experts rate CYTK a <a href="https://www.tipranks.com/stocks/cytk/forecast">consensus strong buy</a> with an $85.14 price target, implying 61% upside potential. The high-side estimate calls for $107.



At the moment, Cytokinetics admittedly looks risky compared to other endorsed biotech stocks. In the past four quarters, the company incurred a loss per share of $1.35. Again, biotechs lose money all the time. However, the misses in this case are bad. We&rsquo;re talking about an average negative surprise of 39.48%. That&rsquo;s not a good look at all.



During the TTM period, Cytokinetics lost $530.6 million or $5.40 per share. Revenue during the period reached $3.75 million. For fiscal 2024, analysts see a favorable mitigation of red ink to $4.54 per share. ON the top line, they&rsquo;re targeting sales of $16.86 million. If so, that would imply a gargantuan growth rate of 123.9%.



In other words, it&rsquo;s one of the biotech stocks to buy if you&rsquo;re a speculator.



On the date of publication, Josh Enomoto did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article.&nbsp;The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com&nbsp;<a href="https://investorplace.com/corporate/investorplace-publishing-guidelines/" target="_blank">Publishing Guidelines</a>.
<div>A former senior business analyst for Sony Electronics, Josh Enomoto has helped broker major contracts with Fortune Global 500 companies. Over the past several years, he has delivered unique, critical insights for the investment markets, as well as various other industries including legal, construction management, and healthcare. Tweet him at @EnomotoMedia.</div><h3>More From InvestorPlace</h3>
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The post <a href="https://investorplace.com/2024/06/7-biotech-stocks-to-boost-your-portfolio-to-peak-health/">7 Biotech Stocks to Boost Your Portfolio to Peak Health</a> appeared first on <a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace</a>.

7 Biotech Stocks to Boost Your Portfolio to Peak Health

Rising drug costs force a third of Americans to leave prescriptions unfilled: report

AZNCF

BAIVF

BIIB

CORT

CRNX

CYTK

GDRX

JAZZ

SNYNF

Press Releases

I-Mab Appoints Phillip Dennis, MD, PhD, as Chief Medical Officer

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CRDL

GOVX

IMAB

ONCY

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Common Stock

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated - Common Stock

Corcept Therapeutics

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Elanco Animal Health Incorporated Common Stock

Elanco Animal Health

Structure Therapeutics Inc. - American Depositary Shares

Structure Therapeutics

GSK plc American Depositary Shares (Each representing two Ordinary Shares)

HUTCHMED (China) Limited - American Depositary Shares

HUTCHMED (China)

Intra-Cellular Therapies Inc. - Common Stock

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Johnson & Johnson

Eli Lilly and Co

Merck & Co

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Novartis

Organon

Prestige Consumer Healthcare Inc. Common Stock

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Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd Common Stock

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Royalty Pharma plc - Class A Ordinary Shares

Royalty Pharma

Sanofi

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited American Depositary Shares (each representing 1/2 of a share of Common Stock)

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Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited American Depositary Shares

Teva Pharmaceutical Indus

Viatris

Zoetis

Argus Research

Goldman Sachs

BMO Capital

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Received Shares Of Astrazeneca Plc - American Depositary Shares (Azn) In Exchange For Alexion


Daniel GoldmanHouse (D-NY)	$100K - $250K	Sale	Aug 13, 2023	Jul 10, 2023	House
Alan S. LowenthalHouse (D-CA)	$1K - $15K	Sale	Dec 14, 2021	Dec 01, 2021	House
Dean PhillipsHouse (D-MN)	$1K - $15K	Sale	Aug 13, 2021	Jul 21, 2021	House

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AstraZeneca PLC

top performing AZN trades