On January 6, Barclays analyst James Gordon increased the firm's price target for AstraZeneca (NASDAQ: AZN) to 16,500 GBp from 14,000 GBp. Gordon maintained an Overweight rating on the shares.
Also on January 6, AstraZeneca released full results from its Phase III TULIP-SC trial. The trial confirmed that subcutaneous administration of Saphnelo (anifrolumab) significantly reduces disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
The trial involved weekly 120 mg SC doses, which were reported as well tolerated. The safety profile mirrored that of the intravenous version. The SC formulation was approved in the European Union in December 2025. It is currently under regulatory review in the United States and Japan.
The self-administered option uses a pre-filled pen, allowing patients to manage treatment outside a clinical setting. Saphnelo IV is already approved in over 70 countries and has treated more than 40,000 patients.
Systemic lupus erythematosus affects over 3.4 million people globally. Approximately 50% of patients develop irreversible organ damage within five years due to persistent disease activity and chronic steroid use.
AstraZeneca is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures, and commercializes prescription medicines.