Astrazeneca Regulatory News (AZN)

AstraZeneca PLC

10 November 2016 07:00

Year-To-Date and Q3 2016 Results

Performance in line with our expectations

Financial Summary

The Reported and Core EPS performance in Q3 2016 included a non-recurring tax benefit of $0.36, resulting from agreements on transfer pricing arrangements between various tax authorities.

· Total Revenue declined by 3% in the year to date to $17,417m, reflecting a decline in Product Sales that was driven by the entry in the US of multiple Crestor generic medicines

· Continued good progress on cost control:

- Reported and Core R&D expenses grew by 4% to $1,402m and were stable at $1,337m in the third quarter, respectively

- Reported and Core SG&A expenses reduced by 8% to $2,403m and by 12% to $1,892m in the third quarter, respectively

· Reported EPS declined by 26% in the year to date, reflecting the fall in Product Sales. Core EPS declined by 10%, reflecting the phasing of Other Operating Income towards the final quarter of the year

· Full-year financial guidance remains unchanged

Commercial Highlights

The Growth Platforms grew by 6% in the year to date (Q3 2016: Up by 3%):

· Emerging Markets: 6% growth supported by China (up by 10%); Latin America sales declined by 11%, impacted by the reduction of activities in Venezuela

· Diabetes: Growth of 13%. Farxiga became the Company's largest-selling Diabetes medicine. Slower Diabetes growth of 6% in the third quarter, reflecting an expected decline in the sales of Onglyza

· Respiratory: A decline of 2%, with marked declines in the sale of Symbicort in the US and Europe, reflecting the competitive environment and a Q3 rebate true-up in the US

· Brilinta: Growth of 39%. Deceleration in the third quarter, a function of wholesaler stocking in the comparative period

· New Oncology: Strong sales of $197m in Q3 2016 (H1: $251m), driven by Tagrisso and Lynparza 

Achieving Scientific Leadership: Progress Since The Last Results Announcement

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

"The performance in the third quarter was in line with our expectations, reflecting the transitional impact from the first full quarter of generic competition to Crestor in the US. We sharpened significantly our focus on our three therapy areas, by prioritising our portfolio through externalisation and divestments. This focus, underpinned by our productivity initiatives, supported the rapid reduction in SG&A costs. This enabled our increased investment in Oncology, as well as in China and launched new medicines in key markets.

Our late-stage pipeline continued to advance at a pace we could not have anticipated three years ago, as we saw with recent positive results for Tagrisso in lung cancer, Lynparza in ovarian cancer and our first respiratory biologic medicine, benralizumab, in severe, uncontrolled asthma. 

Importantly, we are entering an intensive period of news flow over the next twelve months, in particular revealing the potential of our Immuno-Oncology and targeted medicines. Our focus on scientific excellence keeps us on track with our goals, as we approach an inflection point of a pipeline designed to transform our company and the lives of patients."

FY 2016 Guidance

Guidance for FY 2016 is unchanged and is shown at CER1:

The above guidance incorporates the dilutive effects arising from the Acerta Pharma B.V. (Acerta Pharma) and ZS Pharma, Inc. (ZS Pharma) transactions announced in FY 2015.

Core R&D costs are now expected to be ahead of those in FY 2015. The Company will materially reduce Core SG&A costs in FY 2016 versus the prior year. These measures are based on constant exchange rates.

The Company presents Core EPS guidance. It is unable to provide guidance on a Reported/GAAP basis because the Company cannot reliably forecast material elements of the Reported/GAAP result, including the fair-value adjustments arising on acquisition-related liabilities, intangible-asset impairment charges and legal-settlement provisions.

FY 2016 Currency Impact

Based on average exchange rates in the year to date and the Company's published currency sensitivities, there is expected to be an immaterial impact from currency movements on Total Revenue in FY 2016. Core EPS is expected to benefit from currency movements by a low to mid single-digit percentage versus the prior year. Further details on currency sensitivities are contained within the Operating and Financial Review.

Notes

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

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

Pipeline: Forthcoming Major News Flow

Innovation is critical to addressing unmet patient needs and is at the heart of the Company's growth strategy. The focus on research and development is designed to yield strong results from the pipeline.

The term 'data readout' in this section refers to Phase III data readouts, unless specified otherwise.

*Potential fast-to-market opportunity ahead of randomised, controlled trials.

#Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Results Presentation

A conference call and webcast for investors and analysts, hosted by management, will begin at midday UK time today. Click here to register for the webcast, with further details available via astrazeneca.com/investors.

Reporting Calendar

The Company intends to publish its full-year and fourth-quarter financial results on 2 February 2017.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three main therapy areas - Oncology, Cardiovascular & Metabolic Diseases and Respiratory. The Company also is selectively active in the areas of autoimmunity, neuroscience and infection. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information, please visit www.astrazeneca.com and follow us on Twitter @AstraZeneca.

Operating and Financial Review

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All narrative on growth and results in this section is based on CER unless stated otherwise. Financial figures are in US$ millions ($m). The performance shown in this announcement covers the nine and three-month periods to 30 September 2016 (the year to date (YTD) and the third quarter, respectively) compared to the nine and three-month periods to 30 September 2015.

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 intangible assets, including impairment reversals but excluding any charges relating to IT assets

- charges and provisions related to global restructuring programmes (this will include such charges that relate to the impact of global restructuring programmes on 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

Details on the nature of these measures are provided on page 64 of the Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2015.

Total Revenue

Based on actual exchange rates, Total Revenue declined by 5% in the year to date, reflecting the strength of the US dollar.

Product Sales

The level of decline in Product Sales was driven by the US market entry of multiple Crestor generic medicines in the third quarter, as well as the ongoing impact of Nexium generic medicines in the US. Q3 2016 sales of Crestor and Nexium in the US declined by 82% and 50%, respectively. Overall US Product Sales declined by 17% in the year to date (Q3 2016: Down by 35%), with Product Sales in Europe declining by 2% (Q3 2016: Down by 1%).

Within Product Sales, the Growth Platforms grew by 6% in the year to date, representing 62% of Total Revenue:

1New Oncology comprises Lynparza, Iressa (US) and Tagrisso

2Total Product Sales for Growth Platforms adjusted to remove duplication on a medicine and regional basis 

Externalisation Revenue

Externalisation Revenue recognised in the year to date amounted to $1,358m. Highlights included:

Examples of sustainable future Externalisation Revenue streams are shown below:

Product Sales

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The performance of key medicines is shown below, with a geographical split shown in Notes 8 and 9.

Product Sales Summary

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ONCOLOGY

YTD sales of $2,453m; up by 17%. Oncology sales represented 15% of Total Product Sales.

Iressa (YTD sales of $395m; down by 3%)

Sales in the US were $16m as the Company prioritised the launch of Tagrisso.

In Europe, sales declined by 5% to $91m, reflected primarily in lower market shares.

Emerging Markets sales declined by 6% to $187m. China sales declined by 13% to $98m, as a result of the price re-set following national reimbursement listing in China that was obtained in June. The price adjustment was partially offset by an expected increase in volume demand.

Tagrisso (YTD sales of $276m)

In the third quarter, sales of Tagrisso were higher than Iressa sales for the first time. Tagrisso became the leading AstraZeneca medicine for the treatment of lung cancer. Regulatory approvals were granted in a number of additional markets, including Korea, Switzerland and Canada; the Company anticipates additional regulatory approvals and reimbursement decisions in due course. To date, Tagrisso has received regulatory approval in 41 markets worldwide.

Sales in the US increased by 33% in the third quarter as compared to the second quarter, taking year-to-date sales to $180m. Sales growth in the third quarter was driven by new patient starts and treatment duration.

On 29 September 2016, a third-party, blood-based companion-diagnostic test for Tagrisso was approved in the US, to confirm the presence of a T790M mutation in patients with locally-advanced or metastatic EGFR T790M mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), who have been previously treated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy.

After regulatory approval in the EU and Japan earlier in the year, sales in the year to date were $49m in Europe and $43m in Japan.

Lynparza (YTD sales of $156m)

Lynparza is now available to patients in 30 countries, with regulatory reviews underway in seven additional countries including Singapore, Brazil, and Russia. Almost 4,800 patients have been prescribed Lynparza since the US launch in December 2014.

Sales in the US increased by 109% in the year to date to $96m, primarily driven by longer duration of therapy, as patients stayed on treatment for longer due to efficacy benefits.

Sales in Europe increased to $56m, following several successful launches.

Legacy: Faslodex (YTD sales of $608m; up by 19%)

Sales in the US in the year to date increased by 23% to $321m, mainly driven by an expanded label in March 2016 for 2nd-line advanced or metastatic breast cancer, in combination with another recently-approved medicine.

Europe year-to-date sales increased by 11% to $169m.

An increase in demand in Brazil (sales up by 4% to $20m) and China (sales up by 114% to $14m) drove Emerging Markets sales to $70m, representing an increase of 26%.

Legacy: Zoladex (YTD sales of $581m; down by 4%)

The decline in global sales was attributed to Europe sales (down 5% to $117m) and Established Rest Of World (ROW) sales (down by 6% to $199m). This decline in demand was partially offset by favourable sales performances in the US (up by 23% to $27m) and China (up by 22% to $105m). Latin America sales, outside of Brazil, declined by 40% in the year to date, reflecting the reduction of AstraZeneca's activities in Venezuela.

CARDIOVASCULAR & METABOLIC DISEASES

YTD sales of $6,305m; down by 8%. Cardiovascular & Metabolic Diseases sales represented 39% of Total Product Sales.

Brilinta (YTD sales of $603m; up by 39%)

A slowdown in third-quarter sales growth of 25% to $208m reflected inventory built by US wholesalers in Q3 2015, during the launch of the 60mg dose; underlying growth remained strong in the period.

Sales in the US in the year to date were $243m, representing an increase of 43%. The overall performance reflected updated preferred guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association in the first half of the year; Brilinta remained the branded oral anti-platelet market leader in the US. Brilinta's new-to-brand prescription market share was 12.8% at the end of the third quarter, representing an increase of four basis points.

Year-to-date sales of Brilique in Europe increased by 15% to $192m, reflecting indication leadership across a number of markets. In the first half of the year, the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Healthcare gave its assessment of the additional benefit from Brilique at the 60mg dose. This assessment referred to the new indication (high-risk, post-myocardial infarction), reflecting the PEGASUS trial.

Emerging Markets year-to-date sales grew by 88% to $136m, with China representing 48% of Emerging Markets sales at $65m, despite the medicine not being included on the National Reimbursement Drug List yet. The Company anticipates inclusion in due course. Growth in China was underpinned by strong levels of hospital-listing expansion. Year-to-date sales in the overall Asia-Pacific region increased by 52% to $30m.

Farxiga (YTD sales of $596m; up by 79%)

In the year to date, sales of Farxiga surpassed those of Onglyza and became the leading AstraZeneca medicine for type-2 diabetes.

Sales of Farxiga in the US increased by 78% to $327m in the year to date, primarily reflecting overall market growth and increased market share. Greater emphasis on promotional activity and improved levels of patient access resulted in higher market share. As a consequence, total prescription share grew against the backdrop of a US slowdown in SGLT2 market growth.

Year-to-date sales of Forxiga in Europe increased by 58% to $136m, as the medicine continued to lead the SGLT2 class.

Emerging Markets sales increased by 120% to $92m, driven by ongoing launches and improved access across all regions. In particular, strong performances were seen in the Asia-Pacific region (up by 124% to $36m), Brazil (up by 53% to $19m), and Middle East, Africa & Others (up to $22m).

Onglyza (YTD sales of $571m; down by 2%)

Year-to-date sales in the US declined by 6% to $304m, as the Company prioritised sales and marketing resources towards Farxiga. Continued competitive pressures in the DPP-4 class were partially offset by favourable restocking activity, encouraging federal-business sales and lower utilisation of patient-access programmes.

Year-to-date sales in Europe declined by 5% to $102m. In contrast, sales in Canada (up by 8% to $39m) and Emerging Markets sales (up by 3% to $110m) reflected encouraging volume demand.

Sales in Japan to Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd (Kyowa), who are responsible for the sale and marketing of Onglyza, increased to $11m.

Bydureon/Byetta (YTD sales of $635m; down by 4%)

Combined year-to-date US sales for Bydureon/Byetta were $476m. Bydureon sales in the US declined by 3% to $349m, representing 73% of total Bydureon/Byetta US sales. Around 75% of sales came from the new dual-chamber pen compared to the previous tray presentation. The decline in Byetta sales of 23% to $127m was attributed to the Company's promotional focus on Bydureon. The decline in both Bydureon and Byetta US sales was attributed to lower market growth, increased competition from new market entrants and the lack of a competitive delivery device. A regulatory submission for the new Bydureon autoinjector is anticipated in the US in the first half of 2017.

Year-to-date sales in Europe increased by 12% to $112m, reflecting the Company's ongoing effort to expand its Diabetes presence. Year-to-date sales of Byetta and Bydureon in Emerging Markets increased by 31% to $19m and by 50% to $4m, respectively. On 10 October 2016, AstraZeneca entered into a strategic collaboration with 3SBio Inc. (3SBio), a leading Chinese biotechnology business, for the rights to commercialise Byetta and Bydureon in the Chinese market and drive greater access for patients.

Legacy: Crestor (YTD sales of $2,770m; down by 24%)

In the US, Crestor year-to-date sales declined by 45% to $1,128m, reflecting generic Crestor (rosuvastatin) penetration since May 2016. Third-quarter sales declined by 82% to $124m and reflected the multiple generic Crestor medicines that entered the US market from July 2016.

In Europe, year-to-date sales declined by 3% to $657m, reflecting the increasing prevalence of generic-medicine competition. Crestor consolidated its position as the leading statin in Japan, with year-to-date sales growth of 6% to $392m. Year-to-date sales in China grew by 24% to $238m, while Russia sales grew by 33% to $20m.

RESPIRATORY

YTD sales of $3,543m; down by 2%. Respiratory sales represented 22% of Total Product Sales.

Symbicort (YTD sales of $2,249m; down by 10%)

Year-to-date sales in the US declined by 14% to $958m. This reflected a Q3 rebate true-up in the US and the competitive environment. These influences were partially offset by volume and market-share growth.

In Europe, year-to-date sales declined by 15% to $679m, a result of reducing market demand in the class, as well as increased competition from analogue medicines.

In contrast to western markets, year-to-date Emerging Markets sales grew by 11% to $302m, reflecting sales growth in China of 33% to $120m, Latin America sales growth of 10% to $26m and Russia sales growth of 3% to $25m. Emerging Markets sales in the third quarter, down by 13% to $93m, were adversely impacted by significant healthcare spending cuts in Saudi Arabia.

Pulmicort (YTD sales of $773m; up by 8%)

Strong underlying growth in Emerging Markets drove a 20% sales increase to $501m in the year to date.

Emerging Markets represented 65% of Pulmicort sales, which more than offset sales declines in the US, Europe and Established ROW. China sales increased by 21% to $408m and represented 53% of sales of Pulmicort. Volume demand in China reflected the increasing prevalence of acute chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and paediatric asthma. AstraZeneca continued its expansion of treatment centres and provided increased access to home-based patient-care systems.

Tudorza/Eklira (YTD sales of $134m; down by 5%)

Sales in the US declined by 22% to $61m in the year to date, reflecting adverse market demand and limited Medicare Part D access in the first half of the year. Sales in Europe increased by 14% to $65m.

Daliresp/Daxas (YTD sales of $113m; up by 57%)

Sales in the US increased by 40% to $101m in the year to date, driven primarily by favourable market penetration. US rights were acquired in March 2015 and US sales represented 89% of total global sales in the year to date; European rights were added in May 2016. Since completion, Daxas year-to-date sales in Europe amounted to $10m.

Duaklir (YTD sales of $44m)

Duaklir has been launched successfully in more than 25 countries and sales grew to $44m in the year to date.

OTHER

YTD sales of $3,758m; down by 16%. Other sales represented 23% of Total Product Sales.

Nexium (YTD sales of $1,541m; down by 19%)

Sales in the US declined by 42% to $419m in the year to date, reflecting lower demand and inventory destocking, which followed the loss of exclusivity in 2015.

Year-to-date sales in Europe declined by 7% to $190m, with Emerging Markets sales stable at $543m. Japan sales declined by 5% to $312m, reflecting a mandated biennial price reduction, effective from April 2016.

Seroquel XR (YTD sales of $617m; down by 20%)

Year-to-date sales of Seroquel XR in the US declined by 18% to $444m. Since 1 November 2016, two generic medicines have had the ability to launch in the US.

Year-to-date sales of Seroquel XR in Europe declined by 33% to $106m as a number of European markets continued to face generic competition.

Synagis (YTD sales of $375m; down by 3%)

Sales in the US increased by 9% to $171m in the year to date, despite more-restrictive guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Disease which has reduced the number of patients eligible for preventative therapy with Synagis.

Sales in Europe to AbbVie Inc., who are responsible for the sale and marketing, declined by 11% to $204m.

FluMist/Fluenz (YTD sales of $37m; down by 58%)

The Company confirmed on 23 June 2016 that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had provided its interim recommendation not to use FluMist Quadrivalent Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (FluMist Quadrivalent) in the US for the 2016-2017 influenza season. The ACIP's updated recommendation is expected to result in very limited US demand in this influenza season.

The Company consequently wrote down the value of its inventory of FluMist by $47m in the first half of the year, which was reflected within the Cost of Sales. Year-to-date sales of FluMist in the US declined by 85% to $13m.

Regional Product Sales

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1 Established ROW comprises Japan, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

2 Emerging Markets comprises all remaining Rest of World markets, including Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Russia and Turkey.

US (YTD sales of $5,747m; down by 17%)

The year-to-date decline in US sales reflected generic Crestor (rosuvastatin) competition since May 2016, and in particular, multiple generic Crestor medicines that entered the US market from July 2016. Unfavourable managed-care pricing and continued competitive intensity also impacted sales of Symbicort.

Europe (YTD sales of $3,732m; down by 2%)

Strong growth in sales of Forxiga (up by 58% to $136m) and Brilique (up by 15% to $192m) was more than offset by a 15% decline in Symbicort sales to $679m in the year to date. However, Symbicort maintained its position as the number one ICS/LABA medicine by volume despite competition from analogue medicines. Lynparza and Tagrisso sales increased to $56m and $49m respectively, following encouraging launches.

Established ROW (YTD sales of $2,272m; down by 3%)

Year-to-date sales of Forxiga in Established ROW increased by 82% to $41m. Nexium sales declined by 12% to $389m.

Japan sales declined by 2% to $1,593m, reflecting the biennial price reduction effective from April 2016 of around 6%. The decline was partly offset by sales of Crestor, up by 6% to $392m in the year to date. Since the launch of Tagrisso in Japan in May 2016, sales amounted to $43m. 

Emerging Markets (YTD sales of $4,308m; up by 6%)

Sales growth in the year to date in Emerging Markets was impacted by challenging macro-economic conditions in Latin America, where year-to-date sales declined by 11% to $364m. The effects of significant reductions in Saudi Arabian governmental healthcare spending, as well as the reduction of AstraZeneca's activities in Venezuela, also adversely impacted sales. China sales, however, grew by 10% to $2,027m, representing 47% of Emerging Markets sales in the year to date.

Sales in Brazil increased by 5% to $265m, reflecting the strong performances of Forxiga (up by 53% to $19m), Oncology medicines (up by 3% to $59m) and Seloken (up by 9% to $47m). Russia sales increased by 13% to $155m, led by strong performances in Cardiovascular & Metabolic Diseases medicine sales (up by 35% to $54m).

Financial Performance

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1 Gross Margin reflects Gross Profit derived from Product Sales, divided by Product Sales

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

1 Gross Margin reflects Gross Profit derived from Product Sales, divided by Product Sales

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

Reconciliation of Reported to Core Performance 

1 Other adjustments include provision charges related to certain legal matters (see Note 7) and fair value adjustments arising on acquisition-related liabilities (see Note 6).

Profit and Loss Commentary

Gross Profit

Reported Gross Profit declined by 2% in the year to date to $14,451m reflecting the market entry of multiple Crestor generic medicines in the US. Excluding the impact of externalisation revenue, the Reported Gross Profit Margin was 81.7%, representing an increase of one percentage point driven by lower restructuring and amortisation charges, partially offset by an adverse impact from the mix of sales and a write-down of FluMist inventory in the US. Excluding these lower restructuring and amortisation charges, Core Gross Profit declined by 3% in the year to date to $14,632m and, excluding the impact of externalisation, the Core Gross Profit margin declined by one percentage point to 82.9%.

In the third quarter, Reported Gross Profit declined by 4% to $4,799m and Reported Gross Margin declined by two percentage points to 82.2%. Excluding restructuring and amortisation charges, Core Gross Profit declined by 2% to $4,894m and Core Gross Margin was stable, including the favourable impact of the growth in the sale of specialty-care medicines.

Operating Expenses: R&D

Reported R&D costs increased by 5% in the year to date to $4,347m (Q3 2016: $1,402m, growth of 4%). These increases reflected the number of potential medicines in pivotal trials as well as the absorption of the R&D costs of ZS Pharma and Acerta Pharma. These costs were partially offset by lower restructuring costs and impairment charges. Without the impact of ZS Pharma and Acerta Pharma, Reported R&D costs in the year to date would have increased by 1%.

Excluding the impact of lower restructuring and impairment charges, Core R&D costs increased by 6% in the year to date to $4,150m (Q3 2016: $1,337m, stable). Without the impact of the aforementioned investments in ZS Pharma and Acerta Pharma, Core R&D costs in the year to date would have increased by 1%.

Operating Expenses: SG&A

Reported SG&A costs declined by 2% in the year to date to $8,027m, with efficiency savings in sales and marketing operations and further reductions in IT costs partly offset by higher restructuring costs, amortisation charges and other adjustments, which are excluded from the Core measurement. Reported SG&A costs declined by 8% in the third quarter to $2,403m.

Core SG&A costs declined by 7% in the year to date to $6,119m, in line with full-year expectations of a material reduction. Core SG&A costs declined by 12% in the quarter to $1,892m.

Other Operating Income

Reported Other Operating Income of $535m in the year to date included:

A number of transactions have closed or are expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2016, favourably impacting Other Operating Income. These include:

Operating Profit

Reported Operating Profit declined by 26% in the year to date to $2,369m. The Reported Operating Margin declined by four percentage points to 14% of Total Revenue.

Core Operating Profit declined by 13% to $4,695m in the year to date. The Core Operating Margin declined by three percentage points to 27% of Total Revenue.

Net Finance Expense

Reported Net Finance Expense increased by 37% in the year to date to $978m reflecting an increase in Net Debt that was driven by the acquisition of ZS Pharma and the majority investment in Acerta Pharma. Excluding the discount unwind on acquisition-related liabilities, Core Net Finance Expense increased by 50% in the year to date to $489m.

Taxation

Excluding a one-off benefit of $453m following agreements between the Canadian tax authority and the UK and Swedish tax authorities in respect of transfer pricing arrangements for the 13-year period from 2004-2016, the Reported and Core tax rates for the year to date were 17% and 19% respectively. Including the impact of this benefit, the Reported and Core tax rates for the year to date were (16)% and 8% respectively. The cash tax paid for the year to date was $445m, which was 33% of Reported Profit Before Tax and 11% of Core Profit Before Tax.

The Reported and Core tax rates for the first nine months of 2015 were 24% and 22% respectively when excluding a 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. Including the impact of these benefits, the Reported and Core tax rates were 11% and 16% respectively.

Earnings Per Share (EPS)

Reported EPS of $1.31 in the year to date represented a 26% decline, with Core EPS in the year to date declining by 10% to $3.10. Both Reported and Core EPS in the year to date included a non-recurring benefit of $0.36 in the third quarter, resulting from the aforementioned agreement on transfer pricing.

The declines were driven by the market entry of multiple Crestor generic medicines in the US, as well as the ongoing impact of US Nexium generic medicines. The reductions reflected higher Other Operating Income in 2015. The anticipated phasing of Other Operating Income in 2016 is towards the final quarter of the year.

Productivity

AstraZeneca continues to enhance productivity through the implementation of its restructuring initiatives, including those announced on 29 April 2016. Restructuring charges of $713m were incurred in the year to date. The Company remains on track to realise benefits and incur costs in line with prior announcements.

To continue the focus on cost discipline, the Company disposed of its R&D facility in Bangalore, India in the period and announced plans to bring together five of its San Francisco Bay Area, US sites into one location. More than 350 employees in existing AstraZeneca, Acerta Pharma, MedImmune and Pearl facilities will move to the new location in 2017.

Cash Flow and Balance Sheet

Cash Flow

The Company generated a net cash inflow from operating activities of $2,185m, compared with $2,753m in the comparative period. This primarily reflected the material decline in Profit Before Tax in the year to date.

Net cash outflows from investing activities were $4,572m compared with $1,654m in the comparative period. The increase primarily reflected the net cash outflow of $2,383m in relation to the majority investment in Acerta Pharma. On 10 August 2016, the Company also announced that it had increased its equity interest in Moderna Therapeutics (Moderna) with a $140m investment, as part of Moderna's preferred-stock financing.

Net cash outflows from financing activities were $1,020m, incorporating $2,483m of new long-term loans, net of dividend payments in the year to date of $3,561m. This compared to an outflow of $3,406m in the comparative period.

The cash payment of contingent consideration in respect of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Company share of the global Diabetes alliance amounted to $197m in the year to date. The consideration is based on a tiered structure, whereby a higher royalty rate is applied until a specified level of sales is achieved in the year; thereafter a lower rate is applied to the remaining sales in the year and settled in the quarter following the application of the charge. From 2017 a single annual rate will be applied.

Debt and Capital Structure

At 30 September 2016, outstanding gross debt (interest-bearing loans and borrowings) was $17,683m (30 September 2015: $10,947m). Of the gross debt outstanding at 30 September 2016, $2,939m was due within one year (30 September 2015: $2,671m). The Company's net debt position at 30 September 2016 was $13,399m (30 September 2015: $5,886m).

Shares in Issue

During the year to date, 0.9 million shares were issued in respect of share option exercises for a consideration of $40m. The total number of shares in issue as at 30 September 2016 was 1,265 million.

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.

Sensitivity: Foreign-Exchange Rates

The Company provides the following currency sensitivity information:

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 2016, AstraZeneca had hedged 86% of forecast short-term currency exposure that arises between the booking and settlement dates on Product Sales and non-local currency purchases.

Corporate and Business Development Update

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The highlights of the Company's corporate and business development activities since the prior results announcement are shown below.

a) Sale Of Small-Molecule Antibiotics Business

On 24 August 2016, the Company announced that it had entered into an agreement with Pfizer to sell the commercialisation and development rights to its small-molecule antibiotics business and late-stage pipeline in most markets outside the US. The agreement with Pfizer is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2016, subject to customary closing conditions.

As AstraZeneca will de-recognise an intangible product asset and will not maintain a significant ongoing interest in the late-stage, small-molecule antibiotics business, all payments will be reported as Other Operating Income in the Company's financial statements. This includes the upfront payment of $550m and an unconditional payment of $175m in 2019 (both to be recognised net of the carrying value of assets disposed and other costs to sell in 2016), the milestones of up to $250m, sales-related payments of up to $600m and recurring double-digit royalties on sales of Zavicefta and ATM AVI.

b) Sale Of Rhinocort Aqua

On 7 October 2016, the Company announced that it had entered into an agreement with Cilag, an affiliate of Johnson & Johnson, for the divestment of the rights to Rhinocort Aqua outside the US. Rhinocort Aqua is a nasal spray indicated for allergic and non-allergic rhinitis (inflammation of the inside of the nose), and for the treatment of nasal polyps (swelling of the nasal lining). The active ingredient is the anti-inflammatory medicine budesonide.

The agreement is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to complete in the fourth quarter of 2016. As AstraZeneca will not maintain a significant ongoing interest in Rhinocort Aqua, the $330m payment received from Cilag upon completion of the transaction will be recognised as Other Operating Income in the Company's financial statements.

c) Externalisation Of Beta-Blocker Medicine Toprol-XL

On 31 October 2016, the Company completed an agreement with Aralez Pharmaceuticals Trading DAC, a subsidiary of Aralez Pharmaceuticals Inc., for the rights to branded and authorised generic Toprol-XL (metoprolol succinate) in the US. Toprol-XL is a beta-blocker medicine for the control of hypertension (high blood pressure), angina (chest pain) and heart failure. It was first approved in the US in 1992.

AstraZeneca will retain a significant ongoing interest in Toprol-XL through retained ownership of the brand in Rest of World (ROW) markets and product supply to Aralez. Therefore the upfront payment of $175m, milestones and sales-related payments of up to $48m and mid-teen percentage royalties will be reported as Externalisation Revenue in the Company's financial statements.

d) Licensing Agreement: Monoclonal Antibody MEDI2070

On 3 October 2016, the Company announced that MedImmune, its global biologics research and development arm, had entered into a licensing agreement with Allergan for the global rights to MEDI2070. MEDI2070 is an IL-23 monoclonal antibody currently in a Phase IIb clinical trial for moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease (a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines) and is ready for Phase II for ulcerative colitis (a chronic inflammatory condition of the colon and rectum). MedImmune will continue the ongoing Phase II trials until a mutually-agreed transition date.

The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2016, subject to customary closing conditions, including the expiration or early termination of the waiting period under the Hart Scott Rodino Act. AstraZeneca is expected to retain approximately $167m of the upfront payment and up to approximately $847m in future potential milestones, as well as the tiered royalty payments of up to low double-digit percent, following payment to Amgen under the provisions of the original agreement. As AstraZeneca will not retain a significant ongoing interest in MEDI2070, all income will be reported as Other Operating Income in the Company's financial statements.

e) Benralizumab in Japan

On 28 October 2016, AstraZeneca exercised its exclusive option to commercialise benralizumab for the treatment of severe, uncontrolled asthma and COPD in Japan. This follows the option agreement entered into with Kyowa in July 2015. Previously, Kyowa held the exclusive development and commercialisation rights for benralizumab in Japan, as well as certain other countries in Asia, while AstraZeneca has exclusive rights in all other countries, including the US and Europe. On exercising the option, AstraZeneca is responsible for all sales and marketing activity for benralizumab in asthma and COPD in Japan.

f) Externalisation of Bydureon and Byetta in China

On 10 October 2016, AstraZeneca entered into a strategic collaboration with 3SBio for the rights to commercialise Bydureon and Byetta in the Chinese market. The agreement allows the Company to benefit from 3SBio's established expertise in injectable medicines and also focus resources on AstraZeneca's oral diabetes franchise, including Onglyza, which is already marketed in China, as well as Forxiga and Kombiglyze, which are anticipated to launch in China in 2017.

Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, 3SBio will make an upfront payment of $50m and will pay development milestones of up to a further $50m for the exclusive rights to commercialise Bydureon and Byetta in the Chinese market (excluding Hong Kong) for an initial period of 20 years. AstraZeneca will retain a significant ongoing interest in Bydureon and Byetta through retained ownership of the brands in other markets and will manufacture and supply these medicines to 3SBio for an agreed purchase price. Therefore the upfront payment and development milestones will be reported as Externalisation Revenue in the Company's financial statements.

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.

Since the results announcement on 28 July 2016 (the period):

# As at 10 November 2016

ONCOLOGY

AstraZeneca has a deep-rooted heritage in Oncology and offers a growing portfolio of new medicines that has the potential to transform patients' lives and the Company's future. With at least six new medicines to be launched between 2014 and 2020 and a broad pipeline of small molecules and biologics in development, the Company is committed to advancing New Oncology as one of AstraZeneca's six Growth Platforms focused on lung, ovarian, breast and blood cancers.

In addition to core capabilities, the Company is actively pursuing innovative collaborations and investments that accelerate the delivery of AstraZeneca's strategy, as illustrated by the Company's recent investment in Acerta Pharma in haematology.

At the recent European Society for Medical Oncology meeting, AstraZeneca highlighted its progress in Oncology with 46 scientific presentations, including new 1st-line data that demonstrated the superiority of Faslodex over the current standard of care in postmenopausal women with HR-positive, locally-advanced or metastatic breast cancer. The Company also presented updated safety and efficacy data from two cohorts from Study 1108; durvalumab monotherapy in NSCLC and HNSCC, in addition to a comparative analysis of PD-L1 diagnostic assays in c.500 HNSCC-tumour samples.

a) Lynparza (ovarian and other cancers)

Lynparza continues to be the cornerstone of the AstraZeneca DNA Damage Response (DDR) line of medicines. An extensive lifecycle programme is underway, including in earlier lines of treatment in metastatic ovarian, breast and prostate cancers. For the potential treatment in metastatic BRCA-mutated breast cancer, the OLYMPIAD trial has seen fewer events than originally expected and, as a consequence, the data readout is now anticipated to be in the first half of 2017.

During the period, the Company reported positive results from the Phase III SOLO-2 trial designed to determine the efficacy of Lynparza tablets (300mg, twice daily) as a monotherapy for the maintenance treatment of platinum-sensitive relapsed, BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer. Results from the trial demonstrated a clinically-meaningful and statistically-significant improvement of progression-free survival (PFS) among patients treated with Lynparza, compared to placebo and provided additional evidence to support the use of Lynparza in this patient population.

b) Tagrisso (lung cancer)

During the period, Tagrisso was accepted for submission and granted Priority Review status by the China Food and Drug Administration agency as a potential treatment for patients with locally-advanced, or metastatic EGFR T790M mutation-positive NSCLC, who have been previously treated with EGFR TKI therapy. The designation has the potential to expedite more rapid access to Tagrisso for patients in China. The Chinese application was supported by three key trials - a China-led Asian regional trial (AURA17), a pharmaco-kinetic trial in the local population (AURA18) and the global AURA3 trial, which included Chinese patients.

c) Cediranib (ovarian cancer)

On 21 September 2016, AstraZeneca announced the decision to voluntarily withdraw the marketing authorisation application (MAA) submitted to the EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use for cediranib in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy, followed by maintenance monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer (including fallopian tube or primary peritoneal). The decision to withdraw the MAA was based on questions raised by the EMA at the late stage of the review process. The MAA for cediranib was supported by data from ICON6, a Phase III trial led by investigators from University College, London and the Medical Research Council. The Company has not made additional regulatory submissions for cediranib in this indication in any other markets.

Cediranib remains an important part of AstraZeneca's ovarian cancer pipeline, and a number of Phase III trials are ongoing to test cediranib as a potential combination partner with Lynparza and other pipeline medicines; these trials are not affected by the aforementioned withdrawal.

d) Selumetinib (multiple cancers)

On 9 August 2016, the Company announced the high-level results from the Phase III SELECT-1 trial for selumetinib in patients with 2nd-line KRAS mutant (KRASm) NSCLC. The results showed that the trial did not meet its primary endpoint of PFS, and selumetinib did not have a significant effect on overall survival (OS). The adverse event profiles for selumetinib and docetaxel were consistent with those seen previously. This outcome did not impact the on-going selumetinib programme in differentiated thyroid cancer, in paediatric neurofibromatosis Type 1 (in collaboration with the US National Cancer Institute), and in combination with other potential medicines in a range of tumour types.

e) Savolitinib (multiple cancers)

Based on data from multiple Phase I/II trials, savolitinib has shown early clinical benefit as a highly selective c-Met inhibitor in a number of cancers. As a result, Chi-Med (part of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited) and AstraZeneca have expanded the joint development plan for savolitinib to cover multiple c-Met-driven, solid tumour indications including NSCLC, kidney, gastric and colorectal cancers.

f) Durvalumab (multiple cancers)

The Company continues to advance multiple monotherapy trials of durvalumab and combination trials of durvalumab with tremelimumab and other potential medicines in Immuno-Oncology (IO). An update on key AstraZeneca-sponsored ongoing trials with durvalumab is provided over the page:

With recent changes in the HNSCC competitive landscape, including the approval in the US for PD-1 monotherapy for recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy, the Company is unlikely to make a regulatory submission for this single-arm Phase II trial. This trial in PD-L1+ patients was originally designed as a potential fast-to-market opportunity in 2nd-line HNSCC. The HAWK trial results are anticipated to be available internally in due course, following trial conclusion and data analysis.

On 27 October 2016, AstraZeneca confirmed that the FDA had placed a partial clinical hold on the enrolment of new patients with HNSCC in clinical trials of durvalumab as monotherapy and in combination with tremelimumab or other potential medicines. All trials are continuing with existing patients. The partial clinical hold on new patient enrolment relates only to HNSCC. Trials for durvalumab in different cancer types, as monotherapy, or in combination with tremelimumab or other potential medicines, are progressing as planned with pivotal data in lung cancer anticipated in the first half of 2017.

METASTATIC UROTHELIAL BLADDER CANCER

g) Acalabrutinib (blood cancers)

Based on maturity of clinical data in an intended fast-to-market indication of unmet need in B-cell blood cancers, the Company rolled the potential data readout and regulatory submission for one blood cancer to the first half of 2017.

Acalabrutinib is a cornerstone of the AstraZeneca strategy in haematology and the Company continues to see important progress in the clinical-development programme for the potential medicine. With more than 2,000 patients now having been treated with acalabrutinib in clinical trials, the safety profile supports the potential for acalabrutinib to become a best-in-class BTK inhibitor for patients intolerant to a currently-approved BTK inhibitor with B-cell cancers.

CARDIOVASCULAR & METABOLIC DISEASES

This therapy area includes a broad type-2 diabetes portfolio, differentiated devices and unique small and large-molecule programmes to reduce morbidity, mortality and organ damage across CV disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) indications.

a) Brilinta (CV disease)

During the period, the EUCLID Phase III trial in Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) readout, with the data demonstrating that the primary endpoint of superiority over clopidogrel was not met. Safety findings from the trial were in line with the known safety profile of Brilinta. Based on the current expectations, it is unlikely that the Company will seek regulatory submission of an indication in PAD.

During the period, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare approved Brilinta 90mg for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) for whom the use of other antiplatelet medicines in combination with aspirin is difficult. Brilinta 60mg was also approved for patients who have suffered a heart attack at least one year prior and are at high risk of developing a further atherothrombotic event.

b) Farxiga + Bydureon (type-2 diabetes)

With the increasing evidence suggesting the beneficial effect of SGLT2 inhibitors, such as Farxiga, on renal and CV outcomes in patients with type-2 diabetes, the decision was made to design two large Phase IIIb outcome trials to further investigate the potential role of Farxiga in the management of CKD and chronic heart failure (CHF), in patients with or without type-2 diabetes. This marked the first time that a major outcome trial will be conducted to evaluate an SGLT2 inhibitor in CKD, for which there are currently few treatment options and a significant unmet medical need.

During the period, the DURATION-8 combination trial of Farxiga and Bydureon showed reduced blood sugar, weight and systolic blood pressure. The Phase III trial demonstrated that the combination of these medicines provides benefits to patients above and beyond what is seen with the individual medicines. The Company is currently assessing the potential for a regulatory submission based on these data.

c) Type-2 diabetes medicines in CV outcomes trials

As the field of type-2 diabetes medicines consistently evolves, with multiple outcomes trials producing data, AstraZeneca continues to assess both Farxiga and Bydureon for potential long-term CV benefits. Two significant type-2 diabetes outcomes trials are underway and are ongoing: