29 April 2025
If you are covering AstraZeneca’s latest financial results, please find below a comment from Sheena Berry, healthcare analyst at Quilter Cheviot:
“AstraZeneca has started 2025 with another quarter of solid growth, with product sales up 10%, although there were a few mixed results in there too. The oncology portfolio continues to generate solid growth, with a 13% increase in sales, although some of the kay cancer drugs were light of expectations due to new manufacturer discounts under Medicare Part D redesign affecting oral oncology products in the US.
“The group has a strong product pipeline and continues to invest in this and new launches. Perhaps in a sign of currying favour with the US administration, AstraZeneca is also committed to investing and growing in the US where the group currently has eleven production sites covering small molecules, biologics as well as cell therapy. The tariff rate on pharmaceutical products remains to be determined, but the threat from Donald Trump remains large. For now, we don’t necessarily know what impact it will have on AstraZeneca. Any evidence of investing in the US and jobs there may allow some element of reprieve, but how much of one remains to be seen.
“For now, however, 2025 guidance has been reiterated with sales expected to increase high single-digit. This is a catalyst rich period for the group with five positive Phase III readouts since the group last reported financial results. The long-term outlook remains attractive, despite the looming tariff threat, with the group making progress towards its target of $80bn in total revenue by 2030.”
