AstraZeneca (AZN, Financial) is broadening its partnership with SOPHiA GENETICS to enhance the global deployment of MSK-ACCESS, powered by SOPHiA DDM. This expansion, building on their collaboration from October 2024, aims to introduce the liquid biopsy technology to 30 international clinical institutions by 2025. Originating from a collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, MSK-ACCESS uses cutting-edge algorithms to detect genetic mutations from a blood sample, facilitating real-time monitoring and treatment choices when traditional biopsies are impractical due to cost, time, or invasiveness.
The initiative will support AstraZeneca's global evidence efforts and examine the integration of liquid biopsies with solid tissue tests, potentially offering heightened benefits to healthcare entities and patients. This announcement aligns with SOPHiA GENETICS's recent presentation at the AACR, demonstrating the reliable and precise nature of the MSK-ACCESS solution across different labs, addressing previous challenges of inconsistency. Interim results reveal the test's strong performance mirrors the initial single-site analysis at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, further validating its effectiveness in diverse settings.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast
Based on the one-year price targets offered by 11 analysts, the average target price for AstraZeneca PLC (AZN, Financial) is $100.32 with a high estimate of $230.64 and a low estimate of $67.00. The average target implies an upside of 42.47% from the current price of $70.41. More detailed estimate data can be found on the AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) Forecast page.
Based on the consensus recommendation from 13 brokerage firms, AstraZeneca PLC's (AZN, Financial) average brokerage recommendation is currently 1.8, indicating "Outperform" status. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 5, where 1 signifies Strong Buy, and 5 denotes Sell.
Based on GuruFocus estimates, the estimated GF Value for AstraZeneca PLC (AZN, Financial) in one year is $87.35, suggesting a upside of 24.06% from the current price of $70.41. GF Value is GuruFocus' estimate of the fair value that the stock should be traded at. It is calculated based on the historical multiples the stock has traded at previously, as well as past business growth and the future estimates of the business' performance. More detailed data can be found on the AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) Summary page.
AZN Key Business Developments
Release Date: February 06, 2025
- Total Revenue Growth: Up 21% for the full year 2024.
- Core EPS Growth: Increased by 19% in 2024.
- Core Operating Expense Growth: Increased by 14% in 2024.
- China Revenue Growth: Increased by 11% for the full year 2024.
- Emerging Markets Growth: Up 22% in 2024.
- Product Sales Growth: Increased by 19% for the full year 2024.
- Alliance Revenue Growth: Increased by 55% in 2024.
- Collaboration Revenue Growth: Increased by 54% in 2024.
- Core Product Sales Gross Margin: 81.2% in 2024.
- Core R&D Expense Growth: Increased by 19% in 2024.
- Core SG&A Costs Growth: Increased by 11% in 2024.
- Net Cash Flow from Operating Activities: Increased by $1.5 billion in 2024.
- CapEx: $2.2 billion in 2024.
- Net Debt: Increased by $2.1 billion to $24.6 billion.
- Dividend Increase: Full year 2024 dividend increased to $3.10 per share.
- Oncology Revenue: $22.4 billion in 2024, up 24%.
- BioPharmaceuticals Revenue: $21.9 billion in 2024, up 21%.
- Rare Disease Revenue: $8.8 billion in 2024, up 16%.
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
Positive Points
- AstraZeneca PLC (AZN, Financial) reported a strong financial performance in 2024, with total revenue up 21% and core EPS up 19%, indicating robust company momentum.
- The company achieved significant pipeline advancements, with nine high-value pivotal trials representing over $5 billion in non-risk-adjusted peak revenue.
- AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) has eight new medicines approved to date, including the recent approval of Datroway, contributing to its goal of 20 new medicines by 2030.
- The company experienced strong growth across all therapy areas and key geographies, with emerging markets showing a 22% growth in 2024.
- AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) anticipates a catalyst-rich period in 2025, with high-value trial readouts expected for several existing medicines and new molecular entities (NMEs).
Negative Points
- AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) is facing ongoing investigations in China regarding suspected unpaid importation taxes, which could result in significant fines.
- The company experienced a 3% decline in Q4 2024 China revenues, primarily due to year-end hospital ordering dynamics and lower demand for respiratory products.
- AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) anticipates headwinds in 2025 from the inclusion of several medicines in China's Volume-Based Procurement (VBP) program, impacting revenue.
- The company expects a 60 to 70 basis points decline in product sales gross margin in 2025 due to factors like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in the US and VBP in China.
- AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) faces challenges in gaining market access for new products like Airsupra, which has seen slower-than-expected uptake due to access issues.
