AstraZeneca PLC has forecast double-digit percentage growth in adjusted earnings per share for 2026, aligning with market expectations. The company indicated that strong sales momentum in its oncology drug division will effectively offset the impact of patent expirations for key diabetes medications, supporting sustained performance improvement.
Fourth-quarter profit and revenue at AstraZeneca were largely in line with projections. The firm anticipates full-year revenue growth in the mid-to-high single digits, similar to the 8% increase expected for 2025. Analysts had previously suggested that such guidance would leave room for upward revisions later this year.
The company is accelerating its expansion into the weight-loss drug market, recently entering into a collaboration agreement with China’s CSPC PHARMA that holds a potential value of up to $18.5 billion. Through this deal, AstraZeneca gains access to CSPC PHARMA’s long-acting peptide technology platform, which could support the development of next-generation obesity treatments requiring only once-monthly dosing. The move is aimed at entering the GLP-1 drug market, currently dominated by Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.
Additionally, AstraZeneca’s internally developed oral GLP-1 drug candidate, elecoglipron, has advanced to late-stage clinical trials, positioning it as a key asset in the company’s obesity treatment pipeline.
Despite recent uncertainties in U.S. drug pricing policy, AstraZeneca previously secured a three-year tariff exemption through an agreement with the Trump administration. The company was the second pharmaceutical firm to reach such a pricing arrangement with the former president.
Chief Financial Officer Aradhana Sarin expressed confidence in the company’s ability to absorb pricing-related impacts while continuing to pursue its long-term goal of achieving $80 billion in revenue by 2030. Clinical progress across several investigational drugs will be crucial in determining whether AstraZeneca can maintain its growth trajectory.
**Oncology Division Continues Expansion**
Under the leadership of CEO Pascal Soriot, AstraZeneca has established a leading position in oncology therapeutics and has become the second-largest listed company by market capitalization on the London Stock Exchange. This year will be critical in evaluating the feasibility of the company’s strategic goal of reaching $80 billion in revenue by 2030, with clinical data from several key drug candidates—including those targeting lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease—expected to be released.
Although AstraZeneca’s share price has risen more than 28% over the past six months, it has underperformed compared to UK peer GlaxoSmithKline. Market observers are closely monitoring the clinical progress of its research pipeline to assess its long-term growth potential.