AstraZeneca Reports H1 2021 Revenue of $15.54B, with $3.21B from China and $1.17B from COVID-19 Vaccine

By | Shibei

On July 29, AstraZeneca announced its half-year results, reporting total revenue of $15.54 billion, up 23% year-on-year. Excluding $1.17 billion in revenue from the COVID-19 vaccine (Vaxzevria), revenue grew by 14% year-on-year. Revenue in China reached $3.209 billion (+21%), accounting for 21% of AstraZeneca's total revenue.

Driven by Tagrisso (osimertinib), Imfinzi (durvalumab), and Lynparza (olaparib), the oncology franchise grew 19% to $6.36 billion, accounting for 41% of total revenue. The BTK inhibitor Calquence (acalabrutinib) surged 150% to $490 million following the expansion of its indications to CLL/SLL. The blockbuster HER2 ADC Enhertu, jointly developed by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo, has been approved for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer and HER2-positive unresectable/metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma. AstraZeneca's share of revenue for the first half of the year was RMB 89 million (+148%).

The Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolism (CVRM) portfolio grew by 21% to $2.731 billion, driven by the HFrEF (heart failure with reduced ejection fraction) and CKD (chronic kidney disease) indications for Farxiga (dapagliflozin). Roxadustat, a renal anemia drug, contributed $92 million in revenue; unfortunately, the New Drug Application (NDA) for this product was once again delayed by the FDA.

The Respiratory & Immunology (R&I) segment grew by 11% to $2.97 billion, driven by the eosinophilic asthma indication of the anti-IL-5Rα monoclonal antibody Fasenra (benralizumab). Additionally, complement therapeutics products such as Soliris and Ultomiris, newly integrated into AstraZeneca’s portfolio through its acquisition of Alexion, contributed $3.34 billion in revenue.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, AstraZeneca's adenovirus-vector vaccine, Vaxzevria, has been approved for marketing in Japan, with a marketing authorization application expected to be submitted in the United States in the second half of this year. First-half revenue reached $1.17 billion, recognized from the global delivery of 319 million doses. The vaccine reduces the risk of hospitalization and death associated with the Delta variant by 92%. Meanwhile, AZD2816, a new vaccine targeting the Beta variant, is currently in Phase II/III clinical trials.

Following the acquisition of Alexion on July 21, 2021, AstraZeneca expects its full-year 2021 revenue to grow by over 20%.