AstraZeneca PLC - American Depositary Shares (AZN)

Competitors to AstraZeneca PLC - American Depositary Shares (AZN)

Bristol Myers Squibb 

Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) and AstraZeneca are primary players in the oncology market, focusing on immunotherapy and targeted therapies. Both companies' pipelines include groundbreaking therapies that shape cancer treatment paradigms. While AstraZeneca has advanced treatments like Durvalumab, BMS has established a strong presence with drugs such as Opdivo and Yervoy. The recent mergers and acquisitions undertaken by BMS will potentially enhance its pipeline and market share, giving it a competitive edge over AstraZeneca.

Merck & Co., Inc. 

Merck and AstraZeneca are engaged in competition primarily in the oncology and vaccine markets. Merck’s Keytruda has set standards in immuno-oncology treatments, which puts pressure on AstraZeneca's offerings. Additionally, both companies have developed vaccines for COVID-19, though their focus has differed. Merck benefits from a robust legacy and extensive research capabilities, allowing it a stronger competitive advantage in oncology and infectious diseases.

Novartis AG 

AstraZeneca and Novartis are engaged in fierce competition across various therapeutic areas, including oncology, cardiology, and respiratory diseases. Both companies invest significantly in research and development to innovate within these spaces. Novartis has a diverse portfolio with strong drugs like Entresto and Kisqali, providing it a competitive edge in certain segments due to its historical strengths and extensive market presence. However, AstraZeneca’s aggressive focus on targeted therapies in oncology offers it a unique position.

Pfizer Inc. 

AstraZeneca and Pfizer are direct competitors in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the areas of oncology and vaccines. Both companies have developed significant oncology portfolios, with AstraZeneca focusing on drugs like Tagrisso and Imfinzi, while Pfizer has key products like Ibrance. They also compete in the cardiovascular market, with AstraZeneca’s Brilinta and Pfizer’s Eliquis. The strong marketing capabilities and broad-reaching pipeline of Pfizer provide it with a competitive advantage due to its larger scale and greater financial resources.

Roche Holding AG 

Roche and AstraZeneca compete in the oncology space, where Roche's Herceptin and Avastin have carved out significant niches. AstraZeneca has focused on developing next-generation targeted therapies that are seen as direct innovations against Roche's offerings. Furthermore, Roche's strong diagnostics capability gives it an advantage in personalized medicine, where it can align treatments with patient-specific data, highlighting a competitive edge over AstraZeneca's more traditional pharmaceutical approach.