Latest news with #Zejula
Mint
10 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
These five fundamentally strong mid cap stocks offer a good balance of risk and reward
As you move down the market-cap tiers from large caps to mid caps and small caps, your risk increases, as do your potential returns. If you're looking for a mixture of growth and stability, with a risk profile that falls between large caps and small caps, mid cap stocks can offer a good balance. However, identifying good mid cap stocks from hundreds of options is no easy feat. Knowing where to look is often the real challenge. In this article, we've selected five fundamentally strong mid cap stocks using Equitymaster's screener – fundamentally strong mid cap stocks in India. Let's dive in. #1 GSK Pharma GSK Pharma, a subsidiary of UK-based GSK plc, is a leading global biopharmaceutical company. Its portfolio includes general medicines, specialty medicines and vaccines. It's a leader in private vaccines, with 22.2% market share. It also leads the dermatology segment and ranks fourth by volume in the acute therapy industry. Revenue grew 9% year-on-year to ₹3,720 crore in FY25, driven by 8% year-on-year volume growth in the general medicine and specialty segments Margins expanded to 31%, leading to 32% year-on-year profit growth to ₹920 crore. Return ratios were strong, with a 63.8% return on capital employed (RoCE) and a 46.9% return on net worth (RoNW). Also read | The IPO buzz is back: These titans might go public in 2025 GSK is expanding into oncology, specifically gynaecological cancers. To this end, it's on track to launch Zejula (niraparib) for the treatment of ovarian cancer and Gemparli (dostarlimab) for recurrent endometrial cancer. It's also eyeing the e-pharmacy sector to bridge the gap between rural and urban and expand its customer base. However, the growing penetration of generic drugs may pose a risk to the company. #2 Page Industries Page Industries is the exclusive licensee of Jockey International Inc in India, the UAE, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bangladesh and Nepal. It handles both the manufacturing and distribution of the Jockey brand of innerwear and leisurewear for men, women and children. Page is also the exclusive licensee for the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of the Speedo brand of swimwear, swimming equipment, apparel and footwear. Jockey operates in 2,713 cities through 110,826 multi-brand stores, 1,453 exclusive brand outlets (EBOs), 1,216 large-format stores, and online. Speedo products are available in 1,096 stores and 36 EBOs in more than 150 cities. In FY25 the company's revenue rose 8% year-on-year to ₹4,940 crore, driven by store additions and premiumisation. Jockey is the market leader in the premium innerwear segment, which accounts for 99% of its revenue. Margins improved to 21.5%, driven by cost optimisation and stable raw-material costs. Net profit surged 28% to ₹730 crore. RoCE and RoNW stood at 73% and 48%, respectively. The company is facing a slowdown in demand due to reduced discretionary spending. However, management noted that there were signs of improvement, led by tier 2 and tier 3 cities, which outperformed metros and tier 1 markets. It estimated that demand was likely to improve in FY26 owing to income tax rationalisation, inflation falling to a six-year low, and a favourable monsoon. The company is consolidating larger store formats to ensure premium brand representation. It has also launched a Jockey mobile app to attract customers online. #3 Waaree Energies Waaree Energies primarily manufactures solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules. It also provides engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for solar power plants, and trades other solar-related products including solar water heaters and solar water pumps. It has 5.4 gigawatts (GW) of operational solar cells and 15 GW of module manufacturing capacity. Waaree leads in India's module shipments with a 14.1% market share. It has a solar power capacity of over 105 GW, and expects to hit 280 GW by 2030. It's well-diversified geographically, with manufacturing facilities in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and the US. Also read: Five undervalued power stocks worth adding to your watchlist Revenue grew 28% year-on-year to ₹14,800 crore in FY25, driven by order book execution. Margin expanded to 21%, aided by operating leverage, while net profit grew 107% year-on-year to ₹1,900 crore. As of Q4 FY25, the company had an order book of ₹47,000 crore, with 43% from India and 53% from overseas. The order book provides revenue visibility of more than three years, as per FY25 revenue. Waaree expects cell manufacturing to grow at an annual rate of more than 30% over the next five years. It's expanding capacity to capitalise on this demand, with most of it expected to go live in FY27. The additional capacity, strong order book, and growing demand are expected to benefit Waaree in the years to come. However, policy uncertainties from the US could be a headwind for growth. #4 CDSL CDSL is a market infrastructure institution, part of India's capital market structure. It's the largest depository in India in terms of demat accounts, with a 79% market share. CDSL's demat accounts grew 32% year-on-year to 153 million in FY25. The company's core function is facilitating the dematerialisation of securities – converting physical securities into electronic form. It also settles trades executed on stock exchanges. It provides services to all market participants, including exchanges, clearing corporations, depository participants, issuers and investors. Its subsidiary CDSL Ventures is the first and largest know-your-customer (KYC) registration agency. It recently expanded into insurance and commodity repositories. Revenue rose 32% year-on-year to ₹1,200 crore in FY25, driven by a 37% increase in average daily turnover to ₹1.2 trillion. Net profit rose 25% year-on-year to ₹530 crore. Management provided no forward-looking guidance owing to the subdued market. However, the company is confident of achieving long-term sustainable growth, driven by increasing penetration of demat accounts. It aims to maintain its dividend payout at 60% of operating profits. #5 KPIT Technologies KPIT focuses on providing technology solutions for the automotive industry, with a strong emphasis on mobility and vehicle provides solutions to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including powertrain (conventional and electric), connectivity, autonomous (vision and control systems), and diagnostics. It's well-diversified geographically, with a presence in 14 countries across the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific (APAC). Revenue increased 20% year-on-year to ₹5,800 crore in FY25, primarily driven by passenger cars, while commercial vehicles lagged. Margin remained stable at 21%, leading to a 41% year-on-year jump in net profit to ₹840 crore. Also read | Battery energy storage stocks: A small-cap watchlist The company plans to diversify into commercial vehicles and off-highway applications. Initial OEM projects have commenced, with ramp-ups expected in FY27. It's also diversifying into cybersecurity services and rolling out a cost-optimisation programme. Though the company is facing a slowdown in demand owing to tariffs and geopolitical challenges, it expects a growth revival, driven by execution ramp-up in the second half of the fiscal year. Fundamentally strong mid cap stocks from Equitymaster's stock screener Conclusion These companies have strong fundamentals and are leaders in their respective sectors. Their growth outlook also remains strong. That said, it's always crucial to analyse a company's fundamentals, including its financial performance, corporate governance practices and growth strategies before deciding whether to invest. Happy investing! Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such. This article is syndicated from
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ASCO 2025: Johnson & Johnson's Akeega set to be first PARP therapy for mCSPC
At the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting 2025, held from 31 May to 3 June in Chicago, Illinois, updated efficacy and safety data from the randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III AMPLITUDE (NCT04497844) clinical trial were presented on 3 June. This trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of Johnson & Johnson's (J&J) Akeega, which includes Zejula (niraparib), a highly selective poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor marketed by GSK for other indications, and Zytiga (abiraterone), a CYP17 inhibitor, plus the corticosteroid prednisone, in treating patients with deleterious germline or somatic homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene-altered metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC), a condition in which the cancer has spread to other parts of the body but still responds to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most common cancer among men globally, following lung cancer, and patients with CSPC represent an area of unmet need in terms of available treatment options. According to GlobalData's Prostate Cancer: Epidemiology Forecast to 2033 report, the number of diagnosed five-year prevalent cases of PC in the eight major markets (8MM: China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, the UK and the US) is projected to increase from 3,517,086 in 2025 to 4,236,251 by 2033. In the AMPLITUDE trial, a total of 696 patients with HRR gene-altered mCSPC were randomised 1:1 to experimental arm A (Akeega + prednisone; n=348) and comparator arm B (placebo + prednisone; n=348). The study achieved its primary endpoint of radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS). For patients with breast cancer (BRCA, or BRCA1 and BRCA2 ) gene mutations, a subset of HRR mutations, in arm A (n=191), median rPFS was not reached, compared to 26 months for arm B. This corresponded to a 48% reduction in the risk of progression or death (hazard ratio [HR] 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37 to 0.72; p<0.0001). Among patients with any HRR alteration in arm A, median rPFS was also not reached with the niraparib combination versus 29.5 months in arm B, reflecting a 37% reduction in risk (HR 0.63; 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.80; p=0.0001). The niraparib combination reduced the risk of symptomatic progression by 56% in BRCA-altered patients (HR 0.44; 95% CI, 0.29–0.68; p=0.0001) and by 50% in those with HRR alterations (HR 0.50; 95% CI, 0.36–0.69; p<0.0001), delaying symptom worsening and the need for additional interventions. The first interim analysis showed an early, but not statistically significant, trend toward improved overall survival (OS) favouring arm A, with a 25% reduction in the risk of death in patients with BRCA alterations (HR 0.75; 95% CI, 0.51–1.11; p=0.15) and a 21% reduction in those with HRR alterations (HR 0.79; 95% CI, 0.59–1.04; p=0.10). Follow-up is ongoing to reach data maturity. Grade 3 and 4 adverse events occurred more often in arm A than in arm B (75% versus 59%). This trial concludes that the combination of Akeega plus prednisone is a treatment option for patients with HRR-altered mCSPC, especially those with BRCA mutations. In 2023, the FDA approved Akeega in combination with prednisone for patients with BRCA-mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), based on the results of the MAGNITUDE trial. Currently, ADT and androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) remain the only treatment options for patients with mCSPC, with no PARP inhibitor therapies approved in this setting until now. The AMPLITUDE study results mark a significant milestone, positioning Johnson & Johnson's combination of a PARP inhibitor with ADT as the first targeted therapy for patients with BRCA-mutated mCSPC. However, the efficacy appears heterogeneous in the non-BRCA subgroup. A more detailed analysis is needed for this group, which makes up approximately 45% of the AMPLITUDE study population. Pfizer's Talzenna (talazoparib), in combination with Xtandi (enzalutamide), is currently being evaluated in the ongoing Phase III TALAPRO-3 trial for patients with DNA damage response-deficient mCSPC. AstraZeneca's next-generation, first-in-class PARP1 inhibitor, saruparib, is being assessed for efficacy and safety in HRR-mutated mCSPC patients in the Phase III EvoPAR-PR01 trial, in combination with either ADT or ARPI. First-generation PARP inhibitors are associated with higher toxicity, including bone marrow suppression and the risk of myelodysplastic syndrome. If saruparib demonstrates superior OS and a more favorable toxicity profile in the EvoPAR-PR01 trial, it may become the preferred option for clinicians over Akeega plus prednisone in HRR-mutated mCSPC. However, the estimated completion date for this trial is 2031, meaning that competition to Akeega could emerge in the later 2020s. According to GlobalData's analyst consensus forecast, global sales for Akeega are projected to reach $676 million by 2030, while Talzenna and saruparib are expected to reach $618 million and $628 million, respectively, in the same year. "ASCO 2025: Johnson & Johnson's Akeega set to be first PARP therapy for mCSPC" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ASCO 2025: GSK's Jemperli fails to show OS benefit in 1L advanced ovarian cancer
At the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting 2025, held from 31 May to 3 June in Chicago, Illinois, updated efficacy and safety data from the international, double-blind, randomised Phase III FIRST clinical trial were presented on 1 June. The trial evaluated the combination of GSK's Jemperli (dostarlimab), a monoclonal antibody targeting programmed cell death protein 1, and Zejula (niraparib), a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy (PtCh) as a first-line therapy in patients with stage III and IV epithelial ovarian cancer (OC). OC is a deadly gynaecological malignancy, with approximately 90% of cases classified as epithelial. According to GlobalData's Ovarian Cancer: Opportunity Assessment and Forecast report, the number of diagnosed incident cases of OC in the seven major markets (7MM: France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, the UK and the US) is expected to rise from 67,762 in 2025 to 71,308 by 2032. In the FIRST/ENGOT-OV44 study, a total of 1,138 patients with advanced OC were randomised (1:1:2) to experimental arm 1 (PtCh + placebo and placebo maintenance; dropped from the study due to PARP inhibitor approval), arm 2 (PtCh + placebo and Zejula maintenance; n=385), and comparator arm 3 (PtCh + Jemperli and Jemperli/Zejula maintenance; n=753). The efficacy of arms 2 and 3 (intention-to-treat population) was evaluated based on the primary endpoint - investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS). The PFS showed a statistically significant difference between arm 3 and arm 2 (median 20.6 months versus 19.2; hazard ratio [HR] 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73–0.99, P = 0.0351), with a median duration follow-up of 53.1 months. The key secondary endpoint, overall survival (OS), had reached 57% maturity and was not statistically significant (median 44.4 versus 45.4 months; HR 1.01, 95% CI, 0.86–1.19, P = 0.9060). In the maintenance period, treatment-related adverse events above Grade 3 were reported in 41.1% of patients in arm 3 and 37.2% in arm 2. The study concludes that adding Jemperli to PtCh and Zejula provides a statistically significant but clinically modest PFS benefit, with no improvement in OS for newly diagnosed advanced OC patients. The result was not unexpected, as immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown limited efficacy in OC, which is considered poorly immunogenic. At the end of 2024, Merck & Co's Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and AstraZeneca's Lynparza (olaparib) also failed to meet expectations in the KEYLYNK-001 study as a first-line therapy for OC, showing no OS benefit, similar to findings from the FIRST/ENGOT-OV44 study. Currently, no anti-PD-(L)1 therapies are approved for OC, and demonstrating a positive OS outcome is critical to gaining market share in this broad indication. A key difference between the two studies lies in patient selection. KEYLYNK-001 enrolled patients with breast cancer gene (BRCA) mutations, whereas the FIRST/ENGOT-OV44 trial included all-comers. To improve its chances of success, GSK made multiple modifications to the FIRST/ENGOT-OV44 trial design, including delaying readouts by several years. Initially, the primary endpoint was PFS in PD-L1-positive patients. In 2020, it was split into two groups, PFS in all-comers and PD-L1 expressers, before ultimately shifting the focus solely to all-comers. Another concern is the Jemperli and Zejula combination in the second-line setting for OC. A Phase III trial (NSGO-AVATAR) evaluating this combination was withdrawn due to a lack of financial support, suggesting GSK may not be optimistic about its prospects in the broader gynaecological cancer space. According to GlobalData's analyst consensus forecast, global sales for Jemperli and Zejula are projected to reach $2.56 billion and $1.26 billion, respectively, by 2030. In comparison, AstraZeneca's Lynparza and blockbuster PD-1 blocker Merck's Keytruda are expected to reach global sales of $2.4 billion and $22.71 billion, respectively. GSK acquired both Jemperli (co-developed with AnaptysBio) and Zejula through its $5.31 billion acquisition of Tesaro in 2019. After the FDA's accelerated approval in 2021 for patients with mismatch repair-deficient endometrial cancer as a second-line treatment, Jemperli has become a cornerstone of GSK's cancer portfolio alongside Zejula. In its most recent financial report, Jemperli sales increased 15% to $285 million in Q1 2025 due to broad-label expansion in first-line endometrial cancer regardless of biomarker status in the US. However, Jemperli holds a distinct advantage with its OS data over its main competitor, Keytruda, which also secured broad expansion in 2024. To expand Jemperli's success beyond endometrial cancer, GSK will need to wait for positive Phase III results from other ongoing clinical trials: GALAXIES LUNG 301, AZUR-2, MITO 33, JADE, ROCSAN and COSTAR Lung. "ASCO 2025: GSK's Jemperli fails to show OS benefit in 1L advanced ovarian cancer" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
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Business Standard
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
GSK Pharma Q4 profit rises 35% to ₹263 crore on strong brand growth
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Pharmaceuticals on Tuesday announced a 35 per cent year-on-year (YoY) increase in consolidated net profit for the March quarter (Q4FY25) to ₹262.87 crore, up from ₹194.48 crore in the same period last year. The company's revenue from operations rose 4.8 per cent YoY to ₹974.37 crore, from ₹929.80 crore in Q4FY24. The performance is attributed to strong growth across key product portfolios. Sequentially, the company's net profit declined 14.3 per cent, while revenue rose 2.6 per cent from ₹229.88 crore and ₹949.42 crore, respectively, reported in Q3FY25. GSK Pharma said that flagship brands within its general medicines portfolio — including Augmentin, Calpol, Ceftum and T-Bact — strengthened their market positions with share gains. Bhushan Ashikar, Managing Director, GSK Pharma, said the company's diversified portfolio of general medicines, specialty products and vaccines had shown improved growth due to sustained innovation, enhanced healthcare professional (HCP) engagement and rapid digital acceleration. 'This has enhanced reach, expanded coverage, and provided a seamless omnichannel experience for our customers,' he added. Ashikar stated that the company will continue to focus on its innovative portfolio through the launch of oncology assets in the financial year (FY) 2025–26. 'The company is on track to launch Zejula (niraparib), a PARP inhibitor for ovarian cancer, and Jemperli (dostarlimab), an immunotherapy approved for the second-line treatment of endometrial cancer,' GSK Pharma said in a public statement. In the vaccines segment, the company maintained its leadership within the private market, with its paediatric vaccines portfolio — including Boostrix, Varilrix and Havrix — despite inclusion in the National Immunisation Programme (NIP) and rising competition. 'Shingrix is experiencing increased adoption, driven by heightened awareness and our efforts to develop the adult vaccination ecosystem in the country,' the company said. On Tuesday, GSK Pharma's stock rose 2.49 per cent, ending the day's trade at ₹2,789 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
GSK's Zejula reduces risk of progression and death in mesothelioma study
GSK's Zejula (niraparib) has reduced the risk of death or progression by 27% in patients with mesothelioma in an investigator-led Phase II trial. The NERO study (NCT05455424) investigated the efficacy of Zejula in 88 mesothelioma patients who relapsed after previously receiving platinum-based systemic therapy. The study is sponsored by the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and funded by Asthma + Lung UK, with support from Mesothelioma UK and the Mavis Nye Foundation. Mesothelioma is a highly aggressive cancer that forms in the protective lining surrounding certain internal organs, most commonly the lungs, and is usually linked to asbestos exposure. Treatments are limited, and the standard of care (SOC) includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. Those treated with Zejula benefited from an average of 1.5 months progression-free survival (PFS) compared to SOC – marking a 27% reduction in the risk of the cancer progressing or death. Professor Gareth Griffiths, director of the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit and co-lead of the trial, said: 'Although this increase may seem small, for this group of patients who have very few treatment options and a generally poor prognosis, this is a significant step forward. "We have shown for the first time that this kind of drug can improve progression-free survival for mesothelioma patients compared with their usual treatment in the NHS. This gives enormous hope to those patients and their families and means we can now carry out further research to find out more about how these treatments could be tailored and enhanced to stimulate an even better response in more people.' The data was presented at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2025 in Chicago, US, on 29 April. The University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is now keen to initiate a new study, SELECTmeso, which will be a Phase II platform trial in patients with confirmed histological diagnosis of mesothelioma with evidence of MTAP loss on immunohistochemistry, and evidence of disease progression following prior standard systemic therapy on CT scan. Griffiths added: 'This trial will see patients tested for certain biomarkers, or genetic signals, in their tumours and then given the drug that is most likely to work for them. We really hope this step into more personalised medicine could further help these patients who desperately need better treatment options.' Zejula is an oral poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor that was approved on 27 March 2017 by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer. Other PARP inhibitors being investigated in patients with mesothelioma include AstraZeneca's Lynparza (olaparib), which is currently in a Phase II trial (NCT04515836); and Pfizer's Talzenna (talazoparib), which is also in a Phase II study (NCT04462809). AstraZeneca is also studying volrustomig, a bispecific antibody immunotherapy that targets and blocks PD-1 and CTLA-4. The drug is currently being evaluated in a Phase III trial for malignant pleural mesothelioma (NCT06097728). In September 2024, the FDA approved MSD's Keytruda in combination with chemotherapy as a treatment for unresectable advanced or metastatic malignant pleural mesothelioma, based on data from the KEYNOTE-483 (NCT02784171) study. "GSK's Zejula reduces risk of progression and death in mesothelioma study" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
