Astrazeneca Regulatory News (AZN)

5 November 2015

Year-To-Date and Q3 2015 Results

Financial Summary

· Core EPS in the year to date up by 2% with Q3 Core EPS growth of 8% 

· Total Revenue stable in the year to date; Core Gross margin up by 1.0% points to 83.3%

· Resilient top-line performance underpinned continued investment in R&D. Core R&D costs up by 18% in Q3, reflecting the recent start of key Oncology trials

· Core SG&A costs declined by 3% in the third quarter; increased by 2% in the year to date

· Upgraded FY 2015 Total Revenue and Core EPS guidance at constant exchange rates

YTD Commercial Highlights

Growth platforms grew by 10%, representing 57% of Total Revenue:

1. Respiratory: +8%, including 38% Q3 sales growth in Emerging Markets

2. Brilinta/Brilique: +44%; Q3 US growth of 73%

3. Diabetes: +26%, including 73% sales growth in Emerging Markets

4. Emerging Markets: +12%. China sales growth of 17% (Q3 2015: +11%)

5. Japan: +3%, with Q3 sales growth of 6%

Achieving Scientific Leadership: Progress since the prior results announcement

Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer, commenting on the results said:

"I'm pleased with our continued progress as we focus on executing our plans across our growth platforms and pipeline. While we have more work to do on the submission of saxagliptin/dapagliflozin combination in Diabetes, the significant label update for Brilinta was accompanied by submission acceptances and accelerated reviews in cancer, respiratory diseases and lupus. In particular, our exciting Oncology portfolio maintained its momentum with four Priority Review and Fast Track designations as well as supportive data at key congresses.

Our financial performance in the year to date, including an 8% increase in Core EPS in the third quarter, underpinned today's upgrade to full-year guidance. 2016 will be a pivotal year in our strategic journey as we face the impact of loss of exclusivity to Crestor in the US. Looking ahead however, the continued performance of our growth platforms and upcoming launches will combine with our increasing focus on costs and cash generation to help offset short-term headwinds and return AstraZeneca to sustainable growth."

FY 2015 Guidance

All guidance is shown at CER1.

Non-guidance information is also provided:

Based on average daily spot rates in the nine months to the end of September 2015, Total Revenue in FY 2015 is expected to decline by high single-digit percent, with Core EPS expected to be broadly in line with FY 2014. In addition, the majority of FY 2015 Externalisation Revenue is anticipated to have been realised in the first half of the year. Core R&D costs are expected to grow at a lower rate in the final quarter versus the year to date and the Company is committed to reducing Core SG&A costs in FY 2015 versus the prior year, both in terms of absolute value and relative to Total Revenue.

Pipeline: Forthcoming Major Newsflow

Notes

1. All growth rates and guidance are shown at constant exchange rates (CER) unless specified otherwise.

2. Total Revenue defined as Product Sales and Externalisation Revenue. For further details on the presentation of Total Revenue, see the announcement published by the Company in March 2015.

3. See the Operating and Financial Review for a definition of Core financial measures and a reconciliation of Core to Reported financial measures.

4. The performance shown in this announcement covers the nine and three month periods to 30 September 2015 (the year to date and the quarter respectively) compared to the nine and three month periods to 30 September 2014 (the prior year to date and the prior quarter respectively).

Results Presentation

A conference call for investors and analysts, hosted by management, will begin at midday GMT today. Details can be accessed via www.astrazeneca.com/investors.

Reporting Calendar

The Company intends to publish its full-year financial results on 4 February 2016.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, inflammation, autoimmune, oncology, infection and neuroscience diseases. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.

Contacts at AstraZeneca

Key: RIA - Respiratory, Inflammation & Autoimmunity, CVMD - Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disease,

ING - Infection, Neuroscience & Gastrointestinal

Operating and Financial Review

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All narrative on growth and results in this section relates to Core performance, based on constant exchange rates (CER) unless stated otherwise. Financial figures are in $ millions ($m). The performance shown in this announcement covers the nine and three-month periods to 30 September 2015 (the year to date and the third quarter respectively) compared to the nine and three months to 30 September 2014. Core measures, which are presented in addition to Reported financial information, are non-GAAP measures provided to enhance understanding of the Company's underlying financial performance. Core financial measures are adjusted to exclude certain significant items, such as:

− amortisation and impairment of intangibles, including impairment reversals but excluding any charges relating to IT assets

− charges and provisions related to our global restructuring programmes (this will include such charges that relate to the impact of our global restructuring programmes on our capitalised IT assets)

− other specified items, principally comprising legal settlements and acquisition-related costs, which include fair value adjustments and the imputed finance charge relating to contingent consideration on business combinations

More detail on the nature of these measures is given on page 72 of the 2014 Annual Report and Form 20-F Information.

Total Revenue

Total Revenue was stable in the year to date at $18,309m. The decline of 2% in the third quarter, compared to recent increases, reflected a lower level of Externalisation Revenue. Based on actual exchange rates, Total Revenue declined by 8% in the nine-month period reflecting the particular weakness of key trading currencies against the US dollar.

Product Sales

Product Sales declined by 2% in the year to date (Q3 2015: down by 2%) reflecting the US market entry of Nexium generic products from February 2015 as well as an adverse impact from the change in accounting for the US Branded Pharmaceutical Fee following issuance of final regulations in Q3 2014.

Externalisation Revenue

Externalisation Revenue of $875m in the year to date (Q3 2015: $95m) primarily reflected income from completion of the collaboration agreement in haematology with Celgene Corporation (Celgene) ($450m), together with income from the co-commercialisation agreement with Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. (Daiichi Sankyo) for Movantik in the US ($200m) and the co-commercialisation of Nexium in Japan ($55m), also with Daiichi Sankyo.

Product Sales

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The performance of a selection of key medicines is shown below. A geographical split of the performance is shown in Notes 6 and 7.

YTD Product Sales Summary

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During 2014, final regulations relating to the US Branded Pharmaceutical Fee were issued, affecting how the fee is recognised; AstraZeneca consequently accrues for the obligation as each sale occurs. As the fee is based on actual Product Sales in the current year, the fee is recognised as a deduction from Product Sales rather than a charge to SG&A, impacting individual medicine sales by an average of 2%.

Respiratory, Inflammation & Autoimmunity

Symbicort

Year-to-date Product Sales declined by 2% to $2,535m and the medicine continues to be competitive.

In the US, the year-to-date decline to $1,110m was limited to 1% with continued lower net prices reflecting additional access and co-pay assistance. Robust volume growth was driven by higher market share within a growing market.

In Europe, Product Sales declined by 13% to $825m with a modest volume decline and a significant price decline reflecting increased competition from recently-launched analogue medicines. In contrast, Emerging Markets' sales grew by 33% to $296m with China sales growing by 50% to $95m, primarily reflecting volume growth.

Pulmicort

Pulmicort sales in the year to date were $740m, an increase of 17%. Growth was driven primarily by the performance of Pulmicort Respules in Emerging Markets, which were up 40% at $443m. China Product Sales increased by 47% to $354m, reflecting sustained investment in supporting asthma and COPD patients, both in hospitals and more recently at home.

Tudorza/Eklira

Product Sales in the year to date were $143m, including $77m in the US, where the brand name is Tudorza. In March 2015 the Company completed the acquisition of the Actavis plc product rights to the brand.

Rights were also acquired at that time for Daliresp, for which sales amounted to $72m in the year to date.

Duaklir

In the third quarter Duaklir continued its successful launch, principally in Europe. Year-to-date total sales of $15m (Q3 2015: $8m, Q2 2015: $5m) reflected good progress of this leading LAMA/LABA medicine, with an encouraging formulary uptake in the UK and market-share increases in Germany.

Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disease

Brilinta/Brilique

Sales in the year to date were $445m, an increase of 44%, with the third quarter exhibiting growth driven by strong marketing execution (Q3 2015: up by 48%, Q2 2015: up by 38%). AstraZeneca announced on 3 September 2015 that the FDA had approved Brilinta tablets at a new 60mg dose to be used by patients with a history of heart attack beyond the first year of treatment.

Sales in the US were $170m, increasing by 65% (Q3 2015: up by 73%, Q2 2015: up by 57%). This reflected higher total-prescription volumes driven by marketing and other initiatives, together with an element of stocking for the new 60mg dose.

In Europe, Brilique continued to perform well, with an increase in Product Sales of 19% to $170m, reflecting indication leadership across a number of European markets. Emerging Markets sales grew by 93% to $78m with China representing the largest single market for the medicine.

Onglyza

Sales were up 2% in the nine-month period to $594m despite an emphasis on the promotion of Farxiga in the US. Sales in the third quarter were stable year-on-year versus the 7% decline in Q2 2015.

US sales were down by 15% at $322m in the year to date, due to competitive pressures in the DPP-4 class driving a lower market share, as well as a decline in the net price.

Sales in Europe grew by 17% to $108m, while Emerging Markets sales grew by 47% to $116m.

Farxiga/Forxiga

Sales of Farxiga/Forxiga were up 180% in the year to date to $340m.

In the US, Product Sales of $184m represented growth of 167%. Promotional activity underpinned increasing total-prescription market-share growth in the year to date; this was accompanied by overall growth in the market.

Sales in Europe reached $89m, up by 159% in the year to date reflecting the launch phase of the medicine.

Bydureon/Byetta

Combined sales were $669m in the nine-month period, growing by 16%, with Bydureon representing 64% of total Bydureon/Byetta sales.

In the US, sales were $526m, up by 22%, with higher volumes driven by market growth and higher net prices. The majority of the remaining sales of Bydureon/Byetta resided in Europe, where year-to-date sales reached $101m, reflecting the ongoing successful Pen launch.

Legacy: Crestor

Sales of Crestor declined in the year to date by 4% to $3,695m, with volumes marginally falling. The performance reflected competition from generic statins and price pressures.

In the US, Crestor sales declined by 4% to $2,067m, driven by lower market share and destocking, which was partially offset by favourable price movements.

In Europe sales declined by 9% to $691m, reflecting prevailing competitive trends. Crestor consolidated its position as the leading statin in Japan, with sales growth of 6% to $337m in the nine-month period. Sales in China grew by 17% to $202m.

Oncology

Iressa

Sales of Iressa declined by 2% to $414m in the year to date, driven by the competitive environment in Europe where sales were down by 6% to $96m; Japan sales declined by 12% to $91m. Since the US launch in July 2015, Iressa has seen an encouraging increase in new-patient starts.

Emerging Markets sales grew by 6% to $214m, with China sales increasing by 8% to $119m and Latin America sales increasing by 11% to $8m.

Lynparza

Sales of Lynparza reached $58m in the nine-month period. US sales of $46m followed the launch of the medicine at the end of 2014. Growth was driven by the pool of eligible patients awaiting treatment as well as patients newly tested for BRCA mutation.

Legacy: Zoladex

Sales increased by 8% to $618m, with a notable performance in China where sales reached $91m, reflecting growth of 35%.

Legacy: Faslodex

Sales were up 7% to $519m in the year to date. A 4% rise in US sales to $261m was complemented by stable Europe sales of $154m. The notable performance was in Emerging Markets, where sales of $65m represented a growth rate of 46%. With the recent launch of 500mg Faslodex, China sales accelerated in the period to $7m (Q3 2015: up by 50%, H1 2015: up by 33%). AstraZeneca Russia also achieved federal reimbursement for the medicine.

Infection, Neuroscience & Gastrointestinal

Nexium

Sales of Nexium declined by 26% to $1,932m in the year to date.

US sales declined by 48% to $727m following the loss of exclusivity in February 2015, directly impacting both pricing and volumes. The estimate for pipeline inventory returns was increased in the third quarter. Sales in Europe declined by 10% to $209m.

Nexium sales in Emerging Markets were stable at $585m, with growth in Latin America of 19% to $98m, an exception to the overall performance. Japan sales increased by 16% in the period to $298m.

Seroquel XR

Sales declined by 9% to $784m in the nine-month period. In the US, sales were stable at $540m; the performance was mainly driven by favourable market growth and higher underlying net prices.

Product Sales in Europe declined by 28% to $160m, reflecting generic-product competition.

Synagis

Sales of Synagis declined by 22% to $387m in the year to date, with a 41% decline to $157m seen in the US reflecting lower demand related to the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Disease guidelines issued in mid-2014. These further restricted patients eligible for preventative therapy with Synagis. While these guidelines were inconsistent with the approved label, demand was significantly impacted; this is anticipated to continue in the remainder of the year. Product Sales in Europe to AbbVie were stable at $230m.

FluMist/Fluenz

Product Sales in the year to date declined by 39% to $97m, reflecting delays in supply. In the US, Product Sales fell by 38% to $88m, while in Europe, the decline of 38% resulted in sales of $9m.

Movantik/Moventig

Product Sales of Movantik were $14m in the year to date (Q3 2015: $10m); the medicine was launched in March 2015. The majority of Product Sales have been in the US. On 19 March 2015 the Company announced a co-commercialisation agreement with Daiichi Sankyo for Movantik in the US.

Regional Product Sales

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US

US Product Sales declined by 8% to $6,902m in the year to date. Excluding the impact of the change in accounting related to the Branded Pharmaceutical Fee, Product Sales in the year to date and third quarter declined by 6% and 4% versus the comparative period.

The declines reflected the loss of Nexium patent exclusivity, competition facing Crestor from therapeutic substitution by generic statins and the adverse impact of the Synagis guideline changes.

Favourable performances were delivered by Brilinta, Farxiga, Bydureon and Lynparza as well as the recently-acquired respiratory medicines Tudorza and Daliresp. Brilinta accelerated its strong quarterly growth, underpinned by total and new-to-brand prescription market share gains.

Continued growth in demand for Farxiga was supported by additional promotional activity. Bydureon continued to benefit from the launch of the Bydureon Pen as well as growth in demand in the overall GLP-1 class.

Europe

Sales in Europe declined by 6% to $3,902m in the year to date. Strong growth from the diabetes medicines Onglyza and Forxiga was more than offset by continued generic competition facing Crestor and Seroquel XR. A 13% decline in Symbicort sales to $825m reflected adverse pricing movements driven by competition from analogues in key markets. Duaklir more than doubled its first-half sales in Q3, bringing the year to date total to $14m.

Established ROW

Sales in the Established ROW fell by 2% to $2,236m in the year to date.

Japan sales increased by 6% in both the second and third quarters, reflecting the passing of the anniversary of the mandated April 2014 biennial price cut. Nexium and Crestor continued to grow in the nine-month period, increasing by 16% to $298m and 6% to $337m respectively. Crestor growth reflected a continued increase in the usage of the 5mg dosage. Symbicort sales in the year to date increased by 3% to $132m; a 3% decline in the third quarter to $47m however reflected the strong comparative period's performance. Market share of Symbicort was broadly stable in the third quarter and in the year to date.

Canada Product Sales grew by 5% to $399m in the year to date, driven by the performances of Onglyza and Symbicort.

Emerging Markets

The Company continues to focus on delivering innovative medicines by accelerating investment in its Emerging Markets capabilities, with a focus on China and other leading markets, such as Russia and Brazil. Sales increased by 12% to $4,394m in the nine-month period with growth delivered across the region. Emerging Markets sales in the third quarter increased by 10% to $1,427m, ahead of the Company's long-term forecast of mid-to-high single-digit growth in the region's Product Sales.

China sales increased by 17% to $1,931m and by 11% in the third quarter. In the year to date Brazil sales were up 20% to $304m and Russia sales were up 22% to $163m.

Financial Performance

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1Other adjustments include provision charges and settlement income related to certain legal matters (see Note 5) and fair value adjustments to contingent consideration liabilities arising on business combinations (see Note 4). 

22014 comparatives have been restated to reflect the reclassification of Externalisation Revenue from Other Operating Income.

3 Gross Margin reflects Gross Profit derived from Product Sales, divided by Product Sales.

4All financial figures, except Earnings Per Share, are in $ millions ($m). Weighted Average Shares are in millions.

1Other adjustments include fair value adjustments to contingent consideration liabilities arising on business combinations (see Note 4). 

22014 comparatives have been restated to reflect the reclassification of Externalisation Revenue from Other Operating Income.

3 Gross Margin reflects Gross Profit derived from Product Sales, divided by Product Sales.

4All financial figures, except Earnings Per Share, are in $ millions ($m). Weighted Average Shares are in millions.

Profit and Loss

Gross Profit

Core Gross Profit increased by 2% in the nine-month period to $15,399m. Excluding the impact of externalisation, the Core Gross-Profit margin increased by 1% point. Drivers of the margin increase included the mix of Product Sales and manufacturing efficiencies.

Operating Expenses

Core R&D costs were up 22% in the year to date to $4,036m as the Company continued its focused investment in the pipeline. Oncology is anticipated to attract over 40% of total Core R&D costs over the full year, reflecting a number of key new and active trials.

After a 1% reduction of Core SG&A costs in Q2 2015, third-quarter costs declined by 3% to $2,220m. Core SG&A costs were up 2% to $6,804m in the nine-month period as the Company continued to invest in the product-launch programme and the growth platforms.

The Company is committed to reducing Core SG&A costs in FY 2015 versus the prior year, both in terms of absolute value and relative to Total Revenue. A number of programmes designed to meet this target are progressing. These initiatives are centred on:

- Sales, marketing and medical-cost effectiveness

- Centralisation of selected functions and process improvements

- Reduced third-party spend

- Additional efficiencies gained across support functions and IT

- Continued footprint optimisation, including presence in the UK and US

Resources are being deployed more selectively to meet changing customer needs and the evolving portfolio, while driving top-line growth more efficiently.

Other Operating Income

Core Other Operating Income of $1,027m in the year to date included royalty income of $261m, together with gains on the disposals of Entocort ($215m), Myalept ($193m), Caprelsa ($165m) and other disposals, including the US rights to Tenormin.

Operating Profit

Core Operating Profit was stable at $5,346m in the year to date. The Core Operating Margin declined by 0.2% points to 29.2% of Total Revenue as the Company continued to invest in the pipeline and the growth platforms. The increase of 2.4% points in the Core Operating Margin in the third quarter to 29.1% reflected the 3% decline in Core SG&A costs and increases in Core Other Operating Income.

Reported Operating Profit of $3,026m was 31% higher than the first nine months of 2014.

Finance Expense

The Core Net Finance Expense was $355m versus $381m in the comparative period. Reported net finance expense of $750m included a charge of $395m relating to the discount unwind on contingent consideration liabilities recognised on business combinations, principally relating to the acquisition of BMS's share of the global diabetes alliance last year.

Taxation

Excluding the previously disclosed one-off tax benefit of $186m following agreement of US federal tax liabilities of open years up to 2008, other provision releases and the benefit of the UK patent box, the Core tax rate and Reported tax rates for the nine months were 22% and 24% respectively. Including the impact of these benefits, the Core and Reported tax rates for the nine months ended 30 September 2015 were 16% and 11% respectively. The cash tax paid for the nine-month period was $954m, which is 42% of Reported Profit Before Tax and 19% of Core Profit Before Tax.

The Core and Reported tax rates for the same period in 2014 were 19% and 21% respectively when excluding the impact of the one-off tax benefit of $117m in respect of prior periods following the inter-governmental agreement of a transfer pricing matter. Including the impact of this benefit, the Core and Reported tax rates for the nine months ended 30 September 2014 were 17% and 15% respectively.

Earnings Per Share (EPS)

Core EPS in the year to date increased by 2% to $3.32. Reported EPS was up by 40% at $1.60.

Productivity

The Company continued to make good progress in implementing the fourth wave of restructuring announced in the first quarter of 2013 that was subsequently expanded during 2014 and in the first half of 2015. Restructuring charges of $214m were taken in the third quarter, bringing the year to date total to $662m.

Cash Flow and Balance Sheet

Cash Flow

The Company generated a cash inflow from operating activities of $2,753m in the year to date, compared with an inflow of $5,216m in the comparative period, reflecting the operational performance of the business and an adverse movement in working capital.

Net cash outflows from investing activities were $1,654m compared with $5,516m in the first nine months of 2014, the difference primarily reflecting the acquisition of the BMS share of the global diabetes alliance in 2014 and the proceeds from disposals of intangible assets in 2015.

Net cash distributions to shareholders were $3,456m through dividends of $3,486m, offset by proceeds from the issue of shares of $30m due to the exercise of stock options.

The Company has embarked upon an initiative to further improve cash generation from the business including standardisation of global processes and payment terms.

Debt and Capital Structure

At 30 September 2015, outstanding gross debt (interest-bearing loans and borrowings) was $10,947m (30 September 2014: $9,926m). Of the gross debt outstanding at 30 September 2015, $2,671m is due within one year (30 September 2014: $2,399m).

The Company's net debt position at 30 September 2015 was $5,886m (30 September 2014: $3,596m).

Shares in Issue

During the year to date, 0.7 million shares were issued in respect of share option exercises for a consideration of $30m. The total number of shares in issue at 30 September 2015 was 1,264 million.

Capital Allocation

In setting the dividend distribution policy and the overall financial strategy, 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 business investment, funding the progressive dividend policy and meeting debt-service obligations, the Board will keep under review the opportunity to return cash in excess of these requirements to shareholders through periodic share repurchases. The Board has decided however that no share repurchases will take place in FY 2015 in order to maintain the strategic flexibility to invest in the business.

Sensitivity: Foreign-Exchange Rates

The Company provides the following currency sensitivity information:

1Based on average daily spot rates YTD to the end of September 2015

2Based on 2014 actual average exchange rates and group currency exposures

3Other important currencies include AUD, BRL, CAD, KRW and RUB

Currency Hedging

AstraZeneca monitors the impact of adverse currency movements on a portfolio basis, recognising correlation effects. The Company may hedge to protect against adverse impacts on cash flow over the short to medium term. As at 30 September 2015 AstraZeneca had hedged over 90% of forecast short-term currency exposure that arises between the booking and settlement dates on non-local currency purchases and Product Sales.

Corporate and Business Development Update

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a) Purchase of US Biologics Manufacturing Facility

On 11 September 2015 AstraZeneca announced that it had added to its biologics manufacturing capability in the US with the purchase of a high-tech biologics bulk manufacturing facility from Amgen Inc., (Amgen). Over time, the LakeCentre facility, located in Boulder, Colorado will increase manufacturing and production capacity to support the Company's extensive portfolio of biologics medicines.

b) Entocort Divestment

In the third quarter AstraZeneca completed an agreement with Tillotts, part of Zeria Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, for the divestment of global rights, outside the US, to Entocort (budesonide), a gastroenterology medicine for patients with mild-moderate Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Entocort is currently available in over 40 countries, with total Product Sales of $53m outside the US in 2014. Under the terms of the agreement, Tillotts made an upfront payment to AstraZeneca of $215m upon completion of the transaction to acquire the rights to sell and develop Entocort capsules and enema formulations outside the US. The payment has been shown within Other Operating Income in the Company's financial statements in the third quarter.

c) Caprelsa Divestment

In the third quarter AstraZeneca completed an agreement with Genzyme Corporation (Genzyme), part of Sanofi S.A., for the divestment of Caprelsa (vandetanib), a rare-disease medicine. Caprelsa was granted Orphan Drug Designation by the US FDA in 2005 and is currently available in 28 countries for the treatment of aggressive and symptomatic medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Under the terms of the agreement, Genzyme will pay AstraZeneca up to $300m, including an upfront payment of $165m to acquire the global rights to sell and develop Caprelsa. The upfront payment has been shown within Other Operating Income in the Company's financial statements in the third quarter; further development and sales milestone payments may reach up to $135m and will be reported in Other Operating Income. The transaction did not include the transfer of any AstraZeneca employees or facilities.

d) Agreement to Develop Novel Immuno-Oncology Treatments

On 6 August 2015 it was announced that AstraZeneca and Heptares Therapeutics, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Sosei Group Corporation, had entered into a licensing agreement under which AstraZeneca will acquire exclusive global rights to develop, manufacture and commercialise the adenosine A2A receptor antagonist, HTL-1071, a small molecule immuno-oncology candidate, and potential additional A2A receptor-blocking compounds. AstraZeneca will explore the assets across a range of cancers, including in combination with its existing portfolio of immunotherapies.

e) Adding New Combination Clinical Trials to Existing Immuno-Oncology Research Collaboration

On 22 October 2015 AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) announced an extension to their existing Immuno-Oncology collaboration exploring novel combination therapies for the treatment of patients with solid tumours. Under the terms of the expanded agreement, AstraZeneca and Lilly will evaluate the safety and efficacy of a range of additional combinations across the companies' complementary portfolios.

Durvalumab, AstraZeneca's investigational anti-PD-L1 immune-checkpoint inhibitor, will be combined with Lilly molecules including a TGF-beta kinase inhibitor, galunisertib; a CXCR4 peptide antagonist; and an anti-CSF-1R monoclonal antibody, which will be assessed additionally with AstraZeneca's anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody, tremelimumab.

Management Update

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On 24 August 2015 AstraZeneca announced the appointment of Sean Bohen MD, PhD, as Executive Vice President of Global Medicines Development and Chief Medical Officer. He joined the Company on 15 September 2015.

Dr. Bohen is responsible for driving the progress of AstraZeneca's portfolio of small molecules and biologics investigational medicines through late-stage development to regulatory approval. As Chief Medical Officer, he is responsible for patient safety across the entire AstraZeneca and MedImmune portfolio.

Dr. Bohen joined AstraZeneca from Genentech where he was most recently Senior Vice President of Early Development. He oversaw preclinical and clinical development programmes across all therapy areas, including oncology, respiratory and autoimmune diseases, to deliver trial-ready drug candidates to late-stage development. Before this, he held a number of positions in early and late-stage development, playing a key role in the growth and progress of the Genentech/Roche portfolio. Dr. Bohen was instrumental in bringing a large number of new medicines to patients, in particular for cancer and led activities to incorporate diagnostics into clinical programmes.

Prior to joining Genentech, Dr. Bohen was a Clinical Instructor in Oncology at Stanford University School of Medicine, a research associate at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and a postdoctoral fellow at the National Cancer Institute in the US.

Research and Development Update

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A comprehensive table with AstraZeneca's pipeline of medicines in human trials can be found later in this document.

Progress since the prior results announcement on 30 July 2015:

Key: RIA - Respiratory, Inflammation & Autoimmunity, CVMD - Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disease,

ING - Infection, Neuroscience & Gastrointestinal

In the period 2015-2016 AstraZeneca anticipates 12-16 Phase II starts, 14-16 NME and major line-extension regulatory submissions and 8-10 NME and major line-extension approvals.

1. Respiratory, Inflammation & Autoimmunity (RIA)

Steady progress continues to be made in the RIA pipeline, which now includes seven programmes in pivotal trials or under registration. AstraZeneca's respiratory portfolio includes a range of differentiated potential medicines such as novel combinations, biologics and devices for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The pipeline also includes a number of assets in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases within areas such as gout, psoriasis, systemic lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

At the European Respiratory Society (ERS) meeting in Amsterdam, Netherlands in September 2015, positive Phase III results were presented for PT003 for COPD. PT003 could be the first LAMA/LABA combination to be delivered in a pressurised metered-dose inhaler using a unique co-suspension technology. Overall 33 abstracts were presented from across the Respiratory disease portfolio, including findings from the Company's biologics pipeline and early-science programmes.

a) Lesinurad (gout)

On 23 October 2015 the FDA's Arthritis Advisory Committee (AAC) voted 10 to 4 to recommend the approval of lesinurad 200mg tablets for the treatment of hyperuricemia associated with gout, in combination with a xanthine-oxidase inhibitor. The AAC reviewed safety and efficacy data from the pivotal Phase III combination-therapy programme trials, representing the largest clinical-trial data set of gout patients treated with combination urate-lowering therapy.

The FDA is not bound by the AAC's recommendation but takes its advice into consideration when reviewing the application for a potential medicine. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target goal date for lesinurad is 29 December 2015. If approved, lesinurad will be the first selective uric acid reabsorption inhibitor, or SURI, in the US.

b) PT003 (COPD)

Among key abstracts presented at the ERS meeting were the positive Phase III efficacy and safety data from the PINNACLE programme of the novel LAMA (glycopyrronium) and LABA (formoterol fumarate) combination.

The two pivotal 24-week trials, PINNACLE-1 and PINNACLE-2, tested the potential to improve lung function in patients with COPD and showed that PT003 had positive effects on both co-primary and secondary endpoints. There were no unexpected safety findings, with adverse events being consistent with previous results from the development programme.

During the period the FDA accepted the PT003 New Drug Application for standard full review with an expected PDUFA action date in Q2 2016, as anticipated.

c) Brodalumub (psoriasis)

Brodalumab is an IL-17 receptor monoclonal antibody in development for patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

On 1 September 2015 AstraZeneca announced that it had entered into a collaboration agreement with Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (Valeant) under which it will grant an exclusive license for Valeant to develop and commercialise brodalumab globally, except in Japan and certain other Asian countries where rights are held by Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd under a prior arrangement with Amgen, the originator of brodalumab. Completion of the transaction occurred on 1 October 2015.

Brodalumab is supported by data from the three AMAGINE Phase III pivotal trials. The results highlighted that brodalumab has an effective mechanism of action that delivers clinical benefit and could help a significant number of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis patients achieve total clearance of their skin disease. At the 210mg dose, brodalumab was shown to be efficacious in total skin clearance of psoriasis compared to placebo and superior to ustekinumab at week 12 in two replicate comparator trials, involving over 3,500 patients.

On 1 October 2015 The New England Journal of Medicine published positive results from the AMAGINE-2 and AMAGINE-3 Phase III trials.

d) Anifrolumab (lupus)

Anifrolumab is an investigational, monoclonal antibody that binds to the type I interferon (IFN)-α receptor and blocks the biological effects of all type I IFNs. It is currently in Phase III development for systemic lupus erythematosus; the first patient was dosed in July 2015. The Company anticipates the publication of Phase IIb data next week in an oral presentation at the American College of Rheumatology annual meeting in San Francisco, California.

In August 2015 the FDA granted Fast Track designation to anifrolumab, designed to expedite the development and review of drugs that treat serious conditions and meet an unmet medical need.

2. Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disease (CVMD)

AstraZeneca's strategy in CVMD focuses on ways to reduce morbidity, mortality and organ damage by addressing multiple risk factors across CV disease, diabetes and chronic kidney-disease indications. The patient-centric approach is reinforced by science-led life-cycle management programmes and technologies, including early research into regenerative methods.

In the third quarter, AstraZeneca presented 54 abstracts from the Company's research and development in diabetes at the 51st Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Stockholm, Sweden.

The presentations included data on a number of approved products for the treatment of type-2 diabetes, including Onglyza, Farxiga/Forxiga, Bydureon and Byetta. Additionally several abstracts representing AstraZeneca's early-stage and pre-clinical research explored novel pathways and modalities to address the underlying pathophysiology of diabetes.

a) Brilinta/Brilique (CV disease)

Brilinta/Brilique is an oral anti-platelet treatment that works by inhibiting platelet activation and was first approved by the FDA in July 2011 on the basis of data from the PLATO study. For at least the first 12 months following a myocardial infarction, it is superior to clopidogrel and is the first and only oral anti-platelet medicine to demonstrate superior reductions in cardiovascular death.

On 29 August 2015, the European Society of Cardiology updated NSTE-acute coronary syndrome (ACS) guidelines, continuing to recommend ticagrelor over clopidogrel in ACS for all patients at moderate to high risk of ischaemic events, regardless of initial treatment strategy and including those pre-treated with clopidogrel. The society also guided that dual anti-platelet therapy (P2Y12-inhibitor plus aspirin) beyond one year may be considered after careful assessment of the ischaemic and bleeding risks of patients.

AstraZeneca announced on 3 September 2015 that the FDA had approved Brilinta tablets at a new 60mg dose to be used in patients with a history of heart attack beyond the first year.

The SOCRATES trial evaluating the efficacy of Brilinta/Brilique compared to aspirin in reducing thrombotic events in patients with acute ischaemic stroke and high-risk transient ischaemic attack saw its last patient randomised in November 2015. This trial is scheduled to report data in the first half of 2016. SOCRATES is an event-driven global clinical trial involving 13,200 patients in 33 countries and is part of the broader PARTHENON lifecycle programme for Brilinta/Brilique.

b) Saxagliptin/dapagliflozin (type-2 diabetes)

On 15 October 2015 AstraZeneca announced that the FDA had issued a Complete Response Letter (CRL) regarding the New Drug Application (NDA) for the investigational fixed-dose combination of saxagliptin and dapagliflozin for the treatment of adult patients with type-2 diabetes. The CRL stated that more clinical data are required to support the application. This includes clinical-trial data from ongoing or completed trials and may require information from new trials.

AstraZeneca will work closely with the FDA to determine the appropriate next steps for the NDA and remains committed to the development of the saxagliptin/dapagliflozin fixed-dose combination. This announcement did not affect ongoing interactions with other health authorities as part of individual-application procedures. Based on the information available, the CRL is not expected to affect the individual components of saxagliptin or dapagliflozin, which are approved for the treatment of adult patients with type-2 diabetes.

c) Onglyza (type-2 diabetes)

AstraZeneca is working closely with regulators as part of the ongoing review of the full Phase III SAVOR cardiovascular outcomes trial data-set. The Company is currently awaiting a forthcoming decision from the FDA on a possible label update for Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR respectively.

3. Oncology

AstraZeneca continues to make progress in both early and late-stage programmes toward the goal of eliminating cancer as a major cause of death. In the third quarter, partnerships and collaborations were established with Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Heptares Therapeutics and Mirati Therapeutics, all operating in the Immuno-Oncology sector. In parallel, the early portfolio is advancing molecules into human trials. In the quarter, the first patient was dosed with MEDI9447, a CD73 monoclonal antibody. Other targets, including GITR and TLR7/8 are planned to start shortly and will bolster the Company's ongoing Oncology efforts.

During the third quarter, the Company presented new data for its Oncology portfolio at the World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) and the European Cancer Congress (ECC) to share ongoing progress.

a) AZD9291 (lung cancer)

At the WCLC data on AZD9291 was a major focus. In the 1st-line EGFR-mutation positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) setting, AZD9291 showed an overall response rate of 75%; 72% of patients were progression-free at 12 months and the longest duration of response was ongoing at 18 months.

At ECC, data were presented from a pooled analysis of the AURA Phase II trials (AURA extension and AURA2) in patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC who had progressed on an EGFR-targeted treatment and whose tumours had the T790M resistance mutation. The data confirmed findings already reported at previous meetings for AZD9291; data from over 400 pre-treated patients with EGFRm T790M showed an objective response rate of 66% (95% confidence interval (CI); 61% to 71%). Preliminary median progression-free survival (PFS) was 9.7 months (95% CI; 8.3 months to non-calculable) and median duration of response was non-calculable (95% CI; 8.3 months to NC).

Furthermore, clinical anecdotes and pre-clinical data recently presented at the WCLC and the ECC suggest that AZD9291 penetrates the blood-brain barrier and may have activity on brain metastases. New data from the BLOOM (NCT02228369) study on the activity of AZD9291 in the brain is anticipated to be presented at the forthcoming American Association for Cancer Research NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics in Boston, Massachusetts.

b) Durvalumab (solid and haematological tumours)

Durvalumab, AstraZeneca's cornerstone Immuno-Oncology medicine, is currently being tested in a number of clinical trials in monotherapy and in combination with other potential AstraZeneca medicines such as tremelimumab, with the potential to be part of the first chemotherapy-free treatment option for first-line patients across several tumour types.

Anti-PD1/PD-L1 monotherapy is transforming cancer medicine, but the benefit is largely limited to patients with PD-L1 positive tumours. Data from the combination of durvalumab and tremelimumab have demonstrated anti-tumour activity in patients with heavily pre-treated NSCLC regardless of PD-L1 status, including in patients with no tumour-cell-membrane PD-L1 staining. A comprehensive registration programme with durvalumab monotherapy and in combination with tremelimumab is underway across multiple tumour types, stages of disease, and lines of therapy. Additional combination trials of durvalumab with other immunotherapies, targeted therapies and chemotherapies are also underway.

A development programme for durvalumab in haematological malignancies in combination with effective therapies through the alliance with Celgene has also been accelerated.

Finally a new potential biomarker for use with durvalumab was presented at the ECC, showing that gamma interferon, along with PD-L1, was shown to be associated with responses to durvalumab monotherapy in lung-cancer patients.

The table overleaf illustrates ongoing trials with durvalumab:

FPD=First Patient Dosed, LPD=Last Patient Dosed, SoC=Standard of Care

c) Lynparza (ovarian cancer)

Exploratory biomarker data presented at the ECC from a Phase II study of Lynparza are contributing to an enhanced scientific understanding of why some women with ovarian cancer without a BRCA1/2 mutation demonstrate anti-tumour activity with poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor treatment.

The data suggest that these women have tumours with mutations in other homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes that behave in a similar way to BRCA mutations. The potential of Lynparza to target tumours with HRR mutations beyond those in BRCA genes is under investigation in ongoing clinical trials.

4. Infection, Neuroscience & Gastrointestinal

a) CAZ AVI (serious infections)

On 2 September 2015 the Company announced that the CAZ AVI pivotal trials RECAPTURE 1 and RECAPTURE 2 had met the objective of statistical non-inferiority compared to doripenem for both the EMA primary and FDA co-primary endpoints. In addition and for the EMA primary endpoint, CAZ AVI was statistically superior (at the 5% level) to doripenem. CAZ AVI is being developed to treat a broad range of Gram-negative bacterial infections which are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics and pose a threat to public health. CAZ AVI is currently under regulatory review by the EU.

b) FluMist/Fluenz (influenza vaccine)

The Company completed a strategic agreement in the third quarter with Daiichi Sankyo for the development and commercialisation of FluMist in the Japanese market.

c) Strategic Alliance to Accelerate New Antibiotic Development

On 16 September 2015 it was announced that multiple drugs to combat bioterrorism threats and other life-threatening bacterial infections will be developed under a public-private partnership agreement between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) and AstraZeneca.

ASPR's Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and AstraZeneca will manage and fund the portfolio over the next five years. In the arrangement, BARDA initially will provide $50m toward product development and could provide up to a total of $170m for development of additional products in the portfolio during the five-year period. The first candidate medicine in the portfolio combines two antibiotics, Aztreonam and Avibactam, known together as ATM AVI. The Phase I trial for ATM AVI was commenced by the Company in 2012.

ASTRAZENECA DEVELOPMENT PIPELINE 30 SEPTEMBER 2015

Phase III / Pivotal Phase II / Registration

NMEs and significant additional indications

Regulatory submission dates shown for assets in Phase III and beyond. As disclosure of compound information is balanced by the business need to maintain confidentiality, information in relation to some compounds listed here has not been disclosed at this time.

† US and EU dates correspond to anticipated acceptance of the regulatory submission.

# Partnered product.