We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
AstraZeneca (AZN) Presents Tagrisso Data at Medical Meeting
Read MoreHide Full Article
AstraZeneca plc (AZN - Free Report) presented positive data from a randomized phase III study (AURA3) on its lung cancer drug Tagrisso at a lung cancer conference in Vienna, Austria.
The AURA3 study evaluated the efficacy and safety of Tagrisso as a second-line treatment in patients with EGFR T790M mutation-positive, locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC, whose disease progressed following the 1st-line EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy.
AstraZeneca’s share price has declined 23.4% so far this year comparing unfavorably with a loss of 8.2% for the Zacks classified Large Cap Pharma industry.
Coming back to AURA3, data from the study demonstrated statistically-significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) compared to standard platinum-based doublet chemotherapy. The data showed that treatment with Tagrisso reduced risk of disease progression by 70% and improved progression-free survival (PFS) by 5.7 months.
We are encouraged by the phase III study results. Currently, Tagrisso is approved in both the U.S. and EU for the treatment of patients with EGFR T790M mutation-positive advanced NSCLC. It is the first drug to be approved for this indication. The eligibility for treatment with Tagrisso is dependent on confirmation that the EGFR T790M mutation is present in the tumor.
Initial sales of the drug have been encouraging. Tagrisso recorded sales of $133 million in the third quarter of 2016, up 45% sequentially. The upside was driven by robust U.S. sales growth, which was backed by strong patient demand and successful commercial launches across multiple markets.
Presently, Tagrisso is also being evaluated in adjuvant and metastatic first-line settings, including patients with and without brain metastases, in leptomeningeal disease. Its use is also being evaluated in combination with other treatments.
AstraZeneca carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Better-ranked stocks in the health care sector include Heska Corporation , Cambrex Corporation and Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (VNDA - Free Report) . Each of these stocks sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Heska’s earnings estimates rose 19.5% for 2016 and 10.8% for 2017 over the last 60 days. The company posted a positive earnings surprise in each of the four trailing quarters, with an average beat of 301.64%. Its share price has increased 75.8% year to date.
Cambrex’s earnings estimates increased 3.7% for 2016 and 5.1% for 2017 over the last 60 days. The company posted a positive earnings surprise in three of the four trailing quarters, with an average beat of 19.78%. Its share price is up 9.1% year to date.
Vanda’s loss estimates narrowed from 62 cents to 52 cents for 2016 while its earnings estimates increased from 13 cents to 22 cents for 2017 over the last 60 days. The company posted a positive earnings surprise in three of the four trailing quarters, with an average beat of 63.64%. Its share price has surged 71.8% year to date.
Confidential from Zacks
Beyond this Analyst Blog, would you like to see Zacks' best recommendations that are not available to the public? Our Executive VP, Steve Reitmeister, knows when key trades are about to be triggered and which of our experts has the hottest hand. Click to see them now>>
Unique Zacks Analysis of Your Chosen Ticker
Pick one free report - opportunity may be withdrawn at any time
Image: Bigstock
AstraZeneca (AZN) Presents Tagrisso Data at Medical Meeting
AstraZeneca plc (AZN - Free Report) presented positive data from a randomized phase III study (AURA3) on its lung cancer drug Tagrisso at a lung cancer conference in Vienna, Austria.
The AURA3 study evaluated the efficacy and safety of Tagrisso as a second-line treatment in patients with EGFR T790M mutation-positive, locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC, whose disease progressed following the 1st-line EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy.
AstraZeneca’s share price has declined 23.4% so far this year comparing unfavorably with a loss of 8.2% for the Zacks classified Large Cap Pharma industry.
Coming back to AURA3, data from the study demonstrated statistically-significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) compared to standard platinum-based doublet chemotherapy. The data showed that treatment with Tagrisso reduced risk of disease progression by 70% and improved progression-free survival (PFS) by 5.7 months.
We are encouraged by the phase III study results. Currently, Tagrisso is approved in both the U.S. and EU for the treatment of patients with EGFR T790M mutation-positive advanced NSCLC. It is the first drug to be approved for this indication. The eligibility for treatment with Tagrisso is dependent on confirmation that the EGFR T790M mutation is present in the tumor.
Initial sales of the drug have been encouraging. Tagrisso recorded sales of $133 million in the third quarter of 2016, up 45% sequentially. The upside was driven by robust U.S. sales growth, which was backed by strong patient demand and successful commercial launches across multiple markets.
Presently, Tagrisso is also being evaluated in adjuvant and metastatic first-line settings, including patients with and without brain metastases, in leptomeningeal disease. Its use is also being evaluated in combination with other treatments.
AstraZeneca carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Better-ranked stocks in the health care sector include Heska Corporation , Cambrex Corporation and Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (VNDA - Free Report) . Each of these stocks sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Heska’s earnings estimates rose 19.5% for 2016 and 10.8% for 2017 over the last 60 days. The company posted a positive earnings surprise in each of the four trailing quarters, with an average beat of 301.64%. Its share price has increased 75.8% year to date.
Cambrex’s earnings estimates increased 3.7% for 2016 and 5.1% for 2017 over the last 60 days. The company posted a positive earnings surprise in three of the four trailing quarters, with an average beat of 19.78%. Its share price is up 9.1% year to date.
Vanda’s loss estimates narrowed from 62 cents to 52 cents for 2016 while its earnings estimates increased from 13 cents to 22 cents for 2017 over the last 60 days. The company posted a positive earnings surprise in three of the four trailing quarters, with an average beat of 63.64%. Its share price has surged 71.8% year to date.
Confidential from Zacks
Beyond this Analyst Blog, would you like to see Zacks' best recommendations that are not available to the public? Our Executive VP, Steve Reitmeister, knows when key trades are about to be triggered and which of our experts has the hottest hand. Click to see them now>>