1355 GMT - AstraZeneca's $1 billion acquisition of Belgian biotech EsoBiotec is a logical addition to advance its cell-therapy program in cancer and autoimmune diseases, Barclays analysts say in a note. The British pharma giant said EsoBiotec is the only company across the industry with preliminary but promising data in in-vivo Car-T therapy, which reprograms immune cells directly in the body. In December 2023, AstraZeneca bought China-based Gracell Biotechnologies, which specializes in cell therapy. Shares are down 1.15% at 118.56 pounds.(helena.smolak@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

1441 GMT - AstraZeneca's hypoparathyroidism drug candidate eneboparatide lacks differentiation from Danish-headquartered Ascendis Pharma's rival drug Yorvipath, Bank of America analysts say in a note. The British pharma giant will issue additional 52-week follow-up data to fully assess the drug's risk-benefit profile and to provide investors color on points of differentiation from Yorvipath, the analysts say. AstraZeneca guides for a $1 billion to $3 billion peak sakes potential, above consensus of $0.5 billion, they say. Shares are down 0.7% at 119.12 pounds. (helena.smolak@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

1443 GMT - AstraZeneca's late-stage results of its thyroid-disorder drug eneboparatide are a minor negative, Barclays analysts say in a note. Previous midstage results for the drug, which the British pharma company acquired through its Amolyt Pharma takeover, were strong and already showed normalized serum calcium levels and the potential to eliminate dependence on daily calcium and vitamin D supplementation. "It's not quite the blue sky scenario we think some investors were hoping for based on the midstage data from Amolyt Pharma," the analysts say. Shares are down 1% at 118.74 pounds. (helena.smolak@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 17, 2025 10:43 ET (14:43 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.