AstraZeneca's commitment to Oncology R&D is strong. They are heavily invested in the space and will actively look to build on their marketed products in oncology (Enhertu, Tagrisso, etc.). So from that perspective - its really encouraging.
That being said, these things are hard to predict
Oncology and Rare Disease are the safest places to be right now in biotech/pharma. AZ has an commented publicly that this is their North Star for R&D. No guarantees in life but definitely a good company to work for. Good Luck (I’m on commercial side at another Big Pharma/lots more risk)
I’m not familiar with R&D at Pfizer, they’re going through a large restructuring now. Rare Disease is safer on the commercial side as opposed to Cardiology. I think it depends on the company but I do see many Rare Disease smaller biotech (Agios/Fulcrum) that are in product development now.
Nope, happens in big pharma too. Often the folks who are hiring don't know layoffs are coming and if their hiring isn't frozen this can happen. I saw a person have an offer withdrawn earlier this year in large pharma. He had already resigned his previous role. Bad situation.
I’d say it’s good and better than most other companies, with a caveat at the end.
Earnings have been strong and improving YoY. Stonks have been going up. They’ve been squarely focused on organic growth in Biopharm and Oncology (good for R&D), and they have a recent acquisition of Alexion for rare disease that has been good for the cash flow.
Unlike Pfizer, they didn’t put a ton of capital in the COVID basket which isn’t paying off. Unlike GSK or J&J they don’t have scope creep with commercial products that they have or are looking to reorg away from their core pharma business. So, fundamentally they know what their business is and it’s solid in all therapeutic areas. There aren’t many areas of the business at risk to abrupt change (other than maybe cardiovascular with Farxiga’s upcoming LOE).
The caveat is that with the interest rate environment *every* company is reevaluating their pipeline. Increased cost of capital means some projects may not have a positive NPV/make money anymore. This is just a rule of thumb across the board.
TLDR: it’s a fundamentally solid company with the same baseline cost pressures of everyone else, but without extra baggage you see at other companies. Oncology is probably the safest TA you could join.
Disclaimer: I am not a scientist.
AZ is one of the safest companies to join at the moment and as others have said Oncology R&D is their bread and butter. Be excited for your new job! I assume you will be working in Gaithersburg, MD? The benefits and culture at AZ are top notch.
I’ve heard global AZ is a nightmare from a work life balance perspective.
If you are hired to do local work, you’re probably okay for mid to long term in terms of job security. Good luck to you! I am also interviewing at AZ in oncology.
Why would worry about these things that clearly no one can give you answer for? And would you do anything different given what people on these forum say?
Az has a strong commitment to Oncology. I doubt there'd be layoffs soon. That being said, reog happens once in a while, and you may expect shuffling or anything goes.
If the offer is good, you should take it. Better to have a job then not and ask what type of experience I can get to make myself a better candidate in the future. If those things line up, take it.
I don’t think anyone can predict these things without insider information.
AstraZeneca's commitment to Oncology R&D is strong. They are heavily invested in the space and will actively look to build on their marketed products in oncology (Enhertu, Tagrisso, etc.). So from that perspective - its really encouraging. That being said, these things are hard to predict
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Oncology and Rare Disease are the safest places to be right now in biotech/pharma. AZ has an commented publicly that this is their North Star for R&D. No guarantees in life but definitely a good company to work for. Good Luck (I’m on commercial side at another Big Pharma/lots more risk)
Why do you say rare disease is safe? I thought Pfizer had axed their rare disease department earlier this year? (I may be remembering incorrectly)
I’m not familiar with R&D at Pfizer, they’re going through a large restructuring now. Rare Disease is safer on the commercial side as opposed to Cardiology. I think it depends on the company but I do see many Rare Disease smaller biotech (Agios/Fulcrum) that are in product development now.
Immunology is a much safer bet. Oncology is saturated. Rare Disease hard to make money.
Hard not to agree, didn’t think of Immunology.
Takeda shuttered their Rare Disease therapeutic area unit just earlier this year.
Pfizer also.
Immunology is the way to go! Oncology is extremely asset specific.
Agree, but AZ is a toxic company.
Agree
I doubt that your offer will be pulled… do really established pharmas do that? I thought it was only small biotechs
Nope, happens in big pharma too. Often the folks who are hiring don't know layoffs are coming and if their hiring isn't frozen this can happen. I saw a person have an offer withdrawn earlier this year in large pharma. He had already resigned his previous role. Bad situation.
That’s awful
I’d say it’s good and better than most other companies, with a caveat at the end. Earnings have been strong and improving YoY. Stonks have been going up. They’ve been squarely focused on organic growth in Biopharm and Oncology (good for R&D), and they have a recent acquisition of Alexion for rare disease that has been good for the cash flow. Unlike Pfizer, they didn’t put a ton of capital in the COVID basket which isn’t paying off. Unlike GSK or J&J they don’t have scope creep with commercial products that they have or are looking to reorg away from their core pharma business. So, fundamentally they know what their business is and it’s solid in all therapeutic areas. There aren’t many areas of the business at risk to abrupt change (other than maybe cardiovascular with Farxiga’s upcoming LOE). The caveat is that with the interest rate environment *every* company is reevaluating their pipeline. Increased cost of capital means some projects may not have a positive NPV/make money anymore. This is just a rule of thumb across the board. TLDR: it’s a fundamentally solid company with the same baseline cost pressures of everyone else, but without extra baggage you see at other companies. Oncology is probably the safest TA you could join. Disclaimer: I am not a scientist.
AZ is one of the safest companies to join at the moment and as others have said Oncology R&D is their bread and butter. Be excited for your new job! I assume you will be working in Gaithersburg, MD? The benefits and culture at AZ are top notch.
Did 1 year before I bolted. AZ is toxic as fuck!
I’ve heard global AZ is a nightmare from a work life balance perspective. If you are hired to do local work, you’re probably okay for mid to long term in terms of job security. Good luck to you! I am also interviewing at AZ in oncology.
I heard they froze hiring
Why would worry about these things that clearly no one can give you answer for? And would you do anything different given what people on these forum say?
How is their British cousin GSK doing?
Az has a strong commitment to Oncology. I doubt there'd be layoffs soon. That being said, reog happens once in a while, and you may expect shuffling or anything goes.
Well, it’s happening now… layoffs and reorg
Astra Zenecas share price over the last three years is very pretty, I think they're in a happy place compared to MANY other biotechs
If the offer is good, you should take it. Better to have a job then not and ask what type of experience I can get to make myself a better candidate in the future. If those things line up, take it.
Any insight on what their Neuro area is like right now?
AZ has practically no Neuro portfolio. Look elsewhere like Lilly or Eisai