AstraZeneca pivots to early-stage cancer in search of a niche

AstraZeneca is set to prioritize the treatment of early-stage cancers under the leadership of oncology research chief José Baselga, M.D., Ph.D. Talking to The Wall Street Journal, Baselga sketched out why he thinks splitting off from the congested pursuit of late-stage cancers will benefit AstraZeneca and patients.Under Baselga, AstraZeneca’s oncology group will initially test drugs in advanced patients to gather safety data. Once drugs clear that early test, Baselga plans to redirect development toward patients with earlier-stage cancers. Baselga, a breast cancer doctor, thinks the focus will help AstraZeneca maximize the impact of its R&D spending.