McKesson Corporation
MCK
recently announced that its independent specialty pharmacy specializing in oncology and rare disease areas, Biologics by McKesson, has been selected by Rigel Pharmaceuticals as one of two specialty pharmacies in a limited distribution network for REZLIDHIATM (olutasidenib). REZLIDHIA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a susceptible IDH1 mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test.
REZLIDHIA, an orally administered drug, was approved by the FDA early this month.
The availability of FDA-approved drug is expected to significantly solidify McKesson’s foothold in the global cancer treatment space and boost its U.S. Pharmaceutical business.
Significance of the Availability
REZLIDHIA has shown durable remission in treatment-naïve (never undergone treatment) and relapsed or refractory AML patients. REZLIDHIA was well tolerated and associated with improvements in clinical efficacy endpoints in patients with mIDH1 AML.
Per management, the availability of the new drug is expected to give patients more treatment options for AML.
Industry Prospects
Per a report by Straits Research
, the global oncology cancer drugs market was valued at $148,050.6 million in 2021 and is anticipated to reach $288,636.6 million by 2030 at a CAGR of 7.7%. Factors like the rise in the incidence of various cancer conditions and the growing popularity of advanced therapies (such as biological and targeted drug therapies) are expected to drive the market.
Given the market potential, the recent drug availability is expected to strengthen McKesson’s position in the global oncology care space.
Recent Developments
This month, Biologics by McKesson was selected by Mirati therapeutics as one of two specialty pharmacies in a limited distribution network for KRAZATI (adagrasib). The orally administered, small molecule inhibitor KRAZATI is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with KRAS G12C mutation as determined by an FDA-approved test and who have received at least one prior systemic therapy.
Also, this month, Biologics by McKesson was selected by ImmunoGen, Inc., a key player in the expanding field of antibody-drug conjugates, as the sole specialty pharmacy provider for ELAHERE (mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx) for the treatment of adult patients with folate receptor alpha-positive, platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer, who have received one to three prior systemic treatment regimens.
Last month, McKesson announced its second-quarter fiscal 2023 results, where it recorded a solid uptick in the overall top line. This was primarily driven by growth in the U.S. Pharmaceutical segment resulting from increased specialty product volumes (including retail national account customers) and market growth.
Price Performance
Shares of the company have gained 58.8% in the past year against the
industry
’s 11.7% decline and the S&P 500’s 20.2% fall.
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Zacks Rank & Key Picks
Currently, McKesson carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the broader medical space are
Exact Sciences Corporation
EXAS
,
ShockWave Medical, Inc.
SWAV
and
Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
MMSI
.
Exact Sciences, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present, has an estimated long-term growth rate of 27.5%. EXAS’ earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters and missed the same in one, the average beat being 0.6%.
You can see
the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Exact Sciences has lost 36.3% compared with the
industry
’s 23.4% decline in the past year.
ShockWave Medical, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, has an estimated growth rate of 21.2% for 2023. SWAV’s earnings surpassed estimates in all the trailing four quarters, the average beat being 146.1%.
ShockWave Medical has gained 14.7% against the
industry
’s 29.8% decline over the past year.
Merit Medical, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, has an estimated long-term growth rate of 11%. MMSI’s earnings surpassed estimates in all the trailing four quarters, the average beat being 25.4%.
Merit Medical has gained 10.1% against the industry’s 11.7% decline over the past year.
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