6-K 1 a1438x.htm AZN: FIRST QUARTER 2021 RESULTS a1438x
 
FORM 6-K
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
Report of Foreign Issuer
 
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the month of April 2021
 
Commission File Number: 001-11960
 
AstraZeneca PLC
 
1 Francis Crick Avenue
Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Cambridge CB2 0AA
United Kingdom
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
 
Form 20-F X Form 40-F __
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ______
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
Yes __ No X
 
If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the Registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-_____________
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AstraZeneca PLC
 
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
 
1.
AZN: First quarter 2021 results
 
 
AstraZeneca PLC
30 April 2021 07:00 BST
 
 
First quarter 2021 results
Robust performance supports continued investment for long-term sustainable growth
 
AstraZeneca delivered robust revenue growth of 15% (11% at CER1) in the quarter to $7,320m; excluding the contribution from the pandemic COVID-19 vaccine, revenue growth increased by 11% (7% at CER) to $7,045m. The overall results in the quarter further increased the Company’s profitability and cash generation, while the pipeline demonstrated encouraging progress; the Company reiterates full-year 2021 guidance.
 
Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer, commented:
 
"We delivered solid progress in the first quarter of 2021 and continued to advance our portfolio of life-changing medicines. Oncology grew 16% and New CVRM grew 15%. New medicines contributed over half of revenue and all regions delivered encouraging growth. This performance ensured another quarter of strong revenue and earnings progression, continued profitability, and cash-flow generation, despite the pandemic's ongoing negative impact on the diagnosis and treatment of many conditions. Given the performance in the first quarter, in line with our expectations, we reiterate our full-year guidance. We expect the impact of COVID to reduce and anticipate a performance acceleration in the second half of 2021.
 
Further significant pipeline advances were achieved as we continued to invest for long-term sustainable growth, including the OlympiA Phase III trial demonstrating Lynparza’s benefit for certain forms of early breast cancer. This sustained pipeline progress and accelerating business performance underlines our commitment to patients and delivering our growth potential, which will be further complemented by the proposed acquisition of Alexion."
 
 
Table 1: Q1 2021 - Financial summary
 
 
 
 
Actual
CER
 
 
$m 
% change
% change
- Product Sales
 
7,257 
15
11
- Collaboration Revenue
 
63 
43
42
Total revenue
 
7,320 
15
11
- Less pandemic COVID-19 vaccine
 
275 
n/m2
n/m
Total revenue ex. pandemic vaccine3
 
7,045 
11
7
Reported4 EPS5
 
$1.19 
100
97
Core6 EPS
 
$1.63 
55
53
Impact of pandemic vaccine on EPS
 
$(0.03)
n/m
n/m
 
 
Highlights of Total Revenue in the quarter included:
 
- An increase in Product Sales of 15% (11% at CER) to $7,257m. New medicines7 Total Revenue improved by 30% (26% at CER) in the quarter to $3,891m, including growth in Emerging Markets of 33% (30% at CER) to $874m. Globally, new medicines represented 53% of Total Revenue (Q1 2020: 47%). Q1 2020 benefitted from a low-to-mid single-digit percentage increase in sales following short-term inventory increases in the distribution channel, an indirect effect of the COVID-19 pandemic
 
- Oncology growth of 20% (16% at CER) to $3,024m, an increase in New CVRM8 of 19% (15% at CER) to $1,306m. Respiratory & Immunology (R&I), however, declined by 1% (4% at CER) to $1,546m, predominately reflecting the impact of stocking of an authorised generic version of Symbicort in the US during Q1 2020 and phasing of COVID-19 impacts
 
- An increase in Emerging Markets of 14% (10% at CER) to $2,592m, with China growth of 19% (10% at CER) to $1,679m. In the US, Total Revenue increased by 10% to $2,310m and in Europe by 28% (18% at CER) to $1,546m
 
 
Guidance
 
The Company reiterates guidance for FY 2021 at CER.
 
 

Total Revenue is expected to increase by a low-teens percentage,
accompanied by faster growth in Core EPS to $4.75 to $5.00.
 

 
The guidance does not incorporate any revenue or profit impact from sales of the pandemic COVID-19 vaccine. Similarly, the guidance excludes the proposed acquisition of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Alexion) which is intended to become AstraZeneca’s rare disease unit and area of expertise. The acquisition is anticipated to close in Q3 2021. AstraZeneca recognises the heightened risks and uncertainties from the impact of COVID-19. Variations in performance between quarters can be expected to continue.
 
The Company is unable to provide guidance and indications on a Reported basis because AstraZeneca cannot reliably forecast material elements of the Reported result, including any fair value adjustments arising on acquisition-related liabilities, intangible asset impairment charges and legal-settlement provisions. Please refer to the cautionary statements section regarding forward-looking statements at the end of this announcement.
 
Indications
The Company provides indications for FY 2021 at CER:
 
- AstraZeneca continues its focus on improving operating leverage, while addressing its most important capital-allocation priority of re-investment in the business, namely continued investment in R&D and the support of medicines and patient access in key markets
 
- A Core Tax Rate of 18-22%. Variations in the Core Tax Rate between quarters are anticipated to continue
 
Currency impact
If foreign-exchange rates for April to December 2021 were to remain at the average of rates seen in the quarter, it is anticipated that there would be a low single-digit favourable impact on Total Revenue and Core EPS. The Company’s foreign-exchange rate sensitivity analysis is contained within the operating and financial review.
 
Financial summary
- Total Revenue, comprising Product Sales and Collaboration Revenue, increased by 15% in the quarter (11% at CER) to $7,320m. Product Sales grew by 15% (11% at CER) to $7,257m, driven primarily by the performances of new medicines across Oncology and BioPharmaceuticals, including Tagrisso and Farxiga. Total Revenue included $275m of pandemic COVID-19 vaccine sales
 
- The Reported Gross Profit Margin9 declined by three percentage points to 74.3%, and the Core Gross Profit9 Margin declined by three percentage points in the quarter to 74.6%. The performance predominantly reflected the significant impact of equitable supply, at no profit to AstraZeneca, of the pandemic COVID-19 vaccine, together with an increasing contribution from profit-sharing arrangements, primarily Lynparza, and the impact of the Chinese National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) and the volume-based procurement (VBP) patient-access programmes. A higher proportion of Oncology sales and increasing patient access in China partially offsets these impacts. These variations in gross margin performance between quarters can be expected to continue
 
- Reported Total Operating Expense increased by 13% (9% at CER) in the quarter to $4,741m and represented 65% of Total Revenue (Q1 2020: 66%). Core Total Operating Expense increased by 15% (11% at CER) to $4,136m and comprised 57% of Total Revenue (Q1 2020: 57%)
 
- Reported and Core R&D Expense increased by 24% (19% at CER) in the quarter to $1,713m and by 23% (18% at CER) to $1,638m, respectively. The increases primarily reflected the investment in Phase III and the advancement to Phase II of several clinical development programmes, particularly in BioPharmaceuticals. The Company continued to invest in its COVID-19 vaccine and potential medicines to prevent and treat COVID-19
 
- Reported SG&A Expense increased by 8% (4% at CER) in the quarter to $2,929m; Core SG&A Expense increased by 10% (7% at CER) to $2,399m, representing 33% of Total Revenue (Q1 2020: 34%)
 
- Reported Other Operating Income and Expense10 grew by 146% (145% at CER) in the quarter to $1,180m. Core Other Operating Income and Expense increased by 147% (146% at CER) to $1,180m during the period. The growth predominately reflected the $776m of income from divestment of AstraZeneca’s 26.7% share of Viela Bio, Inc. (Viela) as part of the acquisition by Horizon Therapeutics plc
 
- The Reported Operating Profit Margin increased by seven percentage points in the quarter (eight at CER) to 26%; the Core Operating Profit Margin increased by five percentage points (six at CER) to 34%. The performance predominately reflected the aforementioned one-time benefit from Other Operating Income and Expense10
 
- Reported EPS of $1.19 in the quarter represented an increase of 100% (97% at CER). Core EPS grew by 55% (53% at CER) to $1.63. EPS benefitted from a lower tax rate as a result of a non-taxable gain from the divestment of AstraZeneca’s share of Viela
 
Commercial summary
 
Oncology
 
Total Revenue increased by 20% in the quarter (16% at CER) to $3,024m.
 
 
Table 2: Q1 2021 - Select Oncology medicine Total Revenue performances
 
 
 
 
 
Actual
CER
Medicine
 
$m
% change
% change
Tagrisso
 
1,149
17
13
Imfinzi
 
556
20
17
Lynparza
 
543
37
33
Calquence
 
209
n/m
n/m
Enhertu
 
40
n/m
n/m
 
 
New CVRM
 
Total Revenue increased by 19% in the quarter (15% at CER) to $1,306m.
 
 
 
Table 3: Q1 2021 - Select New CVRM medicine Total Revenue performances
 
 
 
 
 
Actual 
CER 
Medicine
 
$m
% change 
% change 
Farxiga
 
625
54 
50 
Brilinta
 
374
(8)
(11)
Bydureon
 
103
Roxadustat
 
41
n/m 
n/m 
Lokelma
 
33
n/m 
n/m 
 
 
Respiratory & Immunology
 
Total Revenue declined by 1% in the quarter (4% at CER) to $1,546m.
 
 
 
Table 4: Q1 2021 - Select R&I medicine Total Revenue performances
 
 
 
 
 
Actual 
CER 
Medicine
 
$m
% change 
% change 
Symbicort
 
691
(13)
(15)
Pulmicort
 
330
(13)
(18)
Fasenra
 
260
31 
27 
Breztri
 
27
n/m 
n/m 
 
 
 
COVID-19
 
Total Revenue increased sequentially from $2m in Q4 2020 to $275m in the first quarter of 2021.
 
 
 
Table 5: Q1 2021 - Pandemic COVID-19 vaccine performance
 
 
 
 
 
Actual
CER
Medicine
 
$m
% change
% change
Pandemic COVID-19 vaccine
 
275
n/m
n/m
 
 
Emerging Markets
 
Total Revenue increased by 14% in the quarter (10% at CER) to $2,592m, however, the performance was offset by the decline of Pulmicort, which included an adverse impact of four percentage points (four at CER) and suppressed the overall Total Revenue growth in the quarter.
 
China increased 19% (10% at CER) to $1,679m in the quarter and comprised 65% of Emerging Markets Total Revenue. New medicines, primarily driven by Tagrisso in Oncology and Forxiga in New CVRM, delivered particularly encouraging growth. The Total Revenue growth in the quarter, however, included an adverse impact of five percentage points (four at CER) from the reduced sales of Pulmicort which, restricted overall revenue growth in the quarter. Ex-China Total Revenue increased 6% (11% at CER) to $913m, with a particularly strong performance in Middle East and Africa.
 
Business development
 
Acquisition of Acerta Pharma B.V. (Acerta) shares
 
In December 2015, the Company agreed to acquire 55% of the entire issued share capital of Acerta for an upfront payment of $2.5bn, which was paid in 2016. A further amount of $1.5bn was paid in 2017 on receipt of the first US regulatory approval for Calquence. The agreement included options that, if exercised, provided the opportunity for Acerta shareholders to sell, and AstraZeneca to buy, the remaining 45% of shares in Acerta. The final condition for these options to be exercised was satisfied in November 2020 when Calquence received EU marketing authorisation. AstraZeneca exercised its option to acquire the remaining 45% of shares in Acerta in April 2021.
 
The agreement initially provided that the remaining 45% of shares in Acerta would be acquired at a price of approximately $3bn net of certain costs and payments incurred by AstraZeneca and net of agreed future adjusting items, using a pre-agreed pricing mechanism. In October 2019, an amendment agreement came into effect which was disclosed as part of year-to-date and Q3 2019 results, changing the timing of payments and reducing the maximum consideration required to be made to acquire the remaining outstanding shares of Acerta if the options were exercised. The payments are to be made in similar annual instalments in 2022, 2023 and 2024. The changes to the terms were reflected in the assumptions that were used to calculate the amortised cost of the option liability as of 31 March 2021 of $2,336m.
 
Sustainability summary
 
Recent developments and progress against the Company’s sustainability priorities are reported below:
 
 
a) 
Access to healthcare
AstraZeneca and its sublicensee, Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. (SII), delivered over 48 million doses of its pandemic COVID-19 vaccine to more than 120 countries through COVAX11, the multilateral facility co-led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and the World Health Organization (WHO), with c.80% of the doses going to low and middle-income countries.
 
b) 
Environmental protection
During the period, the Company was recognised for its leadership in building sustainable business models, as one of the top 7% of companies on CDP’s 2020 Supplier Engagement Rating Leaderboard. By working with suppliers to reduce their emissions, AstraZeneca is helping to drive science-based climate action across the value chain, a key component of the Company’s Ambition Zero Carbon strategy.
 
c) 
Ethics and transparency
The Company released its seventh annual Sustainability Report and Sustainability Data Summary via its website and social media. The report was released in conjunction with the Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2020. The report outlined progress and challenges and aims for the future.
 
A more extensive sustainability update is provided later in this announcement.
 
 
Notes
The following notes refer to pages one to five.
 
 
 
1.
Constant exchange rates. These are financial measures that are not accounted for according to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) because they remove the effects of currency movements from Reported results.
2.
Not meaningful.
3.
Total revenue ex. pandemic vaccine is a non-GAAP measure, which excludes the revenue impact from sales of the pandemic COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic period to help facilitate a comparison to guidance.
4.
Reported financial measures are the financial results presented in accordance with UK and EU-adopted International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs), and IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).
5.
Earnings per share.
6.
Core financial measures. These are non-GAAP financial measures because, unlike Reported performance, they cannot be derived directly from the information in the Group’s Financial Statements. See the operating and financial review for a definition of Core financial measures and a reconciliation of Core to Reported financial measures.
7.
Tagrisso, Imfinzi, Lynparza, Calquence, Enhertu, Koselugo, Farxiga, Brilinta, Lokelma, roxadustat, Fasenra, Bevespi and Breztri. The new medicines are pillars in the three disease areas (formally referred to as Therapy Areas) of Oncology, Cardiovascular (CV), Renal & Metabolism (CVRM), and R&I and are important platforms for future growth.
8.
New CVRM comprises Brilinta, Renal and Diabetes medicines.
9.
Gross Profit is defined as Total Revenue minus Cost of Sales. The calculation of Reported and Core Gross Profit Margin excludes the impact of Collaboration Revenue and any associated costs, thereby reflecting the underlying performance of Product Sales.
10.
Where AstraZeneca does not retain a significant ongoing interest in medicines or potential new medicines, income from divestments is reported within Other Operating Income and Expense in the Company’s financial statements.
11.
18.4 million doses of AstraZeneca’s pandemic COVID-19 vaccine and 29.9 million of SII’s Covidshield vaccine.
12.
COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) is a coalition co-led by CEPI, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), and the WHO. It is the only global initiative bringing governments and manufacturers together to ensure that safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines are available worldwide to both higher-income and lower-income countries.
 
 
Table 6: Pipeline highlights
 
 
The following table highlights significant developments in the late-stage pipeline since the prior results announcement:
 
Regulatory approval or other regulatory action
- Tagrisso - adjuvant NSCLC1 (EGFRm2): approval (CN)
 
- Tagrisso - adjuvant NSCLC (EGFRm): positive opinion (EU)
 
- Imfinzi - bladder cancer (2nd line): indication voluntarily withdrawn (US)
 
- Koselugo - NF13: positive opinion (EU)
Regulatory submission acceptance and/or submission
- Lynparza - breast cancer (BRCAm4): submission voluntarily withdrawn (CN)
 
- Brilique - CAD5/T2D6 CVOT7: submission voluntarily withdrawn (EU, CN)
Major Phase III data readout or othersignificantdevelopment
- Lynparza - adjuvant breast cancer (BRCAm): Phase III primary endpoint met
 
- Farxiga - COVID-19: Phase III primary endpoint not met
 
- roxadustat - anaemia in CKD8: delay in regulatory decision due to convening of advisory committee (US)
 
- nirsevimab - RSV9: Phase III primary endpoint met
 
- COVID-19 vaccine - COVID-19: Phase III primary endpoint met (US trial)
 
 
Table 7: Pipeline anticipated major news flow
 
 
Timing
News flow
H1 2021
 
- Tagrisso - adjuvant NSCLC (EGFRm): regulatory decision (EU)
- Imfinzi +/- treme - NSCLC (1st line) (POSEIDON): data readout (OS10)
- Calquence - CLL11 (R/R12) (ELEVATE R/R): regulatory submission
- Koselugo - NF1 regulatory decision (EU)
 
- Farxiga - CKD: regulatory decision (US)
 
- Symbicort - mild asthma: regulatory decision (EU)
- Fasenra - nasal polyps13: regulatory submission
- tezepelumab - severe asthma: regulatory submission
 
- COVID-19 vaccine - COVID-19: regulatory submission (US, JP)
- AZD7442 - SARS-CoV-2: data readout, regulatory submission
 
H2 2021
 
- Imfinzi - unresectable14, Stage III NSCLC (PACIFIC-2): data readout, regulatory submission
- Imfinzi - NSCLC (1st line) (PEARL): data readout
- Imfinzi +/- treme - NSCLC (1st line) (POSEIDON): regulatory submission
- Imfinzi +/- treme - liver cancer (1st line): data readout, regulatory submission
- Lynparza - adjuvant breast cancer: regulatory submission
- Lynparza - prostate cancer (2nd line): regulatory decision (CN)
- Lynparza - prostate cancer (1st line, castration-resistant): data readout, regulatory submission
- Enhertu - breast cancer (2nd line, HER2+15): data readout16, regulatory submission
 
- Forxiga - CKD: regulatory decision (EU, JP, CN)
- Farxiga - HF (HFpEF17): data readout
- Brilique - stroke (THALES): regulatory decision (EU, CN)
- roxadustat - anaemia in CKD: regulatory decision (US)
 
- PT027 - asthma: data readout
- anifrolumab - lupus (SLE18): regulatory decision (US, EU, JP)
 
- nirsevimab - RSV (MEDLEY): data readout
2022
 
- Imfinzi - NSCLC (1st line) (PEARL): regulatory submission
- Imfinzi - ES-SCLC19: regulatory decision (CN)
- Imfinzi - LS-SCLC20: data readout, regulatory submission
- Imfinzi - liver cancer (locoregional): data readout, regulatory submission
- Imfinzi - biliary tract cancer: data readout, regulatory submission
- Lynparza - ovarian cancer (3rd line, BRCAm): regulatory submission
- Enhertu - breast cancer (3rd line, HER2+) (Phase III): data readout, regulatory submission
- Enhertu - breast cancer (HER2 low): data readout, regulatory submission
- Calquence - CLL: regulatory submission (CN)
- Koselugo - NF1: regulatory submission (JP, CN)
 
- Farxiga - HF (HFpEF): regulatory submission
- roxadustat - MDS21: data readout, regulatory submission
 
- PT027 - asthma: regulatory submission
 
- nirsevimab - RSV: regulatory submission
 
 
 
 
 
Conference call
A conference call and webcast for investors and analysts will begin at 11:45 BST. Details can be accessed via astrazeneca.com.
 
Reporting calendar
The Company intends to publish its half-year and second-quarter results on Thursday 29 July 2021.
 
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
 
Contacts
For details on how to contact the Investor Relations Team, please click here. For Media contacts, click here.
 
Operating and financial review
 
All narrative on growth and results in this section is based on actual exchange rates, and financial figures are in US$ millions ($m), unless stated otherwise. The performance shown in this announcement covers the three-month period to 31 March 2021 (the quarter or Q1 2021) compared to the three-month period to 31 March 2020 (Q1 2020) respectively, unless stated otherwise.
 
Forward-looking statements in this announcement do not reflect the impact of the performance of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine or the proposed acquisition by the Company of Alexion, which is expected to close in Q3 2021.
 
Core financial measures, EBITDA, Net Debt, Initial Collaboration Revenue and Ongoing Collaboration Revenue are non-GAAP financial measures because they cannot be derived directly from the Group’s Interim Financial Statements. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when provided in combination with Reported results, will provide investors and analysts with helpful supplementary information to understand better the financial performance and position of the Group on a comparable basis from period to period. These non-GAAP financial measures are not a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Core financial measures are adjusted to exclude certain significant items, such as:
 
- Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets, including impairment reversals but excluding any charges relating to IT assets
 
- Charges and provisions related to restructuring programmes, which includes charges that relate to the impact of restructuring programmes on capitalised IT assets
 
- Other specified items, principally comprising the Diabetes alliance22, acquisition-related costs, which include fair-value adjustments and the imputed finance charge relating to contingent consideration on business combinations and legal settlements
 
Details on the nature of Core financial measures are provided on page 84 of the Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2020. Reference should be made to the Reconciliation of Reported to Core financial measures table included in the financial performance section in this announcement.
 
Total revenue ex. pandemic vaccine is a new non-GAAP financial measure introduced in the current period to enable management to explain the financial impact of the COVID-19 vaccine on the Group’s Total revenue.
 
EBITDA is defined as Reported Profit Before Tax after adding back Net Finance Expense, results from Joint Ventures and Associates and charges for Depreciation, Amortisation and Impairment. Reference should be made to the Reconciliation of Reported Profit Before Tax to EBITDA included in the financial performance section in this announcement.
 
Net Debt is defined as Interest-bearing loans and borrowings and Lease liabilities, net of Cash and cash equivalents, Other investments, and net Derivative financial instruments. Reference should be made to Note 3 ‘Net Debt’ included in the Notes to the Interim Financial Statements in this announcement.
 
Ongoing Collaboration Revenue is defined as Collaboration Revenue excluding Initial Collaboration Revenue (which is defined as Collaboration Revenue that is recognised at the date of completion of an agreement or transaction, in respect of upfront consideration). Ongoing Collaboration Revenue comprises, among other items, royalties, milestone revenue and profit-sharing income. Reference should be made to the Collaboration Revenue table in this operating and financial review.
 
The Company strongly encourages investors and analysts not to rely on any single financial measure, but to review AstraZeneca’s financial statements, including the Notes thereto and other available Company reports, carefully and in their entirety.
 
Due to rounding, the sum of a number of dollar values and percentages may not agree to totals.
 
 
Total Revenue
 
The performance of the Company’s medicines is shown below, with a geographical split of Product Sales shown in Note 7.
 
Table 8: Q1 2021 – Total Revenue by disease area
Specialty-care medicines comprise all Oncology medicines, Brilinta, Lokelma, roxadustat and Fasenra. At 51% of Total Revenue (Q1 2020: 49%), specialty-care medicines increased by 19% in the year (15% at CER) to $3,732m.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual 
CER 
 
 
$m
% of total
% change 
% change 
Oncology
 
3,024
41
20 
16 
BioPharmaceuticals
 
2,852
39
- New CVRM
 
1,306
18
19 
15 
- R&I
 
1,546
21
(1)
(4)
Other medicines
 
1,169
16
(1)
(4)
COVID-19
 
275
4
n/m
n/m
Total Revenue
 
7,320
100
15 
11 
- Less pandemic COVID-19 vaccine
 
275
4
n/m 
n/m 
Total Revenue ex. pandemic vaccine
 
7,045
96
11 
 
 
Table 9: Q1 2021 – Disease area and medicine performance
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual 
CER 
 
 
$m
% of total
% change 
% change 
Oncology
 
2,981 
41 
19 
15 
- Tagrisso
 
1,149
16
17 
13 
- Imfinzi
 
556
8
20 
17 
- Lynparza
 
543
7
37 
33 
- Calquence
 
209
3
n/m 
n/m 
- Koselugo
 
21
-
n/m 
n/m 
- Enhertu
 
1
-
n/m 
n/m 
- Zoladex23
 
221
3
(1)
(6)
- Faslodex23
 
122
2
(26)
(30)
- Iressa23
 
61
1
(21)
(26)
- Arimidex23
 
44
1
(12)
(15)
- Casodex23
 
42
1
(6)
- Others
 
12
-
(12)
(12)
BioPharmaceuticals: CVRM
 
 1,912
 26
 12 
- Farxiga
 
624
9
54 
50 
- Brilinta
 
374
5
(8)
(11)
- Bydureon
 
103
1
- Onglyza
 
101
1
(28)
(31)
- Byetta
 
16
-
(20)
(20)
- Other diabetes
 
13
-
(1)
- Roxadustat
 
39
1
n/m 
n/m 
- Lokelma
 
33
-
n/m 
n/m 
- Crestor35
 
274
4
(9)
(12)
- Seloken/Toprol-XL35
 
250
3
41 
36 
- Atacand35
 
34
-
(48)
(49)
- Others
 
51
1
(13)
(16)
BioPharmaceuticals: R&I
 
 1,541
 21
 (1)
(5)
- Symbicort
 
691
9
(13)
(15)
- Pulmicort
 
330
5
(13)
(18)
- Fasenra
 
260
4
31 
27 
- Daliresp/Daxas
 
60
1
14 
12 
- Breztri
 
27
-
n/m 
n/m 
- Bevespi
 
13
-
- Others
 
160
2
42 
33 
Other medicines
 
 548
 7
 (2)
(5)
- Nexium35
 
403
6
19 
15 
- Synagis35
 
24
-
(72)
(72)
- Losec/Prilosec35
 
54
1
(5)
- Seroquel XR/IR35
 
29
-
(20)
(22)
- FluMist35
 
2
-
n/m
n/m 
- Others
 
36
-
(19)
(20)
COVID-19
 
275
4
n/m 
n/m 
Pandemic COVID-19 vaccine
 
275
4
n/m 
n/m 
Product Sales
 
 7,257
 99
 15 
11 
Collaboration Revenue
 
63
1
43 
42 
Total Revenue
 
 7,320
 100
 15 
11 
Total Revenue ex. pandemic vaccine
 
 7,045
 96
 11 
 
 
Table 10: Q1 2021 – Collaboration Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual 
CER 
 
 
$m
% of total
% change 
% change 
Enhertu: share of gross profits
 
38
60
n/m 
n/m 
Roxadustat: share of gross profits
 
2
3
(16)
(23)
Other Ongoing Collaboration Revenue
 
23
37
(19)
(20)
Total
 
63
100
43 
42 
 
 
Other Collaboration Revenue included Zoladex, Farxiga, Eklira, Nexium OTC24 and other royalties. No Initial Collaboration Revenue was recorded in the quarter.
 
 
Total Revenue summary
 
Oncology
 
Total Revenue of $3,024m in the quarter; an increase of 20% (16% at CER). Oncology represented 41% of overall Total Revenue (Q1 2020: 40%).
 
Tagrisso
Tagrisso has received regulatory approval in 17 countries, including the US and China, for use as an adjuvant treatment of EGFRm NSCLC patients, with four reimbursements granted so far. This expands upon the patient benefit from use in the 1st-line treatment of patients with EGFRm NSCLC with regulatory approval in 89 countries, including the US, China, in the EU and Japan. To date, 43 reimbursements have been granted in this setting, with further decisions anticipated. These developments followed Tagrisso’s regulatory approval in 91 countries, including the US, China, in the EU and Japan, to treat patients with EGFR T790M25 NSCLC, an indication in which 67 reimbursements have been granted.
 
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $1,149m in the quarter and represented growth of 17% (13% at CER). Sales in the US increased by 12% to $415m following the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2020 for the adjuvant treatment of Stage IB to IIIA EGFRm NSCLC patients, despite the decrease in lung cancer diagnoses observed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Tagrisso sales in Emerging Markets increased by 9% in the quarter (5% at CER) to $306m; the performance was adversely impacted, however, due to the one-time effects of admission to the China NRDL in March 2021 for the 1st-line setting and the renewal in the 2nd-line setting, respectively. Japan increased by 12% (7% at CER) to $172m. In Europe, sales of $225m in the quarter represented an increase of 39% (26% at CER), driven by greater adoption in the 1st-line setting, as more reimbursements were granted.
 
Imfinzi
Imfinzi has received regulatory approval in 71 countries, including the US, China, in the European Union (EU) and Japan, with 34 reimbursements granted. Imfinzi is approved to treat patients with unresectable Stage III NSCLC, whose disease has not progressed following platinum-based chemoradiation therapy (CRT). Imfinzi has also been approved to treat ES-SCLC patients in 53 countries, with eight reimbursements granted.
 
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $556m in the quarter and represented growth of 20% (17% at CER), predominantly for the treatment of unresectable, Stage III NSCLC patients. The US increased by 2% to $292m, despite the COVID-19 related decrease in lung cancer diagnosis. In Japan, growth of 46% (39% at CER) represented sales of $82m. Europe increased by 46% (32% at CER) to $109m, reflecting a growing number of reimbursements. Sales in Emerging Markets increased to $58m, representing a growth of 74% (69% at CER) following recent regulatory approvals and launches, including in China.
 
Lynparza
Lynparza has received regulatory approval in 81 countries for the treatment of ovarian cancer; it has also been approved in 79 countries for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, and in 59 countries for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Lynparza has received regulatory approval in 55 countries for the 2nd-line treatment of certain prostate-cancer patients.
 
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales in the quarter, amounted to $543m, reflecting growth of 37% (33% at CER). The strong performance was geographically spread, with further launches across multiple cancer types continuing globally. US Product Sales increased by 28% to $253m, as the launches in prostate cancer and 1st-line HRD+ ovarian cancer continued to take effect. Lynparza remained the leading medicine in the poly ADP ribose polymerase-inhibitor (PARPi) class, as measured by total prescription volumes. Product Sales in Europe increased by 46% (33% at CER) to $149m, reflecting additional reimbursements and increasing BRCAm-testing rates, as well as successful recent 1st-line BRCAm ovarian and homologous recombination repair gene mutation (HRRm) prostate cancer launches.
 
Japan Product Sales of Lynparza amounted to $42m, representing growth of 23% (17% at CER). Emerging Markets Product Sales were $87m, up by 54%. In China, Lynparza was admitted to the NRDL as a 1st-line treatment for BRCAm ovarian cancer patients with effect from March 2021.
 
Enhertu
Total Revenue, predominately comprising Collaboration Revenue recorded, amounted to $40m in the quarter. Global sales amounted to $81m in the quarter (ex. Japan). US sales, recorded by Daiichi Sankyo Company Limited (Daiichi Sankyo), amounted to $73m. Enhertu was approved at the end of 2019 by the US FDA to treat 3rd-line HER2+ breast cancer.
 
Calquence
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $209m in the quarter and represented growth of 138% (137% at CER), with the overwhelming majority of sales in the US; the performance benefitted from increased front-line use. The US FDA approved Calquence for the treatment of CLL in November 2019. In total, Calquence has received regulatory approvals for this indication in 61 countries and 28 countries for the treatment of patients with R/R mantle cell lymphoma.
 
Koselugo
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales in the US, amounted to $21m in the quarter, following its launch during the second quarter of 2020 to treat the rare disease NF1 in paediatric patients aged two years and older who have symptomatic, inoperable plexiform neurofibromas (PN).
 
Zoladex
Total Revenue, predominantly comprising Product Sales, amounted to $226m in the quarter and represented a decrease of 1% (5% at CER).
 
Emerging Markets Product Sales of Zoladex decreased by 8% (11% at CER) to $136m. Product Sales in Europe increased by 6% (declined by 2% at CER) to $37m while, in the Established Rest of World (RoW) region, Product Sales increased by 11% (4% at CER) to $43m.
 
Faslodex
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $122m in the quarter and represented a decline of 26% (30% at CER) following the launch of several generic versions of the medicine.
 
Emerging Markets fell by 12% (13% at CER) to $43m, while US sales declined by 60% to $9m; in Europe, sales fell by 35% (41% at CER) to $41m. In Japan, sales declined by 3% (8% at CER) to $28m, driven by a mandated price reduction in 2020.
 
Iressa
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $61m in the quarter and represented a decline of 21% (26% at CER). Emerging Markets fell by 15% (20% at CER) to $53m, driven by the impact of Iressa’s inclusion in China’s VBP programme and subsequent price reduction.
 
 
BioPharmaceuticals: CVRM
 
Total Revenue increased by 12% in the quarter (9% at CER) to $1,916m and represented 26% of Total Revenue (Q1 2020: 27%).
 
New CVRM Total Revenue, which excludes Crestor and other legacy medicines’ sales, increased by 19% in the year (15% at CER) to $1,306m, mainly reflecting the strong performance of Farxiga. New CVRM represented 68% of overall CVRM Total Revenue in the quarter (Q1 2020: 65%).
 
Farxiga
Total Revenue, predominantly comprising Product Sales, amounted to $625m in the quarter and represented growth of 54% (50% at CER), reflecting volume growth across the regions; Farxiga grew faster than the overall SGLT2 class in the majority of markets.
 
Emerging Market sales increased by 84% (85% at CER) to $260m in the quarter. The performance reflected the addition of Forxiga to the Chinese NRDL in 2020; the initial price impact has been more than offset by increased access for patients.
 
In the US, Product Sales increased by 16% to $131m, benefitting from the recent regulatory approval to treat patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HfrEF) with and without T2D.
 
Product Sales in Europe increased by 50% (36% at CER) to $174m in the quarter, partly reflecting growth in the sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor class, the beneficial addition of CVOT data to the label and the recent HfrEF regulatory approval in November 2020. In Japan, sales to collaborator Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, which records in-market sales, increased by 152% (140% at CER) to $32m.
 
Brilinta
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $374m in the quarter, representing a decline of 8% (11% at CER). Global demand continued to be adversely impacted by COVID-19, reflected in fewer acute coronary syndrome hospital admissions and lower demand, particularly in China. The performance in China, was also affected following VBP in 2020, where the Company chose not to participate further in the bidding process.
 
Emerging Markets sales declined by 22% (23% at CER) to $105m, driven by the aforementioned VBP impact. In the US, sales increased by 1% to $166m with an increase in the average weighted duration of treatment partly offset by the adverse effects of COVID-19, reflected in fewer elective procedures. Sales of Brilique in Europe declined by 6% (14% at CER) to $88m in the quarter, with the performance similarly impacted by COVID-19.
 
Onglyza
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $101m in the quarter and represented a decline of 28% (31% at CER). Sales in Emerging Markets, however, increased by 22% (19% at CER) to $58m, driven by China’s performance and the growing domestic DPP-426 class. US sales of Onglyza fell by 72% in the year to $19m, while Europe sales increased by 1% (declined by 8% at CER) to $15m, highlighting the shift away from the class.
 
Bydureon
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $103m in the quarter, representing a growth of 3% (1% at CER).
 
US sales of $85m reflected an increase of 1% in the quarter. Sales in Europe increased by 24% (14% at CER) to $15m.
 
Lokelma
Total Revenue, comprising Product Sales, amounted to $33m in the quarter (Q1 2020: $11m), an increase of 204% (200% at CER), despite the adverse impact of COVID-19 on market growth. The US represented the overwhelming majority of sales; Lokelma continued to lead new-to-brand prescription market share in the US. The medicine has received regulatory approval in several countries to treat hyperkalaemia, including in the EU, China and Japan, with further launches anticipated.
 
Roxadustat
Total Revenue in China, predominantly comprising Product Sales, amounted to $41m in the quarter. From January 2021, AstraZeneca started recognising the overwhelming majority of China’s revenue as Product Sales following an amendment to the existing licence agreement entered into in July 2020.
 
Crestor
Total Revenue, primarily comprising Product Sales, amounted to $274m in the quarter and represented a decline of 9% (12% at CER).
 
In Emerging Markets, sales fell by 1% (4% at CER) to $189m. The performance continued to be adversely impacted by China’s VBP programme’s ongoing effects. US sales declined by 22% to $22m. In Europe, sales decreased by 39% (43% at CER) to $21m while, in Japan, where AstraZeneca collaborates with Shionogi Co., Ltd, sales declined by 9% (13% at CER) to $31m.
 
In February 2021, AstraZeneca announced that it had completed an agreement to sell the rights to Crestor in over 30 countries in Europe except the UK and Spain to Grünenthal GmbH (Grünenthal).
 
 
BioPharmaceuticals: Respiratory & Immunology
 
Total Revenue, which included Ongoing Collaboration Revenue of $5m from Duaklir, Eklira and other medicines, declined by 1% in the quarter (4% at CER) to $1,546m and represented 21% of Total Revenue (Q1 2020: 24%). The adverse impact of the decline of Pulmicort sales reduced Respiratory & Immunology Total Revenue growth by four percentage points. In addition, stocking of respiratory medicines due to COVID-19 and an inventory build for the authorised generic version of Symbicort in the US by the Company’s collaborator Prasco LLC (Prasco) in Q1 2020, both adversely impacted the performance comparison in the quarter.
 
Symbicort
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $691m in the quarter and represented a decrease of 13% (15% at CER). The performance relative to Q1 2020 predominately reflected the aforementioned impact of stocking of an authorised generic version of Symbicort in the US during Q1 2020 and phasing of COVID-19 impacts. Symbicort remains the global market-volume and value leader within the inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) / long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) class. The global ICS/LABA class growth developed slower, particularly in the US, due to the impact of COVID-19 on the diagnosis of respiratory diseases, lower levels of respiratory symptoms, and reduced use of medicines.
 
US sales fell by 14% in the quarter to $266m due to the stocking effects. In March 2021, the US District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia decided in favour of AstraZeneca and determined that the asserted patent claims by Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Mylan) and Kindeva Drug Delivery L.P., were not invalid or unenforceable.
 
Emerging Markets sales increased by 6% (3% at CER) to $165m. In Europe, sales decreased by 14% (21% at CER) in the quarter to $168m. Sales in Japan declined by 44% (47% at CER) to $31m in the quarter, the performance predominately reflected the ongoing adverse impact of generic competition and an unfavourable price comparison due to the termination of the co-promotion agreement by Astellas Pharma Inc.
 
Pulmicort
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $330m in the quarter and represented a decline of 13% (18% at CER), as the continued effects of COVID-19 impacted the hospital treatment of respiratory patients.
 
Emerging Markets, where Pulmicort sales fell by 9% (14% at CER) in the quarter to $286m, represented 87% of the global total. Alongside the effects of COVID-19, the performance in China continued to be impacted by a reduction in the number of paediatric patients attending outpatient nebulisation rooms and an increasing number of generic versions of Pulmicort.
 
Sales in the US declined by 25% in the quarter to $17m, due to the fall in the use of Pulmicort Respules. In Japan, sales declined by 47% (49% at CER) to $5m as a result of generic competition and fell in Europe by 37% (43% at CER) to $16m.
 
Fasenra
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, increased by 31% (27% at CER) to $260m in the quarter. The performance reflected growing demand, despite the impact of COVID-19 on the level of new-patient starts in several countries. Fasenra remained the leading novel biologic in most markets in the new-to-brand prescription share for patients with severe, uncontrolled asthma.
 
Sales in the US grew by 30% in the quarter to $156m due to increased demand and patient adherence seen using the Fasenra Pen home administration device. This performance, however, was again partly offset by the continuing and adverse effect of COVID-19. In Europe, sales of $63m represented an increase of 37% (25% at CER); the benefit of ongoing launches and additional reimbursement was offset by a decline in the dynamic market due to COVID-19 restrictions. Sales in Japan increased by 25% (19% at CER) to $26m due to increased demand and a partial recovery in the treatment naïve market. In Emerging Markets, sales decreased 51% (47% at CER) to $3m.
 
Daliresp/Daxas
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $60m in the quarter and represented an increase of 14% (12% at CER). US sales increased by 20% to $54m.
 
Breztri
Breztri has received regulatory approval in 34 countries, including the US, in the EU, China and Japan for the treatment of patients with COPD. With further regulatory reviews ongoing, Breztri has already achieved reimbursement in nine countries.
 
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $27m in the quarter (Q1 2020: $4m). Sales in the US amounted to $12m (Q1 2020: $nil), with an encouraging 20% market share in new patient starts. Sales in Japan amounted to $5m (Q1 2020: $1m). In Europe, under the name Trixeo, sales amounted to $1m in the quarter (Q1 2020: $nil). Emerging Markets sales amounted to $9m in the quarter (Q1 2020: $4m). Following inclusion into the China NRDL with effect from March 2021, the number of patients that have access to Breztri in China has significantly increased.
 
 
Other medicines (outside the main disease areas)
 
Total Revenue, primarily comprising Product Sales, amounted to $559m in the quarter, a decline of 3% (6% at CER). Other medicines Total Revenue represented 8% of overall Total Revenue (Q1 2020: 9%).
 
Nexium
Total Revenue, predominantly comprising Product Sales, amounted to $409m in the quarter, an increase of 18% (13% at CER). Emerging Markets Product Sales of Nexium increased by 25% (21% at CER) to $234m in the quarter, reflecting an increase in Nexium initiation in the hospital setting in China, as patients underwent colonoscopy procedures that had been delayed by the pandemic.
 
China concluded another round of the VBP-programme in February 2021, including Nexium (oral). The Company, however, having submitted an initial price, chose not to participate further in the bidding process and consequently accepted a mandatory price reduction of 10%.
 
In Japan, where AstraZeneca collaborates with Daiichi Sankyo, Product Sales increased by 37% (30% at CER) to $103m, due to phasing of orders from Daiichi Sankyo, while Product Sales in the US declined by 20% to $32m. In Europe, Product Sales decreased by 18% (26% at CER) to $18m.
 
In March 2021, AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo announced that the two companies will end the joint sales promotion of Nexium in Japan on the 14 September 2021, after which date AstraZeneca will market, distribute, and promote Nexium.
 
Synagis
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $24m in the quarter, representing a decrease of 72%. Sales in Europe, wholly comprising sales to AbbVie Inc. (AbbVie) made under the current supply agreement for markets outside the US, amounted to $22m in the quarter, a decrease of 69% reflecting low levels of RSV infections globally due to the impact of COVID-19, the phasing of orders from AbbVie and preparations for the reversion of commercial rights outside the US, held by AbbVie since 1997, to AstraZeneca upon the expiry of the current agreement on 30 June 2021.
 
 
 
COVID-19
 
COVID-19 vaccine
Total Revenue, entirely comprised of Product Sales, amounted to $275m in the quarter, reflecting the delivery of c.68 million27 doses worldwide. Sales in Europe were $224m, Emerging Markets sales were $43m, and in Established RoW sales amounted to $8m.
 
 
Regional Total Revenue
 
A geographical split of Product Sales is shown in Note 7. For additional details, refer to Table 45: Ongoing Collaboration Revenue for Collaboration Revenue recognised during Q1 2021 and Q1 2020.
 
Table 11: Q1 2021 – Regional Total Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual
CER 
 
 
$m
% of total
% change
% change 
Emerging Markets
 
2,592
35
14
10 
- China
 
1,679
23
19
10 
- Ex-China
 
913
12
6
11 
US
 
2,310
32
10
10 
Europe
 
1,546
21
28
18 
Established RoW
 
872
12
11
- Japan
 
620
8
12
- Canada
 
156
2
-
(4)
- Other Established RoW
 
96
1
23
Total
 
7,320
100
15
11 
 
 
The performance in Europe benefitted from $224m of sales from the pandemic COVID-19 vaccine.
 
 
 
Table 12: Q1 2021 – Emerging Markets Total Revenue disease-area performance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual
CER 
 
 
$m
% of total
% change
% change 
Oncology
 
762
29
7
BioPharmaceuticals
 
1,014
39
16
13 
- New CVRM
 
472
18
43
41 
- R&I
 
542
21
-
(4)
Other medicines
 
773
30
12
COVID-19
 
43
2
n/m
n/m 
Total
 
2,592
100
14
10 
 
 
Emerging Markets Total Revenue grew by 14% (10% at CER) to $2,592m in the quarter. New medicines represented 34% of Emerging Markets Total Revenue in the quarter (Q1 2020: 29%). Speciality-care medicines increased by 7% (3% at CER) to $912m and comprised 35% of Emerging Markets Total Revenue in the quarter (Q1 2020: 38%).
 
 
 
Table 13: Q1 2021 – Notable new medicine Total Revenue performances in Emerging Markets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual
CER
 
 
$m
% of total
% change
% change
Tagrisso
 
306
12
9
5
Forxiga
 
260
10
84
85
Brilinta
 
105
4
(22)
(23)
Lynparza
 
87
3
54
54
 
 
China comprised 65% of Emerging Markets Total Revenue in the quarter and increased by 19% (10% at CER) to $1,679m. New medicines, primarily driven by Tagrisso in Oncology and Forxiga in New CVRM, delivered particularly encouraging growth and represented 31% of China Total Revenue (Q1 2020: 27%); strong sales of Seloken, Nexium and Symbicort supplemented this performance. The Total Revenue growth in the quarter, however, included an adverse impact of five percentage points (four at CER) from the reduced sales of Pulmicort which, restricted overall revenue growth in the quarter.
 
 
 
Table 14: Q1 2021 – Ex-China Emerging Markets Total Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual 
CER
 
 
$m
% change 
% change
Ex-China Emerging Markets
 
913
11
- Russia
 
77
(9)
7
- Brazil
 
79
(11)
12
- Ex-Brazil Latin America
 
107
(1)
8
- Ex-China Asia Pacific
 
324
-
- Middle East and Africa
 
326
23 
26
 
 
Ex-China Emerging Markets Total Revenue, primarily comprising Product Sales, increased by 6% in the quarter (11% at CER) to $913m. New medicines represented 39% of ex-China Emerging Markets Total Revenue (Q1 2020: 32%), increasing by 26% (33% at CER) to $352m.
 
 
Financial performance
 
 
Table 15: Reported Profit and Loss
 
 
 
 
Q1 2021 
Q1 2020 
Actual 
CER 
 
 
$m 
$m 
% change 
% change 
Total Revenue
 
7,320 
6,354 
15 
11 
- Product Sales
 
7,257 
6,311 
15 
11 
- Collaboration Revenue
 
63 
43 
43 
42 
Cost of Sales
 
(1,864)
(1,420)
31 
25 
Gross Profit
 
5,456 
4,934 
11 
Gross Margin
 
74.3%
77.5%
 -3 
-3 
Distribution Expense
 
(99)
(87)
14 
% Total Revenue
 
1.4%
1.4%
R&D Expense
 
(1,713) 
(1,388)
24 
19 
% Total Revenue
 
23.4%
21.8%
-2 
-2 
SG&A Expense
 
(2,929)
(2,719)
% Total Revenue
 
40.0%
42.8%
+3 
+3 
Other Operating Income & Expense
 
1,180 
480 
n/m 
n/m 
% Total Revenue
 
16.1%
7.6%
+9 
+9 
Operating Profit
 
1,895 
1,220 
55 
54 
Operating Profit Margin
 
25.9%
19.2%
+7 
+8 
Net Finance Expense
 
(283)
(281)
(1)
Joint Ventures and Associates
 
(4)
(4)
(1)
Profit Before Tax
 
1,608 
935 
72 
69 
Taxation
 
(46)
(185)
(75)
(76)
Tax Rate
 
3%
20%
 
 
Profit After Tax
 
1,562 
750 
n/m 
n/m 
EPS
 
$1.19 
$0.59 
100 
97 
 
 
Table 16: Reconciliation of Reported Profit Before Tax to EBITDA
 
 
 
 
Q1 2021
Q1 2020
Actual 
CER
 
 
$m
$m
% change 
% change
Reported Profit Before Tax
 
1,608
935
72 
69
Net Finance Expense
 
283
281
(1)
Joint Venture and Associates
 
4
4
(1)
Depreciation, Amortisation and Impairment
 
797
841
(5)
(10)
EBITDA
 
2,692
2,061
31 
29
 
Table 17: Reconciliation of Reported to Core financial measures
 
Q1 2021
Reported
Restructuring
Intangible Asset Amortisation & Impairments
Diabetes Alliance
Other
Core28
Core
% change
$m
$m
$m
$m
$m
$m
Actual
CER
Gross Profit
5,456
7
17
-
-
5,480
10
7
Gross Profit Margin
74.3%
 
 
 
 
74.6%
(3)
(3)
Distribution Expense
(99)
-
-
-
-
(99)
14
8
R&D Expense
(1,713)
13
63
-
(1)
(1,638)
23
18
SG&A Expense
(2,929)
30
383
99
18
(2,399)
10
7
Total Operating Expense
(4,741)
43
446
99
17
(4,136)
15
11
Other Operating Income & Expense
1,180
-
1
-
(1)
1,180
n/m
n/m
Operating Profit
1,895
50
464
99
16
2,524
36
34
Operating Profit Margin
25.9%
 
 
 
 
34.5%
+5
+6
Net Finance Expense
(283)
-
-
49
47
(187)
11
16
Taxation
(46)
(10)
(101)
(31)
(2)
(190)
(43)
(44)
EPS
$1.19
$0.03
$0.27
$0.09
$0.05
$1.63
55
53
 
 
 
Profit and Loss summary
 
 
a) 
Gross Profit
The increases in Reported and Core Gross Profit by 11% (7% at CER) and 10% (7% at CER), respectively, reflected the 15% (11% at CER) growth in Product Sales. The Reported Gross Profit Margin declined by three percentage points to 74.3%, and the Core Gross Profit Margin declined by three percentage points in the quarter to 74.6%. The performance predominantly reflected the significant impact of equitable supply, at no profit to AstraZeneca, of the pandemic COVID-19 vaccine, together with an increasing contribution from profit-sharing arrangements, primarily Lynparza, and the impact of the Chinese National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) and the volume-based procurement (VBP) patient-access programmes. A higher proportion of Oncology sales and increasing patient access in China partially offsets these impacts. These variations in gross margin performance between quarters can be expected to continue.
 
b) 
Total Operating Expense
Reported Total Operating Expense increased by 13% (9% at CER) to $4,741m and represented 65% of Total Revenue (Q1 2020: 66%). Core Total Operating Expense increased by 15% (11% at CER) to $4,136m and comprised 57% of Total Revenue (Q1 2020: 57%).
 
The increases in Reported and Core R&D Expense primarily reflected investment in Phase III and the advancement to Phase II of several clinical development programmes, particularly in BioPharmaceuticals. The Company continued to invest in its COVID-19 vaccine and potential medicines for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, including other related costs, such as personal protective equipment and colleague COVID-19 testing across the Company. In the quarter, grant income of $270m has been recognised, of which $209m has been offset against the US Clinical trial costs for AZD1222.
 
Reported and Core SG&A Expense grew primarily due to additional select investment in new medicine launches and the Company’s continued expansion in China.
 
c) 
Other Operating Income and Expense
Reported and Core Other Operating Income and Expense of $1,180m reflected an increase of 146% (145% at CER) and 147% (146% at CER), respectively and included:
 
- Income from the divestment of AstraZeneca’s 26.7% share of Viela as part of the acquisition by Horizon Therapeutics plc. AstraZeneca received cash proceeds and profit of $776m upon closing with the profit being recorded as other operating income
 
- $309m of income from an agreement with Grünenthal to divest commercial rights to Crestor in over 30 countries in Europe, except in the UK and Spain
 
d) 
Net Finance Expense
Reported Net Finance Expense increased by 1% (declined 1% at CER) in the quarter to $283m reflecting lower interest rates on cash, cash equivalents and other current investments and was partially offset by lower discount unwind costs on acquisition-related liabilities, including the Diabetes Alliance. The 11% (16% at CER) increase in Core Finance Expense was driven by the aforementioned lower interest rates.
 
e) 
Taxation
The Reported Tax Rate for the quarter was 3% (Q1 2020: 20%), and the Core Tax Rate was 8% (Q1 2020: 20%). These tax rates benefitted from the following one-off favourable impacts:
 
- Non-taxable gain on the divestment of the investment in Viela
 
- Reduction of tax liabilities arising from updates to estimates of prior period tax liabilities following settlements with tax authorities
 
Excluding these benefits, the Reported and Core Tax Rates would have been c.20%, within the indication provided for 2021.
 
The net cash tax paid for the quarter was $332m (Q1 2020: $477m), representing 21% of Reported Profit Before Tax (Q1 2020: 51%).
 
In its Spring Budget, the UK Government has announced that UK Corporation Tax will increase from 19% to 25% from 1 April 2023. It is anticipated that this will be substantively enacted during Q2 2021, which will result in a tax charge during that quarter arising from the recalculation of deferred tax balances to the 25% tax rate.
 
f) 
EPS
Reported EPS of $1.19 in the quarter represented an increase of 100% (97% at CER); Core EPS increased by 55% (53% at CER) to $1.63.
 
 
 
Table 18: Cash Flow
 
 
 
 
Q1 2021 
Q1 2020 
Change 
 
$m 
$m 
$m 
Reported Operating Profit
 
1,895 
1,220 
675 
Depreciation, Amortisation and Impairment
 
797 
841 
(44)
Decrease/(increase) in Working Capital and Short-Term Provisions
 
1,210 
(445)
1,655 
Gains on Disposal of Intangible Assets
 
(310)
(358)
48 
Gains on Disposal of Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures
 
(776)
(776)
Non-Cash and Other Movements
 
(363)
(462)
99 
Interest Paid
 
(187)
(180)
(7)
Taxation Paid
 
(332)
(477)
145 
Net Cash Inflow from Operating Activities
 
1,934 
139 
1,795 
Net Cash Inflow before Financing Activities
 
2,489 
148 
2,341 
Net Cash Outflow from Financing Activities
 
(2,731)
(2,362)
(369)
 
 
The increase in Net Cash Inflow from Operating Activities of $1,795m was primarily driven by the decrease in working capital, of which $996m related to the movement in pandemic COVID-19 vaccine working capital balances within trade and other payables, trade and other receivables and inventories.
 
The increase in Net Cash Inflow before Financing Activities of $2,341m was a result of the aforementioned improvement in Net Cash Inflow from Operating Activities, as well as cash proceeds received of $776m from the divestment of AstraZeneca’s 26.7% shareholding in Viela.
 
Capital Expenditure
Capital Expenditure amounted to $220m in the quarter, compared to $186m in Q1 2020. This included investment in the new AstraZeneca R&D centre on the Biomedical Campus in Cambridge, UK, to which a number of colleagues are expected to begin relocation this year.
 
The Company anticipates an increase in Capital Expenditure, partly driven by an expansion in its capacity for growth across several limited-sized projects.
 
 
Table 19: Net Debt summary
 
 
 
 
At 31 Mar 2021 
At 31 Dec 2020 
At 31 Mar 2020 
 
$m 
$m 
$m 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
7,636 
7,832 
3,413 
Other investments
 
129 
160 
804 
Cash and investments
 
7,765 
7,992 
4,217 
Overdrafts and short-term borrowings
 
(581)
(658)
(691)
Lease liabilities
 
(680)
(681)
(653)
Current instalments of loans
 
(1,461)
(1,536)
(1,598)
Non-current instalments of loans
 
(17,410)
(17,505)
(15,634)
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
(Gross Debt)
 
(20,132)
(20,380)
(18,576)
Net derivatives
 
162 
278 
(54)
Net Debt
 
(12,205)
(12,110)
(14,413)
 
 
Net Debt of $12,205m represented an increase of $95m in the year to date.
 
Details of the committed undrawn bank facilities are disclosed within the going-concern section of Note 1.
 
During the three months, there were no changes to the Company’s credit ratings issued by Standard and Poor’s (long term: BBB+, short term A-2) and Moody’s (long term: A3, short term P-2).
 
Capital allocation
The Board’s aim is to continue to strike a balance between the interests of the business, financial creditors and the Company’s shareholders. After providing for investment in the business, supporting the progressive dividend policy and maintaining a strong, investment-grade credit rating, the Board will keep under review potential investment in immediately earnings-accretive, value-enhancing opportunities.
 
Foreign exchange
 
The Company’s transactional currency exposures on working-capital balances, which typically extend for up to three months, are hedged where practicable using forward foreign-exchange contracts against the individual companies’ reporting currency. Foreign-exchange gains and losses on forward contracts for transactional hedging are taken to profit or loss. In addition, the Company’s external dividend payments, paid principally in pounds sterling and Swedish krona, are fully hedged from announcement to payment date.
 
Table 20: Currency sensitivities
 
The Company provides the following currency-sensitivity information:
 
 
 
 
 
Average Exchange
Rates versus USD
 
Annual Impact of 5% Strengthening in Exchange Rate versus USD ($m)29
Currency
Primary Relevance
 
FY 202030
YTD 202131
% change
Product Sales
Core Operating Profit
CNY
Product Sales
 
6.90
6.48
6
312
186
EUR
Product Sales
 
0.88
0.83
5
189
58
JPY
Product Sales
 
106.74
105.98
1
140
91
Other32
 
 
 
 
 
239
108
GBP
Operating Expense
 
0.78
0.73
7
31
(84)
SEK
Operating Expense
 
9.20
8.39
9
5
(59)
 
 
 
Sustainability
 
 
AstraZeneca’s sustainability approach has three priority areas33, aligned with the Company’s purpose and business strategy:
 
- Access to healthcare
 
- Environmental protection
 
- Ethics and transparency
 
Recent developments and progress against the Company’s priorities are reported below:
 
 
a) 
Access to healthcare
AstraZeneca and its sublicensees, including SII, delivered over 48 million doses of its pandemic COVID-19 vaccine to more than 110 countries through COVAX, the multilateral facility co-led by Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and the World Health Organization (WHO), with c.80% of the doses going to low and middle-income countries.
 
In April 2021, Chief Executive Officer Pascal Soriot joined Heads of State, Ministers and global leaders at the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment investment opportunity to highlight AstraZeneca's commitment to broad and equitable access, and its collaboration with COVAX.
 
Following the Company's launch in November 2020 of the Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience (PHSSR) with the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the London School of Economics (LSE) to identify practical solutions that will support more resilient and sustainable health systems. AstraZeneca co-led the first virtual PHSSR Summit held between 15-19 March 2021, which brought together over 50 leading experts from eight pilot countries, including Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, Vietnam, Russia and Poland. Participants also included representatives from bodies such as The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the WHO, the World Heart Federation, and the International Society of Nephrology to discuss the future of health in a post-COVID-19 world. Over 1,200 people registered from more than 65 countries.
 
During the period, the Company’s Healthy Heart Africa (HHA) programme expanded into the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, its first French-speaking country of operation, signing a memorandum of understanding with the country’s Ministry of Health. Since the programme launched in 2015, HHA has conducted over 17 million blood pressure screenings, identified over three million elevated readings, activated over 900 sites and trained over 7,600 healthcare workers and volunteers.
 
In March 2021, the Company's Young Health Programme (YHP) released its annual report. The report noted that in 2020, the programme directly delivered health information to more than one million youth, trained 55,000 peer educators and health professionals, engaged more than 1,300 employees as volunteers and expanded into six new countries. It also showcased the immediate contribution of its latest partner, UNICEF, and its focus on advocacy and policy change. Independent external evaluations of YHP completed in 2020 in Brazil, Indonesia, and Kenya found YHP's community-based delivery model and peer educator approach leads to sustained behaviour change among youth. The assessment also confirmed that when health services are more accessible to young people, they will use them more often and be more satisfied. Two new learning modules developed by UNICEF were launched, including substance abuse and air pollution, respectively.
 
b) 
Environmental protection
In April 2021, AstraZeneca launched an interactive EcoPharmacoVigiliance dashboard measuring potential environmental risks associated with patient use of the Company's life-saving medicines. The dashboard is part of the AstraZeneca's commitment to lead in the environmental safety of its medicines and respond to stakeholder concerns associated with pharmaceuticals in the environment. The dashboard collates published measured environmental concentrations of the active ingredients in AstraZeneca's products and presents data based on potential risk.
 
During the period, the Company was recognised for its leadership in building sustainable business models, as one of the top 7% of companies on CDP’s 2020 Supplier Engagement Rating Leaderboard. By working with suppliers to reduce their emissions, AstraZeneca is helping to drive science-based climate action across the value chain, a key component of the Company’s Ambition Zero Carbon strategy.
 
In March 2021, AstraZeneca published its first voluntary disclosure in line with the recommendations of the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), describing its progress and actions as at 31 December 2020. All the Company's business operations worldwide are in scope unless otherwise stated. Full TCFD disclosure will be provided according to the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority’s enhanced listing rules, which promote better climate-related financial disclosures for UK premium-listed companies. The rule will apply for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2021, meaning that AstraZeneca’s first annual financial report to include TCFD would be published in spring 2022.
 
During the period, the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) PREMIER project, in which the Company is a leading participant, launched a novel database and digital assessment system for characterising the environmental risks of medicines and making environmental data more visible and accessible to industry, academia, regulators and the public.
 
The company joined a new UK collaboration with CPI in the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre that aims to revolutionise the development of new manufacturing processes for oligonucleotides (short DNA or RNA molecules) to achieve sustainable large scale manufacturing.
 
The Company was recognised by the UK Government in March 2021 as one of 30 FTSE 100 companies to have signed up to the United Nation’s Race to Zero campaign – the largest ever global alliance committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the latest - leading the way in the world’s transition to a low carbon economy, as well as committing to align with UK government ambitions and eliminate their contribution to climate change by 2050.
 
In March 2021, the Company was also recognised in the BloombergNEF (BNEF) net zero research tool as achieving the top score for its Ambition Zero Carbon strategy, out of 400 of the largest corporations in heavy-emitting industries.
 
c) 
Ethics and transparency
The Company released its seventh annual Sustainability Report and Sustainability Data Summary via its website and social media. The report was released in conjunction with the Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2020. The report outlined progress and challenges and aims for the future.
 
 
For more details on AstraZeneca’s sustainability ambition, approach and targets, please refer to the latest Sustainability Report 2020 and Sustainability Data Summary 2020. Additional information is available within AstraZeneca’s analyst interactive reporting centre or alternatively at astrazeneca.com/sustainability.
 
 
 
 
Research and development
 
As the COVID-19 pandemic persists, the Company continues to evaluate impacts on the initiation of clinical trials, ongoing recruitment and follow-ups. It is prudent to assume that some delays will continue to arise.
 
A comprehensive breakdown of AstraZeneca’s pipeline of medicines in human trials can be found in the latest clinical-trials appendix, available on astrazeneca.com/investor-relations.html. Highlights of developments in the Company’s late-stage pipeline since the prior results announcement are shown below:
 
 
 
Table 21: Late-stage pipeline
 
 
New molecular entities and major lifecycle events for medicines in Phase III trials or under regulatory review
22
Oncology
 
- Tagrisso - NSCLC
- Imfinzi - multiple cancers
- Lynparza - multiple cancers
- Enhertu - multiple cancers
- Calquence - blood cancers
- tremelimumab - multiple cancers
- savolitinib - NSCLC34
- capivasertib - breast, prostate cancer
- monalizumab - head & neck cancer
- camizestrant - breast cancer
- datopotamab deruxtecan - lung cancer
 
CVRM
 
- Farxiga - multiple indications
- roxadustat - anaemia in CKD
 
Respiratory & Immunology
 
- Fasenra - multiple indications
- Breztri/Trixeo - asthma
- tezepelumab - severe asthma
- PT027 - asthma
- anifrolumab - lupus (SLE)
- brazikumab - inflammatory bowel disease
 
Other
 
- nirsevimab - RSV
 
COVID-19
 
- COVID-19 vaccine - COVID-19
- AZD7442 - SARS-CoV-2
 
 
Total projects
in clinical development
146
 
Total projects
in total pipeline
166
 
 
 
 
 
Oncology
 
AstraZeneca shared an update on its innovative early oncology pipeline, across multiple strategic platforms, during the virtual American Association of Cancer Research Annual Meeting in early April 2021. Highlights included five presentations for AZD5305, a next-generation PARP1-selective inhibitor. Additionally, the Company also highlighted research across multiple presentations that showcased novel technologies, including myeloid gene expression. These technologies enable early detection of disease recurrence to inform earlier interventions for patients who are more likely to benefit from treatment.
 
 
a)
Tagrisso
In April 2021, Tagrisso was recommended for marketing authorisation in the EU for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with early-stage (IB, II and IIIA) EGFRm NSCLC after complete tumour resection with curative intent. The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) based its positive opinion on results from the ADAURA Phase III trial.
 
During the period, Tagrisso received Chinese regulatory approval for the adjuvant treatment of patients with early-stage (IB, II and IIIA) EGFRm NSCLC after tumour resection with curative intent. The approval was based on the positive results from the ADAURA Phase III trial.
Table 22: Key Tagrisso Phase III trials
 
 
 
Trial (population)
Design
Timeline
Status
NeoADAURA
(neo-adjuvant EGFRm NSCLC)
Placebo or Tagrisso
FPCD35: Q1 2021
First data anticipated: 2022+
Recruitment ongoing
ADAURA
(adjuvant EGFRm NSCLC)
Placebo or Tagrisso
FPCD: Q4 2015
LPCD36: Q1 2019
Trial unblinded early due to overwhelming efficacy
 
Regulatory approval (US, CN)
LAURA
(locally advanced, unresectable EGFRm NSCLC)
Placebo or Tagrisso
FPCD: Q4 2018
First data anticipated: 2022+
Recruitment ongoing
FLAURA2
(1st-line EGFRm NSCLC)
Tagrisso or Tagrisso + platinum-based chemotherapy doublet
FPCD: Q4 2019
First data anticipated: 2022+
Recruitment ongoing
 
 
b) 
Imfinzi
In February 2021, in consultation with the US FDA, AstraZeneca announced the voluntary withdrawal of the Imfinzi indication in the US for previously treated adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic bladder cancer as the DANUBE Phase III trial did not confirm the efficacy observed from Study 1108, a single-arm Phase I/II trial, the basis for the US accelerated approval.
 
 
Table 23: Key Imfinzi Phase III trials in lung cancer
 
Trial (population)
Design
Timeline
Status
AEGEAN
(neo-adjuvant NSCLC)
SoC37 chemotherapy +/- Imfinzi, followed by surgery, followed by placebo or Imfinzi
FPCD: Q1 2019
 
First data anticipated: 2022+
Recruitment ongoing
ADJUVANT BR.3138
(Stage IB-IIIA resected NSCLC)
Placebo or Imfinzi
FPCD: Q1 2015
LPCD: Q1 2020
First data anticipated: 2022+
Recruitment completed
MERMAID-1
(Stage II-III
resected NSCLC)
SoC chemotherapy +/- Imfinzi
FPCD: Q3 2020
First data anticipated: 2022+
Recruitment ongoing
MERMAID-2
(Stage II-III
NSCLC with minimal residual disease)
Placebo or Imfinzi
FPCD: Q4 2020First data anticipated: 2022+
Recruitment ongoing
PACIFIC-2
(Stage III unresectable locally advanced NSCLC
(concurrent CRT))
Placebo or
Imfinzi
FPCD: Q2 2018
LPCD: Q3 2019
First data anticipated: H2 2021
Recruitment completed
ADRIATIC
(LS-SCLC)
Concurrent CRT, followed by placebo or Imfinzi or Imfinzi + treme
FPCD: Q4 2018
First data anticipated: 2022
Recruitment ongoing
PEARL
(Stage IV, 1st-line NSCLC)
SoC chemotherapy or Imfinzi
FPCD: Q1 2017
LPCD: Q1 2019
First data anticipated: H2 2021
Recruitment completed
POSEIDON
(Stage IV, 1st-line NSCLC)
SoC chemotherapy or SoC + Imfinzi or SoC + Imfinzi + treme
FPCD: Q2 2017
LPCD: Q4 2018
OS data anticipated: H1 2021
PFS39 primary endpoint met
CASPIAN
(ES-SCLC)
SoC chemotherapy or SoC + Imfinzi or SoC + Imfinzi + treme
FPCD: Q1 2017
LPCD: Q2 2018
OS primary endpoint met for Imfinzi
OS primary endpoint not met for Imfinzi + treme
Regulatory approval
 
 
Table 24: Key Imfinzi Phase III trials in tumour types other than lung cancer
 
Trial (population)
Design
Timeline
Status
POTOMAC
(non-muscle invasive bladder cancer)
SoC BCG40 orSoC BCG + Imfinzi
FPCD: Q4 2018
LPCD: Q3 2020
First data anticipated: 2022+
Recruitment completed
NIAGARA
(muscle-invasive bladder cancer)
Neo-adjuvant cisplatin and gemcitabine SoC chemotherapy or SoC + Imfinzi, followed by adjuvant placebo or Imfinzi
FPCD: Q4 2018
First data anticipated: 2022+
Recruitment ongoing
EMERALD-1
(locoregional HCC41)
TACE42 followed by placebo or TACE + Imfinzi, followed by Imfinzi + bevacizumab or TACE + Imfinzi followed by Imfinzi
FPCD: Q1 2019
First data anticipated: 2022
Recruitment ongoing
EMERALD-2
(locoregional HCC at high risk of recurrence after surgery or radiofrequency ablation)
Adjuvant Imfinzi or Imfinzi + bevacizumab
FPCD: Q2 2019
First data anticipated: 2022+
Recruitment ongoing
CALLA
(locally advanced cervical cancer)
CRT or CRT + Imfinzi, followed by placebo or Imfinzi
FPCD: Q1 2019
LPCD: Q4 2020
First data anticipated: 2022+
Recruitment completed
MATTERHORN
(resectable gastric and gastroesophageal cancer)
Neoadjuvant Imfinzi + FLOT chemotherapy +/- adjuvant Imfinzi
FPCD: Q4 2020
First data anticipated: 2022+
Recruitment ongoing
KUNLUN
(locally advanced, unresectable oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma)
Definitive CRT or CRT + Imfinzi
FPCD: Q4 2020
First data anticipated: 2022+
Recruitment ongoing
NILE (Stage IV, 1st-line cisplatin chemotherapy- eligible bladder cancer)
SoC chemotherapy or SoC + Imfinzi or SoC + Imfinzi + treme
FPCD: Q4 2018
First data anticipated: 2022+
Recruitment ongoing
HIMALAYA
(Stage IV, 1st-line unresectable HCC)
Sorafenib or Imfinzi or Imfinzi + treme
FPCD: Q4 2017
LPCD: Q4 2019
First data anticipated: H2 2021
Recruitment completed
Orphan Drug Designation43 (US)
TOPAZ-1
(Stage IV, 1st-line biliary-tract cancer)
Gemcitabine and cisplatin SoC chemotherapy or SoC + Imfinzi
FPCD: Q2 2019
LPCD: Q4 2020
First data anticipated: 2022
Recruitment completed
 
 
c) 
Lynparza
During the period, the Company announced that the OlympiA Phase III trial of Lynparza had demonstrated early efficacy. An independent data monitoring committee (IDMC) concluded that the trial crossed the superiority boundary for invasive disease-free survival versus placebo. The initial results demonstrated a sustainable, clinically relevant treatment effect for Lynparza versus placebo in patients with germline BRCA-mutated HER2-negative early breast cancer. As a result, the IDMC intends to move forward with an earlier than anticipated primary analysis. In China, the Company decided to voluntarily withdraw the Lynparza regulatory submission for BRCAm advanced breast cancer due to insufficient regional data from the OlympiAD Phase III trial.
 
 
Table 25: Key Lynparza Phase III trials
 
Trial (population)
Design
Timeline
Status
OlympiA
(adjuvant BRCAm breast cancer)
SoC placebo or Lynparza
FPCD: Q2 2014
LPCD: Q2 2019
Recruitment completed
Early efficacy readout
PROfound
(metastatic castration-resistant 2nd-line+ HRRm
prostate cancer)
SoC (abiraterone or enzalutamide) or Lynparza
FPCD: Q2 2017
LPCD: Q4 2018
Primary endpoint met
Regulatory approval
DuO-O
(advanced 1st-line
ovarian cancer)
Chemotherapy + bevacizumab or chemotherapy + bevacizumab + Imfinzi +/- Lynparza maintenance
FPCD: Q1 2019
First data anticipated: 2022+
Recruitment ongoing
DuO-E
(advanced 1st-line
endometrial cancer)
Chemotherapy or chemotherapy + Imfinzi + Imfinzi maintenance or chemotherapy + Imfinzi followed by Imfinzi + Lynparza maintenance
FPCD: Q2 2020
First data anticipated: 2022+
Recruitment ongoing
PROpel
(Stage IV, advanced, castration-resistant prostate cancer)
Abiraterone or abiraterone + Lynparza
FPCD: Q4 2018
First data anticipated: H2 2021
Recruitment ongoing
 
 
d) 
Enhertu
 
Table 26: Key Enhertu trials
 
 
 
Trial (population)
Design
Timeline
Status
DESTINY-Breast02-U301, Phase III
(Stage IV, HER2+ breast cancer post trastuzumab emtansine)
SoC chemotherapy or Enhertu
FPCD: Q4 2018
LPCD: Q4 2020
First data anticipated: 2022
 Recruitment completed
DESTINY-Breast03-U302, Phase III
(Stage IV, HER2+ 2nd-line breast cancer)
Trastuzumab emtansine or Enhertu
FPCD: Q4 2018
LPCD: Q2 2020
First data anticipated: H2 2021
Recruitment completed
DESTINY-Breast04, Phase III
(Stage IV, HER2-low 2nd-line breast cancer)
SoC chemotherapy or Enhertu
FPCD: Q4 2018
LPCD: Q4 2020
First data anticipated: 2022
 Recruitment completed
 
DESTINY-Breast06, Phase III
(Stage IV, HER2-low breast cancer post endocrine therapy)
SoC chemotherapy or Enhertu
FPCD: Q3 2020
First data anticipated: 2022+
Recruitment ongoing
DESTINY-Breast09, Phase III
(Stage IV, HER2+ 1st-line breast cancer)
SoC chemotherapy trastuzumab + pertuzumab or Enhertu + pertuzumab or Enhertu
First data anticipated
2022+
Initiating
DESTINY-Gastric01, Phase II
(Stage IV, HER2+ gastric cancer)
SoC chemotherapy or Enhertu
FPCD: Q4 2017
LPCD: Q2 2019
Primary endpoint met
Breakthrough Therapy Designation (US)
Regulatory approval (US, JP)
DESTINY-Gastric02, Phase II
(Stage IV, HER2+ gastric cancer)
Enhertu
FPCD: Q4 2019
First data anticipated: H2 2021
Recruitment ongoing
 
During the period, the timelines for first data from the DESTINY-Breast02 and DESTINY-Breast04 Phase III trials, were updated from H2 2021 to 2022, respectively. These changes followed a conversion from initial event rate assumptions to actual observed event rates in the trials.
 
 
e) 
Camizestrant
 
 
Table 27: Camizestrant Phase III trials
 
Trial (population)
Design
Timeline
Status
SERENA-4
(ER+, HER2-, advanced breast cancer)
Palbociclib + anastrazole or palbociclib + camizestrant
FPCD: Q1 2021
First data anticipated: 2022+
Recruitment ongoing
 
 
f) 
Datopotamab deruxtecan
 
 
Table 28: Datopotamab deruxtecan Phase III trials
 
 
Trial (population)
Design
Timeline
Status
TROPION-LUNG01
(Stage IV, 2nd-line NSCLC)
SoC chemotherapy or datopotamab deruxtecan
First data anticipated: 2022+
Initiating
 
 
g) 
Koselugo
In April 2021, selumetinib was recommended for conditional marketing authorisation in the EU for the treatment of symptomatic, inoperable PN in paediatric patients with NF1 aged three years and above. The CHMP of the EMA based its positive opinion on results from the National Cancer Institute Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program-sponsored SPRINT Stratum 1 Phase II trial.
 
 
CVRM
 
a) 
Brilinta
During the period, AstraZeneca withdrew Brilique’s regulatory submissions, based on the THEMIS Phase III trial, for CAD in Europe and China to prevent against first heart attack or stroke. The THEMIS Phase III trial showed a statistically significant reduction in the primary composite endpoint of major adverse CV events at 36 months with aspirin plus Brilinta 60mg versus aspirin alone in patients with CAD and type-2 diabetes (T2D) at high risk of a first heart attack or stroke. The primary composite endpoint was driven by a reduction in heart attack and stroke, but these benefits were accompanied by an increased risk of bleeding. The US FDA approved Brilinta in June 2020 for the treatment of CAD based on the positive results from the THEMIS Phase III trial.
 
b) 
Farxiga
In April 2021, AstraZeneca and Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute announced high-level results of the primary analysis from the DARE-19 Phase III trial, which assessed the potential of the medicine to treat patients hospitalised with COVID-19 who are at risk of developing serious complications. The trial did not achieve statistical significance for the primary endpoint of prevention measuring organ dysfunction and all-cause mortality, and the primary endpoint of recovery measuring a change in clinical status (from early recovery to death), at 30 days. The safety and tolerability profile observed in the trial was consistent with the known safety profile of the medicine. The results will be presented at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions in May 2021.
 
 
 
Table 29: Key large CVRM Phase III outcomes trials
 
 
 
Trial (population)
Design
Timeline
Status
Brilinta
THALES
(c.11,000 patients with acute ischaemic stroke44 or transient ischaemic attack)
Aspirin plus placebo or aspirin plus Brilinta 90mg BID
FPCD: Q1 2018
LPCD: Q4 2019
Primary endpoint met
Regulatory approval (US)
Farxiga
DELIVER
(c.6,300 patients with HF (HFpEF) with and without T2D)
Placebo or Farxiga 10mg QD
FPCD: Q4 2018
LPCD: Q4 2020
First data anticipated: H2 2021
Recruitment completed
 
Fast Track45 designation (US)
DAPA-CKD
(c.4,300 patients with CKD, with and without T2D)
Placebo or Farxiga 10mg QD
FPCD: Q1 2017
LPCD: Q1 2020
Trial stopped early based on recommendation from an IDMC
Primary endpoint and secondary endpoints met
Breakthrough Therapy Designation, Priority Review (US)
DAPA-MI
(c.6,400 patients with confirmed MI, either STEMI or NSTEMI, within the preceding 7 days)
Placebo or Farxiga 10mg QD
FPCD: Q4 2020
First data anticipated: 2022+
Recruitment ongoing
 
 
c) 
Roxadustat
During the period, FibroGen, Inc. (FibroGen) provided an update on certain prior disclosures relating to the US primary CV safety analyses from the roxadustat Phase III programme to treat anaemia of CKD.
 
In March 2021, AstraZeneca and FibroGen announced that the US FDA would convene a Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee meeting to review the new drug application for roxadustat. The meeting has been tentatively scheduled for 15 July 2021. Roxadustat is approved in China, Japan, and Chile to treat anaemia in CKD in non-dialysis dependent and dialysis-dependent adult patients and is under regulatory review in the EU.
 
 
Respiratory & Immunology
 
a) 
Fasenra
 
Table 30: Key Fasenra lifecycle management Phase III trials
 
During the period, the Company announced that the first patients had commenced dosing in three trials evaluating Fasenra in dermatological indications, in reference to the Phase III FJORD trial in bullous pemphigoid and two-Phase II trials in atopic dermatitis (HILLIER) and chronic spontaneous urticaria (ARROYO).
 
 
 
Trial (population)
Design
Timeline
Status
OSTRO
(severe bilateral nasal polyps)
Placebo or Fasenra 30mg Q8W46 SC47
FPCD: Q1 2018
LPCD: Q2 2019
Co-primary endpoints met
RESOLUTE
(moderate to very severe COPD with a history of exacerbations and elevated peripheral blood eosinophils)
Placebo or Fasenra 100mg Q8W SC
FPCD: Q4 2019
First data anticipated: 2022+
Recruitment ongoing
MANDARA
(eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis48)
Mepolizumab 3x100mg Q4W or Fasenra 30mg SC
FPCD: Q4 2019
First data anticipated: 2022+
Recruitment ongoing
Orphan Drug Designation (US)
NATRON
(hyper-eosinophilic syndrome49
Placebo or Fasenra 30mg Q4W SC
FPCD: Q3 2020
First data anticipated: 2022
Recruitment ongoing
Orphan Drug Designation (US)
MESSINA
(eosinophilic oesophagitis50)
Placebo or Fasenra 30mg Q4W SC
FPCD: Q4 2020
First data anticipated: 2022
Recruitment ongoing
Orphan Drug Designation (US)
FJORD
(bullous pemphigoid51)
Placebo or Fasenra 30mg Q4W SC
FPCD: Q2 2021
First data anticipated: 2022+
Recruitment ongoing
 
 
b) 
Breztri
 
 
Table 31: Key Breztri Phase III trials
 
 
Trial (population)
Design
Timeline
Status
KALOS
(asthma)
Budesonide/formoterol or Breztri
FPCD: Q1 2021
First data anticipated: 2022+
Recruitment ongoing
LOGOS
(asthma)
Budesonide/formoterol or Breztri
FPCD: Q1 2021
First data anticipated: 2022+
Recruitment ongoing
 
 
c) 
Anifrolumab
During the period, the Phase II trial of anifrolumab in lupus nephritis concluded. Although the primary endpoint was not met, the trial results provided valuable insights that have informed the Phase III programme, planned to start in the second half of 2021. The full results from the Phase II trial will be presented at a forthcoming medical meeting.
 
 
 
Table 32: Key anifrolumab Phase III trials
 
 
 
Trial (population)
Design
Timeline
Status
TULIP 1
(moderate to severely active SLE)
Placebo or anifrolumab 150mg or 300mg IV Q4W
FPCD: Q4 2015
LPCD: Q4 2017
Primary endpoint not met
Fast Track designation (US)
TULIP 2
(moderate to severely active SLE)
Placebo or anifrolumab 300mg IV Q4W
FPCD: Q4 2015
LPCD: Q4 2017
Primary endpoint met
Fast Track designation (US)
TULIP LTE
(moderate to severely active SLE)
Placebo or anifrolumab 300mg IV Q4W
FPCD: Q2 2016
LPCD: Q4 2018
First data anticipated: 2022
Recruitment completed
Fast Track designation (US)
 
 
d) 
Tezepelumab (severe asthma)
During the period, AstraZeneca and Amgen Inc. presented positive results from the NAVIGATOR Phase III trial for tezepelumab at the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology Virtual Annual Meeting, held between 26 February and 1 March 2021.
 
When added to SoC52, tezepelumab achieved a 56% reduction (p<0.001) in annualised asthma exacerbation rate (AAER) over 52 weeks when compared to placebo. In a pre-planned subgroup analysis, in patients with baseline eosinophil counts less than 300 cells per microlitre, tezepelumab achieved a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 41% reduction (p<0.001) in AAER. Importantly, clinically meaningful AAER reductions were observed in two additional subgroups; 39% reduction in patients with baseline eosinophil counts less than 150 cells per microlitre; 70% reduction in patients with greater than or equal to 300 cells per microlitre.
 
Clinically meaningful AAER reductions were also observed in the tezepelumab-treated patients, compared to placebo, irrespective of allergy status and fractional exhaled nitric oxide level53. The NAVIGATOR Phase III trial will form the basis of regulatory submissions for tezepelumab in severe asthma in H1 2021.
 
 
Table 33: Key tezepelumab Phase III trials
 
 
Trial (population)
Design
Timeline
Status
NAVIGATOR
(severe asthma)
Placebo or tezepelumab 210mg Q4W SC
FPCD: Q1 2018
LPCD: Q3 2019
Primary endpoint met
Breakthrough Therapy Designation (US)
WAYPOINT
(chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps)
Placebo or tezepelumab 210mg Q4W SC
First data anticipated 2022+
Initiating
 
 
e) 
PT027 (asthma)
 
 
Table 34: Key PT027 Phase III trials
 
 
Trial
Design
Timeline
Status
TYREE
(asthma with exercise induced broncho
constriction)
Placebo or PT027 160/180 lg, single dose
FPCD: Q1 2020
LPCD: Q3 2020
Primary endpoint met
MANDALA
(moderate to severe asthma)
Albuterol or PT027 80/180 lg or PT027 160/180 lg (all ‘as needed’)
FPCD: Q4 2018
First data anticipated: H2 2021
Recruitment ongoing
DENALI
(mild to moderate asthma)
Placebo or albuterol 180 lg or budesonide 160 lg or PT027 80/180 lg or PT027 160/180 lg QID
FPCD: Q2 2019
LPCD: Q2 2021
First data anticipated: H2 2021
Recruitment completed
 
 
 
Other
 
 
a) 
Nirsevimab (respiratory syncytial virus)
In April 2021, AstraZeneca announced that the MELODY Phase III trial for nirsevimab had met its primary endpoint of a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of medically attended lower respiratory tract infections caused by RSV compared to placebo in healthy late preterm and term infants (35 weeks or more) during their first RSV season. Nirsevimab becomes the first potential immunisation to show protection against RSV in the general infant population in a Phase III trial. Preliminary analysis of the safety profile for nirsevimab was consistent with previous trial data. No clinically meaningful differences in safety results between the nirsevimab and placebo groups have been seen. The trial is ongoing to collect additional safety data. Results from the MELODY trial will be presented at a forthcoming medical meeting.
 
Nirsevimab is also being evaluated in the MEDLEY Phase II/III trial which will assess the safety and tolerability of nirsevimab compared to Synagis (palivizumab) among preterm infants and children with chronic lung disease (CLD) and congenital heart disease (CHD) entering their first and second RSV seasons. The MEDLEY trial is also expected to read out earlier with first data anticipated in the second half of 2021. MELODY, MEDLEY and the Phase IIb trial will form the basis of AstraZeneca's regulatory submissions planned for 2022.
 
 
 
Table 35: Key nirsevimab trials
 
 
Trial
Design
Timeline
Status
MELODY
(healthy late preterm and term infants)
Placebo or nirsevimab IM
FPCD: Q3 2019LPCD: Q3 2020
Primary endpoint met
MEDLEY
(high-risk children)
Synagis or nirsevimab IM
FPCD: Q3 2019
LPCD: Q4 2020
First data anticipated
H2 2021
Recruitment completed
 
 
COVID-19
 
 
a) 
Pandemic COVID-19 vaccine
During the period, AstraZeneca announced positive high-level results from the US Phase III trial's primary analysis. The results confirmed that vaccine efficacy was consistent with the previously announced pre-specified interim analysis. The trial showed 76% (confidence interval (CI): 68% to 82%) vaccine efficacy at preventing symptomatic COVID-19, occurring 15 days or more after receiving two doses given four weeks apart. Importantly, these results were comparable across age groups, with vaccine efficacy of 85% (CI: 58% to 95%) in adults 65 years and older. A key secondary endpoint, preventing severe or critical disease and hospitalisation, demonstrated 100% efficacy. In the coming weeks, the Company will submit to the US FDA a regulatory submission for Emergency Use Authorisation, incorporating data from both the US and non-US Phase III clinical trial programme and emerging real-world data.
 
In March 2021, several regulatory agencies raised concerns about the potential risk of rare thrombotic events in people administered with the vaccine. Consequently, The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in the UK and the European Medicines Agency conducted several analyses that noted a potential causal link between the vaccine and these events. The agencies, however, reaffirmed that the vaccine's overall benefits continue to outweigh the potential risks. AstraZeneca will continue to work closely with health and regulatory authorities to ensure the appropriate use of the vaccine.
 
 
 
Table 36: Key vaccine trials in COVID-19
 
 
Trial
Design
Timeline
Status
COV002 (UK), Phase II/III
(Protection against COVID-19 in participants aged 18-55, 55+)
MenACWY or COVID-19 vaccine
FPCD: Q2 2020
LPCD: Q4 2020
Initial data readout
Regulatory authorisation (UK, EU)
COV003 (Brazil), Phase II/III
(Protection against COVID-19 in participants aged 18-55)
MenACWY or COVID-19 vaccine
FPCD: Q2 2020
LPCD: Q4 2020
Initial data readout
Regulatory authorisation (UK, EU)
COV005 ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 ZA54 (South Africa), Phase I/II
(protection against COVID-19 in participants aged 18-65
HIV+55 subgroup)
Placebo or COVID-19 vaccine
FPCD: Q2 2020
LPCD: Q4 2020
Initial data readout
D8110C00001
(US, global), Phase III
(protection against
COVID-19 in participants aged 18+
Placebo or COVID-19 vaccine
FPCD: Q3 2020
LPCD: Q1 2021
Initial data readout
 
 
b) 
AZD7442
The Company announced in March 2021 a modification to the existing agreement with the US Government to supply up to 500,000 additional doses of AZD7442, a long-acting antibody (LAAB) combination. AZD7442 is a potential new medicine in late-stage development for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. The value of the extended agreement is $205m. It is contingent on AZD7442 receiving US FDA Emergency Use Authorisation in preventing COVID-19 in people who have confirmed exposure to the virus.
 
Total potential US supplies of AZD7442 under this and prior agreements with the US Government amount to 700,000; this includes 100,000 doses in 2020 and a further 600,000 doses in 2021.
 
 
Table 37: Key AZD7442 Phase II/III trials in COVID-19
 
 
 
Trial
Design
Timeline
Status
PROVENT
(protection against COVID-19 (prophylaxis))
Placebo
or AZD7442 300mg IM56
FPCD: Q4 2020
LPCD: Q1 2021
First data anticipated: H2 2021
Recruitment completed
STORM CHASER
(protection against
COVID-19
(post-exposure prophylaxis))
Placebo
or AZD7442 300mg IM
FPCD: Q4 2020
LPCD: Q1 2021
First data anticipated: H1 2021
Recruitment completed
TACKLE
(COVID-19 (outpatient treatment))
Placebo
or AZD7442 600mg IM
FPCD: Q1 2021
First data anticipated: H1 2021
Recruitment ongoing
 

 
For more details on the development pipeline, including anticipated timelines for regulatory submission/acceptances, please refer to the latest Clinical Trials Appendix available on astrazeneca.com. For Alexion pipeline updates, please visit alexion.com.
 
 
 
Interim Financial Statements
 
Table 38Error! No sequence specified.: Q1 2021 - Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income
 
 
For the quarter ended 31 March
2021
2020
$m
$m
Total Revenue
7,320
6,354
Product Sales
7,257
6,311
Collaboration Revenue
63
43
Cost of Sales
(1,864)
(1,420)
Gross Profit
5,456
4,934
Distribution costs
(99)
(87)
Research and development expense
(1,713)
(1,388)
Selling, general and administrative costs
(2,929)
(2,719)
Other operating income and expense
1,180
480
Operating Profit
1,895
1,220
Finance income
20
51
Finance expense
(303)
(332)
Share of after-tax losses in associates and joint ventures
(4)
(4)
Profit Before Tax
1,608
935
Taxation
(46)
(185)
Profit for the period
1,562
750
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income
 
 
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss
 
 
Remeasurement of the defined benefit pension liability
481
440
Net (losses)/gains on equity investments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income
(108)
171
Fair value movements related to own credit risk on bonds designated as fair value through profit or loss
1
21
Tax on items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss
(94)
(66)
 
280
566
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
 
 
Foreign exchange arising on consolidation
(107)
(608)
Foreign exchange arising on designated borrowings in net investment hedges
(302)
(380)
Fair value movements on cash flow hedges
(86)
(187)
Fair value movements on cash flow hedges transferred to profit or loss
121
45
Fair value movements on derivatives designated in net investment hedges
13
60
Costs of hedging
(1)
(5)
Tax on items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
26
73
 
(336)
(1,002)
Other comprehensive loss for the period, net of tax
(56)
(436)
Total comprehensive income for the period
1,506
314
 
 
 
Profit attributable to:
 
 
Owners of the Parent
1,561
780
Non-controlling interests
1
(30)
 
1,562
750
Total comprehensive income attributable to:
 
 
Owners of the Parent
1,506
345
Non-controlling interests
-
(31)
 
1,506
314
Basic earnings per $0.25 Ordinary Share
$1.19
$0.59
Diluted earnings per $0.25 Ordinary Share
$1.18
$0.59
Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue (millions)
1,312
1,312
Diluted weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue (millions)
1,319
1,313
 
Table 39: Condensed consolidated statement of financial position
 
 
 
At 31 Mar 2021
At 31 Dec 2020
At 31 Mar 2020
$m
$m
$m
Assets
 
 
 
Non-current assets
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment
8,189
8,251
7,347
Right-of-use assets
660
666
644
Goodwill
11,765
11,845
11,569
Intangible assets
20,347
20,947
19,718
Investments in associates and joint ventures
88
39
44
Other investments
972
1,108
1,476
Derivative financial instruments
115
171
104
Other receivables
549
720
527
Deferred tax assets
3,506
3,438
2,960
 
46,191
47,185
44,389
Current assets
 
 
 
Inventories
4,278
4,024
3,123
Trade and other receivables
6,281
7,022
5,080
Other investments
129
160
752
Derivative financial instruments
64
142
61
Income tax receivable
347
364
262
Cash and cash equivalents
7,636
7,832
3,413
Assets held for sale
-
-
131
 
18,735
19,544
12,822
Total assets
64,926
66,729
57,211
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Current liabilities
 
 
 
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
(2,042)
(2,194)
(2,289)
Lease liabilities
(216)
(192)
(181)
Trade and other payables
(17,370)
(15,785)
(12,633)
Derivative financial instruments
(16)
(33)
(31)
Provisions
(875)
(976)
(649)
Income tax payable
(994)
(1,127)
(1,260)
 
(21,513)
(20,307)
(17,043)
Non-current liabilities
 
 
 
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
(17,410)
(17,505)
(15,634)
Lease liabilities
(464)
(489)
(472)
Derivative financial instruments
(1)
(2)
(188)
Deferred tax liabilities
(2,823)
(2,918)
(2,501)
Retirement benefit obligations
(2,545)
(3,202)
(2,129)
Provisions
(576)
(584)
(807)
Other payables
(5,148)
(6,084)
(6,221)
 
(28,967)
(30,784)
(27,952)
Total liabilities
(50,480)
(51,091)
(44,995)
Net assets
14,446
15,638
12,216
Equity
 
 
 
Capital and reserves attributable to equity holders of the Parent
 
 
 
Share capital
328
328
328
Share premium account
7,976
7,971
7,946
Other reserves
2,037
2,024
2,056
Retained earnings
4,089
5,299
448
 
14,430
15,622
10,778
Non-controlling interests
16
16
1,438
Total equity
14,446
15,638
12,216
 
Table 40: Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity
 
 
 
 
Share capital
Share premium
account
Other reserves
Retained earnings
Total attributable to
owners of the parent
Non-controlling
interests
Total equity
 
$m
$m
$m
$m
$m
$m
$m
At 1 Jan 2020
328
7,941
2,046
2,812
13,127
1,469
14,596
Profit for the period
-
-
-
780
780
(30)
750
Other comprehensive loss
-
-
-
(435)
(435)
(1)
(436)
Transfer to other reserves
-
-
10
(10)
-
-
-
Transactions with owners:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends
-
-
-
(2,489)
(2,489)
-
(2,489)
Issue of Ordinary Shares
-
5
-
-
5
-
5
Share-based payments charge for the period
-
-
-
53
53
-
53
Settlement of share plan awards
-
-
-
(263)
(263)
-
(263)
Net movement
-
5
10
(2,364)
(2,349)
(31)
(2,380)
At 31 Mar 2020
328
7,946
2,056
448
10,778
1,438
12,216
At 1 Jan 2021
328
7,971
2,024
5,299
15,622
16
15,638
Profit for the period
-
-
-
1,561
1,561
1
1,562
Other comprehensive loss
-
-
-
(55)
(55)
(1)
(56)
Transfer to other reserves
-
-
13
(13)
-
-
-
Transactions with owners:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends
-
-
-
(2,490)
(2,490)
-
(2,490)
Issue of Ordinary Shares
-
5
-
-
5
-
5
Share-based payments charge for the period
-
-
-
82
82
-
82
Settlement of share plan awards
-
-
-
(295)
(295)
-
(295)
Net movement
-
5
13
(1,210)
(1,192)
-
(1,192)
At 31 Mar 2021
328
7,976
2,037
4,089
14,430
16
14,446
 
 
Table 41: Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows
 
 
For the quarter ended 31 March
2021
2020
$m
$m
Cash flows from operating activities
 
 
Profit Before Tax
1,608
935
Finance income and expense
283
281
Share of after-tax losses of associates and joint ventures
4
4
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment
797
841
Decrease/(increase) in working capital and short-term provisions
1,210
(445)
Gains on disposal of intangible assets
(310)
(358)
Gains on disposal of investments in associates and joint ventures
(776)
-
Fair value movements on contingent consideration arising from business combinations
-
(33)
Non-cash and other movements
(363)
(429)
Cash generated from operations
2,453
796
Interest paid
(187)
(180)
Tax paid
(332)
(477)
Net cash inflow from operating activities
1,934
139
Cash flows from investing activities
 
 
Payment of contingent consideration from business combinations
(171)
(167)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
(220)
(186)
Disposal of property, plant and equipment
4
-
Purchase of intangible assets
(249)
(190)
Disposal of intangible assets
418
365
Purchase of non-current asset investments
-
(115)
Disposal of non-current asset investments
-
184
Movement in short-term investments, fixed deposits and other investing instruments
28
98
Payments to associates and joint ventures
(55)
(8)
Disposal of investments in associates and joint ventures
776
-
Interest received
24
28
Net cash inflow from investing activities
555
9
Net cash inflow before financing activities
2,489
148
Cash flows from financing activities
 
 
Proceeds from issue of share capital
5
6
Repayment of loans
(4)
-
Dividends paid
(2,469)
(2,398)
Hedge contracts relating to dividend payments
(23)
(93)
Repayment of obligations under leases
(50)
(53)
Movement in short-term borrowings
(190)
176
Net cash outflow from financing activities
(2,731)
(2,362)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents in the period
(242)
(2,214)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
7,546
5,223
Exchange rate effects
(67)
(32)
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
7,237
2,977
Cash and cash equivalents consist of:
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
7,636
3,413
Overdrafts
(399)
(436)
 
7,237
2,977
 
 
 
Notes to the Interim Financial Statements
 
 
1)
Basis of preparation and accounting policies
These unaudited Interim Financial Statements for the three months ended 31 March 2021 have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 ‘Interim Financial Reporting’ as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and as adopted by the UK and the EU. On 31 December 2020, EU-adopted IFRS was brought into UK law and became UK-adopted international accounting standards, with future changes to IFRS being subject to endorsement by the UK Endorsement Board. The Interim Financial Statements have transitioned to UK-adopted international accounting standards from financial periods beginning 1 January 2021.
 
The unaudited Interim Financial Statements for the three months ended 31 March 2021 were approved by the Board of Directors for publication on 30 April 2021.
 
The annual financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as issued by the IASB and as adopted by the UK and the EU. Except as noted below, the Interim Financial Statements have been prepared applying the accounting policies that were applied in the preparation of the Group’s published consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020.
 
IFRS 9 and IFRS 7
The replacement of benchmark interest rates, such as the London Inter-bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and other interbank offered rates (IBORs) has been a priority for global regulators and is expected to be largely completed in 2021, although some benchmark rates will be continued to be published until mid-2023. To prepare for this, the Group adopted the Phase 1 amendments to IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’ and IFRS 7 ‘Financial Instruments: Disclosures’ in 2019 and has adopted the Phase 2 amendments in 2021. These amendments provide relief from applying specific hedge accounting requirements to hedge relationships directly affected by IBOR reform and have the effect that the reform should generally not cause hedge accounting to terminate.
 
The Group has one IFRS 9 designated hedge relationship that is impacted by IBOR reform, namely a €300m cross currency interest rate swap in a fair value hedge relationship with €300m of a €750m 0.875% 2021 non-callable bond. This swap references three-month USD LIBOR; uncertainty arising from the Group’s exposure to IBOR reform will cease when the swap matures in 2021. The implications on the wider business of IBOR reform have been assessed and the Group is working on moving to new benchmark rates in 2021.
 
COVID-19
AstraZeneca has assessed the impact of the uncertainty presented by the COVID-19 pandemic on the Interim Financial Statements comprising the financial results to 31 March 2021 and the financial position as at 31 March 2021, specifically considering the impact on key judgements and significant estimates as detailed on page 180 of the Annual Report and 20-F Information 2020 along with a several other areas of elevated risk during the pandemic period.
 
A detailed assessment has been performed, focussing on the following areas:
 
- recoverable value of goodwill, intangible assets and property, plant and equipment
- impact on key assumptions used to estimate contingent consideration liabilities
- key assumptions used in estimating the Group’s defined benefit pension obligations
- basis for estimating clinical trial accruals
- key assumptions used in estimating rebates, chargebacks and returns for US Product Sales
- valuations of unlisted equity investments
- expected credit losses associated with changes in credit risk relating to trade and other receivables
- net realisable value of inventories
- fair value of certain financial instruments
- recoverability of deferred tax assets
- effectiveness of hedge relationships
 
There were no material accounting impacts identified relating to the above areas during the three-month period ended 31 March 2021.
 
The Group will continue to monitor these areas of increased judgement, estimation and risk for material changes.
 
Going concern
The Group has considerable financial resources available. As at 31 March 2021, the Group had $11.8bn in financial resources (cash and cash-equivalent balances of $7.6bn, $0.1bn of liquid fixed income securities and undrawn committed bank facilities of $4.1bn, of which $3.4bn is available until April 2024, $0.7bn is available until November 2021 (with a one-year extension option, exercisable by the Group), with only $2.3bn of borrowings due within one year). Additionally, as at 31 March 2021, to support the financing of the acquisition of Alexion, the Group has committed bank facilities totalling $17.5bn, which are available unit at least December 2022. The facilities are intended to cover the financing of the cash portion of the acquisition consideration and associated acquisition costs and to refinance the existing term loan and revolving credit facilities of Alexion. All facilities contain no financial covenants and were undrawn at 31 March 2021.
 
The directors have considered the impact of COVID-19 on AstraZeneca’s operations (including the effects of any governmental or regulatory response to the pandemic), and mitigations to these risks. Overall, the impact of these items would heighten certain risks, such as those relating to the delivery of the pipeline or launch of new medicines, the execution of AstraZeneca’s commercial strategy, the manufacturing and supply of medicines and reliance on third-party goods and services. The Company is continuously monitoring and mitigating where possible impacts of these risks.
 
The Group’s revenues are largely derived from sales of medicines covered by patents which provide a relatively high level of resilience and predictability to cash inflows, although government price interventions in response to budgetary constraints are expected to continue to affect adversely revenues in many of the mature markets. The Group, however, anticipates new revenue streams from both recently launched medicines and those in development, and the Group has a wide diversity of customers and suppliers across different geographic areas.
 
Consequently, the Directors believe that, overall, the Group is well-placed to manage its business risks successfully.
 
Accordingly, the going-concern basis has been adopted in these Interim Financial Statements.
 
Legal proceedings
The information contained in Note 5 updates the disclosures concerning legal proceedings and contingent liabilities in the Group’s Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2020.
 
Financial information
The comparative figures for the financial year ended 31 December 2020 are not the Group’s statutory accounts for that financial year. Those accounts have been reported on by the Group’s auditors and have been delivered to the registrar of companies; their report was (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report, and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
 
2)
Intangible assets
In accordance with IAS 36 ‘Impairment of Assets’, reviews for triggers at an individual asset or cash-generating-unit level were conducted and impairment tests carried out where triggers were identified. This resulted in a total net impairment charge of $55m being recorded against an intangible asset during the three months ended 31 March 2021 (Q1 2020: $117m). Net impairment charges in respect of launched products and products in development were $nil (Q1 2020: $84m) and $55m (Q1 2020: $33m) respectively. Impairments recorded on products in development were a consequence of failed or poor performing trials, with the individual assets being fully impaired.
 
3)
Net Debt
The table below provides an analysis of Net Debt and a reconciliation of Net Cash Flow to the movement in Net Debt. The Group monitors Net Debt as part of its capital-management policy as described in Note 27 of the Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2020. Net Debt is a non-GAAP financial measure.
 
 
 
Table 42: Net Debt
 
 
 
 
At
1 Jan 2021
Cash flow
Non-cash &
other
Exchange
movements
At
31 Mar 2021
 
$m
$m
$m
$m
$m
Non-current instalments of loans
 
(17,505)
-
1
94
(17,410)
Non-current instalments of leases
 
(489)
-
17
8
(464)
Total long-term debt
 
(17,994)
-
18
102
(17,874)
Current instalments of loans
 
(1,536)
4
-
71
(1,461)
Current instalments of leases
 
(192)
54
(83)
5
(216)
Bank collateral
 
(288)
114
-
-
(174)
Other short-term borrowings excluding overdrafts
 
(84)
76
-
-
(8)
Overdraft
 
(286)
(119)
-
6
(399)
Total current debt
 
(2,386)
129
(83)
82
(2,258)
Gross borrowings
 
(20,380)
129
(65)
184
(20,132)
Net derivative financial instruments
 
278
23
(139)
-
162
Net borrowings
 
(20,102)
152
(204)
184
(19,970)
Cash and cash equivalents
 
7,832
(123)
-
(73)
7,636
Other investments - current
 
160
(28)
-
(3)
129
Cash and investments
 
7,992
(151)
-
(76)
7,765
Net Debt
 
(12,110)
1
(204)
108
(12,205)
 
 
Non-cash movements in the period include fair-value adjustments under IFRS 9.
 
The Group has agreements with some bank counterparties whereby the parties agree to post cash collateral on financial derivatives, for the benefit of the other, equivalent to the market valuation of the derivative positions above a predetermined threshold. The carrying value of such cash collateral held by the Group was $174m (Q1 2020: $163m) and the carrying value of such cash collateral posted by the Group was $13m (Q1 2020: $190m). Cash collateral posted by the Group is presented within Cash and cash equivalents.
 
Other investments - non-current are included within the balance of $972m (31 December 2020: $1,108m) in the Condensed consolidated statement of financial position. The equivalent GAAP measure to net debt is ‘liabilities arising from financing activities’, which excludes the amounts for cash and overdrafts, other investments and non-financing derivatives shown above and includes the Acerta Pharma put option liability of $2,336m (31 December 2020: $2,297m), $874m of which is shown in current other payables and $1,462m is shown in non-current other payables. In April 2021, AstraZeneca exercised its option to acquire the remaining 45% of shares in Acerta, please refer to Note 6 for further information.
 
Net Debt increased by $95m in the year to date to $12,205m. Details of the committed undrawn bank facilities are disclosed within the going-concern section of Note 1.
 
During the three months to 31 March 2021, there were no changes to the Company’s credit ratings issued by Standard and Poor’s (long term: BBB+, short term A-2) and Moody’s (long term: A3, short term P-2).
 
4)
Financial instruments
As detailed in the Group’s most recent annual financial statements, the principal financial instruments consist of derivative financial instruments, other investments, trade and other receivables, cash and cash equivalents, trade and other payables, lease liabilities and interest-bearing loans and borrowings. There have been no changes of significance to the categorisation or fair-value hierarchy classification of financial instruments from those detailed in the Notes to the Group Financial Statements in the Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2020.
 
The Group holds certain equity investments that are categorised as Level 3 in the fair-value hierarchy and for which fair-value gains of $nil (Q1 2020: $6m gain) have been recognised in the three months ended 31 March 2021. All other fair-value gains and/or losses that are presented in Net gains/(losses) on equity investments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income in the Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the three months ended 31 March 2021 are Level 1 fair-value measurements.
 
Financial instruments measured at fair value include $1,101m of other investments, $5,712m held in money-market funds, $333m of loans designated at fair value through profit or loss, $354m of loans designated in a fair-value hedge relationship and $162m of derivatives as at 31 March 2021. The total fair value of interest-bearing loans and borrowings at 31 March 2021, which have a carrying value of $20,132m in the Condensed consolidated statement of financial position, was $22,437m. Contingent-consideration liabilities arising on business combinations have been classified under Level 3 in the fair-value hierarchy and movements in fair value are shown below:
 
 
 
Table 43: Financial instruments - contingent consideration
 
 
 
 
2021
2020
 
Diabetes alliance
Other
Total
Total
 
$m
$m
$m
$m
At 1 January
 
2,932
391
3,323
4,139
Settlements
 
(166)
(5)
(171)
(167)
Revaluations
 
-
-
-
(33)
Discount unwind
 
49
6
55
73
At 31 March
 
2,815
392
3,207
4,012
 
 
Contingent consideration arising from business combinations is fair-valued using decision-tree analysis, with key inputs including the probability of success, consideration of potential delays and the expected levels of future revenues.
 
The contingent consideration balance relating to BMS’s share of the global diabetes alliance of $2,815m (31 December 2020: $2,932m) would increase/decline by $282m with an increase/decline in sales of 10%, as compared with the current estimates.
 
5)
Legal proceedings and contingent liabilities
AstraZeneca is involved in various legal proceedings considered typical to its business, including litigation and investigations relating to product liability, commercial disputes, infringement of intellectual property (IP) rights, the validity of certain patents, anti-trust law and sales and marketing practices. The matters discussed below constitute the more significant developments since publication of the disclosures concerning legal proceedings in the Company's Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2020 (the Disclosures). Unless noted otherwise below or in the Disclosures, no provisions have been established in respect of the claims discussed below.
 
As discussed in the disclosures, the majority of claims involve highly complex issues. Often these issues are subject to substantial uncertainties and, therefore, the probability of a loss, if any, being sustained and/or an estimate of the amount of any loss is difficult to ascertain.
 
Unless specifically identified below that a provision has been taken, AstraZeneca considers each of the claims to represent a contingent liability and discloses information with respect to the nature and facts of the cases in accordance with IAS 37.
 
In cases that have been settled or adjudicated, or where quantifiable fines and penalties have been assessed and which are not subject to appeal, or where a loss is probable and we are able to make a reasonable estimate of the loss, AstraZeneca records the loss absorbed or makes a provision for its best estimate of the expected loss. The position could change over time and the estimates that the Company made, and upon which the Company have relied in calculating these provisions are inherently imprecise. There can, therefore, be no assurance that any losses that result from the outcome of any legal proceedings will not exceed the amount of the provisions that have been booked in the accounts. The major factors causing this uncertainty are described more fully in the Disclosures and herein.
 
AstraZeneca has full confidence in, and will vigorously defend and enforce, its IP.
 
 
Matters disclosed in respect of the first quarter of 2021 and to 30 April 2021
 
Patent litigation
 
Enhertu
US patent proceedings
As previously disclosed, in October 2020, Seagen Inc. (Seagen) filed a complaint against Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging that Enhertu infringes US Patent No. 10,808,039 (the ‘039 patent). AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP co-commercialises Enhertu with Daiichi Sankyo Inc. in the US. A claim construction hearing has been scheduled for August 2021 and a trial has been scheduled for April 2022.
 
In November 2020, AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited and Daiichi Sankyo Inc. filed a complaint against Seagen in the US District Court for the District of Delaware (the District Court) seeking a declaratory judgment that plaintiffs do not infringe the ‘039 patent. In April 2021, the District Court stayed this proceeding for up to 90 days.
 
Faslodex
Patent Proceedings outside the US
In Japan, in April 2021, AstraZeneca received notice from the Japan Patent Office that Sandoz K.K. filed a Request for Invalidation Trial to seek invalidation of the Faslodex formulation patent. AstraZeneca is considering its response.
 
Farxiga
US patent proceedings
As previously disclosed, in 2018, in response to Paragraph IV notices, AstraZeneca initiated ANDA litigation against Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc. (Zydus) in the US District Court for the District of Delaware. In the complaint, AstraZeneca alleged that Zydus’ generic version of Farxiga, if approved and marketed, would infringe patents listed in the FDA Orange Book with reference to Farxiga. Proceedings are ongoing and trial is scheduled for May 2021.
 
Patent proceedings outside the US
As previously disclosed, in Canada, in January 2021, Sandoz Canada Inc. served three Notices of Allegation on AstraZeneca alleging invalidity and/or non-infringement of all three patents listed on the Canadian Patent Register in relation to Forxiga. AstraZeneca commenced litigation in response.
 
In Canada, in February 2021, Teva Canada Limited. served a Notice of Allegation on AstraZeneca alleging invalidity and/or non-infringement of all three patents listed on the Canadian Patent Register in relation to Forxiga. AstraZeneca commenced litigation in response.
 
Onglyza
Patent proceedings outside the US
As previously disclosed, in Canada, in November 2019, Sandoz Canada Inc. sent a Notice of Allegation to AstraZeneca challenging the validity of Canadian substance Patent No. 2402894 (expiry March 2021) (the ‘894 patent) and formulation Patent No. 2568391 (expiry May 2025) related to Onglyza. AstraZeneca commenced an action in response related to the ‘894 patent in January 2020. A trial date is set for May 2022.
 
Roxadustat
US Patent Proceedings
In April 2021, Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. and Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. served AstraZeneca with a complaint seeking a declaration of invalidity and noninfringement for several of FibroGen method of use patents (U.S. Patent Nos. 8318703, 8466172, 8614204, 9920011, 8629131, 8604012, 8609646, 8604013, 10626090, 10894774, 10882827, and 10927081) related to HIF prolylhydroxylase inhibitors. AstraZeneca is the exclusive licensee of FibroGen in the United States. AstraZeneca is considering its response.
 
Patent proceedings outside the US
As previously disclosed, in Canada, in May 2018, Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. filed an impeachment action in the Federal Court of Canada alleging invalidity of several of FibroGen’s method of use patents (Canadian Patent Nos. 2467689; 2468083; and 2526496) related to HIF prolylhydroxylase inhibitors. AstraZeneca is the exclusive licensee of FibroGen in Canada. AstraZeneca and FibroGen were defending the action. The parties have settled the action.
 
Symbicort
US patent proceedings
As previously disclosed, in October 2018, AstraZeneca initiated ANDA litigation against Mylan and subsequently against 3M Company (3M) in the US District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia (the District Court). In the action, AstraZeneca alleges that the defendants’ generic versions of Symbicort, if approved and marketed, would infringe various AstraZeneca patents. Mylan and 3M alleged that their proposed generic medicines do not infringe the asserted patents and/or that the asserted patents are invalid and/or unenforceable. In July 2020, AstraZeneca added Kindeva Drug Delivery L.P. (Kindeva) as a defendant in the case. In September 2020, Mylan, 3M and Kindeva stipulated to patent infringement to the extent that the asserted patent claims are found to be valid and enforceable, but reserved the right to seek a vacatur of the stipulation if the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reverses or modifies the District Court’s claim construction. In October 2020, following a stipulation by AstraZeneca, 3M and Kindeva, 3M was dismissed from the action. In March 2021, the District Court decided in favour of AstraZeneca and determined that the asserted patent claims were not invalid or unenforceable. Mylan and Kindeva have appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
 
 
Product liability litigation
 
Byetta/Bydureon
As previously disclosed, in the US, Amylin Pharmaceuticals, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of AstraZeneca, and/ or AstraZeneca are among multiple defendants in various lawsuits filed in federal and state courts involving claims of physical injury from treatment with Byetta and/or Bydureon. The lawsuits allege several types of injuries including pancreatic cancer and thyroid cancer. A multidistrict litigation was established in the US District Court for the Southern District of California (the District Court) in regard to the alleged pancreatic cancer cases in federal courts. Further, a coordinated proceeding has been established in Los Angeles (the California Court), California in regard to the various lawsuits in California state courts. In October and December 2020, the District Court and the California Court jointly heard oral argument on renewed motions filed by Defendants seeking summary judgment and dismissal of all claims alleging pancreatic cancer. In March and April 2021, the District Court and the California State Court respectively granted the Defendants’ motions, and dismissed all cases alleging pancreatic cancer with prejudice. The plaintiffs have provided notice that they intend to appeal. The other claims pending in both courts, including those alleging thyroid cancer, remains pending.
 
Nexium and Losec/Prilosec
US proceedings
As previously disclosed, in the US, AstraZeneca is defending various lawsuits brought in federal and state courts involving multiple plaintiffs claiming that they have been diagnosed with various injuries following treatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), including Nexium and Prilosec. The vast majority of those lawsuits relate to allegations of kidney injuries. In particular, in May 2017, counsel for a group of such plaintiffs claiming that they have been diagnosed with kidney injuries filed a motion with the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) seeking the transfer of any currently pending federal court cases as well as any similar, subsequently filed cases to a coordinated and consolidated pre-trial multidistrict litigation (MDL) proceeding. In August 2017, the JPML granted the motion and consolidated the pending federal court cases in an MDL proceeding in federal court in New Jersey for pre-trial purposes. A trial in the MDL has been rescheduled for January 2022. In addition to the MDL cases, there are cases filed in several state courts around the US; a trial in Delaware state court has been scheduled for February 2022.
 
In addition, AstraZeneca has been defending lawsuits involving allegations of gastric cancer following treatment with PPIs. All but one of these claims is filed in the MDL. One claim is filed in the US District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, where the court has rescheduled a trial for August 2022.
 
Commercial litigation
 
Ocimum lawsuit
As previously disclosed, in the US, in December 2017, AstraZeneca was served with a complaint filed by Ocimum Biosciences, Ltd. (Ocimum) in the Superior Court for the State of Delaware (the Delaware Supreme Court) that alleged, among other things, breaches of contractual obligations and misappropriation of trade secrets, relating to a now terminated 2001 licensing agreement between AstraZeneca and Gene Logic, Inc. (Gene Logic), the rights to which Ocimum purports to have acquired from Gene Logic. In February 2021, the Delaware Supreme court affirmed the grant of AstraZeneca’s motion for summary judgment. This matter is now concluded.
 
AZD1222 securities litigation
As previously disclosed, in January 2021, putative securities class action lawsuits were filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York against AstraZeneca PLC and certain officers, on behalf of purchasers of AstraZeneca publicly traded securities during the period 21 May 2020 through 20 November 2020. The complaints allege that defendants made materially false and misleading statements in connection with the development of AZD1222 (pandemic COVID-19 vaccine), a potential recombinant adenovirus vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19. In March 2021, motions for consolidation of the pending lawsuits and appointment of a lead plaintiff and its counsel were filed and remain pending.
 
Alexion shareholder litigation
In March 2021, several shareholders of Alexion filed individual lawsuits against Alexion, its management, and/or AstraZeneca and affiliates in federal district court in New York. The complaints generally allege that the preliminary registration statement filed with the SEC on 19 February 2021, omitted certain allegedly material information in connection with AstraZeneca’s proposed acquisition of Alexion (the Acquisition), and one of the complaints further alleges that the Alexion directors breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the Acquisition and that AstraZeneca and the other entity defendants aided and abetted the alleged breaches.
 
Government investigations/proceedings
 
Toprol-XL
Louisiana Attorney General litigation
As previously disclosed, in July 2020, the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeals (the Appellate Court) reversed and remanded a Louisiana state trial court (the Trial Court) ruling that had granted AstraZeneca’s motion for summary judgment and dismissed a state court complaint, brought by the Attorney General for the State of Louisiana (the State), alleging that AstraZeneca engaged in unlawful monopolisation and unfair trade practices in connection with the enforcement of its Toprol-XL patents. In August 2020, AstraZeneca petitioned the Louisiana Supreme Court (the Supreme Court) to review the decision of the Appellate Court and reinstate the Trial Court’s summary judgment ruling. In December 2020, the Supreme Court granted AstraZeneca’s petition and agreed to review the Appellate Court’s decision. The Supreme Court heard oral argument on AstraZeneca’s appeal in March 2021. In April 2021, prior to a decision from the Supreme Court, the State unilaterally moved to dismiss all of its claims with prejudice. That motion remains pending.
 
US 340B litigations and proceedings
As previously disclosed, AstraZeneca is involved in several matters relating to its policy with regard to contract pharmacy recognition under the 340B Drug Pricing Program in the US. In October and November 2020, two lawsuits, one in the US District Court for the District of Columbia and one in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, were filed by covered entities and advocacy groups against the US Department of Health and Human Services, the US Health Resources and Services Administration as well as other US government agencies and their officials. The complaints allege, among other things, that these agencies should enforce an interpretation of the governing statute for the 340B Drug Pricing Program that would require drug manufacturers participating in the program to offer their drugs for purchase at statutorily capped rates by an unlimited number of contract pharmacies.
 
AstraZeneca has sought to intervene in the lawsuits. Administrative Dispute Resolution (ADR) proceedings have also been initiated against AstraZeneca before the US Health Resources and Services Administration.
 
In addition, in January 2021, AstraZeneca filed a separate lawsuit in federal court in Delaware alleging that a recent Advisory Opinion issued by the Department of Health and Human Services violates the Administrative Procedure Act. In February 2021, AstraZeneca received a Civil Investigative Subpoena from the Attorney General’s Office for the State of Vermont seeking documents and information relating to AstraZeneca’s policy regarding contract pharmacy recognition under the 340B Drug Pricing Program.
 
European Commission Claim Regarding AZD1222
In April 2021, the European Commission (acting on behalf of the European Union and its member states) initiated legal proceedings against AstraZeneca AB in the Court of First Instance in Brussels. The proceedings relate to an Advance Purchase Agreement (APA) between the parties dated 27 August 2020 for the supply of AZD1222. The allegations include claims that AstraZeneca has failed to meet certain of its obligations under the APA and the Commission is seeking, among other things, a Court order to compel AstraZeneca to supply a specified number of doses before the end of the second quarter of 2021.
 
 
 
6)
Subsequent Events
In April 2021, AstraZeneca exercised its option to acquire the remaining 45% of shares in Acerta, following the final condition for exercising the option being satisfied in November 2020 when Calquence received EU marketing authorisation. Following the exercise of the option, payments to acquire the remaining outstanding shares of Acerta are to be made in similar annual instalments in 2022, 2023 and 2024. The associated cash flows will be disclosed as financing activities within the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
 
50 White blood cells gather in the lining of the oesophagus.
 
 
7) 
Table 44: Q1 2021 - Product Sales year-on-year analysis57
 
 
 
World
Emerging Markets
US
Europe
Established RoW
 
 
Actual
CER
 
Actual
CER
 
Actual
 
Actual
CER
 
Actual
CER
 
$m
% change
% change
$m
% change
% change
$m
% change
$m
% change
% change
$m
% change
% change
Oncology
2,981
19
15
762
7
4
1,193
23
575
29
17
451
20
14
Tagrisso
1,149
17
13
306
9
5
415
12
225
39
26
203
20
14
Imfinzi
556
20
17
58
74
69
292
2
109
46
32
97
43
35
Lynparza
543
37
33
87
54
54
253
28
149
46
33
54
29
22
Calquence
209
n/m
n/m
2
n/m
n/m
195
n/m
9
n/m
n/m
3
n/m
n/m
Koselugo
21
n/m
n/m
-
-
-
21
n/m
-
-
-
-
-
-
Enhertu
1
n/m
n/m
1
n/m
n/m
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Zoladex*
221
(1)
(6)
136
(8)
(11)
5
n/m
37
6
(2)
43
11
4
Faslodex*
122
(26)
(30)
43
(12)
(13)
9
(60)
41
(35)
(41)
29
(6)
(10)
Iressa*
61
(21)
(26)
53
(15)
(20)
3
(22)
2
(70)
(72)
3
(47)
(50)
Arimidex*
44
(12)
(15)
36
(13)
(17)
-
-
1
34
34
7
(10)
(14)
Casodex*
42
-
(6)
33
-
(6)
-
-
1
(9)
(10)
8
-
6
Others
12
(12)
(12)
7
(10)
(11)
-
n/m
1
(14)
19
4
11
-
BioPharmaceuticals: CVRM
1,912
12
9
945
22
20
463
(6)
364
18
9
140
9
3
Farxiga
624
54
50
260
84
85
131
16
174
50
36
59
69
60
Brilinta
374
(8)
(11)
105
(22)
(23)
166
1
88
(6)
(14)
15
(5)
(12)
Bydureon
103
3
1
-
(62)
(53)
85
1
15
24
14
3
-
(12)
Onglyza
101
(28)
(31)
58
22
19
19
(72)
15
1
(8)
9
(19)
(23)
Byetta
16
(20)
(20)
4
35
50
8
(29)
2
(35)
(40)
2
(18)
(27)
Other diabetes
13
3
(1)
3
62
55
6
(24)
4
36
25
-
(34)
(42)
Lokelma
33
n/m
n/m
1
n/m
n/m
24
n/m
2
n/m
n/m
6
n/m
n/m
Roxadustat
39
n/m
n/m
39
n/m
n/m
-
-
-
-
-
-
n/m
n/m
Crestor*
274
(9)
(12)
189
(1)
(4)
22
(22)
21
(40)
(43)
42
(11)
(15)
Seloken/Toprol-XL*
250
41
36
244
47
42
-
(90)
3
(26)
(26)
3
(13)
(23)
Atacand*
34
(48)
(49)
5
(89)
(89)
2
(15)
27
n/m
n/m
-
(97)
n/m
Others
51
(13)
(16)
37
-
(5)
-
-
13
(28)
(27)
1
(67)
(69)
BioPharmaceuticals: Respiratory & Immunology
1,541
(1)
(5)
542
1
(4)
551
8
299
(7)
(15)
149
(17)
(22)
Symbicort
691
(13)
(15)
165
6
3
266
(14)
168
(14)
(21)
92
(29)
(33)
Pulmicort
330
(13)
(18)
286
(9)
(14)
17
(25)
16
(37)
(43)
11
(42)
(47)
Fasenra
260
31
27
3
(51)
(47)
156
30
63
37
25
38
40
33
Daliresp/Daxas
60
14
12
1
13
13
54
20
5
(35)
(47)
-
-
-
Bevespi
13
8
5
1
n/m
n/m
10
(15)
2
n/m
n/m
-
-
-
Breztri
27
n/m
n/m
9
n/m
n/m
12
n/m
1
n/m
n/m
5
n/m
n/m
Others
160
42
33
77
30
20
36
n/m
44
(4)
(12)
3
(38)
(40)
Other medicines
548
(2)
(5)
297
19
15
53
(39)
76
(38)
(40)
122
25
18
Nexium*
403
19
15
234
25
21
32
(20)
18
(18)
(26)
119
34
27
Synagis*
24
(72)
(72)
-
n/m
n/m
2
(75)
22
(69)
(69)
-
-
-
Seroquel XR/IR*
29
(20)
(22)
14
11
14
7
(46)
7
(3)
(8)
1
(66)
(89)
Losec/Prilosec*
54
1
(5)
46
6
(2)
-
n/m
8
64
69
-
(95)
(95)
FluMist*
2
n/m
n/m
-
-
-
-
n/m
2
n/m
n/m
-
-
-
Others
36
(19)
(20)
3
92
93
12
(51)
19
25
22
2
(37)
(40)
COVID-19
275
n/m
n/m
43
n/m
n/m
-
-
224
n/m
n/m
8
n/m
n/m
Pandemic COVID-19 vaccine
275
n/m
n/m
43
n/m
n/m
-
-
224
n/m
n/m
8
n/m
n/m
Total Product Sales
7,257
15
11
2,589
14
10
2,260
10
1,538
28
18
870
11
5
 
 
 
 
8) 
Table 45: Q1 2021 - Product Sales quarterly sequential analysis58
 
 
 
 
Actual
CER
 
$m
% change
% change
Oncology
2,981 
 3
Tagrisso
1,149
(1)
(3)
Imfinzi
556
-
(1)
Lynparza
543
9
8
Calquence
209
15
15
Koselugo
21
23
23
Enhertu
1
n/m
n/m
Zoladex*
221
2
-
Faslodex*
122
(6)
(8)
Iressa*
61
(9)
(11)
Arimidex*
44
22
18
Casodex*
42
7
5
Others
12
(4)
(6)
BioPharmaceuticals: CVRM
1,912
4
1
Farxiga
624
6
4
Brilinta
374
3
1
Bydureon
103
(16)
(17)
Onglyza
101
(3)
(6)
Byetta
16
(14)
(15)
Other diabetes
13
7
1
Lokelma
33
16
18
Roxadustat
39
n/m
n/m
Crestor*
274
(8)
(9)
Seloken/Toprol-XL*
250
25
21
Atacand*
34
(45)
(45)
Others
51
12
10
BioPharmaceuticals: Respiratory & Immunology
1,541
1
(1)
Symbicort
691
2
-
Pulmicort
330
(10)
(13)
Fasenra
260
(8)
(9)
Daliresp/Daxas
60
11
10
Bevespi
13
7
8
Breztri
27
n/m
n/m
Others
160
28
25
Other medicines
548
(25)
(26)
Nexium*
403
7
5
Synagis*
24
(69)
(69)
Seroquel XR/IR*
29
51
38
Losec/Prilosec*
54
39
36
FluMist*
2
(99)
(99)
Others
36
(6)
(4)
COVID-19
275
n/m
n/m
Pandemic COVID-19 vaccine
275
n/m
n/m
Total Product Sales
7,257
4
1
 
 
9) 
Table 46: FY 2020 - Product Sales quarterly sequential analysis59
 
 
 
Q1 2020
Q2 2020
Q3 2020
Q4 2020
 
 
Actual
CER
 
Actual
CER
 
Actual
CER
 
Actual
CER
 
$m
% change
% change
$m
% change
% change
$m
% change
% change
$m
% change
% change
Oncology
2,502
10
10
2,609
4
6
2,831
8
6
2,908
3
2
Tagrisso
982
11
11
1,034
5
7
1,155
12
9
1,157
-
(1)
Imfinzi
462
9
9
492
6
8
533
8
6
555
4
3
Lynparza
397
13
13
419
5
7
464
11
8
496
7
6
Calquence
88
58
58
107
21
23
145
36
35
182
25
25
Koselugo
 -
 - 
 - 
7
n/m
n/m 
13
75
75
17
34
34
Zoladex*
225
15
15
217
(3)
-
230
6
3
216
(6)
(7)
Faslodex*
166
-
-
146
(12)
(9)
138
(5)
(8)
130
(6)
(7)
Iressa*
77
(3)
(4)
70
(9)
(7)
54
(23)
(24)
67
24
19
Arimidex*
50
(1)
(2)
58
17
16
42
(28)
(27)
36
(14)
(16)
Casodex*
42
(2)
(3)
47
14
12
44
(7)
(8)
39
(11)
(14)
Others
13
(52)
(52)
12
(11)
(1)
13
4
3
13
2
2
BioPharmaceuticals: CVRM
1,701
(5)
(5)
1,759
3
6
1,794
2
-
1,842
3
1
Farxiga
405
(3)
(3)
443
9
13
525
19
16
586
11
10
Brilinta
408
(5)
(5)
437
7
9
385
(12)
(13)
363
(6)
(6)
Onglyza
141
8
8
115
(19)
(17)
110
(6)
(6)
105
(4)
(5)
Bydureon
100
(28)
(28)
116
16
17
109
(5)
(7)
122
12
11
Byetta
20
(24)
(24)
15
(28)
(28)
15
1
4
19
26
24
Other diabetes
13
(22)
(22)
10
(21)
(19)
11
9
6
12
11
15
Lokelma
11
42
42
17
56
58
21
22
26
28
37
28
Crestor*
301
2
1
281
(7)
(4)
300
7
5
298
(1)
(4)
Seloken/Toprol-XL*
177
(6)
(6)
218
23
27
225
4
3
200
(11)
(13)
Atacand*
66
11
12
59
(11)
(5)
54
(9)
(12)
63
16
14
Others
59
(21)
(22)
48
(18)
(16)
39
(19)
(22)
46
18
17
BioPharmaceuticals: Respiratory & Immunology
1,551
1
1
1,117
(28)
(26)
1,161
4
1
1,528
32
29
Symbicort
790
11
11
653
(17)
(15)
599
(8)
(11)
680
13
13
Pulmicort
380
(8)
(9)
97
(74)
(73)
151
56
49
368
n/m
n/m
Fasenra
199
(3)
(3)
227
14
15
240
5
4
283
18
17
Daliresp/Daxas
53
(8)
(8)
53
(1)
(3)
57
8
11
54
(4)
(6)
Bevespi
12
9
9
10
(19)
(21)
14
47
46
12
(16)
(17)
Breztri
4
n/m
n/m
7
58
64
10
45
48
6
(39)
(38)
Others
113
(16)
(17)
70
(38)
(36)
90
27
22
125
39
35
Other medicines
557
(15)
(15)
563
1
4
734
30
27
733
-
(2)
Nexium*
338
(4)
(4)
377
12
14
401
6
4
377
(6)
(7)
Synagis*
85
35
35
90
6
7
118
31
29
78
(34)
(33)
FluMist*
-
n/m
n/m
-
n/m
n/m
116
n/m
n/m
179
55
50
Losec/Prilosec*
54
18
17
45
(15)
(15)
45
-
-
39
(15)
(18)
Seroquel XR/IR*
36
(12)
(12)
27
(26)
(23)
35
32
29
19
(45)
(42)
Others
44
(71)
(70)
24
(46)
(42)
19
(17)
(19)
41
n/m
n/m
Total Product Sales
6,311
1
1
6,048
(4)
(2)
6,520
8
6
7,011
8
6
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
59 The table provides an analysis of sequential quarterly Product Sales, with actual and CER growth rates reflecting quarter-on-quarter growth. Due to rounding, the sum of a number of dollar values and percentages may not agree to totals. *Denotes a legacy medicine.
 
 
 
Table 47: Ongoing Collaboration Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
Q1 2021
Q1 2020
FY 2020
FY 2019
 
$m
$m
$m
$m
Lynparza: regulatory milestones
 
-
-
160
60
Lynparza: sales milestones
 
-
-
300
450
Lynparza/Koselugo: option payments
 
-
-
-
100
Crestor (Spain)
 
-
-
-
39
Enhertu: share of gross profits
 
38
14
94
-
Roxadustat: share of gross profits
 
2
3
30
-
Royalty income
 
18
17
62
62
Other Collaboration Revenue
 
5
9
81
108
Total
 
63
43
727
819
 
 
Table 48: Other Operating Income and Expense
 
The table below provides an analysis of Reported Other Operating Income and Expense.
 
 
 
 
 
Q1 2021
Q1 2020
FY 2020
FY 2019
 
$m
$m
$m
$m
Divestment of Viela Bio, Inc. shareholding
 
776
-
-
-
Crestor (Europe ex UK & Spain)
 
309
-
-
-
Hypertension medicines (ex-US, India and Japan)
 
-
350
350
-
Monetisation of an asset previously licensed
 
-
-
120
-
Brazikumab licence termination funding
 
26
-
107
-
Inderal, Tenormin, Seloken and Omepral (Japan)
 
-
-
51
-
Synagis (US)
 
-
-
-
515
Losec (ex-China, Japan, US and Mexico)
 
-
-
-
243
Seroquel and Seroquel XR (US, Canada, Europe and Russia)
 
-
-
-
213
Arimidex and Casodex (various countries)
 
-
-
-
181
Nexium (Europe) and Vimovo (ex-US)
 
-
-
54
-
Atacand
 
-
-
400
-
Other
 
69
130
446
389
Total
 
1,180
480
1,528
1,541
 
 
Financial calendar and other shareholder information
 
 
Annual general meeting
11 May 2021
Announcement of half-year and second-quarter results
29 July 2021
Announcement of year-to-date and third-quarter results
12 November 2021
Announcement of full-year and fourth-quarter results (tentative)
10 February 2022
 
Dividends are normally paid as follows:
First interim:
announced with the half-year and second-quarter results and paid in September
Second interim:
announced with full-year and fourth-quarter results and paid in March
 
 
The record date for the first interim dividend for 2021, payable on 13 September 2021, will be 13 August 2021. The ex-dividend date will be 12 August 2021.
 
Trademarks of the AstraZeneca group of companies appear throughout this document in italics. Medical publications also appear throughout the document in italics. AstraZeneca, the AstraZeneca logotype and the AstraZeneca symbol are all trademarks of the AstraZeneca group of companies. Trademarks of companies other than AstraZeneca that appear in this document include Arimidex and Casodex, owned by AstraZeneca or Juvisé (depending on geography); Atacand and Atacand Plus, owned by AstraZeneca or Cheplapharm (depending on geography); Duaklir and Eklira, trademarks of Almirall, S.A.; Enhertu, a trademark of Daiichi Sankyo; Inderal and Tenormin, owned by AstraZeneca, Atnahs Pharma and Taiyo Pharma Co. Ltd. (depending upon geography); Losec and Omepral, owned by AstraZeneca, Cheplapharm or Taiyo Pharma Co., Ltd (depending on geography); Seloken, owned by AstraZeneca or Taiyo Pharma Co., Ltd (depending on geography); Synagis, owned by Arexis AB or AbbVie Inc. (depending on geography); Vimovo, owned by AstraZeneca or Grünenthal GmbH (depending on geography.
 
Information on or accessible through AstraZeneca’s websites, including astrazeneca.com, does not form part of and is not incorporated into this announcement.
 
Addresses for correspondence
 
 
 
 
 
 
Registered office
Registrar and transfer office
Swedish Central Securities Depository
US depositary
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas
1 Francis Crick Avenue
Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Cambridge
CB2 0AA
Equiniti Limited
Aspect House
Spencer Road
Lancing
West Sussex
BN99 6DA
Euroclear Sweden AB PO Box 191
SE-101 23 Stockholm
American Stock Transfer
6201 15th Avenue
Brooklyn
NY 11219
 
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Sweden
United States
 
 
 
 
+44 (0) 20 3749 5000
0800 389 1580
+46 (0) 8 402 9000
+1 (888) 697 8018
 
+44 (0) 121 415 7033
 
+1 (718) 921 8137
 
 
 
db@astfinancial.com
 
 
 
 
 
Cautionary statements regarding forward-looking statements
In order, among other things, to utilise the 'safe harbour' provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, AstraZeneca (hereafter ‘the Group’) provides the following cautionary statement:\
 
This document contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the operations, performance and financial condition of the Group, including, among other things, statements about expected revenues, margins, earnings per share or other financial or other measures. Although the Group believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, any forward-looking statements, by their very nature, involve risks and uncertainties and may be influenced by factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those predicted. The forward-looking statements reflect knowledge and information available at the date of preparation of this document and the Group undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements. The Group identifies the forward-looking statements by using the words 'anticipates', 'believes', 'expects', 'intends' and similar expressions in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, certain of which are beyond the Group’s control, include, among other things:\
 
- the risk of failure or delay in delivery of pipeline or launch of new medicines
- the risk of failure to meet regulatory or ethical requirements for medicine development or approval
- the risk of failure to obtain, defend and enforce effective IP protection and IP challenges by third parties
- the impact of competitive pressures including expiry or loss of IP rights, and generic competition
- the impact of price controls and reductions
- the impact of economic, regulatory and political pressures
- the impact of uncertainty and volatility in relation to the UK’s exit from the EU
- the risk of failures or delays in the quality or execution of the Group’s commercial strategies
- the risk of failure to maintain supply of compliant, quality medicines
- the risk of illegal trade in the Group’s medicines
- the impact of reliance on third-party goods and services
- the risk of failure in information technology, data protection or cybercrime
- the risk of failure of critical processes
- any expected gains from productivity initiatives are uncertain
- the risk of failure to attract, develop, engage and retain a diverse, talented and capable workforce, including - - following completion of the Alexion transaction
- the risk of failure to adhere to applicable laws, rules and regulations
- the risk of the safety and efficacy of marketed medicines being questioned
- the risk of adverse outcome of litigation and/or governmental investigations, including relating to the Alexion transaction
- the risk of failure to adhere to increasingly stringent anti-bribery and anti-corruption legislation
- the risk of failure to achieve strategic plans or meet targets or expectations
- the risk of failure in financial control or the occurrence of fraud
- the risk of unexpected deterioration in the Group’s financial position
- the impact that the COVID-19 global pandemic may have or continue to have on these risks, on the Group’s ability to continue to mitigate these risks, and on the Group’s operations, financial results or financial condition
- the risk that a condition to the closing of the transaction with Alexion may not be satisfied, or that a regulatory approval that may be required for the transaction is delayed or is obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated
- the risk that AstraZeneca is unable to achieve the synergies and value creation contemplated by the Alexion transaction, or that AstraZeneca is unable to promptly and effectively integrate Alexion’s businesses
- and the risk that management’s time and attention are diverted on transaction-related issues or that disruption from the Alexion transaction makes it more difficult to maintain business, contractual and operational relationships 
 
Nothing in this document, or any related presentation/webcast, should be construed as a profit forecast.
 
Important additional information
 
In connection with the proposed transaction, the Group filed a registration statement on Form F-4 (the Registration Statement), which has been declared effective by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and which includes a document that serves as a prospectus of the Group and a proxy statement of Alexion (the proxy statement/prospectus). Alexion filed the proxy statement/prospectus as a proxy statement and the Group filed the proxy statement/prospectus as a prospectus with the SEC on 12 April 2021, and each party will file other documents regarding the proposed transaction with the SEC. Investors and security holders of Alexion are urged to carefully read the entire registration statement and proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents filed with the SEC when they become available, because they will contain important information. A definitive proxy statement will be sent to Alexion’s shareholders. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain the Registration Statement and the proxy statement/prospectus free of charge from the SEC’s website or from the Group or Alexion as described in the paragraphs below.
 
The documents filed by the Group with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. These documents may also be obtained free of charge on the Group’s website at http://www.astrazeneca.com under the tab ‘Investors’.
 
The documents filed by Alexion with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. These documents may also be obtained free of charge on Alexion’s internet website at http://www.alexion.com under the tab, ‘Investors’ and under the heading ‘SEC Filings’ or by contacting Alexion’s Investor Relations Department at investorrelations@alexion.com.
 
Participants in the solicitation
 
Alexion, the Group and certain of their directors, executive officers and employees may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from Alexion shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of the shareholders of Alexion in connection with the proposed transaction, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC on 12 April 2021. Information about the directors and executive officers of Alexion and their ownership of Alexion shares is set forth in Alexion’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, as previously filed with the SEC on 16 February 2021. Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described in the paragraphs above.
 

- End of document -
 
 
 
 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
AstraZeneca PLC
 
 
Date: 30 April 2021
 
 
By: /s/ Adrian Kemp
 
Name: Adrian Kemp
 
Title: Company Secretary