AstraZeneca’s (LON: AZN) shares and the latest buzz around

July 20, 2021 11:47 AM BST | By Suhita Poddar
 AstraZeneca’s (LON: AZN) shares and the latest buzz around
Image source: Monster Ztudio, Shutterstock.com

Summary

  • Pharma major AstraZeneca received the approval of Chinese regulators for its small cell lung cancer drug Imfinzi
  • Regulators approved the drug after its phase 3 CASPIAN trials showed clinically meaningful improvement to patients’ survival rates.
  • About 15 per cent of lung cancer is classified as small cell lung cancer

AstraZeneca (LON: AZN), the pharmaceutical major,  which has been news for last some time due to its Covid-19 vaccine, is once again creating buzz after receiving approval in China for its small cell lung cancer drug Imfinzi.  Shares of the company rebounded in early trade this morning after falling on 19 July despite the news.

AstraZeneca (LON:AZN) share price performance

AstraZeneca’s shares were trading at GBX 8,340.00, up by 0.40 per cent on 20 July at 08:05 AM GMT+1, rebounding after a pullback on 19 July amid broader negative market sentiment despite the news.

Meanwhile, the FTSE 100 index, which it is a part of, was trading at 6,898.38, up by 0.79 per cent.

AstraZeneca’s shares had ended at GBX 8,307.00, down by 0.40 per cent on 19 July. The shares fell on Monday over concerns about rising covid-19 cases, thereby dragging the FTSE 100 index and pharma companies in the sector in the red.

(Image Source: Refinitiv)

AZN’s market capitalisation stood at £109.053 billion, and its year to date return is 14.20 per cent.

Also Read: Astrazeneca's Tagrisso Drug Gets Nod for Lung Cancer Treatment

AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi drug approval in China

The pharma company’s drug Imfinzi (durvalumab) received approval from the Chinese regulator National Medical Products Administration, as the first line of treatment for small cell lung cancer.

Imfinzi will be applied on adult patients who have been diagnosed with extensive stages of the disease. The treatment is recommended to be made in conjunction with standard of care platinum chemotherapy.

Positive results stemmed from the company’s CASPIAN phase 3 trials formed the basis for the consent from the regulator, which showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in total endurance rates when a blend of the drug and chemotherapy were offered as a treatment as an alternative of only chemotherapy process.

 

Small cell lung cancer

About 15 per cent of lung cancer is classified as small cell lung cancer (SCLC), moreover, approximately 67 per cent of SCLC diagnosed patient are diagnosed with the extensive stage of the disease. SCLC is one of the most aggressive forms of lung cancer and also a fast-growing type of lung cancer.

Only 3 per cent of patients diagnosed with the extensive stage of SCLC survive after five years post diagnosis. Meanwhile, the survival rate is 7 per cent for SCLC patients.

Also Read: EU approves AstraZeneca Drug Koselugo for Treating NF1 in children 


Disclaimer

The content, including but not limited to any articles, news, quotes, information, data, text, reports, ratings, opinions, images, photos, graphics, graphs, charts, animations and video (Content) is a service of Kalkine Media Limited, Company No. 12643132 (Kalkine Media, we or us) and is available for personal and non-commercial use only. Kalkine Media is an appointed representative of Kalkine Limited, who is authorized and regulated by the FCA (FRN: 579414). The non-personalised advice given by Kalkine Media through its Content does not in any way endorse or recommend individuals, investment products or services suitable for your personal financial situation. You should discuss your portfolios and the risk tolerance level appropriate for your personal financial situation, with a qualified financial planner and/or adviser. No liability is accepted by Kalkine Media or Kalkine Limited and/or any of its employees/officers, for any investment loss, or any other loss or detriment experienced by you for any investment decision, whether consequent to, or in any way related to this Content, the provision of which is a regulated activity. Kalkine Media does not intend to exclude any liability which is not permitted to be excluded under applicable law or regulation. Some of the Content on this website may be sponsored/non-sponsored, as applicable. However, on the date of publication of any such Content, none of the employees and/or associates of Kalkine Media hold positions in any of the stocks covered by Kalkine Media through its Content. The views expressed in the Content by the guests, if any, are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Kalkine Media. Some of the images/music/video that may be used in the Content are copyright to their respective owner(s). Kalkine Media does not claim ownership of any of the pictures displayed/music or video used in the Content unless stated otherwise. The images/music/video that may be used in the Content are taken from various sources on the internet, including paid subscriptions or are believed to be in public domain. We have used reasonable efforts to accredit the source wherever it was indicated or was found to be necessary.


Sponsored Articles


Investing Ideas

Previous Next