Company Announcements

1st Quarter Results

Source: RNS
RNS Number : 6102X
AstraZeneca PLC
27 April 2023
 

AstraZeneca

27 April 2023

 

Q1 2023 results

 

Strong start to the year with stable Total Revenue and 15% growth excluding COVID-19 medicines[1]

 

Revenue and EPS summary

 




Q1 2023





% Change

 

 

$m

Actual

CER[2]

- Product Sales


10,566 

(4)

- Alliance Revenue[3]


286 

88 

90 

- Collaboration Revenue3


27 

(89)

(89)

Total Revenue


10,879 

(4)

Total Revenue ex COVID-19

 

10,725 

  10 

 15 

Reported[4] EPS[5]


$1.16 

>4x 

>4x 

Core[6] EPS


$1.92 

 

Financial performance (Q1 2023 figures unless otherwise stated, growth numbers at CER)

 

‒    Total Revenue stable at $10,879m, despite a decline of $1,460m from COVID-19 medicines

 

‒    Excluding COVID-19 medicines, Total Revenue increased 15% and Product Sales increased 16%

 

‒    Total Revenue from Oncology medicines increased 19%, CVRM[7] 22%, R&I[8] 8%, and Rare Disease 14%

 

‒    Core Gross margin of 83%, up four percentage points, reflecting the decline in sales of lower margin COVID‑19 medicines, the cost of production in prior periods, and a mix shift to more speciality medicines

 

‒    Core Operating margin of 36%, up one percentage point, reflecting a $220m increase in Core Other operating income, which included a gain from the divestment of Pulmicort Flexhaler rights in the US

 

‒    Core EPS increased 6% to $1.92

 

‒    Reiterating guidance for FY 2023 Total Revenue and Core EPS

 

Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer, AstraZeneca, said:

 

"AstraZeneca had a strong start to 2023, with Total Revenue excluding COVID-19 medicines increasing 15%. Our performance in Emerging Markets was particularly strong and I am impressed by the growth and pace of innovation I see in China, which underscores the competitive advantage of our leading presence in this country.  

 

Our pipeline momentum continued with positive Phase III results for a Lynparza-plus-Imfinzi combination in ovarian cancer, Imfinzi in lung cancer, and promising new data for Enhertu across a range of cancer types. Additionally, in the year to date we have started six new Phase III trials and are on track to initiate 30 over the course of 2023. 

 

Finally, I would like to thank Leif Johansson for his outstanding leadership during his time as Chair of the Board, and his contribution to our return to growth strategy. Leif has been a tremendous partner to me, and I look forward to building the same strong partnership with our new Chair, Michel Demaré."

 

Key milestones achieved since the prior results

 

‒    Key read outs: positive results for Lynparza and Imfinzi in ovarian cancer (DUO-O), Imfinzi in NSCLC[9] (AEGEAN) and Enhertu in multiple tumour types (DESTINY-PanTumor02). Tagrisso showed a statistically significant improvement in overall survival in NSCLC (ADAURA)

 

‒    Key regulatory approvals: EU approvals for Imfinzi and Imjudo in HCC[10] (HIMALAYA) and NSCLC (POSEIDON), Calquence maleate tablet formulation, and positive CHMP recommendation for Ultomiris in NMOSD[11]. China approvals for Enhertu in HER2‑positive[12] breast cancer (DESTINY-Breast03) and Calquence in mantle cell lymphoma

 

As announced on 11 April 2023, AstraZeneca's results for Q2 2023 will include a gain of $718m in Core Other operating income resulting from an update to the contractual relationships for nirsevimab[13]

 

Guidance

 

The Company reiterates guidance for FY 2023 at CER, based on the average exchange rates through 2022.

Total Revenue is expected to increase by a low-to-mid single-digit percentage

Excluding COVID-19 medicines, Total Revenue is expected to increase by a low double-digit percentage

 

‒    Core EPS is expected to increase by a high single-digit to low double-digit percentage

 

‒    While challenging to forecast, Total Revenue from COVID-19 medicines (Vaxzevria[14] and COVID‑19 mAbs[15]) is expected to decline significantly in FY 2023, with minimal revenue from Vaxzevria

 

‒    Total Revenue from China is expected to return to growth and increase by a low single-digit percentage in FY 2023

 

‒    Alliance Revenue and Collaboration Revenue are both expected to increase[16], driven by continued growth of our partnered medicines and success-based milestones

 

‒    Other operating income is expected to increase

 

‒    Core Operating expenses are expected to increase by a low-to-mid single-digit percentage, driven by investment in recent launches and the ungating of new trials following pipeline success

 

‒    The Core Tax Rate is expected to be between 18-22%

 

The Company is unable to provide guidance on a Reported basis because it cannot reliably forecast material elements of the Reported results, including any fair value adjustments arising on acquisition-related liabilities, intangible asset impairment charges and legal settlement provisions. Please refer to the cautionary statements section regarding forward-looking statements at the end of this announcement.

 

Currency impact

 

If foreign exchange rates for April to December 2023 were to remain at the average rates seen in the month of March 2023, it is anticipated that FY 2023 Total Revenue and FY 2023 Core EPS would both incur a low single‑digit adverse impact versus the performance at CER.

 

The Company's foreign exchange rate sensitivity analysis is provided in Table 18.

 

Table 1: Key elements of Total Revenue performance in Q1 2023

 

 

% Change 

 

 

Revenue type 


$m 

Actual 

CER 

 

 

Product Sales 


10,566 

(4)


* Decline of 4% (1% increase at CER) impacted by lower sales of COVID-19 medicines

* Strong growth in Oncology, CVRM, R&I and Rare Disease

Alliance Revenue


286 

88 

90 


* $220m for Enhertu (Q1 2022: $76m)

* $43m for Tezspire (Q1 2022: $3m)

* See Table 6 for further details

Collaboration Revenue 


27 

(89)

(89)


* No sales or regulatory milestones from Lynparza in the quarter (Q1 2022: $175m)

* See Table 7 for further details

Total Revenue 


10,879 

(4)

-- 


* Excluding COVID-19 medicines, Q1 2023 Total Revenue increased by 10% (15% at CER)

Therapy areas 


$m 

Actual %

CER %

 

 

Oncology 


4,148 

14 

19 


* Strong performance across key medicines and regions

* No sales or regulatory milestones from Lynparza in the quarter (Q1 2022: $175m)

CVRM6 


2,557 

15 

22 

 

* Farxiga up 32% (39% CER), Lokelma up 56% (64% at CER), roxadustat up 52% (66% CER), Brilinta up 3% (5% at CER)

R&I 


1,633 


* Fasenra up 10% (13% CER), Breztri up 67% (73% CER). Saphnelo and Tezspire continue to grow rapidly during their launch phase

* Collaboration Revenue of $nil (Q1 2022: $70m, relating to tralokinumab milestone)

V&I[17]


355 

(80)

(79)


* $127m from COVID-19 mAbs (Q1 2022: $469m)

* $28m from Vaxzevria (Q1 2022: $1,145m)

Rare Disease6 


1,866 

10 

14 


* Ultomiris up 55% (61% at CER), offset by decline in Soliris of 16% (13% at CER)

* Strensiq up 26% (28% at CER) reflecting strong patient demand and geographic expansion

Other Medicines 


320 

(26)

(21)



Total Revenue 


10,879 

(4)



Regions inc. COVID-19


$m 

Actual %

CER %

 

 

US 


4,299 



Emerging Markets 


3,162 

(6)


* Growth rate impacted by lower sales of COVID-19 medicines (numbers ex. COVID-19 below)

- China 

 

1,602 

(1)

 


- Ex-China Emerging Markets 

 

1,560 

(10)

(6)

 


Europe 


2,162 

(5)



Established RoW 


1,256 

(22)

(12)



Total Revenue inc. COVID-19  


10,879 

(4)



Regions ex. COVID-19 

 

$m 

Actual %

CER %

 


 

US 


4,299 

15 

15 



Emerging Markets 


3,136 

14 

22 



- China 

 

1,602 

11 


* Third consecutive quarter of growth at CER

* Recovery in inhaled products following lifting of COVID-19 restrictions

- Ex-China Emerging Markets 

 

1,534 

31 

38 


* Timing of Rare Disease tender orders

Europe 


2,148 



Established RoW 


1,142 

(5)



Total Revenue ex. COVID-19


10,725 

10 

15 



 

Table 2: Key elements of financial performance in Q1 2023

 

Metric

Reported

Reported change

Core

Core
change


Comments[18]

Total Revenue

$10,879m

-4% Actual      stable at CER

$10,879m

-4% Actual      stable at CER


* Excluding COVID-19 medicines, Q1 2023 Total Revenue increased by 10% (15% at CER)

* See Table 1 and the Total Revenue section of this document for further details

Gross Margin[19]

82%

14pp Actual      14pp CER

83%

4pp Actual      4pp CER


+  Increasing mix of sales from Oncology and Rare Disease medicines

+  Decreasing mix of Vaxzevria sales

‒   Increasing mix of products with profit-sharing arrangements

* Variations in Gross Margin can be expected between periods due to product seasonality, foreign exchange fluctuations, cost inflation and other effects

R&D expense

$2,611m

22% Actual      28% CER

$2,300m

5% Actual      10% CER


+  Increased investment in the pipeline

+  Reported R&D expense was also impacted by intangible asset impairments in Q1 2023, and by reversals of impairments in Q1 2022

* Core R&D-to-Total Revenue ratio of 21%
(Q1 2022: 19%)

* Year-on-year comparisons can be impacted by differences in cost phasing

SG&A expense

$4,059m

-16% Actual      -13% CER

$3,054m

4% Actual      8% CER


+  Market development activities for recent launches

+  Core SG&A-to-Total Revenue ratio of 28%
(Q1 2022: 26%).

‒   Reported SG&A in Q1 2022 included a $775m charge for a legal settlement with Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd

* Year-on-year comparisons can be impacted by differences in cost phasing

Other operating income[20]

$379m

>3x Actual      >3x CER

$318m

>3x Actual      >3x CER


* Reported and Core OOI includes a gain of $241m from the disposal of US rights to Pulmicort Flexhaler

Operating Margin

23%

16pp Actual      16pp CER

36%

2pp Actual      1pp CER


* See Gross Margin, Expenses and OOI
commentary above

Net finance expense

$287m

-10% Actual      -8% CER

$240m

-4% Actual      -3% CER


* Higher interest received on cash balances, partially offset by higher rates on floating debt and bond issuances

* Reported also impacted by a reduction in the discount unwind on acquisition-related liabilities

Tax rate

20%

-10pp Actual      -10pp CER

20%

-1pp Actual      -1pp CER


* Variations in the tax rate can be expected between periods

EPS

$1.16

>4x Actual      >4x CER

$1.92

1% Actual      6% CER


* Further details of differences between Reported and Core are shown in Table 13

 

Table 3: Pipeline highlights since prior results announcement

 

Event

Medicine

Indication / Trial

Event

Regulatory approvals and other regulatory actions

Imfinzi +/- Imjudo

NSCLC (1st-line) (POSEIDON)

Regulatory approval (EU)

Imfinzi + Imjudo

Hepatocellular carcinoma (1st-line) (HIMALAYA)

Regulatory approval (EU)

Enhertu

HER2-positive breast cancer (2nd-line) (DESTINY-Breast03)

Regulatory approval (CN)

Calquence

Maleate tablet formulation

Regulatory approval (EU)

Calquence

Mantle cell lymphoma

Regulatory approval (CN)

Ultomiris

NMOSD

Positive CHMP opinion (EU)

Regulatory submissions
or acceptances

 

Imfinzi

Biliary tract cancer (TOPAZ-1)

Regulatory submission (CN)

Enhertu

HER2+ breast cancer (3rd-line) (DESTINY-Breast02)

Regulatory submission (EU)

Beyfortus

RSV[21] (MELODY/MEDLEY)

Regulatory submission (JP)

eplontersen

ATTRv-PN[22] (NEURO-TTRansform)

Regulatory submission (US)


danicopan

PNH with EVH

Regulatory submission (EU)

Major Phase III data readouts and other developments

Lynparza + Imfinzi

Ovarian cancer (1st-line) (DUO-O)

Primary endpoint met

Imfinzi

NSCLC (neoadjuvant) (AEGEAN)

Dual primary endpoints met

 

Other pipeline updates

 

The Phase II/III trial for cotadutide daily formulation in NASH has been discontinued due to portfolio prioritisation. Development continues for AZD9550, a weekly injectable GLP-1/glucagon.

 

In April, the ALXN1840 programme in Wilson Disease was terminated. The decision was based on feedback from regulatory authorities on review of data from the Wilson Disease programme, including the Phase III FoCus and two Phase II mechanistic trials.

 

Table 4: New Phase III trials started since 1 January 2023

 

Medicine

Trial name

Indication

datopotamab deruxtecan

AVANZAR

NSCLC (1st-line)

TROPION-Lung07

Non-squamous NSCLC (1st-line)

camizestrant

CAMBRIA-1

HR-positive[23]/HER2-negative adjuvant breast cancer

Tezspire

CROSSING

Eosinophilic oesophagitis

AZD3152

SUPERNOVA

COVID-19 prophylaxis

Ultomiris

ARTEMIS

Cardiac surgery associated acute kidney injury

 

Corporate and business development

 

In the quarter, AstraZeneca completed the previously-announced acquisitions of CinCor Pharma Inc. (CinCor) and Neogene Therapeutics Inc., and the disposal of US commercial rights to Pulmicort Flexhaler to Cheplapharm.

 

AstraZeneca expanded its collaboration with SOPHiA GENETICS to apply their multimodal technology and expertise to AstraZeneca's oncology portfolio. The multimodal approach will combine radiomics analysis of medical imaging data, molecular data, digital pathology, clinical and biologic data for a more comprehensive assessment of multimodal signatures.

                                               

In March 2023, AstraZeneca signed an investment agreement with Qingdao High-tech Industrial Development Zone to build a production and supply site in China for Breztri pressurised metered-dose inhalers. The Qingdao plant will address the country's growing COPD burden. China is home to about 100 million patients with COPD, which is the third leading cause of death in the country.

 

In April 2023, the contractual relationship between AstraZeneca and Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (Sobi) relating to future sales of nirsevimab in the US was replaced by a royalty relationship between Sanofi and Sobi. As a result, a liability representing AstraZeneca's future obligations to Sobi will be eliminated from AstraZeneca's Statement of Financial Position, and AstraZeneca will record a gain of $718m in Core Other operating income in Q2 2023.

 

Sustainability summary

 

AstraZeneca published its ninth Sustainability Report and Data Summary, along with the 2022 TCFD[24] Report and related case studies. AstraZeneca also hosted an annual Sustainability call for shareholders, reiterating its continued commitment to deliver across our pillars; Access to Healthcare, Environmental Protection and Ethics and Transparency. A recording of the call and accompanying materials are available on the AstraZeneca IR website.

 

Management changes

 

As previously communicated, Leif Johansson, will retire as Chair at the conclusion of the Company's Annual General Meeting today, 27 April 2023. Michel Demaré's appointment as Chair will take effect immediately on Leif's retirement, and Michel will step down as a member of the Audit Committee.

 

Conference call

 

A conference call and webcast for investors and analysts will begin today, 27 April 2023, at 11:45 UK time. Details can be accessed via astrazeneca.com.

 

Reporting calendar

 

The Company intends to publish its half-year and second-quarter results on Friday, 28 July 2023.

 

Operating and financial review

 

All narrative on growth and results in this section is based on actual exchange rates, and financial figures are in US$ millions ($m), unless stated otherwise. The performance shown in this announcement covers the three month period to 31 March 2023 ('the quarter' or 'Q1 2023') compared to the three month period to 31 March 2022 ('Q1 2022'), unless stated otherwise.

 

Core financial measures, EBITDA, Net debt, Gross Margin, Operating Margin and CER are non-GAAP financial measures because they cannot be derived directly from the Group's Interim Financial Statements. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when provided in combination with Reported results, provide investors and analysts with helpful supplementary information to understand better the financial performance and position of the Group on a comparable basis from period to period. These non-GAAP financial measures are not a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

Core financial measures are adjusted to exclude certain significant items, such as:

 

‒    Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets, including impairment reversals but excluding any charges relating to IT assets

 

‒    Charges and provisions related to restructuring programmes, which includes charges that relate to the impact of restructuring programmes on capitalised IT assets

 

‒    Alexion acquisition-related items, primarily fair value adjustments on acquired inventories and fair value impact of replacement employee share awards

 

‒    Other specified items, principally the imputed finance charges and fair value movements relating to contingent consideration on business combinations or asset acquisitions, legal settlements and remeasurement adjustments relating to Other payables

 

‒    The tax effects of the adjustments above are excluded from the Core Tax charge

 

Details on the nature of Core financial measures are provided on page 62 of the Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2022.

 

Reference should be made to the Reconciliation of Reported to Core financial measures table included in the financial performance section in this announcement.

 

Gross Margin is the percentage by which Product Sales exceeds the Cost of Sales, calculated by dividing the difference between the two by the sales figure. The calculation of Reported and Core Gross Margin excludes the impact of Alliance Revenue and Collaboration Revenue and any associated costs, thereby reflecting the underlying performance of Product Sales.

 

EBITDA is defined as Reported Profit before tax after adding back Net finance expense, results from Joint ventures and associates and charges for Depreciation, amortisation and impairment. Reference should be made to the Reconciliation of Reported Profit before tax to EBITDA included in the financial performance section in this announcement.

 

Net debt is defined as Interest-bearing loans and borrowings and Lease liabilities, net of Cash and cash equivalents, Other investments, and Net derivative financial instruments. Reference should be made to Note 3 'Net debt' included in the Notes to the Interim Financial Statements in this announcement.

 

The Company strongly encourages investors and analysts not to rely on any single financial measure, but to review AstraZeneca's financial statements, including the Notes thereto, and other available Company reports, carefully and in their entirety.

 

Due to rounding, the sum of a number of dollar values and percentages in this announcement may not agree to totals.

 

Total Revenue

 

Table 5: Therapy area and medicine performance

 

 

 

Q1 2023 

 

 

 

 

 

% Change 

 

Product Sales 

 

$m 

% Total 

Actual 

CER 

Oncology 

 

3,920 

36 

16 

21 

- Tagrisso 


1,424 

13 

15 

- Imfinzi [25]


900 

50 

56 

- Lynparza 


651 

10 

- Calquence


532 

28 

31 

- Enhertu


37 

>3x 

>3x 

- Orpathys 


(33)

(27)

- Zoladex 


227 

(6)

- Faslodex 


75 

(19)

(11)

- Others 


66 

(32)

(27)

BioPharmaceuticals: CVRM

 

2,530 

23 

15 

21 

- Farxiga 


1,299 

12 

30 

37 

- Brilinta 


334 

- Lokelma 


98 

56 

64 

- roxadustat 


61 

49 

63 

- Andexxa


44 

34 

42 

- Crestor 


305 

14 

23 

- Seloken/Toprol-XL 


179 

(27)

(20)

- Onglyza


63 

(8)

(3)

- Bydureon


45 

(33)

(32)

- Others 


102 

BioPharmaceuticals: R&I 

 

1,583 

15 

10 

- Symbicort 


688 

- Fasenra


338 

10 

13 

- Breztri  


144 

67 

73 

- Saphnelo 


47 

>4x 

>4x 

- Tezspire 


11 

n/m 

n/m 

- Pulmicort 


221 

- Bevespi


15 

(1)

- Daliresp/Daxas 


13 

(75)

(75)

- Others 


106 

(27)

(22)

BioPharmaceuticals: V&I 

 

355 

(80)

(78)

-  COVID-19 mAbs

 

127 

(73)

(70)

   - Vaxzevria 

 

28 

(97)

(97)

- Synagis


198 

(1)

- FluMist


n/m 

n/m 

Rare Disease

 

1,866 

17 

10 

14 

- Soliris


834 

(16)

(13)

- Ultomiris 


651 

55 

61 

- Strensiq 


262 

26 

28 

- Koselugo 


79 

>2x 

>2x 

- Kanuma 


40 

Other Medicines 

 

312 

(26)

(21)

- Nexium 

 

244 

(27)

(20)

- Others 


68 

(26)

(23)

Product Sales 

 

10,566 

97 

(4)

Alliance Revenue

 

286 

88 

90 

Collaboration Revenue 

 

27 

(89)

(89)

Total Revenue

 

10,879 

100 

(4)

-

 

Table 6: Alliance Revenue

 



Q1 2023





% Change

 


$m 

% Total 

Actual 

CER 

 

Enhertu


220 

77 

>2x 

>2x 

 

Tezspire


43 

15 

n/m 

n/m 

 

Vaxzevria: royalties 


n/m 

n/m 

 

Other royalty income 


20 

23 

24 

 

Other Alliance Revenue 


>3x 

>3x 

 

Total 


286 

100 

88 

90 

 

 

Table 7: Collaboration Revenue

 



Q1 2023





% Change

 


$m 

% Total 

Actual 

CER 

 

Farxiga: sales milestones 


24 

89 

n/m 

n/m 

 

Other Collaboration Revenue 


11 

(76)

(76)

 

Total 

 

27 

100 

(89)

(89)

 

 

Table 8: Total Revenue by therapy area

 



Q1 2023 

 




% Change 


 



$m 

% Total 

 Actual 

CER 

Oncology 


4,148 

38 

14 

19 

BioPharmaceuticals


4,545 

42 

(19)

(15)

- CVRM

 

2,557 

24 

15 

22 

- R&I 

 

1,633 

15 

- V&I 

 

355 

(80)

(79)

Rare Disease


1,866 

17 

10 

14 

Other Medicines 


320 

(26)

(21)

Total

 

10,879 

100 

(4)

 

Table 9: Total Revenue by region

 



Q1 2023 

 





% Change 

 



$m 

% Total 

 Actual 

CER 

US


4,299 

40 

Emerging Markets 


3,162 

29 

(6)

- China 

 

1,602 

15 

(1)

- Ex-China 

 

1,560 

14 

(10)

(6)

Europe 


2,162 

20 

(5)

-

Established RoW 


1,256 

12 

(22)

(12)

Total 

 

10,879 

100 

(4)

 

Table 10: Total Revenue by region - excluding COVID-19 medicines

 



Q1 2023 

 





% Change 

 



$m 

% Total 

 Actual 

CER 

US


4,299 

40 

15 

15 

Emerging Markets 


3,136 

29 

14 

22 

- China 

 

1,602 

15 

11 

- Ex-China 

 

1,534 

14 

31 

38 

Europe 


2,148 

20 

Established RoW 


1,142 

11 

(5)

Total 

 

10,725 

100 

10 

15 

 

 

Oncology

 

Oncology Total Revenue increased by 14% (19% at CER) in Q1 2023 to $4,148m and represented 38% of overall Total Revenue (Q1 2022: 32%). There was no Lynparza Collaboration Revenue in the quarter (Q1 2022: $175m) and Enhertu Alliance Revenue was $220m (Q1 2022: $76m). Product Sales increased by 16% (21% at CER) in Q1 2023 to $3,920m, reflecting new launches and increased patient access across key brands; partially offset by declines in legacy medicines.

 

Tagrisso

 

Total Revenue


Worldwide


US

Emerging Markets

Europe

Established RoW

Q1 2023  $m


1,424


521

444

257

202

Actual change


9%


19%

9%

2%

(2%)

CER change


15%


19%

17%

8%

11%

 

Region


 Drivers and commentary

Worldwide


* Increased use of Tagrisso in adjuvant and 1st-line setting and expansion of reimbursed access

US


* Increasing demand in 1st-line and adjuvant setting, partially offset by unfavourable inventory movements

Emerging Markets


* Rising demand from increased patient access in China continues to offset NRDL[26] renewal price reductions

* Recovery from Q4 2022 ordering dynamics in China

Europe


* Established standard of care in 1st-line and adjuvant setting across EU5[27], partially offset by pricing clawbacks in certain markets

Established RoW


* Increased use in 1st-line setting and launch acceleration in adjuvant, including Japan

 

Imfinzi

 

Total Revenue


Worldwide


US

Emerging Markets

Europe

Established RoW

Q1 2023  $m


900


522

81

163

134

Actual change


50%


66%

39%

31%

33%

CER change


56%


66%

47%

38%

52%









Region


 Drivers and commentary

Worldwide


* The Imfinzi revenue line includes sales of Imjudo, which launched in Q4 2022 following approvals in the US for patients with unresectable liver cancer (HIMALAYA) and Stage IV NSCLC (POSEIDON)

* Increased use of Imfinzi in BTC[28] (TOPAZ-1), liver cancer (HIMALAYA) and lung cancers (POSEIDON, CASPIAN)

US


* Continued growth in new patient starts across Stage III NSCLC and ES-SCLC[29]

* Strong launch in BTC following September 2022 FDA approval, and growing penetration of Imfinzi + Imjudo in liver and lung cancers

Emerging Markets


* Growth in ex-China driven increased market penetration in ES-SCLC and NSCLC (PACIFIC), and recovery of diagnosis and treatment rates following the COVID‑19 pandemic

Europe


* Increased market penetration in ES-SCLC, launch trajectory in BTC, growth in the number of reimbursed markets

Established RoW


* New reimbursements, strong demand growth in BTC

 

Lynparza

 

Total Revenue


Worldwide


US

Emerging Markets

Europe

Established RoW

Q1 2023  $m


651


268

137

178

68

Actual change


(18%)


(1%)

13%

(47%)

2%

CER change


(14%)


(1%)

19%

(44%)

16%

 

Product Sales


Worldwide


US

Emerging Markets

Europe

Established RoW

Q1 2023  $m


651


268

137

178

68

Actual change


5%


(1%)

13%

11%

2%

CER change


10%


(1%)

19%

18%

16%

 

Region


 Drivers and commentary

Worldwide


* Lynparza remains the leading medicine in the PARP[30] inhibitor class globally across four tumour types, as measured by total prescription volume

* No regulatory milestones received in Q1 2023

US


* Positive demand growth driven by OlympiA (FDA approval March 2022) offset by flattening HRD testing rates in ovarian cancer and destocking following an inventory build in Q4 2022 in anticipation of PROpel launch

Emerging Markets


* Re-enlistment into China's NRDL for ovarian cancer indications (PSR[31] and BRCAm[32] 1st-line maintenance) and new enlistment in prostate cancer (PROfound)

Europe


* Growth driven by increased uptake in 1st-line HRD-positive ovarian cancer, gBRCAm[33] HER2‑negative early breast cancer and BRCAm mCRPC, partially offset by new indication pricing impact and clawbacks in some markets

Established RoW


* Growth continues across tumour types

 

Enhertu

 

Total Revenue


Worldwide


US

Emerging Markets

Europe

Established RoW

Q1 2023  $m


257


161

38

55

3

Actual change


>2x


>2x

>4x

>2x

>5x

CER change


>3x


>2x

>4x

>2x

>6x

 

Region


 Drivers and commentary

Worldwide


* Combined sales of Enhertu, recorded by Daiichi Sankyo Company Limited (Daiichi Sankyo) and AstraZeneca, amounted to $508m in the quarter (Q1 2022: $166m)

* AstraZeneca's Total Revenue of $257m includes $220m of Alliance Revenue from its share of gross profit and royalties in territories where Daiichi Sankyo records product sales

US


* US in-market sales, recorded by Daiichi Sankyo, amounted to $336m in the quarter (Q1 2022: $119m)

* Rapid adoption as new standard of care across all launched indications including HER2-low mBC[34] with strong demand continuing from breast cancer launches

Emerging Markets


* Strong uptake driven by new approvals and launches

Europe


* Continued growth in 2nd-line and 3rd-line+ HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer

* Increased uptake following launches of 2nd-line+ HER2-positive gastric cancer and 2nd-line+ HER2-low metastatic breast cancer after EU approvals in December 2022 and January 2023 respectively (DESTINY-Gastric01, DESTINY-Gastric02, DESTINY-Breast04)

Established RoW


* In Japan, AstraZeneca receives a mid-single-digit percentage royalty on sales made by Daiichi Sankyo

 

Calquence

 

Total Revenue


Worldwide


US

Emerging Markets

Europe

Established RoW

Q1 2023 $m


532


384

18

108

22

Actual change


28%


13%

>2x

95%

76%

CER change


31%


13%

>2x

>2x

91%

 

*

Region


 Drivers and commentary

Worldwide


* Increased penetration globally; leading BTKi[35] in key markets

US

 


* 1st-line patient share broadly stable, some competitive impact in relapsed refractory setting

* Q1 2023 performance impacted by destocking following inventory build-up that followed approval of the maleate tablet formulation


 

Orpathys

 

Total Revenue of $9m (Q1 2022: $11m) was driven by the 2021 launch in China, where Orpathys is approved for patients with lung cancer and MET[36] gene alterations. Orpathys is now included in the updated NRDL in China for the treatment of patients with NSCLC with MET exon 14 skipping alterations.

 

Other Oncology medicines

 


Q1 2023

Change


Total Revenue


$m

Actual

CER


Zoladex


235

(5%)

4%

* Increased use in ex-China Emerging Markets

Faslodex


75

(19%)

(11%)

* Generic competition

Other Oncology


66

(32%)

(27%)

* Includes Iressa, Arimidex, Casodex and other older medicines

 

BioPharmaceuticals

 

BioPharmaceuticals Total Revenue decreased by 19% (15% at CER) in Q1 2023 to $4,545m, representing 42% of overall Total Revenue (Q1 2022: 49%). The decrease was driven by declining revenues from COVID-19 medicines. Growth from Farxiga and newer R&I medicines offset decreases in some older medicines.

 

BioPharmaceuticals - CVRM

 

CVRM Total Revenue increased by 15% (22% at CER) to $2,557m in Q1 2023, driven by a strong Farxiga performance, and represented 24% of overall Total Revenue (Q1 2022: 19%).

 

Farxiga

 

Total Revenue


Worldwide


US

Emerging Markets

Europe

Established RoW

Q1 2023  $m


1,324


296

498

393

138

Actual change


32%


53%

27%

24%

39%

CER change


39%


53%

35%

31%

53%

 

Region


 Drivers and commentary

Worldwide




* Farxiga volume is growing faster than the overall SGLT2[37] market in all major regions

* Additional benefit from continued growth in the overall SGLT2 inhibitor class

* Further HF[38] and CKD[39] launches and supportive updates to treatment guidelines including from ESC[40] and AHA[41]/ACC[42]/HFSA[43]. HF and CKD indications now launched in >100 markets

US


* Growth driven by HFrEF[44] and CKD for patients with and without T2D[45]

* Favourable gross-to-net impact in the quarter

* Farxiga continued to gain in-class brand share, driven by HF and CKD launches

Emerging Markets


* Growth despite generic competition in some markets. Solid growth in ex-China Emerging Markets, particularly Latin America

Europe


* Benefited from the addition of cardiovascular outcomes trial data to the label, the HFrEF regulatory approval in November 2020, and CKD regulatory approval in August 2021. HFpEF[46] approval in February 2023

* Continued strong volume growth in the quarter partially offset by clawbacks

Established RoW


* In Japan, AstraZeneca sells to collaborator Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, which records in-market sales. Continued volume growth driven by HF and CKD launches. A milestone payment from Ono was recorded in the quarter

 

Brilinta

 

Total Revenue


Worldwide


US

Emerging Markets

Europe

Established RoW

Q1 2023 $m


334


179

82

67

6

Actual change


3%


8%

19%

(12%)

(59%)

CER change


5%


8%

25%

(7%)

(53%)

 

Region


 Drivers and commentary

US


* Favourable comparison due to COVID-19 impact in Q1 2022

Emerging Markets


* Growth in all major Emerging Markets regions following COVID-19 recovery

Europe


* European sales negatively impacted by clawbacks

 

Lokelma

 

Total Revenue increased 56% (64% at CER) to $98m in Q1 2023. Continued progress in Europe, with strong volume growth. In China, Lokelma was enlisted to the NRDL in January 2022 and is now the leading potassium binder in the country.

 

roxadustat

 

Total Revenue increased 52% (66% at CER) to $62m, with roxadustat benefitting from increased volumes in China following NRDL renewal in 2022.

 

Andexxa

 

Total Revenue increased 2% (8% at CER) to $44m.

 

Other CVRM medicines

 


Q1 2023

Change


Total Revenue


$m

Actual

CER


Crestor


306

14%

23%

* Strong sales growth in Emerging Markets, partly offset by declines in the US and Established RoW

Seloken


179

(27%)

(20%)

* Emerging Markets sales impacted by China VBP implementation of Betaloc[47] oral in H2 2021. Betaloc ZOK VBP was implemented in Q4 2022

Onglyza


63

(8%)

(3%)

* Continued decline for DPP-IV class

Bydureon


45

(33%)

(32%)

* Continued competitive pressures

Other CVRM


102

4%

9%


 

BioPharmaceuticals - R&I

 

Total Revenue of $1,633m from R&I medicines in Q1 2023 increased 3% (8% at CER) and represented 15% of overall Total Revenue (Q1 2022: 14%). This reflected growth in launch brands: Fasenra, Tezspire, Breztri and Saphnelo.

 

Symbicort

 

Total Revenue


Worldwide


US

Emerging Markets

Europe

Established RoW

Q1 2023  $m


688


233

229

147

79

Actual change


2%


(10%)

37%

(6%)

(14%)

CER change


7%


(10%)

48%

(1%)

(7%)

 

Region


 Drivers and commentary

Worldwide


* Symbicort remains the global market leader within a stable ICS[48]/LABA[49] class

US


* Market share resilience, consolidating leadership in a declining ICS/LABA market

* Generic entry expected in the US in 2023

Emerging Markets


* Post-COVID-19 recovery in China and channel inventory rebuild

Europe


* Resilient market share in growing ICS/LABA market, offset by pricing pressure

Established RoW


* Inventory destocking in some markets and generic erosion in Japan

 

Fasenra

 

Total Revenue


Worldwide


US

Emerging Markets

Europe

Established RoW

Q1 2023 $m


338


201

14

88

35

Actual change


10%


6%

>2x

17%

(4%)

CER change


13%


6%

>2x

23%

7%

                                                          

Region


 Drivers and commentary

Worldwide


* Continues to be market leader in severe eosinophilic asthma in major markets, and leads in the IL-5[50] class

US


* Strong underlying demand growth, partially offset in the quarter by inventory dynamics

Emerging Markets


* Strong volume growth driven by launch acceleration across key markets

Europe


* Expanded leadership in severe eosinophilic asthma

Established RoW


* Maintained leadership of the dynamic market[51] in Japan

 

Breztri

 

Total Revenue


Worldwide


US

Emerging Markets

Europe

Established RoW

Q1 2023 $m


144


81

38

15

10

Actual change


67%


53%

71%

>3x

52%

CER change


73%


53%

85%

>3x

73%

 

Region


 Drivers and commentary

Worldwide


* Continues to gain market share within the growing FDC[52] triple class across major markets

US


* Consistent share growth within the FDC triple class in new-to-brand[53] and total market

Emerging Markets


* Maintained market share leadership in China within the FDC triple class

Europe


* Sustained growth across markets as new launches continue to progress

Established RoW


* Increasing new-to-brand market share within COPD plus ACO[54] in Japan

 

Saphnelo

 

Total Revenue


Worldwide


US

Emerging Markets

Europe

Established RoW

Q1 2023 $m


47


44

-

1

2

Actual change


>4x


>4x

n/m

>3x

>4x

CER change


>4x


>4x

n/m

>4x

>5x

 

Region


 Drivers and commentary

Worldwide


* Demand acceleration in the US, where Saphnelo has new-to-brand leadership in the i.v.[55]  segment for SLE[56], and the ongoing launches in Europe and Japan

 

Tezspire

 

Total Revenue


Worldwide


US

Emerging Markets

Europe

Established RoW

Q1 2023  $m


54

 

43

-

7

4

Actual change


>10x

 

>10x

n/m

n/m

n/m

CER change


>10x

 

>10x

n/m

n/m

n/m

 

Region


 Drivers and commentary

Worldwide


* Tezspire is approved in the US, EU and Japan (as well as other countries) for the treatment of severe asthma without biomarker or phenotypic limitation.

* Amgen records sales in the US, and AstraZeneca records its share of US gross profits as Alliance Revenue

* AstraZeneca books Product Sales in markets outside the US

* Combined sales of Tezspire by AstraZeneca and Amgen were $105m in the quarter

US


* Increasing new-to-brand market share with majority of patients new to biologics

Europe


* Achieved and maintained new-to-brand leadership in key markets

* Pre-filled pen approved in January 2023

Established RoW


* Japan achieved new-to-brand leadership by month two

 

Other R&I medicines

 


Q1 2023

% Change


Total Revenue


$m

Actual

CER


Pulmicort

 

221

2%

9%

* Revenues increased in Emerging Markets with continued recovery of nebulisation demand post COVID-19 and market share in China stabilising

* Revenue from the US declined 54%

Bevespi

 

15

(1%)

2%


Daliresp

 

13

(75%)

(75%)

* Impacted by uptake of multiple generics following loss of exclusivity in the US

Other R&I


113

(48%)

(45%)

* Collaboration Revenue of $nil (Q1 2022: $70m)

* Product Sales of $106m decreased 27% (22% at CER) due to generic competition

 

BioPharmaceuticals - V&I

 

Total Revenue from V&I medicines declined by 80% (79% at CER) to $355m (Q1 2022: $1,814m) and represented 3% of overall Total Revenue (Q1 2022: 16%).

 

COVID-19 mAbs

 

Total Revenue


Worldwide


US

Emerging Markets

Europe

Established RoW

Q1 2023 $m


127


-

8

4

115

Actual change


(73%)


n/m

(91%)

(94%)

>10x

CER change


(70%)


n/m

(91%)

(94%)

>10x

 

Region


 Drivers and commentary

US


* No revenue in the quarter following the completion of US government contract deliveries in Q4 2022, and the revision of Evusheld's emergency use authorisation in January 2023

Established RoW


* Deliveries in Japan

 

Vaxzevria

 

Total Revenue


Worldwide


US

Emerging Markets

Europe

Established RoW

Q1 2023  $m


28


-

18

10

-

Actual change


(98%)


n/m

(97%)

(93%)

n/m

CER change


(97%)


n/m

(97%)

(92%)

n/m

 

Region


 Drivers and commentary

Worldwide


* Revenue in the quarter decreased by 98% (97% at CER) due to the conclusion of Vaxzevria contracts

 

Other V&I medicines

 


Q1 2023

% Change


Total Revenue


$m

Actual

CER


Synagis

 

198

(1%)

5%


FluMist


2

n/m

n/m

* Normal seasonality

 

Rare Disease

 

Total Revenue from Rare Disease medicines increased by 10% (14% at CER) in Q1 2023 to $1,866m, representing 17% of overall Total Revenue (Q1 2022: 15%).

 

Performance was driven by the durability of the C5[57] franchise, Soliris and Ultomiris growth in neurology indications and expansion into new markets.

 

Soliris

 

Total Revenue


Worldwide


US

Emerging Markets

Europe

Established RoW

Q1 2023 $m


834


448

115

183

88

Actual change


(16%)


(24%)

63%

(17%)

(18%)

CER change


(13%)


(24%)

77%

(12%)

(10%)

 

Region


 Drivers and commentary

US


* Performance impacted by successful conversion of Soliris patients to Ultomiris in PNH, aHUS[58] and gMG[59], partially offset by Soliris growth in NMOSD

Emerging Markets


* Growth from expansion into new markets and favourable timing of tender orders in some markets

Europe,
Established RoW


* Decline driven by successful conversion of Soliris patients to Ultomiris, slightly offset by growth in NMOSD

 

Ultomiris

 

Total Revenue


Worldwide


US

Emerging Markets

Europe

Established RoW

Q1 2023 $m


651


381

13

159

98

Actual change


55%


73%

(46%)

52%

39%

CER change


61%


73%

(45%)

61%

61%

 

Region


 Drivers and commentary

Worldwide


* Performance driven by gMG launch in the US and expansion into new markets

* Quarter-on-quarter variability in revenue growth can be expected due to Ultomiris every eight-week dosing schedule and lower average annual treatment cost per patient compared to Soliris

US


* Performance driven by successful conversion from Soliris across PNH, aHUS and gMG

Emerging Markets


* Impacted by inventory movements at third-party distributors due to AstraZeneca bringing distribution in-house

Europe


* Growth driven by strong demand generation following new launch markets

Established RoW


* Rapid conversion from Soliris in Japan

 

Strensiq

 

Total Revenue


Worldwide


US

Emerging Markets

Europe

Established RoW

Q1 2023 $m


262


205 

15 

21 

21 

Actual change


26% 


28% 

70% 

10% 

7% 

CER change


28% 


28% 

58% 

17% 

22% 

 

Region


 Drivers and commentary

Worldwide


* Performance driven by strong patient demand and geographic expansion

 

Other Rare Disease medicines

 


Q1 2023

% Change


Total Revenue


$m

Actual

CER

Commentary

Koselugo


79

>2x

>2x

* Growth driven by expansion in new markets

Kanuma


40

4%

6%

* Continued demand growth in ex-US markets

 

Other medicines (outside the main therapy areas)

 


Q1 2023

% Change


Total Revenue


$m

Actual

CER

Commentary

Nexium

 

248

(26%)

(20%)

* Generic launches in Japan in the latter part of 2022

Others


72

(26%)

(22%)

* Continued impact of generic competition

 

Financial performance

 

Table 11: Reported Profit and Loss

 



Q1 2023

Q1 2022

% Change 

 

 

 

$m 

$m 

Actual 

CER 

Total Revenue

 

10,879 

11,390 

(4)

- Product Sales


10,566 

10,980 

(4)

- Alliance Revenue


286 

152 

88 

90 

- Collaboration Revenue


27 

258 

(89)

(89)

Cost of sales


(1,905)

(3,511)

(46)

(43)

Gross profit

 

8,974 

7,879 

14 

Gross Margin

 

82.0% 

68.0% 

+14pp 

+14pp 

Distribution expense


(134)

(125)

% Total Revenue


1.2% 

1.1% 

R&D expense


(2,611)

(2,133)

22 

28 

% Total Revenue


24.0% 

18.7% 

-5pp 

-5pp 

SG&A expense


(4,059)

(4,840)

(16)

(13)

% Total Revenue


37.3% 

42.5% 

+5pp 

+5pp 

OOI[60] & expense


379 

97 

>3x 

>3x 

% Total Revenue


3.5% 

0.9% 

+3pp 

+2pp 

Operating profit

 

2,549 

878 

>2x 

Operating Margin

 

23.4% 

7.7% 

+16pp 

+16pp 

Net finance expense


(287)

(319)

(10)

Joint ventures and associates


(6)

(96)

(96)

Profit before tax

 

2,262 

553 

>4x 

>4x 

Taxation


(458)

(165)

>2x 

Tax rate

 

20% 

30% 

 

 

Profit after tax

 

1,804 

388 

>4x 

>4x 

Earnings per share

 

$1.16 

$0.25

>4x 

>4x 

 

Table 12: Reconciliation of Reported Profit before tax to EBITDA

 



Q1 2023

Q1 2022

% Change

 



$m

$m 

Actual 

CER 

Reported Profit before tax 


2,262 

553 

>4x 

>4x 

Net finance expense 


287 

319 

(10)

(8)

Joint ventures and associates 


(96)

(96)

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment 


1,502 

1,309 

15 

18 

EBITDA 


4,051 

2,187 

85 

92 

 

EBITDA for the comparative Q1 2022 was negatively impacted by $1,180m unwind of inventory fair value uplift recognised on the acquisition of Alexion. This unwind had $36m negative impact on Q1 2023 and will continue to be minimal in future quarters.

 

Table 13: Reconciliation of Reported to Core financial measures: Q1 2023

 

Q1 2023


Reported

Restructuring

Intangible Asset Amortisation & Impairments

Acquisition
of Alexion

Other

Core

Core

% Change

 



$m 

$m 

$m 

$m 

$m 

$m 

Actual 

CER 

Gross profit

 

8,974 

95 

37 

9,116 

Gross Margin

 

82.0% 

 

 

 

 

83.3% 

+4pp 

+4pp 

Distribution expense


(134)

(134)

13 

R&D expense


(2,611)

30 

280 

(1)

(2,300)

10 

SG&A expense


(4,059)

41 

954 

(3,054)

Total operating expense


(6,804)

71 

1,234 

(5,488)

Other operating income & expense


379 

(61)

318 

>3x

>3x

Operating profit

 

2,549 

105 

1,242 

41 

3,946 

Operating Margin

 

23.4% 

 

 

 

 

36.3% 

+2pp 

+1pp 

Net finance expense


(287)

47 

(240)

(4)

(3)

Taxation


(458)

(24)

(231)

(9)

(9)

(731)

(5)

(1)

EPS

 

$1.16 

$0.05 

$0.66 

$0.02 

$0.03 

$1.92 

 

Profit and Loss drivers

 

Gross profit

 

‒    The change in Gross Margin (Reported and Core) in the quarter was impacted by:

 

‒    Positive mix effects. The increased contribution from Rare Disease and Oncology medicines had a positive impact on the Gross Margin. Vaxzevria sales, which are also dilutive to gross margin, declined substantially

 

‒    Negative mix effects. The rising contribution of Product Sales with profit sharing arrangements (Lynparza, Enhertu and Tezspire) has a negative impact on gross margin because AstraZeneca records product revenues in certain markets but pays away half of the gross profit to its collaboration partners. Emerging Markets, where gross margins tend to be below the Company average, grew as a proportion of Total Revenue excluding COVID-19 medicines

 

‒    Positive impact from cost of production in prior periods

 

‒    Reported Gross profit was also impacted by a reduction in the unwind of the fair value adjustment to Alexion inventories at the date of acquisition. In Q1 2023, the negative impact of the fair value uplift unwind on Cost of Sales was $36m (Q1 2022: $1,180m)

 

‒    Variations in Gross Margin performance between periods can continue to be expected, due to product seasonality, foreign exchange fluctuations, cost inflation and other effects. The full impact of cost inflation is not seen in the Income Statement until older inventory built at lower cost has been sold; for some product lines the lag between inflation and impact can be several quarters

 

R&D expense

 

‒    The change in R&D expense (Reported and Core) was impacted by:

 

‒    Recent positive data read outs for several high priority medicines that have ungated late-stage trials

 

‒    Investment in platforms, new technology and capabilities to enhance R&D productivity

 

Reported R&D expense was also impacted by intangible asset impairments in the quarter, and reversals of intangible asset impairments in Q1 2022

 

SG&A expense

 

‒    The change in SG&A Expense (Reported and Core) was driven primarily by market development activities for launches

 

‒    Reported SG&A Expense was also impacted by amortisation of intangible assets related to the Alexion acquisition and other acquisitions and collaborations. In Q1 2022, the Reported SG&A expense included a $775m legal settlement with Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd

 

Other operating income

 

Reported Other operating income of $379m included a gain on the disposal of the US rights to Pulmicort Flexhaler, disposal proceeds on the sale of tangible assets, and royalties on certain medicines

 

Net finance expense

 

‒    The reduction in Net finance expense (Reported and Core) was primarily driven by an increase in finance income on cash investments, which benefited from higher interest rates. That was partially offset by increased interest expense on floating rate debt, and the interest on the $3.8bn of bonds issued in the quarter

 

‒    Reported Net finance expense also benefited from a reduction in the discount unwind on acquisition related liabilities

 

Taxation

 

‒    The effective Reported Tax rate for the three months to 31 March 2023 was 20% (Q1 2022: 30%) and the Core Tax rate was 20% (Q1 2022: 21%). The Reported Tax rate in the prior period was impacted by Non-Core charges on the level of Reported Profit before tax

 

‒    The net cash paid for the quarter was $225m (Q1 2022: $228m) representing 10% of Reported Profit before tax (Q1 2022: 41%). The cash tax rate of 10% benefits from the phasing of tax payments

 

‒    On 23 March 2023, the UK Government presented the draft legislation in relation to the new global minimum tax framework to the House of Commons and this is now proceeding through the UK Parliamentary process. This is expected to be brought into effect in the UK from 2024. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of these draft rules upon its financial statements

 

Table 14: Cash Flow summary

 



Q1 2023 

Q1 2022 

Change 



$m 

$m 

$m 

Reported Operating profit


2,549 

878 

1,671 

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment


1,502 

1,309 

193 

Decrease in working capital and short-term provisions


242 

1,804 

(1,562)

Gains on disposal of intangible assets


(249)

(10)

(239)

Non-cash and other movements


(429)

(327)

(102)

Interest paid


(257)

(194)

(63)

Taxation paid


(225)

(228)

Net cash inflow from operating activities


3,133 

3,232 

(99)

Net cash inflow before financing activities


1,887 

3,064 

(1,177)

Net cash outflow from financing activities


(2,031)

(3,740)

1,709 

 

 

In Q1 2022, the Reported Operating profit of $878m included a negative impact of $1,180m relating to the unwind of the inventory fair value uplift recognised on the acquisition of Alexion. This was offset by a corresponding item (positive impact of $1,180m) in Decrease in working capital and short-term provisions. Overall, the unwind of the fair value uplift had no impact on Net cash inflow from operating activities. This unwind had $36m negative impact on Q1 2023 and will continue to be minimal in future quarters.

 

The change in Net cash inflow before financing activities is primarily driven by the movement in Purchase of intangible assets of $1,079m, including the acquisition of CinCor, in the quarter to 31 March 2023.

 

The change in Net cash outflow from financing activities is primarily driven by the issue of bonds of $3,826m, offset by the repayment of loans and borrowings of $2,004m and dividends paid of $3,047m in the quarter to 31 March 2023.

 

Included within Net cash inflow before financing activities is a movement in the profit-participation liability of $175m, resulting from the cash receipt from Sobi in Q1 2023 after achievement of a regulatory milestone. The associated cash flow is presented within investing activities.

 

Capital expenditure

 

Capital expenditure amounted to $247m in the quarter (Q1 2022: $219m).

 

Table 15: Net debt summary


 

At 31 

 Mar 2023 

At 31 

Dec 2022 

At 31 

Mar 2022 


 

$m 

$m 

$m 

Cash and cash equivalents


6,232 

6,166 

5,762 

Other investments


230 

239 

61 

Cash and investments

 

6,462 

6,405 

5,823 

Overdrafts and short-term borrowings


(667)

(350)

(805)

Lease liabilities


(962)

(953)

(949)

Current instalments of loans


(2,958)

(4,964)

(1,264)

Non-current instalments of loans


(26,916)

(22,965)

(28,081)

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings (Gross debt)

 

(31,503)

(29,232)

(31,099)

Net derivatives


(21)

(96)

59 

Net debt

 

(25,062)

(22,923)

(25,217)

 

Net debt increased by $2,139m in the quarter to date to $25,062m. Details of the committed undrawn bank facilities are disclosed within the going concern section of Note 1. Details of the Company's solicited credit ratings are disclosed in Note 3.

 

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. The Company's capital allocation priorities include: investing in the business and pipeline; maintaining a strong, investment-grade credit rating; potential value-enhancing business development opportunities; and supporting the progressive dividend policy.

 

In approving the declaration of dividends, the Board considers both the liquidity of the company and the level of reserves legally available for distribution. Dividends are paid to shareholders from AstraZeneca PLC, a Group holding company with no direct operations. The ability of AstraZeneca PLC to make shareholder distributions is dependent on the creation of profits for distribution and the receipt of funds from subsidiary companies. The consolidated Group reserves set out in the Condensed consolidated statement of financial position do not reflect the profit available for distribution to the shareholders of AstraZeneca PLC.

 

Summarised financial information for guarantee of securities of subsidiaries

 

AstraZeneca Finance LLC ("AstraZeneca Finance") is the issuer of 0.700% Notes due 2024, 1.200% Notes due 2026, 1.750% Notes due 2028, 4.875% Notes due 2028, 4.900% Notes due 2030, 2.250% Notes due 2031 and 4.875% Notes due 2033 (the "AstraZeneca Finance Notes"). Each series of AstraZeneca Finance Notes has been fully and unconditionally guaranteed by AstraZeneca PLC. AstraZeneca Finance is 100% owned by AstraZeneca PLC and each of the guarantees by AstraZeneca PLC is full and unconditional and joint and several.

 

The AstraZeneca Finance Notes are senior unsecured obligations of AstraZeneca Finance and rank equally with all of AstraZeneca Finance's existing and future senior unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The guarantee by AstraZeneca PLC of the AstraZeneca Finance Notes is the senior unsecured obligation of AstraZeneca PLC and ranks equally with all of AstraZeneca PLC's existing and future senior unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. Each guarantee by AstraZeneca PLC is effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness of AstraZeneca PLC to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The AstraZeneca Finance Notes are structurally subordinated to indebtedness and other liabilities of the subsidiaries of AstraZeneca PLC, none of which guarantee the AstraZeneca Finance Notes.

 

AstraZeneca PLC manages substantially all of its operations through divisions, branches and/or investments in subsidiaries and affiliates. Accordingly, the ability of AstraZeneca PLC to service its debt and guarantee obligations is also dependent upon the earnings of its subsidiaries, affiliates, branches and divisions, whether by dividends, distributions, loans or otherwise.

 

Please refer to the consolidated financial statements of AstraZeneca PLC in our Annual Report on Form 20-F and reports on Form 6-K with our quarterly financial results as filed or furnished with the SEC[61] for further financial information regarding AstraZeneca PLC and its consolidated subsidiaries. For further details, terms and conditions of the AstraZeneca Finance Notes please refer to AstraZeneca PLC's reports on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on 3 March 2023 and 28 May 2021.

 

Pursuant to Rule 13-01 and Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), we present below the summary financial information for AstraZeneca PLC, as Guarantor, excluding its consolidated subsidiaries, and AstraZeneca Finance, as the issuer, excluding its consolidated subsidiaries. The following summary financial information of AstraZeneca PLC and AstraZeneca Finance is presented on a combined basis and transactions between the combining entities have been eliminated. Financial information for non-guarantor entities has been excluded. Intercompany balances and transactions between the obligor group and the non-obligor subsidiaries are presented on separate lines.

 

Table 16: Obligor group summarised Statement of comprehensive income

 


 

Q1 2023

Q1 2022


 

$m 

$m 

Total Revenue


Gross profit


Operating loss


(1)

Loss for the period


(237)

(155)

Transactions with subsidiaries that are not issuers or guarantors


7,502 

164 

 

Table 17: Obligor group summarised Statement of financial position

 


 

At 31 Mar 2023 

At 31 Mar 2022 


 

$m 

$m 

Current assets


10 

19 

Non-current assets


Current liabilities


(2,952)

(1,682)

Non-current liabilities


(26,747)

(25,605)

Amounts due from subsidiaries that are not issuers or guarantors


14,067 

8,652 

Amounts due to subsidiaries that are not issuers or guarantors


(296)

(297)

 

Foreign exchange

 

The Company's transactional currency exposures on working-capital balances, which typically extend for up to three months, are hedged where practicable using forward foreign exchange contracts against the individual companies' reporting currency. Foreign exchange gains and losses on forward contracts for transactional hedging are taken to profit or loss. In addition, the Company's external dividend payments, paid principally in pounds sterling and Swedish krona, are fully hedged from announcement to payment date.

 

Table 18: Currency sensitivities

 

The Company provides the following currency-sensitivity information:

 


 

 


Average

rates vs USD


Annual impact ($m) of 5% strengthening (FY2023 average rate vs FY 2022 average) [62]

Currency

Primary Relevance

 

FY    
2022
[63]

YTD   
2023
[64]

Change

 (%)

Mar 2023[65]

Change[66]

 (%)

 

Total Revenue

Core Operating Profit

EUR

Total Revenue


0.95 

0.93

2

0.93

2


323 

159 

CNY

Total Revenue


6.74 

6.85

(1)

6.90

(2)


309 

174 

JPY

Total Revenue


131.59 

132.35

(1)

133.77

(2)


181 

122 

Other[67]









385 

202 

GBP

Operating expense


0.81 

0.82

(2)

0.82

(2)


46 

(92)

SEK

Operating expense


10.12 

10.43

(3)

10.47

(3)


7 

(55)

 

Sustainability

 

Since the last quarterly report, AstraZeneca:

 

Access to healthcare

 

‒    Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience (PHSSR) published country reports in Belgium, Ireland, and the Netherlands, and key findings were presented at events held in those countries. PHSSR also launched a health system sustainability index in Germany in collaboration with key stakeholders. AstraZeneca is a founding member and one of six global partners of the PHSSR, which is now active in more than 30 countries worldwide

 

‒    Strengthened healthcare innovation in China, partnering with government and the healthcare ecosystem, building on the Company's position as an industry leader and on its 30-year history. During events attended by CEO Pascal Soriot, the Company made the following announcements:

 

‒    New investment to build a manufacturing plant in Qingdao city to produce Breztri pressurised metered-dose inhalers (pMDI) for COPD patients in China. The local investment provides increased access to a life-changing medicine for Chinese patients to meet a very significant unmet need, and helps to tackle the burden of COPD on the health system in China

 

‒    Partnership with Shandong province to establish an innovative rare diseases diagnosis and treatment hub

 

‒    Partnership with the Chinese Red Cross Foundation to revitalise rural parts of China through an RMB 30 million investment to enhance health services and support disaster relief

 

‒    Healthy Heart Africa programme launched in eight of 10 new countries planned by 2024, working with implementing partners ACHAP and PATH, in addition to the existing nine countries of operation. Over 34 million blood pressure screenings have been conducted since screenings began in 2015, with over one million screenings in February alone, and more than 10,600 healthcare workers trained to date, as at end of February 2023

 

‒    Renewed Young Health Programme commitments in five countries (Canada, France, Italy, Israel and Sweden). Directly reached more than 700,000 young people with health information and trained more than 35,000 young people, healthcare professionals and others, in 39 countries

 

‒    A.Catalyst Network, AstraZeneca's interconnected and dynamic global network of more than 20 health innovation hubs, has now launched in Africa. The Africa health innovation hub will focus on disease education, early diagnosis, technology and data generation, to reduce mortality rates and improve patient quality of life. The Company also signed a partnership with MedSol Ai Solutions to develop Melusi Breast AI, a state-of-the-art Wi-Fi ultrasound probe for rapid breast cancer detection

 

Environmental protection

 

‒    CEO Pascal Soriot convened the SMI Health Systems Task Force which announced joint minimum climate and sustainability targets for pharmaceutical suppliers in March 2023, to address greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain and reduce the complexity for suppliers of multiple requirements

 

‒    The Company's commitment to reducing its Scope 3 indirect greenhouse gas emissions is shown by its target of 95% of suppliers by spend covering purchased goods and services and capital goods, and 50% of suppliers by spend covering upstream transportation and distribution and business travel, to have science-based targets by the end of 2025. AstraZeneca was also recognised in March by CDP as a 2022 Supplier Engagement Rating Leader

 

‒    Committed to the Business Leaders' Open Call to Accelerate Action on Water, which coincided with the UN 2023 Water Conference. The Company's efforts are underpinned by a partnership with the WWF and membership of the Alliance for Water Stewardship. AstraZeneca works with suppliers and across sectors to improve water resilience, focusing on 100 priority water basins. Starting in 2024, the Company will invest $5 million per year to fund nature restoration and water stewardship projects in the communities where it operates. Details are included in the Biodiversity Statement, published alongside the 2022 Sustainability Report and Data Summary

 

‒    Marked UN International Day of Forests by reflecting on AZ Forest progress. AZ Forest is the Company's global initiative to plant and maintain over 50 million trees worldwide by end of 2025, in partnership with expert delivery partners focused on forest landscape restoration, and by investing in community-led projects adapted to the local context. More than 10.5 million trees have been planted to date in Australia, Ghana, Indonesia, the UK and the US

 

Ethics and transparency

 

‒    Marked International Women's Day (IWD) in March, including an article published on "championing women in the workplace and beyond", highlighting what AstraZeneca is doing to champion women and promote a culture of inclusion and diversity, including advancing women's careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) inside and outside the Company. AstraZeneca also recognised UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science in February, a day dedicated to promoting equal access for women and girls to participate in STEM careers. Currently 39.8% of STEM-related positions at AstraZeneca are held by women

 

‒    Marked UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in March, with an update on the progress AstraZeneca has made against its racial equity commitments since becoming a founding member of the World Economic Forum Partnering for Racial Justice in Business initiative

 

‒    Recognised Neurodiversity Celebration Week across the organisation with events across the organisation including an experience lab designed to give colleagues an opportunity to experience what it is like to live with autism, sensory processing disorder and other neurodiversities

 

‒    Reported the results of the first employee Ethics Survey 2022, carried out to gain a deeper understanding of employee perspectives on ethics at AstraZeneca and identify opportunities for improvement. Almost 7,000 employees participated, 97% of whom know how to raise a concern, with 88% saying it is easy to do the right thing in their day-to-day work

 

Research and development

 

This section covers R&D events and milestones that have occurred since the prior results announcement on 9 February 2023, up to and including events on 26 April 2023.

 

A comprehensive view of AstraZeneca's pipeline of medicines in human trials can be found in the latest clinical trials appendix, available on www.astrazeneca.com/investor-relations. The clinical trials appendix includes tables with details of the ongoing clinical trials for AstraZeneca medicines and new molecular entities in the pipeline.

 

Oncology

 

AstraZeneca presented new data across its diverse portfolio of cancer medicines at two major medical congresses during the quarter: the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium (ASCO GU) in February and American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in April. At ASCO GU, AstraZeneca presented 11 abstracts spanning three approved medicines and four pipeline medicines. At AACR, AstraZeneca presented 70 abstracts showcasing new data across 21 pipeline molecules and eight marketed products across the oncology portfolio.

 

AstraZeneca completed an exclusive global license agreement with KYM Biosciences Inc. for CMG901, a potential first-in-class antibody drug conjugate targeting Claudin 18.2, a promising therapeutic target in gastric cancers, with a molecule monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) warhead. CMG901 is currently being evaluated in a Phase I trial for the treatment of Claudin 18.2-positive solid tumours, including gastric cancer with preliminary results showing an encouraging profile for CMG901.

 

‒    Significant new trials that achieved first patient dosed during the period included:

 

‒    CAMBRIA-1, a Phase III trial of camizestrant vs standard endocrine therapy in ER+/HER2- early breast cancer after at least 2 years of standard adjuvant endocrine therapy

 

Tagrisso

 

Event



Commentary

Phase III trial read out

ADAURA


Met key secondary endpoint demonstrating statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in OS[68] compared to placebo in the adjuvant treatment of patients with early-stage EGFRm[69] NSCLC after complete tumour resection with curative intent. (March 2023)

 

Imfinzi and Imjudo

 

Event



Commentary

Approval

EU

 

Imfinzi in combination with Imjudo for the 1st-line treatment of adult patients with advanced or unresectable HCC. (HIMALAYA, February 2023)



 

Imfinzi in combination with Imjudo for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic NSCLC. (POSEIDON, February 2023)

Presentation: AACR

AEGEAN


Results from interim EFS analysis of the AEGEAN Phase III trial, presented at AACR, demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful 32% reduction in risk of disease recurrence, progression events or death for Imfinzi in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery and as adjuvant monotherapy after surgery versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone followed by surgery for patients with resectable early-stage NSCLC. (April 2023)

 

 

Lynparza

 

Event



Commentary

Presentation: ASCO GU

PROpel final OS


Results from the final prespecified OS analysis of the PROpel Phase III trial, presented at ASCO GU, demonstrated Lynparza in combination with abiraterone resulted in median OS improvement of 7.4-months vs standard of care in mCRPC (not statistically significant). (February 2023)

FDA ODAC

US


 

The FDA will convene a meeting of the ODAC on 28 April 2023 to discuss the sNDA[70] for Lynparza in combination with abiraterone for the treatment of mCRPC. (PROpel, March 2023)

 

Phase III trial read-out

DUO-O (Lynparza and Imfinzi)


Met primary endpoint demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS versus chemotherapy plus bevacizumab in newly diagnosed patients with advanced high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer without tumour BRCA mutations. (April 2023)

 

Calquence

 

Event



Commentary

Approval

EU


Maleate tablet formulation. (ELEVATE-PLUS, February 2023)

Conditional approval

China

 

 

Patients with mantle cell lymphoma who have received at least one prior therapy. (ACE-LY-004 and Phase I/II trial in Chinese patients, March 2023)

 

Enhertu

 

Event



Commentary

Approval

China

 

Patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received one or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens, based on DESTINY‑Breast03 trial. (February 2023)

Phase II read out

DESTINY-PanTumor02

 


Met the prespecified target for objective response rate and demonstrated durable response across multiple HER2-expressing advanced solid tumours in heavily pre-treated patients. (DESTINY-PanTumor02, March 2023)

 

BioPharmaceuticals - CVRM

 

eplontersen

 

Event



Commentary

Presentation: AAN

NEURO-TTRansform


Detailed results from the NEURO-TTRansform Phase III trial in patients with hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloid polyneuropathy (ATTRv-PN) presented at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 2023 Annual Meeting showed that eplontersen met all co-primary and secondary endpoints at 66 weeks versus an external placebo group. (April 2023).

 

cotadutide

 

Event



Commentary

Termination

PROXYMO ADVANCE

 

Strategic decision to discontinue the development of once-daily cotadutide and focus on AZD9550, a once-weekly injectable GLP-1 glucagon co-agonist, and the broader NASH pipeline. (March 2023)

 

BioPharmaceuticals - R&I

 

Significant new trials that achieved first patient dosed during the period included:

 

‒      CROSSING, a Phase III trial of Tezspire in eosinophilic oesophagitis

 

Fasenra

 

Event



Commentary

Phase III trial read-out

MIRACLE


Met the primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant reduction in annual asthma exacerbation rate (AAER) over 48 weeks compared to placebo in patients in China with a history of uncontrolled asthma.

Phase III trial read-out

TATE


Met the primary endpoints, demonstrating that the safety and tolerability profile in severe eosinophilic asthma patients aged 6 to 11 years was consistent with previous trials in patients ages 12 years and older.

 

BioPharmaceuticals - V&I

 

AstraZeneca highlighted new data across its Vaccines and Immune Therapies portfolio at the 33rd European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) in April 2023. The company presented 15 abstracts, including four oral presentations.

 

AZD3152

 

Event



Commentary

Presentation: ECCMID 2023

US


AstraZeneca presented the first in vitro neutralisation data on AZD3152, including activity against past and currently circulating COVID-19 variants. The data showed that AZD3152 neutralises all known variants of concern to date.  (April 2023)

 

Flumist

 

Event



Commentary

Regulatory approval

Japan


As previously announced in 2015, Daiichi Sankyo has responsibility for the development and commercialisation of FluMist Quadrivalent in Japan, and holds the marketing authorisation following approval in Japan in March 2023. AstraZeneca will supply FluMist Quadrivalent to Daiichi Sankyo, and will receive development milestones and sales-related payments post launch.  (March 2023)

 

Beyfortus

 

Event



Commentary

Publication: Nature

MELODY


Serum samples were collected from 2,143 infants to characterise the duration of RSV nAb[71] levels following nirsevimab administration. Nirsevimab recipients had RSV nAb levels >140-fold higher than baseline at day 31, and remained >50-fold

higher at day 151 and >7-fold higher at day 361. (April 2023)

Presentation: ECCMID 2023

MUSIC


At ECCMID 2023, AstraZeneca presented results from the MUSIC trial for nirsevimab in immunocompromised children ≤ 24 months of age. A single dose of nirsevimab was well tolerated and no safety concerns arose over 151 days. (April 2023)

Contract update



In April 2023, AstraZeneca, Sanofi and Sobi simplified their contractual arrangements relating to the development and commercialisation of nirsevimab in the US. The updated arrangements replaced the cash flows from AstraZeneca to Sobi with a royalty relationship between Sanofi and Sobi. Sanofi continues to lead commercialisation globally, and AstraZeneca will co-promote Beyfortus in the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan and China. (April 2023)

 

Rare Disease

 

Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, showcased the potential for its pioneering therapies to redefine the treatment landscape for certain rare neurological diseases at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting. Alexion presented 18 abstracts, including seven oral presentations, across generalised myasthenia gravis (gMG), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and dermatomyositis.

 

‒    Significant new trials that achieved first patient dosed during the period included:

 

‒    ARTEMIS, a Phase III trial assessing the efficacy of a single dose of Ultomiris compared with placebo in reducing the risk of the clinical consequences of acute kidney injury in adult participants with CKD who undergo non-emergent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

 

Ultomiris

 

Event



Commentary

Positive opinion

EU

 

Recommended for approval in the EU by CHMP for the treatment of adults with NMOSD

 

ALXN1840

Event



Commentary

Termination

Wilson Disease programme

 

In April, the ALXN1840 programme in Wilson Disease was terminated. The decision was based on feedback from regulators, on review of data from the Wilson Disease programme, including the Phase III FoCus and two Phase II mechanistic trials

 

Interim Financial Statements

 

Table 19: Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income: Q1 2023

 

For the quarter ended 31 March

 

2023 

2022 

 

 

$m 

$m 

Total Revenue[72]

 

10,879 

11,390 

Product Sales

 

10,566 

10,980 

Alliance Revenue

 

286 

152 

Collaboration Revenue

 

27 

258 

Cost of sales


(1,905)

(3,511)

Gross profit

 

8,974 

7,879 

Distribution expense


(134)

(125)

Research and development expense


(2,611)

(2,133)

Selling, general and administrative expense


(4,059)

(4,840)

Other operating income and expense


379 

97 

Operating profit

 

2,549 

878 

Finance income


78 

17 

Finance expense


(365)

(336)

Share of after tax losses in associates and joint ventures


(6)

Profit before tax

 

2,262 

553 

Taxation


(458)

(165)

Profit for the period

 

1,804 

388 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss

 

 

 

Remeasurement of the defined benefit pension liability


(10)

335 

Net gains on equity investments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income


46 

18 

Fair value movements related to own credit risk on bonds designated as fair value through profit or loss


Tax on items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss


24 

(94)

 

 

62 

259 

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss




Foreign exchange arising on consolidation


314 

(219)

Foreign exchange arising on designated liabilities in net investment hedges


(7)

(32)

Fair value movements on cash flow hedges


56 

Fair value movements on cash flow hedges transferred to profit and loss


(75)

11 

Fair value movements on derivatives designated in net investment hedges


16 

(8)

Tax on items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss


12 



316 

(242)

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

378 

17 

Total comprehensive income for the period

 

2,182 

405 

Profit attributable to:




Owners of the Parent


1,803 

386 

Non-controlling interests




1,804 

388 

Total comprehensive income attributable to:




Owners of the Parent


2,181 

405 

Non-controlling interests




2,182 

405 

Basic earnings per $0.25 Ordinary Share


$1.16 

$0.25 

Diluted earnings per $0.25 Ordinary Share


$1.16 

$0.25 

Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue (millions)


1,549 

1,548 

Diluted weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue (millions)


1,560 

1,561 

 

 

Table 20: Condensed consolidated statement of financial position


 

At 31 Mar

2023

At 31 Dec

2022

At 31 Mar

2022


 

$m 

$m

$m 

Assets





Non-current assets





Property, plant and equipment


8,644 

8,507 

9,061

Right-of-use assets


955 

942 

954

Goodwill


20,001 

19,820 

19,963

Intangible assets


39,291 

39,307 

41,265

Investments in associates and joint ventures


77 

76 

63

Other investments


1,157 

1,066 

1,174

Derivative financial instruments


116 

74 

87

Other receivables


682 

835 

864

Deferred tax assets


3,498 

3,263 

4,195


 

74,421 

73,890 

77,626

Current assets





Inventories


4,967 

4,699 

7,624

Trade and other receivables


10,289 

10,521 

8,683

Other investments


230 

239 

61

Derivative financial instruments


40 

87 

54

Intangible assets


96

Income tax receivable


508 

731 

367

Cash and cash equivalents


6,232 

6,166 

5,762

Assets held for sale


150 

-


 

22,266 

22,593 

22,647

Total assets

 

96,687 

96,483 

100,273

Liabilities





Current liabilities





Interest-bearing loans and borrowings


(3,625)

(5,314)

(2,069)

Lease liabilities


(232)

(228)

(225)

Trade and other payables


(19,210)

(19,040)

(17,864)

Derivative financial instruments


(44)

(93)

(35)

Provisions


(546)

(722)

(1,423)

Income tax payable


(1,203)

(896)

(1,124)


 

(24,860)

(26,293)

(22,740)

Non-current liabilities





Interest-bearing loans and borrowings


(26,916)

(22,965)

(28,081)

Lease liabilities


(730)

(725)

(724)

Derivative financial instruments


(133)

(164)

(47)

Deferred tax liabilities


(2,795)

(2,944)

(5,626)

Retirement benefit obligations


(1,128)

(1,168)

(1,991)

Provisions


(914)

(896)

(949)

Other payables


(3,400)

(4,270)

(3,756)



(36,016)

(33,132)

(41,174)

Total liabilities

 

(60,876)

(59,425)

(63,914)

Net assets

 

35,811 

37,058 

36,359 

Equity





Capital and reserves attributable to equity holders of the Parent





Share capital


387 

387 

387 

Share premium account


35,159 

35,155 

35,131 

Other reserves


2,068 

2,069 

2,050 

Retained earnings


(1,825)

(574)

(1,228)


 

35,789 

37,037 

36,340 

Non-controlling interests


22 

21 

19 

Total equity

 

35,811 

37,058 

36,359 

 

Table 21: Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity

 



Share capital

Share premium account

Other reserves

Retained earnings

Total attributable to owners of the parent

Non-controlling interests

Total equity


 

$m 

$m 

$m 

$m 

$m 

$m 

$m 

At 1 Jan 2022


387 

35,126 

2,045 

1,710 

39,268 

19 

39,287 

Profit for the period


386 

386 

388 

Other comprehensive income


19 

19 

(2)

17 

Transfer to other reserves


(5)

Transactions with owners









Dividends


(3,046)

(3,046)

(3,046)

Issue of Ordinary Shares


Share-based payments charge for the period


182 

182 

182 

Settlement of share plan awards


(474)

(474)

(474)

Net movement

 

(2,938)

(2,928)

(2,928)

At 31 Mar 2022

 

387 

35,131 

2,050 

(1,228)

36,340 

19 

36,359 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 Jan 2023

 

387 

35,155 

2,069 

(574)

37,037 

21 

37,058 

Profit for the period


1,803 

1,803 

1,804 

Other comprehensive income


378 

378 

378 

Transfer to other reserves


(1)

Transactions with owners









Dividends


(3,047)

(3,047)

(3,047)

Issue of Ordinary Shares


Share-based payments charge for the period


132 

132 

132 

Settlement of share plan awards


(518)

(518)

(518)

Net movement


(1)

(1,251)

(1,248)

(1,247)

At 31 Mar 2023

 

387 

35,159 

2,068 

(1,825)

35,789 

22 

35,811 

 

Table 22: Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows

 

For the quarter ended 31 March


2023 

2022 


$m 

$m 

Cash flows from operating activities




Profit before tax


2,262 

553 

Finance income and expense


287 

319 

Share of after tax losses of associates and joint ventures


Depreciation, amortisation and impairment


1,502 

1,309 

Decrease in working capital and short-term provisions


242 

1,804 

Gains on disposal of intangible assets


(249)

(10)

Non-cash and other movements


(429)

(327)

Cash generated from operations

 

3,615 

3,654 

Interest paid


(257)

(194)

Tax paid


(225)

(228)

Net cash inflow from operating activities

 

3,133 

3,232 

Cash flows from investing activities



 

Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired


(189)

Payments upon vesting of employee share awards attributable to business combinations


(23)

(55)

Payment of contingent consideration from business combinations


(214)

(182)

Purchase of property, plant and equipment


(247)

(219)

Disposal of property, plant and equipment


125 

Purchase of intangible assets


(1,223)

(144)

Disposal of intangible assets


264 

385 

Movement in profit-participation liability


175 

Purchase of non-current asset investments


(4)

Disposal of non-current asset investments


10 

32 

Movement in short-term investments, fixed deposits and other investing instruments


21 

Payments to associates and joint ventures


(5)

Interest received


67 

Net cash outflow from investing activities


(1,246)

(168)

Net cash inflow before financing activities

 

1,887 

3,064 

Cash flows from financing activities




Proceeds from issue of share capital


Issue of loans and borrowings


3,826 

Repayment of loans and borrowings


(2,004)

(4)

Dividends paid


(3,047)

(2,971)

Hedge contracts relating to dividend payments


27 

(77)

Repayment of obligations under leases


(67)

(74)

Movement in short-term borrowings


97 

301 

Payment of Acerta Pharma share purchase liability


(867)

(920)

Net cash outflow from financing activities

 

(2,031)

(3,740)

Net decrease in Cash and cash equivalents in the period


(144)

(676)

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period


5,983 

6,038 

Exchange rate effects


(11)

(9)

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

 

5,828 

5,353 

Cash and cash equivalents consist of:



 

Cash and cash equivalents


6,232 

5,762 

Overdrafts


(404)

(409)

 

 

5,828 

5,353 

 

Notes to the Interim Financial Statements

 

Note 1: Basis of preparation and accounting policies

 

These unaudited condensed consolidated Interim financial statements for the three months ended 31 March 2023 have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' (IAS 34), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), IAS 34 as adopted by the European Union, UK-adopted IAS 34 and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of

the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority and with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 as

applicable to companies reporting under those standards.

 

The unaudited Interim financial statements for the three months ended 31 March 2023 were approved by

the Board of Directors for publication on 27 April 2023.

 

This results announcement does not constitute statutory accounts of the Group within the meaning of sections

434(3) and 435(3) of the Companies Act 2006. The annual financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2022 were prepared in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards and with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. The annual financial statements also comply fully with IFRSs as issued by the IASB and International Accounting Standards as adopted by the European Union. Except for the estimation of the interim income tax charge, the Interim Financial Statements have been prepared applying the accounting policies that were applied in the preparation of the Group's published consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022.

 

The comparative figures for the financial year ended 31 December 2022 are not the Group's statutory accounts for that financial year. Those accounts have been reported on by the Group's auditors and will be delivered to the registrar of companies; their report was (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report, and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

 

Alliance and Collaboration Revenues

 

Effective 1 January 2023, the Group has updated the presentation of Total Revenue on the face of the Statement of Comprehensive Income to include Alliance Revenue as a separate element to Collaboration Revenue. Alliance Revenue, previously reported within Collaboration Revenue, comprises income related to sales made by collaboration partners, where AstraZeneca is entitled to a profit share, revenue share or royalties, which are recurring in nature while the collaboration arrangement remains in place. Alliance Revenue does not include Product Sales where AstraZeneca is leading commercialisation in a territory. Collaboration Revenue arising from collaborative arrangements where the Group retains a significant ongoing economic interest and receives upfront amounts and event-triggered milestones, which arise from the licensing of intellectual property, will continue to be reported as Collaboration Revenue. In collaboration arrangements either AstraZeneca or the collaborator acts as principal in sales to the end customer. Where AstraZeneca acts as principal, we record 100% of sales to the end customer within Product Sales. The revised presentation reflects the increasing importance of income arising from profit share arrangements where collaboration partners are responsible for booking revenues in some or all territories.

 

The comparative revenue reported in Q1 2023 relating to the quarter to 31 March 2022 has been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the new split of Total Revenue, resulting in Alliance Revenue being reported for the quarter ending 31 March 2022 of $152m, however the combined total of Alliance Revenue and Collaboration Revenue is equal to the previously reported Collaboration Revenue total for the quarter ending 31 March 2022.

 

Going concern

The Group has considerable financial resources available. As at 31 March 2023, the Group has $13.1bn in financial resources (Cash and cash equivalent balances of $6.2bn and undrawn committed bank facilities of $6.9bn available, of which $2.0bn of the facilities are available until February 2025 and the other $4.9bn are available until April 2026, with only $3.9bn of borrowings due within one year). These facilities contain no financial covenants and were undrawn at 31 March 2023.

 

The Group's revenues are largely derived from sales of medicines covered by patents which provide a relatively high level of resilience and predictability to cash inflows, although government price interventions in response to budgetary constraints are expected to continue to adversely affect revenues in some of our significant markets. The Group, however, anticipates new revenue streams from both recently launched medicines and those in development, and the Group has a wide diversity of customers and suppliers across different geographic areas.

 

Consequently, the Directors believe that, overall, the Group is well placed to manage its business risks successfully. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Interim Financial Statements.

 

Legal proceedings

The information contained in Note 5 updates the disclosures concerning legal proceedings and contingent liabilities in the Group's Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2022.

 

Note 2: Intangible assets

 

In accordance with IAS 36 'Impairment of Assets', reviews for triggers of impairment or impairment reversals at an individual asset or cash generating unit level were conducted, and impairment tests carried out where triggers were identified. As a result, total net impairment charges of $271m have been recorded against intangible assets during the three months ended 31 March 2023 (Q1 2022: $94m net reversal). Net impairment charges in respect of medicines in development were $271m (Q1 2022: $77m reversal) including the $244m impairment of the ALXN1840 intangible asset, following decision to discontinue this development programme in Wilsons disease.

 

The acquisition of CinCor completed on 24 February 2023, recorded as an asset acquisition, with consideration and net assets acquired of $1,268m, which included intangible assets acquired of $780m, $424m of cash and cash equivalents, and $75m of marketable securities. Contingent consideration of up to $496m could be paid on achievement of regulatory milestones, those liabilities will be recorded when milestones are triggered, or performance conditions have been satisfied.

 

Note 3: Net debt

 

The table below provides an analysis of Net Debt and a reconciliation of Net Cash Flow to the movement in Net Debt. The Group monitors Net Debt as part of its capital-management policy as described in Note 28 of the Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2022. Net Debt is a non-GAAP financial measure.

 

Table 23: Net debt

 


 

At 1 Jan 2023

Cash flow

Acquisitions

Non-cash
& other

Exchange movements

At 31 Mar 2023


 

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

Non-current instalments of loans


(22,965)

(3,826)

(7)

(118)

(26,916)

Non-current instalments of leases


(725)

(6)

(5)

(730)

Total long-term debt

 

(23,690)

(3,826)

(6)

(1)

(123)

(27,646)

Current instalments of loans


(4,964)

2,004 

(2,958)

Current instalments of leases


(228)

72 

(2)

(73)

(1)

(232)

Commercial paper


(74)

(74)

Bank collateral received


(89)

(10)

(99)

Other short-term borrowings excluding overdrafts


(78)

(13)

- 

- 

1 

(90)

Overdrafts


(183)

(218)

(3)

(404)

Total current debt

 

(5,542)

1,761 

(2)

(71)

(3)

(3,857)

Gross borrowings

 

(29,232)

(2,065)

(8)

(72)

(126)

(31,503)

Net derivative financial instruments


(96)

(17)

92 

(21)

Net borrowings

 

(29,328)

(2,082)

(8)

20 

(126)

(31,524)

Cash and cash equivalents


6,166 

74 

(8)

6,232 

Other investments - current


239 

(9)

230 

Cash and investments

 

6,405 

65 

(8)

6,462 

Net debt

 

(22,923)

(2,017)

(8)

20 

(134)

(25,062)

 

Non-cash movements in the period include fair value adjustments under IFRS 9 Financial Instruments.

 

The Group has agreements with some bank counterparties whereby the parties agree to post cash collateral on financial derivatives, for the benefit of the other, equivalent to the market valuation of the derivative positions above a predetermined threshold. The carrying value of such cash collateral held by the Group at 31 March 2023 was $99m (31 December 2022: $89m) and the carrying value of such cash collateral posted by the Group at 31 March 2023 was $164m (31 December 2022: $162m).

 

The equivalent GAAP measure to Net debt is 'liabilities arising from financing activities', which excludes the amounts for cash and overdrafts, other investments and non-financing derivatives shown above and includes the Acerta Pharma share purchase liability of $792m (31 December 2022: $1,646m), which is shown in current other payables.

 

Net debt increased by $2,139m in the year to date to $25,062m. Details of the committed undrawn bank facilities are disclosed within the going concern section of Note 1.

 

During the three months ended 31 March 2023, there were no changes to the Company's solicited credit ratings issued by Standard and Poor's (long term: A; short term: A-1) and from Moody's (long term: A3; short term: P‑2).

 

Note 4: Financial Instruments

 

As detailed in the Group's most recent annual financial statements, the principal financial instruments consist of derivative financial instruments, other investments, trade and other receivables, cash and cash equivalents, trade and other payables, lease liabilities and interest-bearing loans and borrowings.

 

The Group has certain equity investments that are categorised as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy that are held at $217m at 31 March 2023 (31 December 2022: $186m) and for which fair value gains of $1m have been recognised in the three months ended 31 March 2023 (31 March 2022: $nil). In the absence of specific market data, these unlisted investments are held at fair value based on the cost of investment and adjusting as necessary for impairments and revaluations on new funding rounds, which are seen to approximate the fair value. All other fair value gains and/or losses that are presented in Net gains on equity investments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income in the Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the three months ended 31 March 2023 are Level 1 fair value measurements, valued based on quoted prices in active markets.

 

Financial instruments measured at fair value include $1,162m of other investments, $4,459m held in money-market funds, $291m of loans designated at fair value through profit or loss and ($21m) of derivatives as at 31 March 2023. With the exception of derivatives being Level 2 fair valued, certain equity investments as described above and an equity warrant of $20m categorised as Level 3, the aforementioned balances are Level 1 fair valued. Financial instruments measured at amortised cost include $61m of fixed deposits and $164m of cash collateral pledged to counterparties. The total fair value of interest-bearing loans and borrowings at 31 March 2023, which have a carrying value of $31,503m in the Condensed consolidated statement of financial position, was $30,576m.

 

Table 24: Financial instruments - contingent consideration

 


 

2023

2022

 

 

Diabetes alliance

Other

Total

Total

 

 

$m

$m

$m

$m

At 1 January


2,124 

98 

2,222 

2,865 

Additions through business combinations


60 

60 

Settlements


(212)

(2)

(214)

(182)

Disposals


(121)

Discount unwind


31 

33 

42 

At 31 March

 

1,943 

158 

2,101 

2,604 

 

Contingent consideration arising from business combinations is fair valued using decision-tree analysis, with key inputs including the probability of success, consideration of potential delays and the expected levels of future revenues.

 

The contingent consideration balance relating to BMS's share of the global diabetes alliance of $1,943m (31 December 2022: $2,124m) would increase/decrease by $194m with an increase/decrease in sales of 10%, as compared with the current estimates.

 

Note 5: Legal proceedings and contingent liabilities

 

AstraZeneca is involved in various legal proceedings considered typical to its business, including litigation and investigations, including Government investigations, relating to product liability, commercial disputes, infringement of intellectual property (IP) rights, the validity of certain patents, anti-trust law and sales and marketing practices. The matters discussed below constitute the more significant developments since publication of the disclosures concerning legal proceedings in the Company's Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2022 (the Disclosures).

 

As discussed in the Disclosures, the majority of claims involve highly complex issues. Often these issues are subject to substantial uncertainties and, therefore, the probability of a loss, if any, being sustained and/or an estimate of the amount of any loss is difficult to ascertain.

 

Unless specifically identified below, AstraZeneca considers each of the claims to represent a contingent liability or a contingent asset where the matter is brought by AstraZeneca, and discloses information with respect to the nature and facts of the cases in accordance with IAS 37.

 

There is one matter concerning legal proceedings in the Disclosures, which is considered probable that an outflow will be required, but for which we are unable to make an estimate of the possible loss or range of possible losses at this stage.

 

In cases that have been settled or adjudicated, or where quantifiable fines and penalties have been assessed and which are not subject to appeal, or where a loss is probable and we are able to make a reasonable estimate of the loss, AstraZeneca records the loss absorbed or makes a provision for its best estimate of the expected loss. The position could change over time and the estimates that the Company made, and upon which the Company have relied in calculating these provisions are inherently imprecise. There can, therefore, be no assurance that any losses that result from the outcome of any legal proceedings will not exceed the amount of the provisions that have been booked in the accounts. The major factors causing this uncertainty are described more fully in the Disclosures and herein.

 

AstraZeneca has full confidence in, and will vigorously defend and enforce, its IP.

 

Matters disclosed in respect of the first quarter of 2023 and to 27 April 2023

 

Patent litigation

 

Enhertu

US patent proceedings

As previously disclosed, in December 2020 and January 2021, AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. filed post-grant review (PGR) petitions with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) alleging, inter alia, that the Seagen patent is invalid for lack of written description and enablement. The USPTO initially declined to institute the PGRs, but, in April 2022, the USPTO granted the rehearing requests, instituting both PGR petitions. Seagen subsequently disclaimed all patent claims at issue in one of the PGR proceedings. In July 2022, the USPTO reversed its institution decision and declined to institute the other PGR petition. AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. requested reconsideration of the decision not to institute review of the patent. In February 2023, the USPTO reinstituted the PGR proceeding. An oral hearing is scheduled for August 2023.

 

Lynparza

US patent proceedings

As previously disclosed, in December 2022, AstraZeneca received a Paragraph IV notice letter from an abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) filer relating to patents listed in the FDA Orange Book with reference to Lynparza. In February 2023, in response to the Paragraph IV notice, AstraZeneca, MSD International Business GmbH, and the University of Sheffield initiated ANDA litigation against Natco Pharma Limited (Natco) in the US District Court for the District of New Jersey. In the complaint, AstraZeneca alleged that Natco's generic version of Lynparza, if approved and marketed, would infringe patents listed in the FDA Orange Book with reference to Lynparza. No trial date has been scheduled.

 

Movantik

US patent proceedings

AstraZeneca has resolved by settlement the previously disclosed patent infringement lawsuit brought by Aether Therapeutics, Inc. in the US District Court for the District of Delaware against AstraZeneca, Nektar Therapeutics and Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., relating to Movantik. This matter is now concluded.

 

Symbicort

US patent proceedings

AstraZeneca has resolved via settlement the previously disclosed ANDA litigations with Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Kindeva Drug Delivery L.P. (together, the Defendants). In those actions, AstraZeneca alleged that the Defendants' generic versions of Symbicort, if approved and marketed, would infringe various AstraZeneca patents. This matter is now concluded.

 

Tagrisso

Patent proceedings outside the US

In Russia, in October 2021, AstraZeneca filed a lawsuit in the Arbitration Court of the Moscow Region (the Court) against Axelpharm, LLC to prevent it from obtaining authorisation to market a generic version of Tagrisso prior to the expiration of AstraZeneca's patents covering Tagrisso. The lawsuit also names the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation as a third party. In March 2022, the Court dismissed the lawsuit. In June 2022, the dismissal was affirmed on appeal. In January 2023, the dismissal was affirmed on further appeal. This matter is now concluded.

 

Product liability litigation

 

Nexium and Losec/Prilosec

US proceedings

In the US, AstraZeneca is defending various previously disclosed lawsuits brought in federal and state courts involving multiple plaintiffs claiming that they have been diagnosed with various injuries following treatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), including Nexium and Prilosec. The vast majority of those lawsuits relate to allegations of kidney injuries. In August 2017, the pending federal court cases were consolidated in a multidistrict litigation (MDL) proceeding in the US District Court for the District of New Jersey for pre-trial purposes. A bellwether trial has been scheduled for October 2023, with subsequent bellwether trials scheduled for November 2023 and January 2024. In addition to the MDL cases, there are cases filed in several state courts around the US; a case that was previously set to go to trial in Delaware state court was dismissed in October 2022.

 

In addition, AstraZeneca has been defending various lawsuits involving allegations of gastric cancer following treatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), including Nexium and Prilosec. One such claim is filed in the US District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana has been scheduled to go to trial in April 2024.

 

Onglyza and Kombiglyze

US proceedings

As previously disclosed, in the US, AstraZeneca is defending various lawsuits alleging heart failure, cardiac injuries, and/or death from treatment with Onglyza or Kombiglyze. In February 2018, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ordered the transfer of various pending federal actions to the US District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky (the District Court) for consolidated pre-trial proceedings with the federal actions pending in the District Court. The District Court granted AstraZeneca's motion for summary judgment in August 2022, and plaintiffs are in the process of appealing that decision. In the California State Court coordinated proceeding, AstraZeneca's motion for summary judgment was granted in March 2022. Plaintiffs appealed, and in April 2023, the California Appellate Court affirmed the lower court's decision to grant summary judgment.

 

Commercial Litigation

 

Viela Bio, Inc. Shareholder Litigation

US proceedings

In February 2023, AstraZeneca was served with a lawsuit filed in the Delaware State Court against AstraZeneca and certain officers, on behalf of a putative class of Viela Bio, Inc. (Viela) shareholders. The complaint alleges that defendants breached their fiduciary duty to Viela shareholders in the course of Viela's 2021 merger with Horizon Therapeutics, plc. This case remains in the preliminary stages.

 

Definiens

In Germany, in July 2020, AstraZeneca received a notice of arbitration filed with the German Institution of Arbitration from the sellers of Definiens AG (the Sellers) regarding the 2014 Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) between AstraZeneca and the Sellers. The Sellers claim that they are owed approximately $140m in earn-outs under the SPA. The arbitration hearing took place in March 2023 and AstraZeneca awaits a decision.

 

PARP Inhibitor Royalty Dispute

In October 2012, Tesaro, Inc. (now wholly owned by GlaxoSmithKline plc, 'GSK') entered into two worldwide, royalty-bearing patent license agreements with AstraZeneca related to GSK's product niraparib. In May 2021, AstraZeneca filed a lawsuit against GSK in the Commercial Court of England and Wales alleging that GSK has failed to pay all of the royalties due on niraparib sales under the license agreements. The case was transferred to the Chancery Division and a trial took place in March 2023. In April 2023, the court issued a decision in AstraZeneca's favour.

 

Pay Equity Litigation (US)

AstraZeneca was defending a putative class and collective action matter in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois brought by three named plaintiffs, who are former AstraZeneca pharmaceutical sales representatives. The case involved claims under the federal and Illinois Equal Pay Acts, with the plaintiffs alleging they were paid less than male employees who performed substantially similar and/or equal work. The plaintiffs sought various damages on behalf of themselves and the putative class and/or collective, including without limitation backpay, liquidated damages, compensatory and punitive damages, attorneys' fees, and interest. In January 2023, the District Court granted AstraZeneca's motion to dismiss plaintiffs' complaint. In March 2023, plaintiffs filed a Second Amended Complaint.

 

Portola Shareholder Litigation

In the US, in connection with Alexion's July 2020 acquisition of Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc (Portola), Alexion assumed litigation to which Portola is a party. In January 2020, putative securities class action lawsuits were filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California against Portola and certain officers and directors, on behalf of purchasers of Portola publicly traded securities during the period 8 January 2019 through 26 February 2020. The operative complaints allege that defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements or omissions with regard to Andexxa. In June 2022, the parties reached a settlement in principle of this matter. In March 2023, the court granted final approval of the settlement. This matter is now concluded.

 

Alexion Shareholder Litigation (US)

In December 2016, putative securities class action lawsuits were filed in the US District Court for the District of Connecticut (the District Court) against Alexion and certain officers and directors, on behalf of purchasers of Alexion publicly traded securities during the period 30 January 2014 through 26 May 2017. The amended complaint alleges that defendants engaged in securities fraud, including by making misrepresentations and omissions in its public disclosures concerning Alexion's Soliris sales practices, management changes, and relateds investigations. In August 2021, the District Court issued a decision denying in part Defendants' motion to dismiss the matter. The Court granted Plaintiffs' motion for class certification in April 2023.

 

Syntimmune

In connection with Alexion's prior acquisition of Syntimmune, Inc., (Syntimmune) in December 2020, Alexion was served with a lawsuit filed by the stockholders' representative for Syntimmune in Delaware State Court that alleged, among other things, breaches of contractual obligations relating to the 2018 merger agreement. The stockholders' representative alleges that Alexion failed to meet its obligations under the merger agreement to use commercially reasonable efforts to achieve the milestones. Alexion also filed a claim for breach of the representations in the 2018 merger agreement.  A trial is scheduled for the matter in July 2023.

 

Government investigations/proceedings

 

Brazilian tax assessment matter (Brazil)

As previously disclosed, in August 2019, the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service provided a Notice of Tax and Description of the Facts (the Tax Assessment) to two Alexion subsidiaries (the Brazil Subsidiaries), as well as to two additional entities, a logistics provider utilised by Alexion and a distributor. The Tax Assessment focuses on the importation of Soliris vials pursuant to Alexion's free drug supply to patients programme in Brazil.

 

Alexion prevailed in the first level of administrative appeals in the Brazilian federal administrative proceeding system based on a deficiency in the Brazil Tax Assessment. The decision was subject to an automatic (ex officio) appeal to the second level of the administrative courts. In March 2023, the second level of the administrative courts issued a decision to remand the matter to the first level of administrative courts for a determination on the merits.

 

Note 6: Subsequent events

 

In April 2023, the contractual relationship between AstraZeneca and Sobi relating to future sales of nirsevimab in the US was replaced by a royalty relationship between Sanofi and Sobi. As a result, a liability representing AstraZeneca's future obligations to Sobi will be eliminated from AstraZeneca's Statement of Financial Position, and AstraZeneca will record a gain of $718m in Core Other operating income in Q2 2023.

 

Table 25: Q1 2023 - Product Sales year-on-year analysis[73]

 

 

World

US

Emerging Markets

Europe

Established RoW

 


$m

Act % chg

CER % chg

$m

% chg

$m

Act % chg

CER % chg

$m

Act % chg

CER % chg

$m

Act % chg

CER % chg

Oncology

3,920 

16 

21 

1,704 

24 

966 

16 

760 

17 

24 

490 

19 

Tagrisso

1,424 

15 

521 

19 

444 

17 

257 

202 

(2)

11 

Imfinzi

900 

50 

56 

522 

66 

81 

39 

47 

163 

31 

38 

134 

33 

52 

Lynparza

651 

10 

268 

(1)

137 

13 

19 

178 

11 

18 

68 

16 

Calquence

532 

28 

31 

384 

13 

18 

n/m

n/m

108 

95 

n/m

22 

76 

91 

Enhertu

37 

n/m

n/m

24 

n/m

n/m

10 

n/m

n/m

n/m

n/m

Orpathys

(33)

(27)

(33)

(27)

Zoladex

227 

(6)

(25)

167 

10 

33 

(5)

24 

(32)

(22)

Faslodex

75 

(19)

(11)

(33)

37 

(14)

(7)

10 

(39)

(35)

24 

(13)

Others

66 

(32)

(27)

(28)

50 

(31)

(27)

(55)

(52)

13 

(32)

(22)

BioPharmaceuticals: CVRM

2,530 

15 

21 

622 

19 

1,165 

14 

22 

557 

16 

22 

186 

19 

Farxiga

1,299 

30 

37 

296 

53 

498 

27 

35 

393 

24 

31 

112 

15 

29 

Brilinta

334 

179 

82 

19 

25 

67 

(12)

(7)

(59)

(53)

Lokelma

98 

56 

64 

56 

45 

11 

n/m

n/m

11 

98 

n/m

20 

29 

50 

roxadustat

61 

49 

63 

61 

49 

63 

Andexxa

44 

34 

42 

20 

(13)

15 

58 

66 

n/m

n/m

Crestor

305 

14 

23 

14 

(22)

241 

22 

32 

16 

48 

56 

34 

(18)

(7)

Seloken/Toprol-XL

179 

(27)

(20)

173 

(27)

(21)

(3)

(23)

(19)

Onglyza

63 

(8)

(3)

14 

(26)

37 

17 

(17)

(17)

(32)

(17)

Bydureon

45 

(33)

(32)

38 

(32)

44 

45 

(38)

(34)

(1)

n/m

n/m

Others

102 

(25)

61 

19 

27 

35 

(5)

(4)

(63)

(59)

BioPharmaceuticals: R&I

1,583 

10 

617 

(4)

533 

22 

31 

292 

11 

141 

(6)

Symbicort

688 

233 

(10)

229 

37 

48 

147 

(6)

(1)

79 

(14)

(7)

Fasenra

338 

10 

13 

201 

14 

n/m

n/m

88 

17 

23 

35 

(4)

Breztri

144 

67 

73 

81 

53 

38 

71 

85 

15 

n/m

n/m

10 

52 

73 

Saphnelo

47 

n/m

n/m

44 

n/m

n/m

n/m

n/m

n/m

Tezspire

11 

n/m

n/m

n/m

n/m

n/m

n/m

Pulmicort

221 

10 

(54)

182 

11 

19 

20 

12 

19 

(31)

(25)

Bevespi

15 

(1)

(15)

21 

55 

64 

Daliresp/Daxas

13 

(75)

(75)

(80)

(19)

(17)

(6)

(2)

35 

(36)

Others

106 

(27)

(22)

30 

(44)

67 

(9)

(1)

(54)

(50)

(12)

(7)

BioPharmaceuticals: V&I

355 

(80)

(78)

n/m

104 

(84)

(83)

98 

(66)

(64)

153 

(66)

(62)

COVID-19 mAbs

127 

(73)

(70)

n/m

(91)

(91)

(94)

(93)

115 

n/m

n/m

Vaxzevria

28 

(97)

(97)

n/m

18 

(96)

(96)

10 

(93)

(92)

n/m

n/m

Synagis

198 

(1)

78 

17 

21 

82 

(5)

38 

(18)

(7)

FluMist

n/m

n/m

- 

n/m

n/m

Rare Disease

1,866 

10 

14 

1,094 

173 

51 

57 

387 

14 

212 

21 

Soliris

834 

(16)

(13)

448 

(24)

115 

63 

77 

183 

(17)

(12)

88 

(18)

(10)

Ultomiris

651 

55 

61 

381 

73 

13 

(46)

(45)

159 

52 

61 

98 

39 

61 

Strensiq

262 

26 

28 

205 

28 

15 

70 

58 

21 

10 

17 

21 

22 

Koselugo

79 

n/m

n/m

41 

34 

24 

n/m

n/m

11 

n/m

n/m

n/m

n/m

Kanuma

40 

19 

(1)

(6)

13 

10 

31 

44 

Other medicines

312 

(26)

(21)

36 

(8)

205 

22 

(38)

(37)

49 

(66)

(62)

Nexium

244 

(27)

(20)

29 

(12)

156 

17 

12 

(19)

(15)

47 

(67)

(62)

Others

68 

(26)

(23)

19 

49 

(18)

(13)

10 

(52)

(52)

(63)

(58)

Total Product Sales

10,566 

(4)

4,073 

3,146 

(5)

2,116 

1,231 

(23)

(13)

 

Table 26: Alliance Revenue

 



Q1 2023

Q1 2022



$m

$m

Enhertu


220

76

Tezspire


43

3

Vaxzevria: royalties


-

56

Other royalty income


20

16

Other Alliance Revenue


3

1

Total


286

152

 

Table 27: Collaboration Revenue

 



Q1 2023

Q1 2022



$m

$m

Lynparza: regulatory milestones


-

175

Farxiga: sales milestones


24

-

tralokinumab: sales milestones


-

70

Other Collaboration Revenue


3

13

Total


27

258

 

 

Table 28: Other Operating Income and Expense

 



Q1 2023

Q1 2022



$m

$m

brazikumab licence termination funding


38

35

Divestment of US rights to Pulmicort Flexhaler


241

-

Other


100

62

Total


379

97

 

Other shareholder information

 

Financial calendar

 

Announcement of half year and second quarter 2023 results:       28 July 2023

Announcement of nine month and third quarter 2023 results:        9 November 2023

Announcement of full year and fourth quarter 2023 results:          8 February 2024

 

Dividends are normally paid as follows:

First interim:          Announced with the half year results and paid in September

Second interim:     Announced with full year results and paid in March

 

The record date for the first interim dividend for 2023, payable on 11 September 2023, will be 11 August 2023. The ex-dividend date will be 10 August 2023.

 

Contacts

 

For details on how to contact the Investor Relations Team, please click here. For Media contacts, click here.

 

Addresses for correspondence

 


 

 

 

Registered office

Registrar and transfer office

Swedish Central Securities Depository

US depositary

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas

1 Francis Crick Avenue

Cambridge Biomedical Campus

Cambridge

CB2 0AA

Equiniti Limited

Aspect House

Spencer Road

Lancing

West Sussex

BN99 6DA

Euroclear Sweden AB PO Box 191

SE-101 23 Stockholm

American Stock Transfer

6201 15th Avenue

Brooklyn

NY 11219

 

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Sweden





+44 (0) 20 3749 5000

0800 389 1580

+46 (0) 8 402 9000

+1 (888) 697 8018


+44 (0) 121 415 7033


+1 (718) 921 8137




 

Trademarks

 

Trademarks of the AstraZeneca group of companies appear throughout this document in italics. Medical publications also appear throughout the document in italics. AstraZeneca, the AstraZeneca logotype and the AstraZeneca symbol are all trademarks of the AstraZeneca group of companies. Trademarks of companies other than AstraZeneca that appear in this document include Arimidex and Casodex, owned by AstraZeneca or Juvisé (depending on geography); Beyfortus, a trademark of Sanofi Pasteur Inc.; Enhertu, a trademark of Daiichi Sankyo; Losec, owned by AstraZeneca or Cheplapharm (depending upon geography); Seloken, owned by AstraZeneca or Taiyo Pharma Co., Ltd (depending on geography); Synagis, owned by AstraZeneca or Sobi aka Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (publ). (depending on geography); and Tezspire, a trademark of Amgen, Inc.

 

Information on or accessible through AstraZeneca's websites, including astrazeneca.com, does not form part of and is not incorporated into this announcement.

 

AstraZeneca

 

AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Disease, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.

 

Cautionary statements regarding forward-looking statements

 

In order, among other things, to utilise the 'safe harbour' provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, AstraZeneca (hereafter 'the Group') provides the following cautionary statement:

 

This document contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the operations, performance and financial condition of the Group, including, among other things, statements about expected revenues, margins, earnings per share or other financial or other measures. Although the Group believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, any forward-looking statements, by their very nature, involve risks and uncertainties and may be influenced by factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those predicted. The forward-looking statements reflect knowledge and information available at the date of preparation of this document and the Group undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements. The Group identifies the forward-looking statements by using the words 'anticipates', 'believes', 'expects', 'intends' and similar expressions in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, certain of which are beyond the Group's control, include, among other things:

 

‒    the risk of failure to meet regulatory or ethical requirements for medicine development or approval

‒    the risk of failures or delays in the quality or execution of the Group's commercial strategies

‒    the risk of pricing, affordability, access and competitive pressures

‒    the risk of failure to maintain supply of compliant, quality medicines

‒    the risk of illegal trade in the Group's medicines

‒    the impact of reliance on third-party goods and services

‒    the risk of failure in information technology or cybersecurity

‒    the risk of failure of critical processes

‒    the risk of failure to collect and manage data in line with legal and regulatory requirements and strategic objectives

‒    the risk of failure to attract, develop, engage and retain a diverse, talented and capable workforce

‒    the risk of failure to meet regulatory or ethical expectations on environmental impact, including climate change

‒    the risk of the safety and efficacy of marketed medicines being questioned

‒    the risk of adverse outcome of litigation and/or governmental investigations

‒    intellectual property-related risks to our products

‒    the risk of failure to achieve strategic plans or meet targets or expectations

‒    the risk of failure in financial control or the occurrence of fraud

‒    the risk of unexpected deterioration in the Group's financial position

‒    the impact that global and/or geopolitical events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war may have or continue to have on these risks, on the Group's ability to continue to mitigate these risks, and on the Group's operations, financial results or financial condition

 

Nothing in this document, or any related presentation/webcast, should be construed as a profit forecast.

 

- End of document -



[1] The COVID-19 medicines are Vaxzevria, Evusheld, and AZD3152 - the COVID-19 antibody currently in development.

[2] Constant exchange rates. The differences between Actual Change and CER Change are due to foreign exchange movements between periods in 2023 vs 2022. CER financial measures are not accounted for according to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) because they remove the effects of currency movements from Reported results.

[3] Effective 1 January 2023, the Group has updated the presentation of Total Revenue. For further details of the presentation of Alliance Revenue and Collaboration Revenue, see the basis of preparation and accounting policy section of the Notes to the Interim Financial Statements section.

[4] Reported financial measures are the financial results presented in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and International Accounting Standards as adopted by the European Union.

[5] Earnings per share.

[6] Core financial measures are adjusted to exclude certain items. The differences between Reported and Core measures are primarily due to costs relating to the acquisition of Alexion, amortisation of intangibles, impairments and restructuring charges. A full reconciliation between Reported EPS and Core EPS is provided in Table 13 in the Financial performance section of this document.

[7] Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism.

[8] Respiratory & Immunology.

[9] Non-small cell lung cancer.

[10]             Hepatocellular carcinoma.

[11]             Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

[12]             Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2.

[13]             nirsevimab is approved in the EU with the Beyfortus trademark.

[14]             Vaxzevria is AstraZeneca's trademark for the Company's supply of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine. In the financial tables in this report, 'Vaxzevria Total Revenue' includes royalties from sub-licensees that produce and supply the AstraZeneca COVID‑19 Vaccine under their own trademarks, recorded in Alliance Revenue.

[15]             Monoclonal antibodies. The COVID-19 mAbs are Evusheld and AZD3152.

[16]             For Alliance Revenue and Collaboration Revenue, the comparable amounts for FY 2022 are $749m and $604m respectively.

[17]             Vaccines & Immune Therapies.

[18]             In Table 2, the plus and minus symbols denote the directional impact of the item being discussed, e.g. a '+' symbol next to an R&D expense comment indicates that the item increased the R&D expense relative to the prior year.

[19]             The calculation of Reported and Core Gross Margin excludes the impact of Alliance Revenue and Collaboration Revenue.

[20]             Income from disposals of assets and businesses, where the Group does not retain a significant ongoing economic interest, continue to be recorded in Other Operating Income and Expense in the Company's financial statements.

[21]             Respiratory syncytial virus.

[22]             Hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloid polyneuropathy.

[23]             Hormone receptor.

[24]             Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures.

[25] Product Sales shown in the Imfinzi line include Product Sales from Imjudo

[26] National reimbursement drug list.

[27] France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK.

[28] Biliary tract cancer.

[29] Extensive-stage small cell lung cancer.

[30] Poly ADP ribose polymerase.

[31] Platinum sensitive relapse

[32] Breast cancer gene mutation.

[33] Germline (hereditary) breast cancer gene mutation.

[34] Metastatic breast cancer.

[35] Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

[36] Mesenchymal-epithelial transition.

[37] Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2.

[38] Heart failure.

[39] Chronic kidney disease.

[40] European Society of Cardiology.

[41] American Heart Association.

[42] American College of Cardiology.

[43] Heart Failure Society of America.

[44] Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

[45] Type-2 diabetes.

[46] Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

[47] Betaloc is the brand name for Seloken in China.

[48] Inhaled corticosteroid.

[49] Long-acting beta-agonist.

[50] Interleukin-5.

[51] The 'dynamic market' refers to patients who have recently changed their medicine. For biologic medicines, it captures patients who have adopted a biologic medicine for the first time, and patients who have switched from one biologic brand to another.

[52] Fixed dose combination.

[53] 'New-to-brand' share represents a medicine's share in the dynamic market

[54] Asthma COPD overlap.

[55] Intravenous injection.

[56] Systemic lupus erythematosus.

[57] Complement component 5.

[58] Atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome.

[59] Generalised myasthenia gravis.

[60] Other Operating Income.

[61] Securities Exchange Commission.

[62] Based on best prevailing assumptions around currency profiles.

[63] Based on average daily spot rates 1 Jan 2022 to 31 Dec 2022.

[64] Based on average daily spot rates 1 Jan 2023 to 31 Mar 2023.

[65] Based on average daily spot rates 1 Mar 2023 to 31 Mar 2023.

[66] Change vs the average spot rate for the previous year

[67] Other currencies include AUD, BRL, CAD, KRW and RUB.

[68] Overall survival.

[69] Epidermal growth factor receptor mutation.

[70] Supplemental new drug application.

[71] Neutralising antibody.

[72] Effective 1 January 2023, the Group has updated the presentation of Total Revenue. See Note 1 for further details of the presentation of Alliance Revenue.

[73] The table provides an analysis of year-on-year Product Sales, with Actual and CER growth rates reflecting year-on-year growth. Due to rounding, the sum of a number of dollar values and percentages may not agree to totals.

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