Pfizer has partnered with Samsung
US pharmaceutical company Pfizer has entered into two major agreements with South Korean technology company Samsung, worth approximately 1.2 trillion won (US$921.38 million), running until 2029. As part of the agreements, Samsung will leverage its technology expertise to produce cancer, inflammation and immunology support products for Pfizer, as well as a new Plant 4 within the Samsung Biologics complex in South Korea. Samsung Biologics expressed its excitement about these agreements, highlighting the significant expansion of its strategic partnership with Pfizer. It outperformed last year in terms of order volume, giving it a more favourable outlook for the period ahead. In addition to Pfizer, Samsung Biologics also has Eli Lilly, Kinsale and GlaxoSmithKline in its partnership portfolio.
Shares are in the green for a long time
Pfizer shares are down 28.5 percent this year, but looking at its five-year performance, the company's stock value trend is a slight plus. It may have had its golden period during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is still seen as an important member of the leading pharmaceutical companies today. *
Pfizer's stock performance over the past five years. (Source: Google) *
Astra Zeneca focuses on cancer drug development
British pharmaceutical company Astra Zeneca has spent the last few months working on the development of an innovative cancer drug, datopotamab deruxtecan. Results have shown that it can indeed slow the progression of the disease at a later stage. However, analysts said its effects were not as pronounced as expected, to which the company's shares responded with a 6 per cent fall.* The drug, being developed in collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo, has extended the progression-free period of cancer for patients compared to standard chemotherapy. Astra Zeneca has acquired the rights to collaborate on the experimental drug under a deal with Daiichi worth up to $6 billion as early as 2020. The drug is part of a class of antibody-drug conjugates (ACDs), which consist of tumour-seeking monoclonal antibodies.
The stock has seen a correction
Astra Zeneca is one of the companies that has managed to maintain a steady growth in its shares even during the pandemic period. It has seen some fluctuations this year, although the red numbers are not too high and in the long term it holds in the green numbers. Further results of drug development-related trials will be presented at an as yet undisclosed medical conference, which could potentially help lift the stock value to its original level if positive feedback is received. Astra Zeneca has presented itself many times in the past as a big player in the field of pharmaceutical companies. The recent share correction may mean nothing more than a potential investment opportunity. * [1]
Astra Zeneca's share performance over the past five years. (Source: Google) *
Olivia Lacenova, principal analyst at Wonderinterest Trading Ltd.
* Past performance is no guarantee of future results
[1] Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and current expectations, which may be inaccurate, or on the current economic environment, which may change. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance. They involve risks and other uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements.
