AstraZeneca reports cholesterol drug success in trial

WILMINGTON, Del. - AstraZeneca (AZN), a prominent player in the global pharmaceuticals industry with a market capitalization of $225 billion, has shown promising results with its experimental drug AZD0780 in a Phase IIb clinical trial, demonstrating significant reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) when added to standard statin therapy. According to InvestingPro analysis, the company currently appears undervalued, suggesting potential upside for investors interested in the pharmaceutical giant’s growth trajectory. The findings from the PURSUIT trial were presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session in Chicago and concurrently published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

The study revealed that a 30mg dose of AZD0780 taken once daily led to a 50.7% reduction in LDL-C levels over 12 weeks, with a high percentage of participants achieving their LDL-C targets recommended by heart health guidelines. This development adds to AstraZeneca’s robust portfolio, which has helped drive an impressive 18% revenue growth over the last twelve months, maintaining the company’s strong 82% gross profit margin. AZD0780 is being developed as a once-daily oral PCSK9 inhibitor, a new approach for patients who are not meeting LDL-C goals with current standard-of-care treatments.

High LDL-C is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases like stroke and heart attack. Despite available treatments, a significant number of patients globally do not reach the LDL-C targets set by health guidelines. The PURSUIT trial assessed the efficacy and safety of different doses of AZD0780 in patients with hypercholesterolemia who were already on stable statin therapy.

Dr. Michael J Koren, the principal investigator of the PURSUIT trial, emphasized the potential of AZD0780 to provide a more convenient treatment option that could help millions of patients at risk for serious cardiovascular events. Sharon Barr, AstraZeneca’s Executive Vice President of BioPharmaceuticals R&D, also highlighted the drug’s potential as a convenient oral therapy that could change the game for patients needing additional cholesterol management.

In terms of safety, AZD0780 was generally well-tolerated, with adverse event rates comparable to placebo. The trial’s results are consistent with earlier Phase I findings and support the continued development of AZD0780 as a potential treatment option for dyslipidemia.

AstraZeneca is a global biopharmaceutical company with a focus on prescription medicines across various therapeutic areas. The company’s research in cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic diseases aims to develop a portfolio of medicines that could slow disease progression and offer organ protection. With a 33-year track record of consistent dividend payments and strong financial health metrics, AstraZeneca continues to demonstrate operational excellence. For detailed insights into AstraZeneca’s financial health and growth prospects, including additional ProTips and comprehensive analysis, check out the company’s deep-dive report on InvestingPro.

The information reported is based on a press release statement.

In other recent news, AstraZeneca has announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of its drug Imfinzi for the treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). This approval, based on the Phase III NIAGARA trial results, marks Imfinzi as the first immunotherapy for patients in this setting and demonstrates significant improvements in survival rates and disease recurrence reduction compared to chemotherapy alone. Additionally, AstraZeneca’s Calquence has been recommended by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for approval in the European Union as a first-line treatment for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). This recommendation is supported by the ECHO Phase III trial results, which showed a notable improvement in progression-free survival.

Goldman Sachs has maintained its Conviction Buy rating on AstraZeneca, with a price target of $98, highlighting the potential impact of upcoming developments in the oral PCSK9 inhibitor class. The firm points to the forthcoming Phase 2 PURSUIT trial data for AstraZeneca’s oral PCSK9 inhibitor, AZD0780, which is anticipated to be presented at the American College of Cardiology meeting in 2025. Despite facing near-term patent expiries, AstraZeneca’s long-term outlook remains positive, with a focus on primarily oral combination therapies expected to enhance its commercial infrastructure. These recent developments reflect AstraZeneca’s ongoing efforts in expanding its oncology and cardiovascular treatment portfolio.

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