Nirsevimab

CAMBRIDGE, England--( BUSINESS WIRE )--AstraZeneca: Revenue and EPS summary FY 2024 % Change Q4 2024 % Change $m Actual CER i $m Actual CER - Product Sales 50,938 16 19 13,362 18 19 - Alliance Revenue 2,212 55 55 714 68 69 - Collaboration Revenue 923 56 54 815 >2x >2x Total Revenue 54,073 18 21 14,891 24 25 Reported EPS $4.54 18 29 $0.97 56 71 Core ii EPS $8.21 13 19 $2.09 44 49 Financial performance for FY 2024 (Growth numbers at constant exchange rates) Total Revenue up 21% to $54,073m, driven by a 19% increase in Product Sales, continued growth of partnered medicines (Alliance Revenue) and the achievement of sales-based milestones (Collaboration Revenue) Total Revenue growth from Oncology was 24%, CVRM 20%, R&I 25%, V&I 8% and Rare Disease 16% Core EPS increased 19% to $8.21 Second interim dividend declared of $2.10 per share, making a total annual dividend declared for FY 2024 of $3.10 per share, an increase of 7%. Dividend to be further increased in FY 2025 Guidance for FY 2025: Total Revenue is expected to increase by a high single-digit percentage and Core EPS is expected to increase by a low double-digit percentage, both at CER Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer, AstraZeneca, said: “ Our company delivered a very strong performance in 2024 with Total Revenue and Core EPS up 21% and 19% respectively. We also delivered nine positive high value Phase III studies in the year, which coupled with increasing demand for our medicines in all key regions, will help sustain our growth momentum into 2025. This year marks the beginning of an unprecedented, catalyst-rich period for our company, an important step on our Ambition 2030 journey to deliver $80 billion Total Revenue by the end of the decade. In 2025 alone, we anticipate the first Phase III data for seven new medicines, along with several important new indication opportunities for our existing medicines. We are also investing in and making significant progress with transformative technologies that have the potential to drive our growth well beyond 2030, many of which have now entered pivotal trials.” Key milestones achieved since the prior results announcement Positive read-outs for Truqap in combination with abiraterone and androgen deprivation therapy in PTEN -deficient de novo metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (CAPItello-281) and Tagrisso with or without chemotherapy in resectable early-stage EGFR m NSCLC (NeoADAURA) US approvals for Imfinzi in limited-stage small cell lung cancer (ADRIATIC), Calquence in combination with bendamustine and rituximab in mantle cell lymphoma (ECHO), Datroway (datopotamab deruxtecan) in HR+ HER2- metastatic breast cancer (TROPION-Breast01) and Enhertu in chemotherapy-naïve HER2-low and -ultralow metastatic breast cancer (DESTINY-Breast06). EU approvals for Tagrisso in unresectable EGFR m NSCLC (LAURA) and Kavigale for prevention of COVID-19 (SUPERNOVA). Japan approvals for Imfinzi in endometrial cancer (DUO-E), Lynparza plus Imfinzi in pMMR endometrial cancer (DUO-E), Calquence tablet formulation in chronic / small lymphocytic leukaemia, Datroway in HR+ HER2- metastatic breast cancer, Fasenra in EGPA (MANDARA) and Kavigale for prevention of COVID-19. China approvals for Lynparza in gBRCAm HER2- early breast cancer (OlympiA), Orpathys in locally advanced or metastatic MET Exon 14 NSCLC (NCT04923945) Guidance The Company issues its Total Revenue and Core EPS guidance for FY 2025 at CER, based on the average foreign exchange rates through 2024. Total Revenue is expected to increase by a high single-digit percentage Core EPS is expected to increase by a low double-digit percentage The Core Tax rate is expected to be between 18-22% The Company is unable to provide guidance on a Reported basis because it cannot reliably forecast material elements of the Reported results, including any fair value adjustments arising on acquisition-related liabilities, intangible asset impairment charges and legal settlement provisions. Please refer to the cautionary statements section regarding forward-looking statements at the end of this announcement. Currency impact If foreign exchange rates for February 2025 to December 2025 were to remain at the average rates seen in January 2025, it is anticipated that Total Revenue in FY 2025 would incur a low single-digit percentage adverse impact compared to the performance at CER, and Core EPS would incur a mid-single-digit percentage adverse impact. The Company’s foreign exchange rate sensitivity analysis is provided in Table 17. Capital allocation In FY 2025, the Company intends to increase the annual dividend declared to $3.20 per share. The Company also expects to increase capital expenditure iii by approximately 50%, driven by manufacturing expansion projects and investment in IT systems, to support portfolio growth and build capacity for transformative technologies. China In relation to the illegal drug importation allegations, in January 2025, AstraZeneca received a Notice of Transfer to the Prosecutor and an Appraisal Opinion from the Shenzhen City Customs Office regarding suspected unpaid importation taxes amounting to $0.9 million. To the best of AstraZeneca’s knowledge, the importation taxes referred to in the Appraisal Opinion relate to Imfinzi and Imjudo . A fine of between one and five times the amount of unpaid importation taxes may also be levied if AstraZeneca is found liable. AstraZeneca continues to fully cooperate with the Chinese authorities. In December 2024 AstraZeneca announced the appointment of Iskra Reic as Executive Vice President, International, which encompasses China, Asian and Eurasian markets, Middle East & Africa, Latin America, Australia & New Zealand. Iskra succeeds Leon Wang who is on extended leave from the Company while under investigation in China. Table 1: Key elements of Total Revenue performance in Q4 2024 % Change Revenue type $m Actual % CER % Product Sales 13,362 18 19 Alliance Revenue 714 68 69 $392m Enhertu (Q4 2023: $281m) $133m Tezspire (Q4 2023: $80m) $161m Beyfortus (Q4 2023: $41m) Collaboration Revenue 815 >2x >2x $600m Lynparza (Q4 2023: $245m) $111m Beyfortus (Q4 2023: $27m) $100m Koselugo (Q4 2023: nil) Total Revenue 14,891 24 25 Therapy areas $m Actual % CER % Oncology 6,344 27 29 Tagrisso up 20% (21% at CER), Calquence up 20%, Enhertu up 48% (54% at CER) CVRM 3,138 16 17 Farxiga up 21% (22% at CER) , Lokelma up 35% R&I 2,127 27 28 Breztri up 29%. Saphnelo up 65%, Tezspire up 86% (85% at CER), Symbicort up 31% (33% CER) V&I 651 58 55 Beyfortus Total Revenue up >3x Rare Disease 2,377 21 22 Ultomiris up 32% (33% at CER), partially offset by decline in Soliris of 24% (22% at CER), Strensiq up 38% (37% at CER) and Koselugo up >3x Other Medicines 254 (7) (6) Total Revenue 14,891 24 25 Regions $m Actual % CER % US 6,532 28 28 Product Sales up 25% Emerging Markets 3,134 13 19 - China 1,364 (1) (3) Decline primarily due to low rates of seasonal respiratory viral infections, and impact from year-end hospital budget dynamics - Ex-China Emerging Markets 1,770 26 42 Europe 3,948 37 35 Product Sales up 20% (18% at CER) Established RoW 1,277 1 2 Total Revenue 14,891 24 25 Key alliance medicines Combined sales of Enhertu , recorded by Daiichi Sankyo Company Limited (Daiichi Sankyo) and AstraZeneca, amounted to $3,754m in FY 2024 (FY 2023: $2,566m) Combined sales of Tezspire , recorded by Amgen and AstraZeneca, amounted to $1,219m in FY 2024 (FY 2023: $653m) Table 2: Key elements of financial performance in Q4 2024 Metric Reported Reported change Core Core change Comments iv Total Revenue $14,891m 24% Actual 25% CER $14,891m 24% Actual 25% CER See Table 1 and the Total Revenue section of this document for further details Product Sales Gross Margin 80% Stable Actual +1pp CER 79% -1pp Actual Stable CER Variations in Product Sales Gross Margin can be expected between periods, due to product seasonality, foreign exchange fluctuations and other effects R&D expense $4,677m 52% Actual 52% CER $3,573m 23% Actual 22% CER Increased investment in the pipeline Core R&D-to-Total Revenue ratio of 24% (Q4 2023: 24%) Reported R&D includes $753m impairment recorded against the vemircopan (ALXN2050) intangible asset SG&A expense $5,410m 1% Actual 1% CER $4,275m 6% Actual 7% CER Market development for recent launches and pre-launch activities Core SG&A-to-Total Revenue ratio of 29% (Q4 2023: 34%) Other operating income and expense v $100m -7% Actual -6% CER $101m -7% Actual -6% CER Operating Margin 14% +3pp Actual +4pp CER 28% +5pp Actual +6pp CER See commentary above on Gross Margin, R&D, SG&A and Other operating income and expense Net finance expense $365m 9% Actual 8% CER $310m 20% Actual 20% CER Recent debt issued at higher interest rates Decrease in interest income Higher level of Net debt Tax rate 10% +17pp Actual +15pp CER 16% +7pp Actual +7pp CER Variations in the tax rate can be expected between periods EPS $0.97 56% Actual 71% CER $2.09 44% Actual 49% CER Further details of differences between Reported and Core are shown in Table 12 Table 3: Pipeline highlights since prior results announcement Event Medicine Indication / Trial Event Regulatory approvals and other regulatory actions Tagrisso EGFR m NSCLC (Stage III unresectable) (LAURA) Regulatory approval (EU, CN) Imfinzi Limited-stage SCLC (ADRIATIC) Regulatory approval (EU) Imfinzi Advanced endometrial cancer Regulatory approval (JP) Calquence Tablets for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia Regulatory approval (JP) Calquence Mantle cell lymphoma (1st-line) (ECHO) Regulatory approval (US) Lynparza + Imfinzi Advanced endometrial cancer with mismatch repair proficiency (DUO-E) Regulatory approval (JP) Lynparza gBRCAm HER2- eBC (OlympiA) Regulatory approval (CN) Enhertu HR+ HER2-low and -ultralow mBC (DESTINY-Breast06) Regulatory approval (US) Datroway HR+ HER2- mBC (TROPION-Breast01) Regulatory approval (JP, US) Orpathys MET exon 14 skipping altered NSCLC (NCT04923945) Regulatory approval (CN) Fasenra EGPA (MANDARA) Regulatory approval (JP) Kavigale Prevention of COVID-19 (SUPERNOVA) Regulatory approval (EU, JP) Regulatory submissions or acceptances* Imfinzi Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NIAGARA) Regulatory submission (US, JP) Imfinzi + Imjudo NSCLC (1st-line) (POSEIDON) Regulatory submission (CN) Calquence Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (1st-line) (AMPLIFY) Regulatory submission (EU) Datroway EGFR m NSCLC (later line) (TROPION-Lung05) Regulatory submission (US) Tezspire Severe uncontrolled asthma (NAVIGATOR/ DIRECTION) Regulatory submission (CN) Koselugo Neurofibromatosis type 1 adult (KOMET) Regulatory submission (EU, JP) Phase III / registrational data readouts and other developments Tagrisso Resectable early-stage EGFR m NSCLC (NeoADAURA) Primary endpoint met Truqap PTEN -deficient de novo metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (CAPItello-281) Primary endpoint met *US, EU and China regulatory submission denotes filing acceptance Other pipeline updates In January 2025, the vemircopan (ALXN2050) Phase II development programme was terminated. The decision was based on safety and efficacy data from Phase II trials. Upcoming pipeline catalysts For recent trial starts and anticipated timings of key trial readouts, please refer to the Clinical Trials Appendix, available on www.astrazeneca.com/investor-relations.html . Sustainability highlights The Company convened an event on health equity for investors and analysts in November that detailed AstraZeneca’s health equity strategy, which is embedded from the Company’s science through to healthcare delivery and community engagement. At the end of 2024, the Company’s cumulative reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions was 77.5% from the 2015 baseline. Conference call A conference call and webcast for investors and analysts will begin today, 6 February 2025, at 11:00 UK time. Details can be accessed via astrazeneca.com . Reporting calendar The Company intends to publish its Q1 2025 results on 29 April 2025. To read AstraZeneca's Full Year and Q4 2024 Financial Results press release in full, click here .

Sanofi is planning a $5.12bn share buyback programme in 2025. Image credit: Shutterstock / JHVEPhoto. Sanofi has bought back a €3bn ($3.1bn) stake held by cosmetics giant L’Oréal, the first of multiple share buybacks the French drugmaker has planned for 2025. L’Oréal was selling 29,556,650 shares at €101.50 each, meaning its stake in Sanofi will decrease from 9.4% to 7.2%. Both listed in Paris, L’Oréal opened 2.5% lower on 3 February following the announcement whilst Sanofi opened 0.4% down. The cosmetics company has held shares in Sanofi since 1999 and received $431m in dividends from the drugmaker in 2022 alone. The transaction of shares represents a 2.8% discount on where Sanofi’s shares closed on 31 January. The pharma company’s shares have been flying high after raising its full-year profit outlook propelled by blockbuster asthma drug Dupixent (dupilumab) and new launches such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine Beyfortus (nirsevimab), developed as part of a partnership with AstraZeneca . Whilst revealing its Q4 2024 results, Sanofi said it is planning to execute a $5.12bn share buyback programme in 2025. As of June 2024, Sanofi’s stakeholder structure comprised 67% owned by non-French institutional investors and 10.8% owned by French institutions. Individual shareholders and employees amounted to 5.3% and 2.6% of the drugmaker respectively. At the time, L’Oréal held 9.4%, with the remaining shares either unassigned or held via ‘miscellaneous’ buyers. Sanofi’s chief financial officer François Roger said: “This transaction highlights Sanofi’s dedication to sustainable value creation while upholding our strategic priorities and preserving the strength of our key partnerships.” Sanofi is in the process of transitioning into a pure vaccine and drug manufacturer as the company edges closer to closing a deal that would see it sell a controlling stake in its consumer health company Opella. In October 2024, Sanofi entered talks with US private equity company Clayton Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) over the sale of Opella, valued at around $17bn. A deal is slated to be completed by Q2 this year. The share buyback comes nearly a week after Robert F Kennedy Jr was questioned on his anti-vaccine stance by senators ahead of potentially heading up the US Health and Human Services (HHS). Sanofi was one of many vaccine manufacturers whose shares took a temporary hit when he was announced as the nominee for the position by President Donald Trump late last year. Sanofi is not the only big pharma company targeting a share buyback campaign. On the back of booming popularity for diabetes and weight loss treatments, Eli Lilly plans to buy back around $15bn in shares, as announced in December 2024. Buying back stock is a way for companies with auxiliary cash to boost earnings per share. It also increases the value of remaining shares and adjusts voting rights.