AstraZeneca PLC Third Quarter and Nine Months Results 2008
Sales for the nine months increased by 3 percent at CER, or 9 percent on an as reported basis. Sales in the US were unchanged as the sales decline in Toprol-XL was largely offset by the inclusion of MedImmune and modest growth in the rest of the US business. Sales in the Rest of World were up 6 percent. Sales in Established Markets were up 2 percent, with sales in Western Europe unchanged. Sales in Emerging Markets were up 16 percent. Core operating profit increased by 10 percent to $8,273 million, as a result of improvements in gross margin and R&D efficiencies that more than offset the effect of lower other income and a slight increase in SG&A costs. Reported operating profit increased by 8 percent to $7,252 million. Core earnings per share for the nine months were $3.85, an increase of 8 percent. Reported earnings per share for the nine months were $3.34, a 5 percent increase compared to last year. Research and Development Update
A comprehensive update of the AstraZeneca R&D pipeline was presented in conjunction with the Half Year 2008 results and the pipeline table remains available on the Company's website, www.astrazeneca.com, under information for investors.