AstraZeneca adds WPP to oncology creative roster

AstraZeneca has added WPP to the global creative roster of its massive oncology business following a competitive review. Omnicom, WPP and Interpublic Group of Cos., which all had existing business with the pharmaceutical giant, participated in the pitch, according to two people close to the situation. It was not clear at press time whether a consultant was involved. Healthcare Marketing Impact Awards Enter today as we honor the best in healthcare marketing Learn more here “WPP has been a long-standing partner and we are looking forward to expanding our work together,” said Mohit Manrao, senior VP, head of U.S. Oncology at AstraZeneca, in a statement. AstraZeneca’s oncology revenue increased 19% to $18.4 billion in 2023. It’s unclear how duties will be divided among AstraZeneca’s oncology brands. An IPG spokesman said that it would not be losing any existing oncology business as a result of WPP’s appointment and that it remains a “proud AOR partner to AstraZeneca on many of their incredible life-saving oncology brand.” Some people involved in the review, however, said that the bulk of the oncology business will now essentially be split between WPP and Omnicom. AstraZeneca is one of IPG Health’s largest clients. In March, IPG Health was dealt a blow when Pfizer moved the majority of its creativity business from IPG Health to Publicis. IPG has worked on different parts of AstraZeneca’s oncology business, such as developing apps to support cancer patients or helping conduct studies for cancer treatment medicines. Some of the key cancer treatment brands under the pharma giant include Tagrisso, Lynparza, Calquence, Imfinzi, Imjudo and Enhertu. In May, the company announced a plan to reach $80 billion in sales by 2030, largely on the strength of its roughly one dozen cancer drugs. To service the account, WPP will build a bespoke team based out of the U.S. and U.K., which will source talent from its network of 10,000 health specialists. The team will be led by VML Health and include support from Grey Health and Ogilvy Health. WPP’s CMI Media Group will continue to work on media planning and buying for the oncology business. “WPP’s AstraZeneca team will leverage its extensive creative expertise and the latest technologies across the network to deliver innovative and strategic solutions for the AstraZeneca oncology brands globally and in the United States,” said Wendy Lund, chief client officer at HEALTH@WPP. AstraZeneca is looking to launch 20 new drugs by 2030, “many with the potential to generate more than $5 billion in peak year revenue,” the company wrote in a May investor report. According to the investor report, 27.5 million people will be diagnosed with cancer by 2040 and the world therapy market for the disease is valued at $168.5 billion. Healthcare Marketing Impact Awards Enter today as we honor the best in healthcare marketing Learn more here

AstraZeneca adds WPP to oncology creative roster

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