$AZN

European stocks ended mixed as Middle East conflict and uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz weighed on sentiment, while easing concerns about Fed rates followed tame US inflation. Stoxx 600 fell 0.21%, with CAC 40 down 0.16% and DAX up 0.53%. UK’s Sage Group rose 4.5%. Valneva jumped 20% after EMA validated its Lyme vaccine application.

Europe stocks were mixed. London’s FTSE 100 fell 0.2% to 10,750.11, while the FTSE 250 rose 0.1% to 24,867.42. Weak mining and pharma weighed; Entain rose 2.1% and Aviva gained 1.8% after results. Antofagasta dropped 4.6% and GSK and AstraZeneca fell 2.1%. US retail sales fell 0.6% in July, shifting rate expectations.

Britain’s FTSE 100 fell for a fifth straight session, closing down 22.56 points (0.21%) at 10,750.11. Mining stocks led the decline after Antofagasta cut its copper outlook, while AstraZeneca and GSK fell more than 2% each. FTSE 250 rose 0.1%. The week saw FTSE 100 down 1.4%.

The FTSE 100 ended the week lower, extending losses for a fifth straight session. Mining stocks fell on weaker industrial metal prices, including Antofagasta (-4%+), Glencore (-2%), and Anglo American and Rio Tinto (-1%+). Pharma stocks also declined, with AstraZeneca and GSK down 2%+. Shell rose 1%. Aviva gained nearly 2% after reporting a 24% first-half profit increase. The week fell about 1.4%.

Healio Q&A says the FDA approved AstraZeneca’s Breztri Aerosphere (budesonide, glycopyrrolate, formoterol) in April as maintenance therapy for asthma patients aged 12+. It became commercially available three months later, according to a press release. The article cites phase 3 KALOS and LOGOS results, including improved trough FEV1 vs Symbicort and reduced severe exacerbations.

Financial Times reported AstraZeneca (AZN) and Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY) were close to a rumored oncology-focused merger worth about $400 billion. Shares fell, with AstraZeneca down about 9% after the rumors. Later headlines suggested the deal is unlikely. The article cites antitrust and patent-cliff concerns, including Eliquis and Opdivo.

Royalty Pharma (RPRX) agreed to pay Neurimmune up to $425 million for a 3% to 4% royalty on AstraZeneca (AZN) candidate cliramitug, including $125 million upfront and $125 million in 2027 plus $175 million tied to clinical and regulatory milestones. Cliramitug is in Phase 3 DepleTTR-CM with readouts expected in 2028. RPRX Q1 2026 Portfolio Receipts rose 10% to $925 million; AZN H1 2026 revenue rose 6% and core profit/EPS rose 11%.

ICER said AstraZeneca’s newly approved hypertension drug Baxfendy (baxdrostat) fails its cost-effectiveness bar versus price. In a draft report, ICER used a $900 WAC for 30 tablets, implying $10,800 annual cost pre-discounts. ICER also assessed lorundrostat and found similar results, citing inconclusive comparative benefits and questions on long-term ASI effects.

At the AWIR annual conference, Richard A. Furie of Northwell Health said novel therapies are needed to reduce lupus morbidity and mortality, with unmet needs including lupus nephritis. He cited anifrolumab (AstraZeneca) subcutaneous results (56% BICLA vs 37% placebo) and discussed trials for litifilimab, enpatoran, belimumab, obinutuzumab, and CAR T-cells.

The article highlights pharma and healthcare developments. Eli Lilly sued six firms selling black-market versions of its experimental obesity drug retatrutide, including compounding pharmacies, medical spas, and online sellers. It also notes employers shifting away from major pharmacy benefit managers, a $7 billion Silicon Valley healthcare automation startup, and investor scrutiny around AstraZeneca’s $400 billion megadeal tied to an $80bn revenue target.