0001654954-21-001465.txt : 20210211 0001654954-21-001465.hdr.sgml : 20210211 20210211064233 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001654954-21-001465 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 6-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20210211 FILED AS OF DATE: 20210211 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20210211 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ASTRAZENECA PLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000901832 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: X0 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 6-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-11960 FILM NUMBER: 21616602 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1 FRANCIS CRICK AVENUE STREET 2: CAMBRIDGE BIOMEDICAL CAMPUS CITY: CAMBRIDGE STATE: X0 ZIP: CB2 0AA BUSINESS PHONE: 011 44 20 7304 5000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1 FRANCIS CRICK AVENUE STREET 2: CAMBRIDGE BIOMEDICAL CAMPUS CITY: CAMBRIDGE STATE: X0 ZIP: CB2 0AA FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: ZENECA GROUP PLC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19930422 6-K 1 a6964o.htm AZN: FULL-YEAR 2020 RESULTS a6964o
 
FORM 6-K
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
Report of Foreign Issuer
 
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the month of February 2021
 
Commission File Number: 001-11960
 
AstraZeneca PLC
 
1 Francis Crick Avenue
Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Cambridge CB2 0AA
United Kingdom
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
 
Form 20-F X Form 40-F __
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ______
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
Yes __ No X
 
If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the Registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-_____________
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AstraZeneca PLC
 
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
 
1.
AZN: full-year 2020 results
 
 
AstraZeneca PLC
11 February 2021 07:00 GMT
 
Full-year 2020 results
Accelerating the scientific and commercial evolution; 2021 guidance shows continuing progress
 
AstraZeneca delivered strong results in the year, in line with guidance that was reconfirmed during the year. With over half of Total Revenue coming from the fast-growing new medicines1, the Company leveraged its revenue growth to make further progress in profitability, while the strategy of sustainable growth through innovation brought numerous further benefits for patients. AstraZeneca's patient-centric strategy, focus on innovation and capital-allocation priorities remain unchanged, with sustainable long-term growth in revenue, profit and cash generation set to continue.
 
Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer, commented:
"The performance last year marked a significant step forward for AstraZeneca. Despite the significant impact from the pandemic, we delivered double-digit revenue growth to leverage improved profitability and cash generation. The consistent achievements in the pipeline, the accelerating performance of our business and the progress of the COVID-19 vaccine demonstrated what we can achieve, while the proposed acquisition of Alexion is intended to accelerate our scientific and commercial evolution even further.
 
Additional investment in new medicines continued to fuel our rapidly growing oncology and biopharmaceuticals therapy areas. Tagrisso's future was enhanced with its first regulatory approval in early, potentially-curable lung cancer and further national reimbursement in China in advanced disease. Farxiga again expanded its potential beyond diabetes, while tezepelumab promised real hope for patients suffering from severe asthma. Thanks to the focus on an industry-leading pipeline and consistent execution, I am confident that we will continue to deliver more progress for patients and sustained, compelling results."
 
Table 1: Financial summary
 
 
FY 2020
Q4 2020
$m
% change
$m
% change
Actual
CER2
Actual
CER
Total Revenue
26,617
9
10
7,410
11
10
-     Product Sales
25,890
10
11
7,011
12
11
-     Collaboration Revenue
727
(11)
(11)
399
(4)
(4)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reported3 EPS4
$2.44
n/m5
n/m
$0.78
n/m
n/m
Core6 EPS
$4.02
15
18
$1.07
19
24
 
Highlights of Total Revenue in the year included:
 
An increase in Product Sales of 10% (11% at CER) to $25,890m. The quarter was the first for many years with Product Sales in excess of $7,000m. New-medicine Total Revenue improved by 33% in the year to $13,950m, including growth in Emerging Markets of 53% (59% at CER) to $2,845m. Globally, the new medicines represented 52% of Total Revenue (FY 2019: 43%)
 
Oncology growth of 23% (24% at CER) to $11,455m, while New CVRM7 increased by 7% (9% at CER) to $4,702m. Respiratory & Immunology declined by 1% (stable at CER) to $5,375m, a reflection of the impact in China of COVID-19
 
An increase in Emerging Markets of 7% (10% at CER) to $8,711m, with China growth of 10% (11% at CER) to $5,375m. In the US, Total Revenue increased by 13% to $8,833m and in Europe by 10% (9% at CER) to $5,540m. Both regions delivered stronger growth rates in the final quarter compared to the full year - see the Regional Total Revenue section for details
 
Guidance
The Company provides guidance for FY 2021 at CER.
 
 

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

 
The guidance does not incorporate any revenue or profit impact from sales of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca (C19VAZ). The Company intends to report these sales separately from the next quarter. Similarly, the guidance excludes the proposed acquisition by the Company of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Alexion), anticipated to close in Q3 2021. AstraZeneca recognises the heightened risks and uncertainties from the impact of COVID-19. Variations in performance between quarters can be expected to continue.
 
The Company is unable to provide guidance and indications on a Reported basis because AstraZeneca cannot reliably forecast material elements of the Reported result, including any fair-value adjustments arising on acquisition-related liabilities, intangible-asset impairment charges and legal-settlement provisions. Please refer to the cautionary-statements section regarding forward-looking statements at the end of this announcement.
 
Indications
The Company provides indications for FY 2021 at CER:
 
-     AstraZeneca continues its focus on improving operating leverage, while addressing its most important capital-allocation priority of re-investment in the business, namely continued investment in R&D and the support of medicines and patient access in key markets
 
-     A Core Tax Rate of 18-22%. Variations in the Core Tax Rate between quarters are anticipated to continue
 
Currency impact
If foreign-exchange rates for January 2021 were seen over the full year, it is anticipated that there would be a low single-digit favourable impact on Total Revenue and Core EPS. The Company's foreign-exchange rate sensitivity analysis is contained within the operating and financial review.
 
Financial summary
-     Total Revenue, comprising Product Sales and Collaboration Revenue, increased by 9% in the year (10% at CER) to $26,617m. Product Sales grew by 10% (11% at CER) to $25,890m, driven primarily by the performances of the new medicines across Oncology and BioPharmaceuticals, including Tagrisso and Farxiga. Total Revenue included $2m of C19VAZ Product Sales within Other medicines; from the next quarter, AstraZeneca intends to report the C19VAZ sales performance separately
 
-     The Reported Gross Profit8 Margin was stable (up by one percentage point at CER) at 80%, while the Core Gross Profit Margin was stable, also at 80%, in line with the Company's expectations
 
-     Reported Total Operating Expense declined by 2% in the year to $17,684m and represented 66% of Total Revenue (FY 2019: 74%). Core Total Operating Expense increased by 6% to $15,633m and comprised 59% of Total Revenue (FY 2019: 60%)
 
-     Reported R&D Expense declined by 1% in the year to $5,991m, primarily reflecting the comparative effect of the $533m impairment of Epanova in FY 2019. Core R&D Expense increased by 10% to $5,872m, representing 22% of Total Revenue (FY 2019: 22%). The increases partly reflected investment in the Oncology pipeline, including the development of datopotamab deruxtecan (DS-1062), and the ending in FY 2019 of the release of the upfront funding of Lynparza development, as part of the collaboration with MSD9
 
-     Reported SG&A Expense declined by 3% in the year to $11,294m; Core SG&A Expense increased by 3% (4% at CER) to $9,362m, representing 35% of Total Revenue (FY 2019: 37%). The difference in the movements partly reflected fair-value adjustments arising on acquisition-related liabilities, as well as an increase in legal provisions recognised in 2019
 
-     Reported Other Income and Expense declined by 1% in the year to $1,528m. Core Other Income and Expense fell by 2% to $1,531m
 
-     The Reported Operating Profit Margin increased by seven percentage points in the year (eight at CER) to 19%. The Core Operating Profit Margin increased by one percentage point (two at CER) to 28% and AstraZeneca anticipates further sustainable expansion in the Core Operating Profit Margin over time
 
-     Reported EPS of $2.44 in the year represented an increase of 137% (142% at CER). Core EPS grew by 15% (18% at CER) to $4.02
 
-     The Board has reaffirmed its commitment to the progressive dividend policy. A stable second interim dividend of $1.90 per share has been declared, keeping the unchanged full-year dividend per share at $2.80
 
-     Net Cash Inflow from Operating Activities of $4,799m in the year, a year-on-year increase of $1,830m, primarily reflected an underlying improvement in business performance and declines in Working Capital and Short-Term Provisions. EBITDA progression continued, with growth of 24% (27% at CER) in the year to $8,311m, while Net Debt of $12,110m represented an increase of $206m
 
Commercial summary
 
Oncology
Total Revenue increased by 23% in the year (24% at CER) to $11,455m.
 
Table 2: Select Oncology medicine performances
 
 
FY 2020
Q4 2020
$m
% change
$m
% change
Actual
CER
Actual
CER
Tagrisso: Product Sales
4,328
36
36
1,157
31
28
Imfinzi: Product Sales
2,042
39
39
555
31
29
Lynparza: Product Sales
1,776
48
49
496
42
40
Lynparza: Collaboration Revenue
460
(25)
(25)
325
(7)
(7)
Calquence: Product Sales
522
n/m
n/m
182
n/m
n/m
Enhertu: Collaboration Revenue
96
n/m
n/m
33
n/m
n/m
 
New CVRM
Total Revenue increased by 7% in the year (9% at CER) to $4,702m.
 
Table 3: Select New CVRM medicine performances
 
 
FY 2020
Q4 2020
$m
% change
$m
% change
Actual
CER
Actual
CER
Farxiga: Total Revenue
1,964
27
30
587
40
40
Brilinta: Product Sales
1,593
1
2
363
(15)
(15)
Bydureon: Product Sales
448
(18)
(18)
122
(12)
(12)
Lokelma: Product Sales
76
n/m
n/m
28
n/m
n/m
Roxadustat: Collaboration Revenue
30
n/m
n/m
11
n/m
n/m
 
Respiratory & Immunology
Total Revenue declined by 1% in the year (stable at CER) to $5,375m. The adverse impact of the decline in Pulmicort sales reduced Respiratory & Immunology Total Revenue growth by 12 percentage points.
 
Table 4: Select Respiratory & Immunology medicine performances
 
 
FY 2020
Q4 2020
$m
% change
$m
% change
Actual
CER
Actual
CER
Symbicort: Product Sales
2,721
9
10
680
(5)
(5)
Pulmicort: Product Sales
996
(32)
(32)
368
(11)
(14)
Fasenra: Product Sales
949
35
34
283
38
35
Breztri: Product Sales
28
n/m
n/m
6
n/m
n/m
 
Emerging Markets
Total Revenue increased by 7% in the year (10% at CER) to $8,711m, including:
 
-     A China increase of 10% (11% at CER) to $5,375m. The strong performance was limited by the adverse impacts of COVID-19 on sales of Pulmicort and the pricing effect of the China volume-based procurement (VBP) programme on Brilinta, Losec and Arimidex. The Company continued to prioritise patient access to its medicines and geographical expansion in the Chinese market; this included additional successful inclusion of a number of medicines on the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL). Admission to the list has an immediate adverse impact on pricing; typically, however, this is more than offset by a subsequent favourable effect on volumes
 
-     An ex-China increase of 1% (9% at CER) to $3,336m, with particularly strong performances in Russia and Latin America
 
COVID-19
The ongoing pandemic has had a significant impact on every aspect of life in 2020, and the Company recognises the outstanding contribution of colleagues at AstraZeneca and their unrelenting focus on improving the lives of patients. The largest direct impacts of COVID-19 on the Company's portfolio of medicines included reduced sales of Pulmicort in China on fewer nebulisation-centre visits and reduced elective surgery, and less use globally of infused and injectable medicines, such as Imfinzi and Fasenra. There was also a decline in the number of hospital admissions around the world for the treatment of heart attacks and lower levels of elective percutaneous coronary intervention10, adversely impacting sales of Brilinta. Some medicines, however, may have benefited from shifts in patient care and behaviours, including oral medicines such as Calquence, which saw an element of benefit from the substitution from infused-chemotherapy regimens.
 
AstraZeneca has collaborated to mobilise research efforts to target the SARS-CoV-2 virus, in order to provide protection to societies and people against COVID-19 and to treat patients with severe disease. C19VAZ, developed in collaboration with the University of Oxford, received authorisation in December 2020 for emergency supply from the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Additional regulatory decisions have also been granted by regulatory authorities in a number of individual countries, including India, Argentina, Mexico and Morocco, and by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). In February 2021, the World Health Organization's (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE)  also recommended C19VAZ for use in individuals 18 years and over, with a preferred dosing interval of eight to 12 weeks.
 
In addition to C19VAZ, the Company has initiated five Phase III clinical trials of AZD7442, a long-acting antibody (LAAB) combination therapy for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, to evaluate safety and efficacy in preventing infection and treating patients in outpatient and inpatient settings. Further details of the Company's broad COVID-19 research and development programme are shown in the research and development section of this announcement. Details of AstraZeneca's work with governments and other organisations, including agreements on the supply of C19VAZ, can be found in the comprehensive sustainability section of this announcement.
Sustainability summary
During the period, the Company received recognition of its broad sustainability efforts, featuring in the top five for the sector in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) and inclusion in the Corporate Knights Global 100 Index, which identifies globally sustainable companies.
 
Recent developments and progress against the Company's sustainability priorities are reported below:
 
a)   Access to healthcare
In December 2020, AstraZeneca, through an advanced-purchase agreement with Gavi, the Vaccines Alliance, committed to enabling access to 170m doses of C19VAZ in up to 190 countries worldwide, through the COVAX Facility (COVAX). COVAX is a coalition co-led by CEPI, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Gavi, and the WHO. It is the only global initiative bringing governments and manufacturers together to ensure that safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines are available worldwide to both higher-income and lower-income countries.
 
b)   Environmental protection
During the period, AstraZeneca was recognised for its leadership in sustainability by global environmental non-profit CDP, a charity that runs a global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts. The Company received a place on the 'A List' for both climate action and water security. AstraZeneca was one of only three organisations worldwide to achieve this double A List recognition for five consecutive years. The Company also featured among the top 7% on CDP's 2020 Supplier Engagement Leaderboard, recognising progress in working with suppliers to address their emissions.
 
c)   Ethics and transparency
In January 2021, the Company was recognised for its efforts in promoting inclusion and diversity by the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index (BGEI), which tracks the performance of public companies committed to disclosing their efforts to support gender equality through policy development, representation and transparency. The Company was also listed as a participant in ShareAction's Workforce Disclosure Initiative (WDI), an annual survey that aims to improve corporate transparency and accountability on workforce issues and provide companies and investors with comprehensive and comparable data to help increase the provision of good jobs worldwide.
 
A more extensive sustainability update is provided later in this announcement.
 
Notes
The following notes refer to pages one to five.
 
1.   TagrissoImfinziLynparzaCalquenceEnhertuKoselugoFarxigaBrilintaLokelma, roxadustat, FasenraBevespi and Breztri. The new medicines are pillars in the three therapy areas of Oncology, Cardiovascular (CV), Renal & Metabolism (CVRM), and Respiratory & Immunology and are important platforms for future growth. The Total Revenue of Enhertu and roxadustat in the year entirely reflected Collaboration Revenue.
2.   Constant exchange rates. These are financial measures that are not accounted for according to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) because they remove the effects of currency movements from Reported results.
3.   Reported financial measures are the financial results presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the EU and as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
4.   Earnings per share.
5.   Not meaningful.
6.   Core financial measures. These are non-GAAP financial measures because, unlike Reported performance, they cannot be derived directly from the information in the Group's Financial Statements. See the operating and financial review for a definition of Core financial measures and a reconciliation of Core to Reported financial measures.
7.   New CVRM comprises Brilinta, Renal and Diabetes medicines.
8.   Gross Profit is defined as Total Revenue minus Cost of Sales. The calculation of Reported and Core Gross Profit Margin excludes the impact of Collaboration Revenue and any associated costs, thereby reflecting the underlying performance of Product Sales.
9.   Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, US, known as MSD outside the US and Canada.
10.  Percutaneous coronary intervention is a nonsurgical procedure intended to improve blood flow to the heart.
 
Table 5: Pipeline highlights
 
The following table highlights significant developments in the late-stage pipeline since the prior results announcement:
 
Regulatory approvals
-     Tagrisso - adjuvant[11] NSCLC[12] (EGFRm[13]) (US)
-     Imfinzi - new Q4W[14] dosing (US, EU)
-     Lynparza - ovarian cancer (1st line[15], HRD+[16]) (PAOLA-1) (EU, JP)
-     Lynparza - prostate cancer (2nd line, BRCAm[17]) (EU, JP)
-     Lynparza - pancreatic cancer (1st line, BRCAm) (JP)
-     Enhertu - gastric cancer (2nd line+, HER2+[18]) (US)
-     Enhertu - breast cancer (3rd line, HER2+) (EU)
-     Calquence - CLL[19] (EU, JP)
 
-     Forxiga - HF[20] CVOT[21] (EU, JP, CN)
-     Brilinta - stroke (THALES) (US)
 
-     Symbicort - mild asthma (CN)
-     Trixeo - COPD[22] (EU)
 
-     C19VAZ - COVID-19 (UK; authorisation for emergency supply, EU; conditional marketing authorisation)
Regulatory submission acceptances and/or submissions
-     Tagrisso - adjuvant NSCLC (EGFRm) (EU)
-     Lynparza - prostate cancer (2nd line, BRCAm) (CN)
 
-     Farxiga - CKD[23] (US, JP; priority reviews, EU, CN)
 
-     anifrolumab - lupus (SLE[24]) (JP)
Major Phase III data readouts or other significant developments
-     Imfinzi - biliary tract cancer: Orphan Drug Designation (US)
-     Imfinzi + treme[25] - head & neck cancer (1st line): Phase III primary endpoint not met
-     tremelimumab - liver cancer: orphan designation (EU)
-     Calquence - CLL (R/R[26]) (ELEVATE R/R): Phase III primary endpoint met
 
-     tezepelumab - severe asthma: Phase III primary endpoint met
 
Table 6: Pipeline - anticipated major news flow
 
Timing
News flow
H1 2021
-     Tagrisso - adjuvant NSCLC (EGFRm): regulatory decision (CN)
-     Imfinzi - unresectable[27], Stage III NSCLC (PACIFIC-2): data readout, regulatory submission
-     Imfinzi +/- treme - NSCLC (1st line) (POSEIDON): data readout (OS[28])
-     Lynparza - breast cancer (BRCAm): regulatory decision (CN)
-     Lynparza - adjuvant breast cancer: data readout
-     Calquence - CLL (R/R) (ELEVATE R/R): regulatory submission
-     Koselugo - NF1[29]: regulatory decision (EU)
 
-     Farxiga - CKD: regulatory decision (US)
-     Brilique/Brilinta - CAD[30]/T2D[31] CVOT: regulatory decision (EU, JP, CN)
-     Brilique - stroke (THALES): regulatory decision (EU)
-     roxadustat - anaemia in CKD: regulatory decision (US)
 
-     Symbicort - mild asthma: regulatory decision (EU)
-     Fasenra - nasal polyps[32]: regulatory submission
-     tezepelumab - severe asthma: regulatory submission
 
-     C19VAZ - SARS-CoV-2: data readout, regulatory submission (US)
-     AZD7442 - SARS-CoV-2: data readout, regulatory submission
 
H2 2021
-     Tagrisso - adjuvant NSCLC (EGFRm): regulatory decision (EU)
-     Imfinzi - NSCLC (1st line) (PEARL): data readout, regulatory submission
-     Imfinzi +/- treme - NSCLC (1st line) (POSEIDON): regulatory submission
-     Imfinzi +/- treme - liver cancer (1st line): data readout, regulatory submission
-     Lynparza - adjuvant breast cancer: regulatory submission
-     Lynparza - prostate cancer (2nd line, BRCAm): regulatory decision (CN)
-     Lynparza - prostate cancer (1st line, castration-resistant): data readout, regulatory submission
-     Enhertu - breast cancer (3rd line, HER2+) (Phase III): data readout
-     Enhertu - breast cancer (2nd line, HER2+): data readout, regulatory submission
-     Enhertu - breast cancer (HER2 low[33]): data readout
 
-     Forxiga - CKD: regulatory decision (EU, JP, CN)
-     Farxiga - HF (HFpEF[34]): data readout
-     Brilinta - stroke (THALES): regulatory decision (CN)
 
-     PT027 - asthma: data readout
-     anifrolumab - lupus (SLE): regulatory decision (US, EU, JP)
 
2022
-     Imfinzi - ES-SCLC[35]: regulatory decision (CN)
-     Imfinzi - LS-SCLC[36]: data readout, regulatory submission
-     Imfinzi - liver cancer (locoregional): data readout, regulatory submission
-     Imfinzi - biliary tract cancer: data readout, regulatory submission
-     Lynparza - ovarian cancer (3rd line, BRCAm): regulatory submission
-     Enhertu - breast cancer (3rd line, HER2+) (Phase III): regulatory submission
-     Enhertu - breast cancer (HER2 low): regulatory submission
-     Calquence - CLL: regulatory submission (CN)
-     Koselugo - NF1: regulatory submission (JP, CN)
 
-     Farxiga - HF (HFpEF): regulatory submission
-     roxadustat - MDS[37]: data readout, regulatory submission
 
-     PT027 - asthma: regulatory submission
-     nirsevimab - RSV[38]: data readout
 
Conference call
A conference call and webcast for investors and analysts will begin at 11:45am UK time today. Details can be accessed via astrazeneca.com.
 
Reporting calendar
The Company intends to publish its first-quarter results on Friday, 30 April 2021.
 
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three therapy areas - Oncology, CVRM, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information, please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
 
Contacts
For details on how to contact the Investor Relations Team, please click here. For Media contacts, click here.
 
 
Operating and financial review
 

All narrative on growth and results in this section is based on actual exchange rates, and financial figures are in US$ millions ($m), unless stated otherwise. The performance shown in this announcement covers the twelve-month period to 31 December 2020 (the year or FY 2020) and the three-month period to 31 December 2020 (the quarter, the fourth quarter or Q4 2020), compared to the twelve-month period to 31 December 2019 (FY 2019) and the three-month period to 31 December 2019 (Q4 2019) respectively, unless stated otherwise.
 
Forward-looking statements in this announcement do not reflect the impact of the performance of C19VAZ or the proposed acquisition by the Company of Alexion, which is expected to close in Q3 2021.
 
Core financial measures, EBITDA, Net Debt, Initial Collaboration Revenue and Ongoing Collaboration Revenue are non-GAAP financial measures because they cannot be derived directly from the Group's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when provided in combination with Reported results, will provide investors and analysts with helpful supplementary information to understand better the financial performance and position of the Group on a comparable basis from period to period. These non-GAAP financial measures are not a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Core financial measures are adjusted to exclude certain significant items, such as:
 
-     Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets, including impairment reversals but excluding any charges relating to IT assets
 
-     Charges and provisions related to restructuring programmes, which includes charges that relate to the impact of restructuring programmes on capitalised IT assets
 
-     Other specified items, principally comprising the Diabetes alliance[39], acquisition-related costs, which include fair-value adjustments and the imputed finance charge relating to contingent consideration on business combinations and legal settlements
 
Details on the nature of Core financial measures are provided on page 80 of the Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2019. Reference should be made to the Reconciliation of Reported to Core financial measures table included in the financial performance section in this announcement.
 
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 Condensed Financial Statements in this announcement.
 
Ongoing Collaboration Revenue is defined as Collaboration Revenue excluding Initial Collaboration Revenue (which is defined as Collaboration Revenue that is recognised at the date of completion of an agreement or transaction, in respect of upfront consideration). Ongoing Collaboration Revenue comprises, among other items, royalties, milestone revenue and profit-sharing income. Reference should be made to the Collaboration Revenue table in this operating and financial review.
 
The Company strongly encourages investors and analysts not to rely on any single financial measure, but to review AstraZeneca's financial statements, including the Notes thereto and other available Company reports, carefully and in their entirety.
 
Due to rounding, the sum of a number of dollar values and percentages may not agree to totals.
 
Table 7: Total Revenue by therapy area
Specialty-care medicines comprise all Oncology medicines, BrilintaLokelma, roxadustat and Fasenra. At 53% of Total Revenue (FY 2019: 48%), specialty-care medicines increased by 21% in the year (22% at CER) to $14,103m.
 
 
FY 2020
Q4 2020
$m
% of total
% change
$m
% change
Actual
CER
Actual
CER
Oncology
11,455
43
23
24
3,270
24
23
BioPharmaceuticals
10,077
38
3
4
2,786
3
2
-     New CVRM
4,702
18
7
9
1,252
7
7
-     Respiratory & Immunology
5,375
20
(1)
-
1,534
(1)
(2)
Other medicines
5,085
19
(4)
(2)
1,354
3
2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
26,617
100
9
10
7,410
11
10
 
Table 8: Top-ten medicines by Total Revenue
 
Medicine
Therapy Area
FY 2020
Q4 2020
$m
% of total
% change
$m
% change
Actual
CER
Actual
CER
Tagrisso
Oncology
4,328
16
36
36
1,157
31
28
Symbicort
Respiratory & Immunology
2,721
10
9
10
680
(5)
(5)
Lynparza
Oncology
2,236
8
24
24
821
17
16
Imfinzi
Oncology
2,042
8
39
39
555
31
29
Farxiga
CVRM
1,964
7
27
30
587
40
40
Brilinta
CVRM
1,593
6
1
2
363
(15)
(16)
Nexium
Other medicines
1,524
6
1
2
384
7
5
Crestor
CVRM
1,182
4
(10)
(9)
298
(9)
(10)
Pulmicort
Respiratory & Immunology
996
4
(32)
(32)
368
(11)
(14)
Fasenra
Respiratory & Immunology
949
4
35
34
283
38
35
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
19,535
73
14
15
5,496
13
11
 
Table 9: Collaboration Revenue
 
 
FY 2020
Q4 2020
$m
% of total
% change
$m
% change
Actual
CER
Actual
CER
Lynparza: regulatory milestone revenue
160
22
n/m
n/m
25
n/m
n/m
Lynparza: sales milestone revenue
300
41
(33)
(33)
300
20
20
Enhertu: share of gross profits
94
13
n/m
n/m
31
n/m
n/m
Roxadustat: share of gross profits
30
4
n/m
n/m
11
n/m
n/m
Other Ongoing Collaboration Revenue
143
20
(32)
(32)
32
(53)
(54)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
727
100
(11)
(11)
399
(4)
(4)
 
Other Collaboration Revenue included ZoladexFarxigaEkliraNexium OTC[40] and other royalties. No Initial Collaboration Revenue was recorded in the year.
 
 
Total Revenue
 

The performance of the Company's medicines is shown below, with a geographical split of Product Sales shown in Note 7.
 
Table 10: Therapy area and medicine performance - FY 2020
 
Product Sales:
therapy area
Medicine
FY 2020
$m
% of total Product Sales
% change
Actual
CER
Oncology
Tagrisso
4,328
17
36
36
Imfinzi
2,042
8
39
39
Lynparza
1,776
7
48
49
Calquence
522
2
n/m
n/m
Koselugo
38
-
n/m
n/m
Zoladex[41]
888
3
9
13
Faslodex41
580
2
(35)
(34)
Iressa41
268
1
(37)
(36)
Arimidex41
185
1
(18)
(16)
Casodex41
172
1
(14)
(14)
Others
51
-
(47)
(46)
Total Oncology
10,850
42
25
26
BioPharmaceuticals: CVRM
Farxiga
1,959
8
27
30
Brilinta
1,593
6
1
2
Onglyza
470
2
(11)
(10)
Bydureon
448
2
(18)
(18)
Byetta
68
-
(37)
(36)
Other diabetes
47
-
(10)
(10)
Lokelma
76
-
n/m
n/m
Crestor41
1,180
5
(8)
(7)
Seloken/Toprol-XL41
821
3
8
12
Atacand41
243
1
10
15
Others
191
1
(30)
(30)
BioPharmaceuticals:
total CVRM
7,096
27
3
5
BioPharmaceuticals: Respiratory & Immunology
Symbicort
2,721
11
9
10
Pulmicort
996
4
(32)
(32)
Fasenra
949
4
35
34
Daliresp/Daxas
217
1
1
1
Bevespi
48
-
16
15
Breztri
28
-
n/m
n/m
Others
398
2
(15)
(15)
BioPharmaceuticals: total Respiratory & Immunology
5,357
21
(1)
-
Other medicines
Nexium41
1,492
6
1
2
Synagis41
372
1
4
4
FluMist41
295
1
n/m
n/m
Losec/Prilosec41
183
1
(30)
(30)
Seroquel XR/IR41
117
-
(39)
(37)
Others
128
-
(33)
(34)
Total other medicines
2,587
10
(1)
-
 
Total Product Sales
25,890
100
10
11
Total Collaboration Revenue
727
 
(11)
(11)
Total Revenue
26,617
 
9
10
 
Table 11: Therapy area and medicine performance - Q4 2020
 
Product Sales:
therapy area
Medicine
Q4 2020
$m
% of total Product Sales
% change
Actual
CER
Oncology
Tagrisso
1,157
17
31
28
Imfinzi
555
8
31
29
Lynparza
496
7
42
40
Calquence
182
3
n/m
n/m
Koselugo
17
-
n/m
n/m
Zoladex
216
3
11
13
Faslodex
130
2
(21)
(22)
Iressa
67
1
(16)
(19)
Arimidex
36
1
(29)
(30)
Casodex
39
1
(10)
(13)
Others
13
-
(53)
(52)
Total Oncology
2,908
41
28
26
BioPharmaceuticals: CVRM
Farxiga
586
8
40
40
Brilinta
363
5
(15)
(15)
Onglyza
105
1
(20)
(21)
Bydureon
122
2
(12)
(12)
Byetta
19
-
(31)
(30)
Other diabetes
12
-
(23)
(22)
Lokelma
28
-
n/m
n/m
Crestor
298
4
1
(1)
Seloken/Toprol-XL
200
3
6
7
Atacand
63
1
5
9
Others
46
1
(38)
(40)
BioPharmaceuticals:
total CVRM
1,842
26
3
3
BioPharmaceuticals: Respiratory & Immunology
Symbicort
680
10
(5)
(5)
Pulmicort
368
5
(11)
(14)
Fasenra
283
4
38
35
Daliresp/Daxas
54
1
(6)
(7)
Bevespi
12
-
8
4
Breztri
6
-
n/m
n/m
Others
125
2
(8)
(12)
BioPharmaceuticals: total Respiratory & Immunology
1,528
22
(1)
(2)
Other medicines
Nexium
377
5
7
6
Synagis
78
1
24
24
FluMist
179
3
92
85
Losec/Prilosec
39
1
(15)
(18)
Seroquel XR/IR
19
-
(53)
(49)
Others
41
1
(30)
(31)
Total other medicines
733
10
12
10
 
Total Product Sales
7,011
100
12
11
Total Collaboration Revenue
399
 
(4)
(4)
Total Revenue
7,410
 
11
10
 
 
Total Revenue summary
 

Oncology
 
Total Revenue of $11,455m in the year; an increase of 23% (24% at CER). The performance of Enhertu was reflected entirely in Collaboration Revenue.
 
Oncology represented 43% of overall Total Revenue (FY 2019: 38%).
 
Tagrisso
Tagrisso has received regulatory approval in five countries, including the US, for use as an adjuvant treatment of EGFRm NSCLC patients, with three reimbursements granted so far. This expands upon the patient benefit from use in the 1st-line treatment of patients with EGFRm NSCLC with regulatory approval in 87 countries, including the US, China, in the EU and Japan. To date, reimbursement has been granted in 40 countries in this setting, with further decisions anticipated. These developments followed Tagrisso's regulatory approval in 89 countries, including the US, China, in the EU and Japan for the treatment of patients with EGFR T790M[42] NSCLC, an indication in which 66 reimbursements have been obtained.
 
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $4,328m in the year and represented growth of 36%. Sales in the US increased by 24% to $1,566m. Approval was granted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2020 for the adjuvant treatment of Stage Ib to IIIa EGFRm NSCLC patients.
 
In Emerging Markets, Tagrisso sales increased by 59% in the year (63% at CER) to $1,208m, with notable growth in China; admission to the 2021 China NRDL was obtained for the 1st-line and renewed for the 2nd-line setting, commencing in March 2021. Japan increased by 16% (14% at CER) to $731m, despite a Q4 2019 price reduction of 15%. In Europe, sales of $748m in the year represented an increase of 58% (56% at CER), driven by use in the 1st-line setting, as more reimbursements were granted.
 
Imfinzi
Imfinzi has received regulatory approval in 67 countries, including the US, China, in the EU and Japan for the treatment of patients with unresectable, Stage III NSCLC whose disease has not progressed following platinum-based chemoradiation therapy (CRT). The number of reimbursements increased to 28 in the year. Imfinzi has also been approved for the treatment of ES-SCLC patients in 51 countries, with five reimbursements obtained.
 
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $2,042m in the year and represented growth of 39%, predominantly for the treatment of unresectable, Stage III NSCLC patients. The US increased by 14% to $1,185m; in Japan, growth of 28% (26% at CER) represented sales of $270m. Europe increased by 106% (104% at CER) to $370m, reflecting a growing number of reimbursements, while Emerging Markets increased to $158m (FY 2019: $30m), following recent regulatory approvals and launches, including in China.
 
Lynparza
Lynparza has received regulatory approval in 78 countries for the treatment of ovarian cancer; it has also been approved in 76 countries for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, and in 55 countries for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Lynparza has received regulatory approval in 49 countries for the 2nd-line treatment of certain prostate-cancer patients.
 
Lynparza Total Revenue amounted to $2,236m in the year and represented growth of 24%; this included Collaboration Revenue of $460m.
 
Product Sales in the year amounted to $1,776m, reflecting growth of 48% (49% at CER). The strong performance was geographically spread, with further indication launches continuing globally. US Product Sales increased by 40% to $876m, as the launches in prostate cancer and 1st-line HRD+ ovarian cancer started to take effect. Lynparza continued to be the leading medicine in the poly ADP ribose polymerase-inhibitor (PARPi) class, as measured by total prescription volumes. Product Sales in Europe increased by 52% (51% at CER) to $435m, reflecting additional reimbursements and increasing BRCAm-testing rates, as well as successful recent 1st-line BRCAm ovarian cancer launches, including in the UK and Germany.
 
Japan Product Sales of Lynparza amounted to $167m, representing growth of 29% (27% at CER). Emerging Markets Product Sales were $264m, up by 98% (108% at CER). In China, Lynparza was admitted to the NRDL as a 1st-line treatment for BRCAm ovarian cancer patients with effect from March 2021.
 
Enhertu
US sales, recorded by Daiichi Sankyo Company Limited (Daiichi Sankyo), amounted to $200m in the year, including $64m in the quarter. Enhertu was approved at the end of 2019 by the US FDA for the treatment of 3rd-line HER2+ breast cancer. Total Revenue, entirely comprising Collaboration Revenue recorded by AstraZeneca, amounted to $96m in the year, with $33m recorded in the quarter.
 
Calquence
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $522m in the year and represented growth of 219%, with the overwhelming majority of sales in the US. Calquence was approved by the US FDA for the treatment of CLL in November 2019. In total, Calquence has received regulatory approvals for this indication in 51 countries and in 23 countries for the treatment of patients with R/R mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).
 
Koselugo
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales in the US, amounted to $38m in the year, following its launch during the second quarter for the treatment of the rare disease NF1 in paediatric patients aged two years and older who have symptomatic, inoperable plexiform neurofibromas.
 
Zoladex
Total Revenue, predominantly comprising Product Sales, amounted to $938m in the year and represented growth of 13% (17% at CER).
 
Emerging Markets Product Sales of Zoladex increased by 14% (20% at CER) to $561m, reflecting increased use and access in prostate cancer. Product Sales in Europe increased by 4% to $140m while, in the Established Rest of World (RoW) region, Product Sales increased by 1% to $182m.
 
Faslodex
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $580m in the year and represented a decline of 35% (34% at CER).
 
Emerging Markets fell by 9% (4% at CER) to $180m, while US sales declined by 83% to $55m, reflecting the launch in 2019 of multiple generic Faslodex medicines; in Europe, sales fell by 3% to $221m. In Japan, they declined by 11% (13% at CER) to $116m, driven by a mandated price reduction in the second quarter.
 
Iressa
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $268m in the year and represented a decline of 37% (36% at CER). Emerging Markets fell by 23% (22% at CER) to $221m, driven by the impact of Iressa's inclusion in China's VBP programme and subsequent price reduction.
 
 
BioPharmaceuticals: CVRM
 
Total Revenue increased by 3% in the year (4% at CER) to $7,139m and represented 27% of Total Revenue (FY 2019: 29%). This included roxadustat Collaboration Revenue of $30m, as well as the Product Sales of Crestor and other legacy medicines.
 
New CVRM Total Revenue, which excludes sales of Crestor and other legacy medicines, increased by 7% in the year (9% at CER) to $4,702m, mainly reflecting the strong performance of Farxiga. New CVRM represented 66% of overall CVRM Total Revenue in the year (FY 2019: 63%).
 
Farxiga
Total Revenue, predominantly comprising Product Sales, amounted to $1,964m in the year and represented growth of 27% (30% at CER). Q4 2020 Total Revenue increased by 40% to $587m, reflecting volume growth across the regions.
 
Emerging Markets Product Sales increased by 46% in the year (55% at CER) to $686m. In China, Forxiga was admitted to the NRDL with effect from the start of 2020; as expected, this adversely impacted pricing. This was, however, more than offset by the derived volume uplift.
 
US Product Sales increased by 6% in the year to $569m, partly driven by regulatory approval in May 2020 for the treatment of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in both patients with and without T2D, based on the compelling patient benefit seen in the results from the DAPA-HF trial. Sales in the fourth quarter increased by 31% to $184m, reflecting by the comparative effect of an adverse prior-year gross-to-net adjustment.
 
Product Sales in Europe increased by 36% in the year (35% at CER) to $507m, partly reflecting growth in the SGLT2[43] class, the beneficial addition of CVOT data to the label and HFrEF regulatory approval in November 2020. In Japan, sales to collaborator Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, which records in-market sales, increased by 29% (27% at CER) to $117m.
 
Brilinta
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $1,593m in the year and represented growth of 1% (2% at CER).
 
Global demand over the year was adversely impacted by the effects of COVID-19, reflected in fewer acute coronary syndrome hospital admissions. Sales in Q4 2020 declined by 15% to $363m, also driven by a VBP-related mandatory price reduction in China in Q3 2020.
 
Emerging Markets sales were stable in the year (up by 4% at CER) at $461m. Sales in the fourth quarter, however, declined by 39% (36% at CER) to $69m, following the aforementioned price reduction in China. US sales, at $732m, represented growth of 3%, with an increase in the average-weighted duration of treatment partly offset by the adverse COVID-19 impact, also reflected in fewer elective procedures. Sales of Brilique in Europe declined by 3% in the year to $342m, with the performance similarly impacted by COVID-19.
 
Onglyza
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $470m in the year and represented a decline of 11% (10% at CER).
 
Sales in Emerging Markets increased by 14% (18% at CER) to $201m, driven by the performance in China and the growing DPP-4[44] class. US sales of Onglyza fell by 28% in the year to $166m, while Europe sales declined by 16% (17% at CER) to $58m, highlighting the shift away from the class.
 
Bydureon
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $448m in the year and represented a decline of 18%.
 
US sales of $382m reflected a fall of 17% in the year, resulting from competitive pressures and the impact of managed markets. Sales in Europe declined by 20% to $53m.
 
Lokelma
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $76m in the year (FY 2019: $14m), an increase of 461% (463% at CER), despite the impact from COVID-19 on the overall market. The US represented the overwhelming majority of sales; Lokelma continued to lead new-to-brand prescription market share in the US. The medicine has received regulatory approval in several markets for the treatment of hyperkalaemia, including in the EU, China and Japan, with further launches anticipated in a number of markets soon. In December 2020, the medicine was excluded from the latest round of the China NRDL process.
 
Roxadustat
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Collaboration Revenue, amounted to $30m in the year in China. Q4 2020 revenue of $11m reflected a sequential quarterly increase of 46%. The Company continued to focus in the year on achieving hospital listings and patient access across China.
 
In July 2020, FibroGen Inc. (FibroGen) and AstraZeneca entered into an amendment to revise the existing licence agreement for roxadustat in China. From January 2021, the Company recognised the overwhelming majority of its future revenue in China as Product Sales.
 
Crestor
Total Revenue, predominantly comprising Product Sales, amounted to $1,182m in the year and represented a decline of 10% (9% at CER).
 
Product Sales in Emerging Markets fell by 7% (5% at CER) to $748m. The performance continued to be adversely impacted by the ongoing effects of the aforementioned VBP programme in China. US Product Sales declined by 11% to $92m. In Europe, Total Revenue fell by 31% (32% at CER) to $131m while, in Japan, where AstraZeneca collaborates with Shionogi Co., Ltd, Product Sales declined by 4% (5% at CER) to $164m.
 
In December 2020, it was announced that the Company had agreed to sell the commercial rights to Crestor in over 30 countries in Europe to Grünenthal GmbH. The divestment closed earlier in the first quarter of 2021.
 
BioPharmaceuticals: Respiratory & Immunology
 
Total Revenue declined by 1% in the year (stable at CER) to $5,375m and represented 20% of Total Revenue (FY 2019: 22%). This included Ongoing Collaboration Revenue of $18m from DuaklirEklira and other medicines.
 
Symbicort
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $2,721m in the year and represented an increase of 9% (10% at CER), a result of growth in the US. Q4 2020 Total Revenue declined by 5% to $680m, driven by the impact of generic competition in Europe and Japan. Symbicort remains the global market-volume and value leader within the inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) / long-acting beta agonist (LABA) class.
 
US sales grew by 23% in the year to $1,022m; an authorised-generic version of Symbicort was launched in the US by the Company's collaborator, Prasco LLC (Prasco), in January 2020. The performance in Emerging Markets in the year slowed down versus FY 2019, reflecting a reduction in hospital visits in China due to COVID-19, leading to fewer initiations. Despite this, Emerging Markets sales increased by 4% (9% at CER) to $567m.
 
In Europe, sales increased by 2% in the year to $694m, with positive volume growth seen in the major countries. In Japan, sales declined by 16% (18% at CER) to $189m, driven by the impact of generic competition and an unfavourable price comparison versus 2019, partly reflecting the termination of the Astellas Pharma Inc. co-promotion agreement. This impact in Japan was particularly acute in the fourth quarter, when sales declined by 53% (54% at CER) to $45m.
 
Pulmicort
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $996m in the year and represented a decline of 32%, as the continued effects of COVID-19 impacted the hospital treatment of respiratory patients. Q4 2020 Total Revenue declined by 11% (14% at CER) to $368m.
 
Emerging Markets, where Pulmicort sales fell by 33% in the year to $798m, represented 80% of the global total. Alongside the effects of COVID-19, the performance in China was impacted by a reduction in the number of paediatric patients attending outpatient nebulisation rooms. In the fourth quarter, however, the volume of adult elective procedures, a smaller use, largely recovered. Pulmicort can be used in this setting when oral corticosteroids (OCS) are unsuitable.
 
Sales in the US declined by 35% in the year to $71m, due to the fall in the use of Pulmicort Respules. In Japan, sales declined by 51% (52% at CER) to $30m as a result of generic competition and fell in Europe by 10% to $73m.
 
Fasenra
Fasenra has received regulatory approval in 59 countries, including the US, in the EU and Japan for the treatment of patients with severe, uncontrolled eosinophilic asthma. With further regulatory reviews ongoing, Fasenra has already achieved reimbursement in 47 countries.
 
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $949m in the year and represented growth of 35% (34% at CER), a result of increased demand, despite the impact of COVID-19 on the level of new-patient starts in several countries. Fasenra remained the leading novel biologic in the majority of markets in the new-to-brand prescription share for patients with severe, uncontrolled asthma.
 
Sales in the US grew by 25% in the year to $603m, due to increased volume demand as a result of the impact of COVID-19 earlier in the year. The adverse effect of COVID-19 on the dynamic market was partially offset by the growth in market share and increased persistency. In Europe, sales of $203m represented an increase of 72% (70% at CER), reflecting ongoing successful launches and additional reimbursement. Sales in Japan increased by 16% (14% at CER) to $100m. In Emerging Markets, sales amounted to $12m (FY 2019: $5m).
 
Daliresp/Daxas
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $217m in the year and represented an increase of 1%. US sales, comprising 88% of the global total, increased by 3% to $190m.
 
Bevespi
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $48m in the year and represented an increase of 16% (15% at CER). Bevespi has been launched in the US, in a number of European countries and in Japan. Sales in the US increased by 7% in the year to $44m while, in Europe, sales amounted to $3m (FY 2019: $nil). Bevespi was recently included in the China NRDL, with effect from March 2021.
 
Breztri
Breztri has received regulatory approval in 34 countries, including the US, in the EU, China and Japan for the treatment of patients with COPD. With further regulatory reviews ongoing, Breztri has already achieved reimbursement in four countries.
 
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $28m in the year (FY 2019: $2m). Sales in the US amounted to $5m (FY 2019: $nil), largely as a result of stocking. Sales in Japan amounted to $9m (FY 2019: $2m) where prescriptions were limited by Ryotanki, a regulation which limits prescriptions to two weeks' supply in the first year of launch. In October 2020, Ryotanki was lifted for Breztri and the restriction no longer applied. Emerging Markets amounted to $14m (FY 2019: $nil). Breztri was recently included in the China NRDL, with effect from March 2021.
 
Other medicines (outside the three main therapy areas)
 
Total Revenue, primarily comprising Product Sales, amounted to $2,649m in the year, representing a decline of 2%. The performance partly reflected the divestment of global rights to Movantik, excluding Europe, Canada and Israel, to RedHill Biopharma in April 2020. Other medicines Total Revenue represented 10% of overall Total Revenue (FY 2019: 11%).
 
Nexium
Total Revenue, predominantly comprising Product Sales, amounted to $1,524m in the year, representing an increase of 1% (2% at CER). Emerging Markets Product Sales of Nexium increased by 1% (4% at CER) to $757m in the year, with particular strength in Q4 2020 when sales of $193m represented an increase of 11%, reflecting later phasing of demand in the year.
 
In Japan, where AstraZeneca collaborates with Daiichi Sankyo, Product Sales increased by 6% (4% at CER) to $423m, while Product Sales in the US declined by 22% to $169m. In Europe, Product Sales increased by 12% (10% at CER) to $71m.
 
Further to the previous VBP-programme round in Q4 2020, China concluded another round in February 2021, including Nexium (oral). The Company, however, chose not to compete on price and consequently accepted a mandatory price reduction of 30%.
 
Losec/Prilosec
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $183m in the year, representing a decline of 30%. This partly reflected the divestment of global commercial rights, excluding China, Japan, the US and Mexico, to Cheplapharm Arzneimittel GmbH (Cheplapharm) in October 2019. Emerging Markets fell by 15% (14% at CER) to $152m as Losec was subject to a mandatory price reduction as part of the impact of aforementioned VBP programme in China; sales in Europe fell by 59% to $20m.
 
FluMist
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, increased by 161% in the year (153% at CER) to $295m, reflecting the greater use of influenza vaccines as health authorities in northern-hemisphere countries expanded seasonal-vaccination programmes beyond typical levels during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In the US, sales increased by 254% in the year to $70m and, in Europe, by 135% (126% at CER) to $219m.
 
Synagis
The commercial rights to the sale and distribution of Synagis outside the US, held by AbbVie Inc (AbbVie) since 1997, will revert to AstraZeneca upon the expiry of the current agreement on 30 June 2021. In general, the Company will solely distribute and promote the medicine outside the US from 1 July 2021. The agreement with Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (publ), for the rights to Synagis in the US, was unaffected by this decision.
 
Total Revenue, entirely comprising Product Sales, amounted to $372m in the year, representing an increase of 4%. In Q4 2020, global sales increased by 24% to $78m, reflecting the phasing of orders from AbbVie and preparations for the aforementioned reversion of commercial rights. Sales in Europe, wholly reflecting sales to AbbVie made under the current supply agreement for markets outside the US, amounted to $325m in the year, representing an increase of 4%.
 
 
Regional Total Revenue
 

Table 12: Regional Total Revenue
 
 
FY 2020
Q4 2020
$m
% of total
% change
$m
% change
Actual
CER
Actual
CER
Emerging Markets
8,711
33
7
10
2,244
7
8
-     China
5,375
20
10
11
1,362
15
9
-     Ex-China
3,336
13
1
9
882
(2)
7
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
US
8,833
33
13
13
2,388
15
15
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Europe
5,540
21
10
9
1,831
17
12
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Established RoW
3,533
13
6
5
947
2
(1)
-     Japan
2,620
10
1
-
718
(2)
(5)
-     Canada
605
2
29
31
146
16
16
-     Other Est. RoW
308
1
8
10
83
11
7
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
26,617
100
9
10
7,410
11
10
 
A geographical split of Product Sales is shown in Note 7. For additional details, refer to Table 49: Historic Collaboration Revenue for Collaboration Revenue recognised during FY 2020 and FY 2019.
 
Table 13: Emerging Markets therapy-area performance - Total Revenue
 
 
FY 2020
Q4 2020
$m
% of total
% change
$m
% change
Actual
CER
Actual
CER
Oncology
2,906
33
31
36
668
22
24
BioPharmaceuticals
3,007
35
(4)
-
882
2
2
-     New CVRM
1,407
16
24
31
335
12
17
-     Respiratory & Immunology
1,600
18
(19)
(18)
547
(4)
(5)
Other medicines
2,798
32
(1)
2
694
2
3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
8,711
100
7
10
2,244
7
8
 
Emerging Markets Total Revenue grew by 7% (10% at CER) to $8,711m in the year and, in the fourth quarter, by 7% (8% at CER) to $2,244m. The new medicines represented 33% of Emerging Markets Total Revenue in the year (FY 2019: 23%). Speciality-care medicines increased by 27% (32% at CER) to $3,414m and comprised 39% of Emerging Markets Total Revenue in the year (FY 2019: 33%).
 
Table 14: Notable new-medicine performances in Emerging Markets - Total Revenue
 
 
FY 2020
Q4 2020
$m
% of total
% change
$m
% change
Actual
CER
Actual
CER
Tagrisso
1,208
14
59
63
258
23
23
Forxiga
686
8
46
55
198
50
57
Brilinta
461
5
-
4
69
(40)
(37)
Lynparza[45]
264
3
98
n/m
69
n/m
n/m
 
China comprised 62% of Emerging Markets Total Revenue in the year and increased by 10% (11% at CER) to $5,375m. New medicines, primarily driven by Tagrisso and Lynparza in Oncology and Forxiga in New CVRM, delivered particularly encouraging growth and represented 31% of China Total Revenue (FY 2019: 19%); strong sales of ZoladexSeloken and Symbicort supplemented this performance. The aforementioned decline of Pulmicort in China, however, restricted overall Total Revenue growth in the year.
 
In Q4 2020, China growth of 15% (9% at CER) to $1,362m reflected the impact of a mandatory 30% price reduction for BrilintaLosec and Arimidex, which were unsuccessful in the latest round of VBP, following the Company's decision not to compete with generic competitor price in the tender process.
 
Table 15: Ex-China Emerging Markets: Total Revenue
 
 
FY 2020
Q4 2020
$m
% change
$m
% change
Actual
CER
Actual
CER
Ex-China Asia Pacific
1,237
5
6
341
7
5
Middle East and Africa
1,024
(3)
1
256
(12)
(5)
Ex-Brazil Latin America
447
-
18
130
2
21
Russia
314
28
42
77
11
33
Brazil
314
(15)
10
78
(17)
11
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
3,336
1
9
882
(2)
7
 
Ex-China Emerging Markets Total Revenue, primarily comprising Product Sales, increased by 1% in the year (9% at CER) to $3,336m. The new medicines represented 36% of ex-China Emerging Markets Total Revenue (FY 2019: 29%), increasing by 25% (35% at CER) to $1,194m.
 
Notable performances in ex-China Emerging Markets included growth in Russia of 28% (42% at CER) to $314m and a stable performance in ex-Brazil Latin America (growth of 18% at CER), representing Total Revenue of $447m.
 
 
Financial performance
 

Table 16: Reported Profit and Loss - FY 2020
 
 
FY 2020
FY 2019
% change
$m
$m
Actual
CER
Total Revenue
26,617
24,384
9
10
-     Product Sales
25,890
23,565
10
11
-     Collaboration Revenue
727
819
(11)
(11)
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of Sales
(5,299)
(4,921)
8
8
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Profit
21,318
19,463
10
11
Gross Profit Margin
79.5%
79.1%
-
+1
 
 
 
 
 
Distribution Expense
(399)
(339)
18
19
% Total Revenue
1.5%
1.4%
-
-
R&D Expense
(5,991)
(6,059)
(1)
(1)
% Total Revenue
22.5%
24.8%
+2
+3
SG&A Expense
(11,294)
(11,682)
(3)
(3)
% Total Revenue
42.4%
47.9%
+5
+6
 
 
 
 
 
Other Operating Income & Expense
1,528
1,541
(1)
(1)
% Total Revenue
5.7%
6.3%
-1
-1
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Profit
5,162
2,924
77
81
Operating Profit Margin
19.4%
12.0%
+7
+8
 
 
 
 
 
Net Finance Expense
(1,219)
(1,260)
(3)
(4)
Joint Ventures and Associates
(27)
(116)
(77)
(76)
 
 
 
 
 
Profit Before Tax
3,916
1,548
n/m
n/m
 
 
 
 
 
Taxation
(772)
(321)
n/m
n/m
Tax Rate
20%
21%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Profit After Tax
3,144
1,227
n/m
n/m
 
 
 
 
 
EPS
$2.44
$1.03
n/m
n/m
 
Table 17: Reported Profit and Loss - Q4 2020
 
 
Q4 2020
Q4 2019
% change
$m
$m
Actual
CER
Total Revenue
7,410
6,664
11
10
-     Product Sales
7,011
6,250
12
11
-     Collaboration Revenue
399
414
(4)
(4)
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of Sales
(1,525)
(1,378)
11
5
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Profit
5,885
5,286
11
11
Gross Profit Margin
78.2%
78.0%
-
+1
 
 
 
 
 
Distribution Expense
(109)
(92)
18
16
% Total Revenue
1.5%
1.4%
-
-
R&D Expense
(1,719)
(2,091)
(18)
(19)
% Total Revenue
23.2%
31.4%
+8
+8
SG&A Expense
(3,210)
(3,026)
6
4
% Total Revenue
43.3%
45.4%
+2
+2
 
 
 
 
 
Other Operating Income & Expense
640
500
28
29
% Total Revenue
8.6%
7.5%
+1
+1
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Profit
1,487
577
n/m
n/m
Operating Profit Margin
20.1%
8.7%
+11
+13
 
 
 
 
 
Net Finance Expense
(314)
(312)
1
-
Joint Ventures and Associates
(6)
(25)
(79)
(79)
 
 
 
 
 
Profit Before Tax
1,167
240
n/m
n/m
 
 
 
 
 
Taxation
(162)
37
n/m
n/m
Tax Rate
14%
(15)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Profit After Tax
1,005
277
n/m
n/m
 
 
 
 
 
EPS
$0.78
$0.24
n/m
n/m
 
Table 18: Reconciliation of Reported Profit Before Tax to EBITDA - FY 2020
 
 
FY 2020
FY 2019
% change
$m
$m
Actual
CER
Reported Profit Before Tax
3,916
1,548
n/m
n/m
 
 
 
 
 
Net Finance Expense
1,219
1,260
(3)
(4)
Joint Ventures and Associates
27
116
(77)
(76)
Depreciation, Amortisation and Impairment
3,149
3,762
(16)
(16)
 
 
 
 
 
EBITDA
8,311
6,686
24
27
 
Table 19: Reconciliation of Reported Profit Before Tax to EBITDA - Q4 2020
 
 
Q4 2020
Q4 2019
% change
$m
$m
Actual
CER
Reported Profit Before Tax
1,167
240
n/m
n/m
 
 
 
 
 
Net Finance Expense
314
312
1
-
Joint Ventures and Associates
6
25
(79)
(79)
Depreciation, Amortisation and Impairment
797
1,643
(52)
(53)
 
 
 
 
 
EBITDA
2,284
2,220
3
6
 
Table 20: Reconciliation of Reported to Core financial measures - FY 2020
 
FY 2020
Reported
Restructuring
Intangible Asset Amortisation & Impairments
Diabetes Alliance
Other
Core[46]
Core
% change
$m
$m
$m
$m
$m
$m
Actual
CER
Gross Profit
21,318
53
66
-
5
21,442
9
10
Gross Profit Margin
79.5%
 
 
 
 
80.0%
-
-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distribution Expense
(399)
-
-
-
-
(399)
18
19
R&D Expense
(5,991)
35
84
-
-
(5,872)
10
10
SG&A Expense
(11,294)
162
1,657
310
(197)
(9,362)
3
4
Total Operating Expense
(17,684)
197
1,741
310
(197)
(15,633)
6
6
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Operating Income & Expense
1,528
1
2
-
-
1,531
(2)
(2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Profit
5,162
251
1,809
310
(192)
7,340
14
17
Operating Profit Margin
19.4%
 
 
 
 
27.6%
+1
+2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Finance Expense
(1,219)
-
-
228
209
(782)
2
2
Taxation
(772)
(50)
(376)
(127)
13
(1,312)
18
21
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EPS
$2.44
$0.15
$1.10
$0.31
$0.02
$4.02
15
18
 
Table 21: Reconciliation of Reported to Core financial measures - Q4 2020
 
Q4 2020
Reported
Restructuring
Intangible Asset Amortisation & Impairments
Diabetes Alliance
Other
Core46
Core
% change
$m
$m
$m
$m
$m
$m
Actual
CER
Gross Profit
5,885
9
16
-
1
5,911
12
12
Gross Profit Margin
78.2%
 
 
 
 
78.6%
+1
+2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distribution Expense
(109)
(109)
18
16
R&D Expense
(1,719)
5
7
(1,707)
14
12
SG&A Expense
(3,210)
95
429
64
(216)
(2,838)
8
6
Total Operating Expense
(5,038)
100
436
64
(216)
(4,654)
11
8
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Operating Income & Expense
640
2
642
28
29
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Profit
1,487
111
452
64
(215)
1,899
23
28
Operating Profit Margin
20.1%
 
 
 
 
25.6%
+2
+4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Finance Expense
(314)
-
54
55
(205)
10
15
Taxation
(162)
(22)
(92)
(35)
14
(297)
52
59
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EPS
$0.78
$0.06
$0.28
$0.06
($0.11)
$1.07
19
24
 
 
Profit and Loss summary
 

a)    Gross Profit
The increases in Reported and Core Gross Profit in the year reflected the growth in Product Sales. The Reported Gross Profit Margin was stable (up by one percentage point at CER) at 80%, while the Core Gross Profit Margin was stable at 80%, with a favourable mix of sales offset by increasing pricing pressure in China related to the impacts of the NRDL and the VBP programme. The performance was in line with the Company's expectations.
 
b)   Total Operating Expense
Reported Total Operating Expense declined by 2% in the year to $17,684m and represented 66% of Total Revenue (FY 2019: 74%). Core Total Operating Expense increased by 6% to $15,633m and comprised 59% of Total Revenue (FY 2019: 60%).
 
-     The increase in Reported and Core Distribution Expense in the year was a result of adverse logistics impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic
 
-     The decline in Reported R&D Expense was partly driven by the comparative effect of the $533m impairment of Epanova in FY 2019. The growth in Core R&D Expense included investment in the Oncology pipeline, such as the development of datopotamab deruxtecan and the ending in FY 2019 of the release of the upfront funding of Lynparza development, as part of the aforementioned collaboration with MSD. There were also additional costs related to COVID-19, such as the expense of personal protective equipment and colleague testing
 
-     AstraZeneca also mobilised research efforts to treat patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms; these efforts included the development of AZD7442, the LAAB that may have a role in the prevention and/or treatment of COVID-19. In line with IAS 20 'Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of Government Assistance', government grants related to the development of C19VAZ and AZD7442 were recognised in the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income so as to match with the related expenses that they were intended to compensate. Where grants are received in advance of the related expenses, they are initially recognised in the Consolidated statement of financial position and released to match the related expenditure
 
-     The difference in the movements of Reported and Core SG&A Expense partly reflected fair-value adjustments arising on acquisition-related liabilities, as well as an increase in legal provisions recognised in 2019. Within Reported and Core SG&A Expense, pandemic-related savings partly compensated for investment in the launches of new medicines and expansion in China
 
c)   Other Operating Income and Expense[47]
Reported Other Operating Income and Expense in the year of $1,528m reflected a decline of 1%. Core Other Operating Income and Expense in the year, decreasing by 2% to $1,531m, included:
 
-     $400m of income from the aforementioned agreement to divest of commercial rights to Atacand and Atacand Plus in over 70 countries to Cheplapharm
 
-     $350m of income from an agreement to divest commercial rights to a number of legacy hypertension medicines to Atnahs Pharma
 
-     Income from the monetisation of an asset previously licensed
 
-     Payments from Allergan (part of AbbVie) of $107m in respect of the development of brazikumab
 
d)   Net Finance Expense
The increase in Core Net Finance Expense partly reflected lower interest rates on cash, cash equivalents and other current investments.
 
e)   Taxation
The Reported and Core Tax Rates for the year were both 20% (FY 2019: 21% and 20%, respectively). The net cash tax paid in the year was $1,562m, representing 40% of Reported Profit Before Tax (FY 2019: $1,118m, 72%); the increase partly reflected the growth in Reported Profit Before Tax and the phasing of tax payments.
 
f)    Non-controlling interests
Reported total comprehensive losses attributable to non-controlling interests amounted to $52m in the year
(FY 2019: $108m), of which $55m related to the non-controlling interest in Acerta Pharma.
 
In FY 2016, AstraZeneca acquired a 55% controlling stake in Acerta Pharma, where the non-controlling interests were subject to put and call options; the put option gave rise to a liability at 31 December 2020 of $2,297m (31 December 2019: $2,146m), shown in non-current other payables. The ability of the parties to exercise their respective put and call options, as well as the timing and amount of exercise, was dependent on certain conditions, the last of which was based on the regulatory approval of Calquence in the EU.
 
In November 2020, Calquence received marketing approval in the EU, which removed all remaining conditionality in respect of the options. The minority shareholders were then considered to have no further substantive variability in risk and reward related to their shares, as it was considered highly likely that one of the options will be exercised, and the price of the options were then fixed. Therefore, from November 2020, no further amounts of the consolidated AstraZeneca result were attributed to the minority shareholders of Acerta Pharma and no further impact on non-controlling interests in relation to Acerta Pharma is anticipated. In addition, the non-controlling interests reserve relating to the minority shareholders of Acerta Pharma, totalling $1,401m, has been reclassified into Retained earnings (see Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity).
 
g)   Dividend per share
The Board reaffirms its commitment to the progressive dividend policy. A stable second interim dividend of $1.90 per share (137.4 pence, 15.76 SEK) has been declared, meaning a stable full-year dividend per share of $2.80 (207.0 pence, 23.63 SEK). Dividend payments are normally paid as follows:
 
-     First interim dividend - announced with half-year and second-quarter results and paid in September
-     Second interim dividend - announced with full-year and fourth-quarter results and paid in March
 
The record date for the second interim dividend for 2020, payable on 29 March 2021, will be 26 February 2021. The ex-dividend date will be 25 February 2021. The record date for the first interim dividend for 2021, payable on 13 September 2021, will be 13 August 2021. The ex-dividend date will be 12 August 2021.
 
h)   EPS
Reported EPS of $2.44 in the year represented an increase of 137% (142% at CER); Core EPS increased by 15% (18% at CER) to $4.02.
 
Table 22: Cash Flow
 
 
FY 2020
FY 2019
Change
$m
$m
$m
Reported Operating Profit
5,162
2,924
2,238
Depreciation, Amortisation and Impairment
3,149
3,762
(613)
 
 
 
 
Decrease/(increase) in Working Capital and Short-Term Provisions
361
(346)
707
Gains on Disposal of Intangible Assets
(1,030)
(1,243)
213
Non-Cash and Other Movements
(548)
(236)
(312)
Interest Paid
(733)
(774)
41
Taxation Paid
(1,562)
(1,118)
(444)
 
 
 
 
Net Cash Inflow from Operating Activities
4,799
2,969
1,830
 
 
 
 
Net Cash Inflow before Financing Activities
4,514
2,312
2,202
 
 
 
 
Net Cash Outflow from Financing Activities
(2,203)
(1,765)
(438)
 
The increase in Net Cash Inflow from Operating Activities in the year reflected an improvement in Reported Operating Profit while C19VAZ contributions increased Net Cash Inflow from Operating Activities by $1,062m in the year; the movement was primarily related to changes in C19VAZ working-capital balances within trade and other payables, trade and other receivables and inventories. The reduction in Interest Paid was partly a result of a decline on interest paid on bonds, while the increase in Taxation Paid was a reflection of the growth in Reported Profit Before Tax and the phasing of tax payments.
 
The increase in Net Cash Inflow before Financing Activities was a result of the aforementioned improvement in Net Cash Inflow from Operating Activities, as well as a $1,363m increase in the Disposal of Non-Current Asset Investments to $1,381m. AstraZeneca sold part of its equity portfolio in the year, a large proportion of which related to the disposal of its full holding in Moderna Therapeutics, Inc. All related gains were accounted through Other Comprehensive Income.
 
Recorded within the Purchase of Intangible Assets, AstraZeneca made the second of two $675m upfront payments to Daiichi Sankyo, as part of the 2019 agreement on Enhertu. The first of three non-contingent payments were also made to Daiichi Sankyo in respect of the potential new Oncology medicine, datopotamab deruxtecan; the payment amounted to $350m.
 
Under the terms of a past agreement to acquire Pearl Therapeutics Inc., the Company made a $150m milestone payment in the year upon the US regulatory approval of Breztri for the treatment of COPD. This was the final development and regulatory milestone under that agreement. The cash payment of contingent consideration, in respect of the former BMS share of the global diabetes alliance, amounted to $546m in the year.
 
Capital Expenditure
Capital Expenditure amounted to $961m in the year, compared to $979m in FY 2019. This included investment in the new AstraZeneca R&D centre on the Biomedical Campus in Cambridge, UK, to which a number of colleagues are expected to begin relocation this year.
 
The Company anticipates an increase in Capital Expenditure, partly driven by an expansion in its capacity for growth across a number of limited-sized projects.
 
Table 23: Net Debt summary
 
 
At 31 Dec 2020
At 31 Dec 2019
$m
$m
Cash and cash equivalents
7,832
5,369
Other investments
160
911
 
 
 
Cash and investments
7,992
6,280
 
 
 
Overdrafts and short-term borrowings
(658)
(225)
Lease liabilities
(681)
(675)
Current instalments of loans
(1,536)
(1,597)
Non-current instalments of loans
(17,505)
(15,730)
 
 
 
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
(Gross Debt)
(20,380)
(18,227)
 
 
 
Net derivatives
278
43
Net Debt
(12,110)
(11,904)
 
Net Debt of $12,110m represented an increase of $206m in the year. EBITDA increased by 24% in the year (27% at CER) to $8,311m.
 
Details of the committed undrawn bank facilities are disclosed within the going-concern section of Note 1.
 
In the year, there were no changes to the Company's credit ratings issued by Standard and Poor's (long term: BBB+, short term A-2) and Moody's (long term: A3, short term P-2).
 
Capital allocation
The Board's aim is to continue to strike a balance between the interests of the business, financial creditors and the Company's shareholders. After providing for investment in the business, supporting the progressive dividend policy and maintaining a strong, investment-grade credit rating, the Board will keep under review potential investment in immediately earnings-accretive, value-enhancing opportunities.
 
Foreign exchange
The Company's transactional currency exposures on working-capital balances, which typically extend for up to three months, are hedged where practicable using forward foreign-exchange contracts against the individual companies' reporting currency. Foreign-exchange gains and losses on forward contracts for transactional hedging are taken to profit or loss. In addition, the Company's external dividend payments, paid principally in pounds sterling and Swedish krona, are fully hedged from announcement to payment date.
 
Table 24: Currency sensitivities
The Company provides the following currency-sensitivity information:
 
 
Average Exchange
Rates versus USD
 
Annual Impact of 5% Strengthening in Exchange Rate versus USD ($m)[48]
Currency
Primary Relevance
FY 2020[49]
YTD 2021[50]
% change
Product Sales
Core Operating Profit
CNY
Product Sales
6.90
6.47
6
312
186
EUR
Product Sales
0.88
0.82
6
189
58
JPY
Product Sales
106.74
103.70
3
140
91
Other[51]
 
 
 
 
239
108
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GBP
Operating Expense
0.78
0.73
6
31
(84)
SEK
Operating Expense
9.20
8.29
10
5
(59)
 
 
Sustainability
 

AstraZeneca's sustainability approach has three priority areas[52], aligned with the Company's purpose and business strategy:
 
-     Access to healthcare
 
-     Environmental protection
 
-     Ethics and transparency
 
Recent developments and progress against the Company's priorities are reported below:
 
During the period, the Company received recognition of its broad sustainability efforts, featuring in the top five for the sector in the DJSI and included in Corporate Knights Global 100 Index, which identifies globally sustainable companies.
 
a)   Access to healthcare
In December 2020, AstraZeneca, through an advanced purchase agreement with Gavi, the Vaccines Alliance, committed to enabling access to 170m doses of C19VAZ in up to 190 countries worldwide through COVAX, a coalition co-led by CEPI, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Gavi, and the WHO. It is the only global initiative working with governments and manufacturers to ensure that safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines are available worldwide to both higher-income and lower-income countries. Furthermore, through additional doses announced by licensing partner Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd., hundreds of millions of doses of C19VAZ are anticipated to be available via COVAX. At a press conference held to announce the news, Pascal Soriot spoke on the importance of broad, equitable access alongside global leaders, including WHO Director Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Canadian Minister for International Development, the Rt. Hon. Karina Gould, and UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore, as well as COVAX and industry leadership.
 
AstraZeneca is committed to working with its global manufacturing network to build global vaccine capacity to around three billion doses, pending regulatory approvals. C19VAZ can be stored, transported and handled at normal refrigerated conditions (two to eight degrees Celsius, 36-46 degrees Fahrenheit) for at least six months and administered within existing healthcare settings.
 
In November 2020, the Company launched The Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience with the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the London School of Economics (LSE) to identify practical solutions that will support more resilient and sustainable health systems. Part of the WEF's Great Reset initiative, the partnership will bring together a coalition of leading healthcare-system experts in eight countries initially to test, perfect and apply a Framework for Healthcare System Resilience and Sustainability, developed by the LSE. The pilot countries are Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, Vietnam, Russia and Poland. Speaking about the programme at the WEF Davos Agenda event in January 2020, Pascal Soriot emphasised the importance of building crisis-resistant healthcare systems to recover from the pandemic and protect against future shocks.
 
In January 2021, AstraZeneca was recognised in the 2021 Access to Medicines Index, rising two places to rank seventh among peers. The accompanying report highlighted the Company's continued progress, including strengths in access-related governance, compliance and healthcare-system development.
 
During the period, the AstraZeneca Young Health Programme launched in the UK, focused on young people's mental health. The programme will operate in four locations over the next five years and uses youth-centred design, working together with young people, to focus on tackling their urgent mental-health needs and realise their right to good health and wellbeing. Over the five years, the programme will work with over 130,000 young people aged between 10-24 and will initially launch in Manchester, UK.
 
b)   Environmental protection
During the period, AstraZeneca was recognised for its leadership in sustainability by global environmental non-profit CDP. The Company received a place on the 'A List' for both climate action and water security. AstraZeneca was one of only three organisations worldwide to achieve this double A-List recognition for five consecutive years. The Company also featured among the top 7% on CDP's 2020 Supplier Engagement Leaderboard, recognising progress in working with suppliers to address their emissions and driving science-based climate action across AstraZeneca's value chain.
 
Pascal Soriot was listed as an official supporter of the His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales's 'Terra Carta', a ten-point strategy for business to move towards a sustainable future by 2030. Launched at the One Planet Summit in Paris, AstraZeneca will be one of the founding partners looking to put nature, people and planet at the heart of global-value creation.
 
In partnership with government and local non-governmental organisations, AstraZeneca launched the AZ Forest programme in Indonesia, a commitment to support a healthy environment and improve socio-economic development and livelihoods for Indonesians by planting 20 million trees in the country over the next five years. This commitment is part of the global AZ Forest programme, announced at the WEF in January 2020, pledging the plantation of 50 million trees by 2025, in collaboration with One Tree Planted, a non-profit organisation focused on global reforestation. The initiative supports the WEF's '1T.org - The Champions for a Trillion Trees' platform.
 
c)   Ethics and transparency
In January 2021, the Company was recognised for its efforts in promoting inclusion and diversity by the BGEI, which tracks the performance of public companies committed to disclosing their efforts to support gender equality through policy development, representation and transparency. The Company was also listed as a participant in ShareAction's WDI, an annual survey that aims to improve corporate transparency and accountability on workforce issues and provide companies and investors with comprehensive and comparable data to help increase the provision of good jobs worldwide.
 
During the period, AstraZeneca was named as a founding partner to the WEF Partnering for Racial Justice in Business Coalition, joining forces with 47 companies across 13 industries to eradicate racism in the workplace. The Company also held its first Power of Diversity week, an initiative to support all employees with the tools and knowledge needed to create a truly inclusive culture.
 
As part of AstraZeneca's ongoing efforts to make sustainability data transparent and accessible, a new analyst interactive reporting (AIR) centre was launched on the Company's website. AIR provides sustainability data from 2015 onwards, covering global information from key performance indicators for Access to healthcare, Environmental protection and Ethics and transparency.
 
 

 
For more details on AstraZeneca's sustainability ambition, approach and targets, please refer to the latest Sustainability Report 2019 and Sustainability Data Summary 2019. Additional information is available at astrazeneca.com/sustainability.
 
 

 
Research and development
 

As the COVID-19 pandemic persists, the Company will continue to evaluate impacts on the initiation of clinical trials, ongoing recruitment and follow-ups. It is prudent to assume that some delays will arise as a consequence of the pandemic.
 
A comprehensive breakdown of AstraZeneca's pipeline of medicines in human trials can be found in the latest clinical-trials appendix, available on astrazeneca.com/investors. Highlights of developments in the Company's late-stage pipeline since the prior results announcement are shown below:
 
Table 25: Late-stage pipeline
 
New molecular entities and major lifecycle events for medicines in Phase III trials or under regulatory review
22
Oncology
 
-     Tagrisso - NSCLC
-     Imfinzi - multiple cancers
-     Lynparza - multiple cancers
-     Enhertu - multiple cancers
-     Calquence - blood cancers
-     tremelimumab - multiple cancers
-     savolitinib - NSCLC[53]
-     capivasertib - breast, prostate cancer
-     monalizumab - head & neck cancer
-     camizestrant (AZD9833) - breast cancer
-     datopotamab deruxtecan - lung cancer
 
CVRM
 
-     Farxiga - multiple indications
-     roxadustat - anaemia in CKD
 
Respiratory & Immunology
 
-     Fasenra - multiple indications
-     Breztri - asthma
-     tezepelumab - severe asthma
-     PT027 - asthma
-     anifrolumab - lupus (SLE)
-     brazikumab - inflammatory bowel disease
-     nirsevimab - RSV
 
COVID-19
 
-     C19VAZ - SARS-CoV-2
-     AZD7442 - SARS-CoV-2
 
 
Total projects
in clinical development
145
 
Total projects
in total pipeline
171
 
 
 
Oncology
 
The Company presented data at the 62nd American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition in November 2020 , the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) in December 2020 and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) 2020 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC), hosted by the IASLC in January 2021. The data covered the haematology, breast and lung cancer pipelines. Key data at the ASH meeting included 27 abstracts spanning five medicines and potential new medicines, and eight different haematology conditions, including Calquence, MEDI2228 (BCMA ADC) and AZD4320 (dual Bcl-2/xL inhibitor).
 
Highlights from the SABCS symposium included updates to Enhertu in the DESTINY-Breast01 Phase II trial and camizestrant (AZD9833) (oral selective oestrogen receptor degrader) in the SERENA-1 Phase I trial. Key data at the IASLC 2020 WCLC included updated datopotamab deruxtecan Phase I data and new data from the Enhertu DESTINY-Lung01 Phase II trial, both in metastatic NSCLC.
 
a)   Tagrisso
During the period, Tagrisso was approved in the US for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with early-stage EGFRm NSCLC after tumour resection with curative intent, following the ADAURA Phase III trial. The approval was granted under the US FDA Real-Time Oncology Review pilot programme. Five other countries participated in a concurrent submission and review process through the FDA's Project Orbis.
 
Table 26: Key Tagrisso Phase III trials
 
Trial
Population
Design
Timeline
Status
NeoADAURA
Neo-adjuvant
 EGFRm
NSCLC
Placebo or
Tagrisso
FPCD[54]
Q1 2021
 
First data anticipated
2022+
Recruitment
ongoing
ADAURA
Adjuvant EGFRm NSCLC
Placebo or Tagrisso
FPCD
Q4 2015
 
LPCD[55]
Q1 2019
Trial unblinded early due to overwhelming efficacy
 
Regulatory approval (US)
LAURA
Locally advanced, unresectable EGFRm NSCLC
Placebo or
Tagrisso
FPCD
Q4 2018
 
First data anticipated
2022+
Recruitment
ongoing
FLAURA2
1st-line EGFRm NSCLC
Tagrisso or
Tagrisso + platinum-based chemotherapy doublet
FPCD
Q4 2019
 
First data anticipated
2022+
Recruitment ongoing
 
b)    Imfinzi
In November 2020, Imfinzi was approved by the US FDA for an additional dosing option, a 1,500mg fixed dose every four weeks in the approved indications of unresectable, Stage III NSCLC after CRT and previously treated advanced bladder cancer. This new option is consistent with the approved Imfinzi dosing in ES-SCLC and will be available to patients weighing more than 30kg as an alternative to the approved weight-based dosing of 10mg/kg every two weeks.
 
During the period, Imfinzi received regulatory approval in the EU for the aforementioned additional dosing option, 1,500mg fixed dose every four weeks, in the approved indication of locally advanced, unresectable Stage III NSCLC in adults whose tumours express PD-L1[56] on at least 1% of tumour cells and whose disease has not progressed following platinum-based CRT.
 
Table 27: Key Imfinzi Phase III trials in lung cancer
 
Trial
Population
Design
Timeline
Status
AEGEAN
Neo-adjuvant NSCLC
SoC[57] chemotherapy +/- Imfinzi,
followed by
surgery, followed by placebo
or Imfinzi
FPCD
Q1 2019
 
First data anticipated
2022+
Recruitment
ongoing
ADJUVANT BR.31[58]
Stage Ib-IIIa resected NSCLC
Placebo or
Imfinzi
FPCD
Q1 2015
 
LPCD
Q1 2020
 
First data anticipated
2022+
Recruitment
completed
MERMAID-1
Stage II-III
resected NSCLC
SoC chemotherapy +/- Imfinzi
FPCDQ3 2020
 
First data anticipated
2022+
Recruitmentongoing
MERMAID-2
Stage II-III
NSCLC with minimal residual disease
Placebo or
Imfinzi
FPCDQ4 2020First data anticipated2022+
Recruitment ongoing
PACIFIC-2
Stage III unresectable locally advanced NSCLC
(concurrent CRT)
Placebo or
Imfinzi
FPCD
Q2 2018
 
LPCD
Q3 2019
 
First data anticipated
H1 2021
Recruitment
completed
ADRIATIC
LS-SCLC
Concurrent CRT,
followed by
placebo or
Imfinzi or
Imfinzi + treme
FPCD
Q4 2018
 
First data anticipated
2022
Recruitment
ongoing
PEARL
Stage IV, 1st-line NSCLC
SoC chemotherapy or Imfinzi
FPCD
Q1 2017
 
LPCD
Q1 2019
 
First data anticipated
2022
Recruitment
completed
POSEIDON
Stage IV, 1st-line NSCLC
SoC chemotherapy or SoC + Imfinzi or SoC + Imfinzi + treme
FPCD
Q2 2017
 
LPCD
Q4 2018
 
OS data anticipated
H1 2021
PFS[59] primary endpoint met
CASPIAN
ES-SCLC
SoC chemotherapy or SoC + Imfinzi or SoC + Imfinzi + treme
FPCD
Q1 2017
 
LPCD
Q2 2018
OS primary endpoint met for Imfinzi
 
OS primary endpoint not met for Imfinzi + treme
 
Regulatory approval
 
Table 28: Key Imfinzi Phase III trials in tumour types other than lung cancer
 
Trial
Population
Design
Timeline
Status
POTOMAC
Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer
SoC BCG[60] or SoC BCG + Imfinzi
FPCD
Q4 2018LPCDQ3 2020
 
First data
anticipated
2022+
Recruitmentcompleted
NIAGARA
Muscle-invasive bladder cancer
Neo-adjuvant cisplatin and gemcitabine SoC chemotherapy or SoC + Imfinzi, followed by adjuvant placebo or Imfinzi
FPCD
Q4 2018
 
First data
anticipated
2022+
Recruitment ongoing
EMERALD-1
Locoregional HCC[61]
TACE[62] followed by placebo or
TACE + Imfinzi, followed by Imfinzi + bevacizumab or
TACE + Imfinzi
followed by Imfinzi
FPCD
Q1 2019
 
First data
anticipated
2022
Recruitment ongoing
EMERALD-2
Locoregional HCC at high risk of recurrence after surgery or radiofrequency ablation
Adjuvant Imfinzi or Imfinzi + bevacizumab
FPCD
Q2 2019
 
First data anticipated
2022+
Recruitment ongoing
CALLA
Locally advanced cervical cancer
CRT or CRT + Imfinzi, followed by placebo or Imfinzi
FPCD
Q1 2019
LPCDQ4 2020 
First data anticipated
2022+
Recruitment completed
MATTERHORN
Resectable gastric and gastroesophageal cancer
Neoadjuvant Imfinzi + FLOT chemotherapy +/- adjuvant Imfinzi
FPCDQ4 2020First data anticipated2022+
Recruitment ongoing
KUNLUN 
Locally advanced, unresectable oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Definitive CRT or CRT + Imfinzi
FPCDQ4 2020First data anticipated2022+
Recruitmentongoing
NILE
Stage IV, 1st-line cisplatin chemotherapy- eligible bladder cancer
SoC chemotherapy or SoC + Imfinzi or SoC + Imfinzi + treme
FPCD
Q4 2018
 
First data anticipated
2022+
Recruitment
ongoing
KESTREL
Stage IV, 1st-line HNSCC[63]
SoC or Imfinzi or Imfinzi + treme
FPCD
Q4 2015
 
LPCD
Q1 2017
Primary endpoint not met
HIMALAYA
Stage IV, 1st-line unresectable HCC
Sorafenib or Imfinzi or Imfinzi + treme
FPCD
Q4 2017
 
LPCD
Q4 2019
 
First data
anticipated
H2 2021
Recruitment
completed
 
Orphan Drug Designation[64] (US)
TOPAZ-1
Stage IV, 1st-line biliary-tract cancer
Gemcitabine and cisplatin SoC chemotherapy or SoC + Imfinzi
FPCD
Q2 2019
 
First data anticipated
2022
Recruitment ongoing
 
c)  Lynparza (multiple cancers)
During the period, Lynparza received regulatory approval in the EU and Japan for the additional indications of 1st-line maintenance treatment with bevacizumab for patients with HRD+ advanced ovarian cancer and patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer with mutations, a subpopulation of homologous recombination repair gene mutations (HRRm). Lynparza also received regulatory approval in Japan as a maintenance treatment, after platinum-based chemotherapy for patients with BRCAm unresectable pancreatic cancer, based on positive results from the POLO Phase III trial.
 
Table 29: Key Lynparza Phase III trials
 
Trial
Population
Design
Timeline
Status
OlympiA
Adjuvant BRCAm breast cancer
SoC placebo or Lynparza
FPCD
Q2 2014
 
LPCD
Q2 2019
 
First data anticipated
H1 2021
Recruitment completed
 
PROfound
Metastatic castration-resistant 2nd-line+ HRRm
prostate cancer
SoC (abiraterone or enzalutamide) or Lynparza
FPCD
Q2 2017
 
LPCD
Q4 2018
Primary endpoint met
 
Regulatory approval
PAOLA-1[65]
Advanced 1st-line
ovarian cancer
Bevacizumab maintenance or
bevacizumab +
Lynparza maintenance
FPCD
Q2 2015
 
LPCD
Q2 2018
Primary endpoint met
 
Regulatory approval
DuO-O
Advanced 1st-line
ovarian cancer
Chemotherapy +
bevacizumab or
chemotherapy +
bevacizumab +
Imfinzi +/-
Lynparza maintenance
FPCD
Q1 2019
 
First data
anticipated
2022+
Recruitment
ongoing
DuO-E
Advanced 1st-line
endometrial cancer
Chemotherapy
or
chemotherapy +
Imfinzi + Imfinzi maintenance or
chemotherapy +
Imfinzi followed by Imfinzi + Lynparza maintenance
FPCD
Q2 2020
 
First data
anticipated
2022+
Recruitment
ongoing
PROpel
Stage IV, advanced, castration-resistant prostate cancer
Abiraterone or
abiraterone +
Lynparza
FPCD
Q4 2018
 
First data
anticipated
H2 2021
Recruitment ongoing
LYNK-003
Stage IV, 1st-line colorectal cancer
Bevacizumab + 5-FU[66] maintenance or bevacizumab + Lynparza maintenance or Lynparza maintenance
First data
anticipated
2022+
Initiating
 
d)   Enhertu (breast and other cancers)
In January 2021, Enhertu was approved by the US FDA for the treatment of adult patients for 2nd line HER2+ gastric cancer. The approval was based on the positive results from the randomised DESTINY-Gastric01 Phase II trial.
 
During the period, AstraZeneca announced that Enhertu had received regulatory approval in the EU as a monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2+ cancer who have received two or more prior anti-HER2 based regimens. The approval was based on positive results from the single-arm DESTINY-Breast01 Phase II trial.
 
Updated data were presented during the period, in a Spotlight Poster Discussion at the aforementioned SABCS symposium, from the Enhertu DESTINY-Breast01 Phase II trial in patients with HER+ metastatic breast cancer, following two or more prior HER2-based regimens. With a median duration of follow-up of 20.5 months, patients treated with Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) achieved an objective response rate of 61.4% and a median duration of response of 20.8 months; the median PFS was 19.4 months. In an exploratory landmark analysis of OS, evaluated at 35% maturity, an estimated 74% of patients remained alive at 18 months.
 
At the aforementioned IASLC 2020 WCLC, data were presented from the DESTINY-Lung01 Phase II trial, highlighting the potential of Enhertu in HER2-expressing metastatic NSCLC and in metastatic HER2-mutant (HER2m) NSCLC. These are two groups of patients for whom no HER2-directed medicine is currently approved.
 
Table 30: Key Enhertu trials
 
Trial
Population
Design
Timeline
Status
DESTINY-Breast01-U201
 
Phase II
Stage IV, HER2+[67] breast cancer post trastuzumab emtansine
Enhertu
FPCD
Q4 2017
 
LPCD
Q4 2018
Primary objective met
 
Breakthrough Therapy Designation[68] (US)
 
Regulatory approval (US, EU, JP)
DESTINY-Breast02-U301
 
Phase III
Stage IV, HER2+ breast cancer post trastuzumab emtansine
SoC chemotherapy or Enhertu
FPCD
Q4 2018
 
LPCDQ4 2020
 
First data anticipated
H2 2021
 Recruitment completed
DESTINY-Breast03-U302
 
Phase III
Stage IV, HER2+ breast cancer
Trastuzumab emtansine or Enhertu
FPCD
Q4 2018LPCDQ2 2020
 
First data anticipated
H2 2021
Recruitment completed
DESTINY-Breast04
 
Phase III
Stage IV, HER2-low breast cancer
SoC chemotherapy or Enhertu
FPCD
Q4 2018
 
LPCDQ4 2020
 
First data anticipated
H2 2021
 Recruitment completed
 
DESTINY-Breast06
 
Phase III
Stage IV, HER2-low breast cancer post endocrine therapy
SoC chemotherapy or Enhertu
FPCDQ3 2020
 
First data
anticipated
2022+
Recruitment ongoing
DESTINY-Gastric01
 
Phase II
Stage IV, HER2+ gastric cancer
SoC chemotherapy or Enhertu
FPCD
Q4 2017
 
LPCD
Q2 2019
Primary endpoint met
 
Breakthrough Therapy Designation
(US)
 
Regulatory approval (US, JP)
DESTINY-PanTumour02
 
Phase II
HER2-expressing tumours
Enhertu
FPCD
Q3 2020First data
anticipated
2022+
Recruitment ongoing
DESTINY-
PanTumour01
 
Phase II
HER2m
tumours
Enhertu
FPCDQ1 2021First data
anticipated
2022+
Recruitment ongoing
 
e)   Calquence
During the period, Calquence was approved in the EU for the treatment of adult patients with CLL, and in Japan for R/R CLL, the most common type of leukaemia in adults.
 
Positive high-level results from the ELEVATE-RR Phase III trial, published during the period, showed Calquence met the primary endpoint demonstrating non-inferior PFS for adults with previously treated, high-risk CLL, compared to ibrutinib. The trial also met a key secondary endpoint for safety, showing patients treated with Calquence had statistically significantly lower incidence of atrial fibrillation, compared to patients treated with ibrutinib. Overall, the safety and tolerability of Calquence were consistent with the profile seen in the broader Calquence clinical-development programme.
 
At the aforementioned ASH meeting, a pooled analysis of CV safety data for patients treated with Calquence for CLL, across four clinical trials, showed a low incidence of cardiac adverse events (AEs), leading to discontinuation. The analysis included patients with previously untreated and R/R CLL treated with Calquence alone from the ELEVATE-TN and ASCEND Phase III trials, as well as the 15-H-0016 Phase II trial and ACE-CL-001 Phase I/II trial. In the analysis, 129 patients (17%) reported a cardiac AE of any grade at a median follow up of 25.9 months, and seven patients (0.9%) discontinued treatment due to cardiac AEs.
 
At the same meeting, long-term follow-up results from the positive ACE-LY-004 Phase II trial were also presented. Data showed patients with R/R MCL treated with Calquence remained progression-free for a median of 22 months, with median OS not yet reached at three years of follow-up. The safety and tolerability profile remained consistent.
 
f)    Datopotamab deruxtecan
At the aforementioned IASLC 2020 WCLC, updated data were presented from the TROPION-PanTumor01 Phase I trial of datopotamab deruxtecan in metastatic NSCLC, supporting its potential to redefine treatment outcomes in advanced NSCLC.
 
Table 31: Datopotamab deruxtecan
 
Trial
Population
Design
Timeline
Status
TROPION-LUNG01
 
Phase III
Stage IV, NSCLC
SoC chemotherapy or datopotamab deruxtecan
First data anticipated
2022+
Initiating
 
 
CVRM
 
a)   Farxiga (HF, CKD)
In November 2020, Forxiga was approved in the EU and Japan and China for the treatment of symptomatic chronic HFrEF in adults with and without T2D. The approvals were based on results from the DAPA-HF Phase III trial where Farxiga, on top of SoC, reduced the composite of cardiovascular death or worsening of heart failure by 26%. Farxiga was approved in the US for the same indication in May 2020.
 
During the period, Forxiga received regulatory submission acceptance in the EU and China for the treatment of CKD. The submissions were based on results from the DAPA-CKD Phase III trial where Farxiga, on top of SoC, reduced the composite measure of worsening of renal function or risk of CV or renal death by 39%, compared to placebo in patients with CKD stages 2-4 and elevated urinary albumin excretion. In January 2021, Farxiga was accepted for regulatory review and granted priority review in Japan and the US. The Prescription Drug User Fee Action date, the day the US FDA targets for regulatory decision, is anticipated to be during the second quarter of 2021.
 
b)   Brilinta (stroke)
In November 2020, the Company received US FDA approval for Brilinta to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with an acute ischaemic stoke or high-risk transient ischaemic attack. The approval was based on results from the THALES Phase III trial.
 
Table 32: Key large CVRM Phase III outcomes trials
 
Trial
Population
Design
Primary endpoint(s)
Timeline
Status
Farxiga
 
DAPA-HF
c.4,500 patients with HFrEF, with and without T2D
SoC + placebo or SoC + Farxiga 10mg or 5mg QD[69]
Time to first occurrence of CV death or hospitalisation due to HF or
an urgent HF visit
FPCD
Q1 2017
 
LPCD
Q4 2018
Primary endpoint met
 
Regulatory approval
DELIVER
c.4,700 patients with HF (HFpEF) with and without T2D
Placebo
or Farxiga 10mg QD
Time to first occurrence of CV death or worsening HF
FPCD
Q4 2018
 
First data anticipatedH2 2021
Recruitment ongoing
 
Fast Track[70] designation (US)
DAPA-CKD
c.4,000 patients with CKD, with and without T2D
Placebo or Farxiga 10mg or 5mg QD
Time to first occurrence of ≥ 50% sustained decline in eGFR or reaching ESRD or CV death or renal death
FPCD
Q1 2017
 
LPCD
Q1 2020
Trial stopped early based on recommendation from an IDMC[71]
 
Primary endpoint and secondary endpoints met
 
Fast Track designation (US)
DAPA-MI
c.6,400 patients with confirmed MI, either STEMI or NSTEMI, within the preceding 7 days
Placebo or Farxiga 10mg QD
Time to the first occurrence of any of the components of this composite: hospitalisation for HF or CV death
FPCD
Q4 2020First data anticipated2022+
Recruitment ongoing
Brilinta
 
THEMIS
c.19,000 patients with T2D and CAD without a history of MI or stroke
Aspirin plus placebo or aspirin plus Brilinta 60mg BID[72]
Composite of CV death, non-fatal MI and non-fatal stroke
FPCD
Q1 2014
 
LPCD
Q2 2016
Primary endpoint met
 
Regulatory approval (US)
THALES
c.11,000 patients with acute ischaemic stroke[73] or transient ischaemic attack
Aspirin plus placebo or aspirin plus Brilinta 90mg BID
Prevention of the composite of subsequent stroke and death at 30 days
FPCD
Q1 2018
 
LPCD
Q4 2019
Primary endpoint met
 
Regulatory approval (US)
 
c)   Lokelma (hyperkalaemia)
In November 2020, the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approved a dosing-label update for Lokelma to include patients with hyperkalaemia on chronic haemodialysis. The approval was based on results from the DIALIZE Phase IIIb trial, the first-ever randomised, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate a potassium binder in patients on stable haemodialysis. The trial showed sustained potassium control pre-dialysis for patients receiving Lokelma, compared with placebo. In December 2019, the NMPA approved Lokelma to treat adult patients with hyperkalaemia.
 
d)   Roxadustat (anaemia)
In December 2020, the US FDA requested further clarifying analyses to complete its New Drug Application (NDA) review for roxadustat. AstraZeneca and FibroGen submitted the analyses before the end of the year, to assist with the completion of labelling discussions. The NDA remains under regulatory review, and the US FDA has set a new action date of 20 March 2021.
 
In November 2020, the Company and FibroGen presented new data on roxadustat at the aforementioned ASH meeting. The multiple trials evaluated the clinical effectiveness and safety profile of roxadustat in both the dialysis-dependent and non-dialysis dependent anaemia of CKD patient populations. Data were also presented assessing the medicine's efficacy in anaemia associated with lower-risk MDS, regardless of baseline factors; in approximately one in three patients, MDS leads to acute myeloid leukaemia.
 
 
Respiratory & Immunology
 
a)   Symbicort (mild asthma)
In January 2021, AstraZeneca's Symbicort Turbuhaler (budesonide/formoterol 160/4.5mcg) was approved in China as an anti-inflammatory reliever to be taken as needed in response to symptoms to achieve asthma control in patients with mild asthma aged 12 years and older. This new indication for Symbicort aligned to the latest National Asthma Guidelines from the Chinese Thoracic Society, updated in Q4 2020, which recommended a low dose corticosteroid-formoterol combination therapy, taken as-needed, as the preferred reliever therapy in mild asthma.
 
b)   Breztri (COPD)
During the period, Breztri, under the name Trixeo, received regulatory approval in the EU, following the receipt in Q3 2020 of a positive opinion from the EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use. Trixeo is indicated for the maintenance treatment in adult patients with moderate to severe chronic COPD who are not adequately treated by a combination of an ICS and a LABA, or a combination of a LABA and a long-acting muscarinic antagonist.
 
c)   Fasenra (eosinophil-driven diseases)
 
Table 33: Key Fasenra lifecycle management Phase III trials
 
Trial
Population
Design
Primary endpoint(s)
Timeline
Status
OSTRO
 
Patients aged 18-75 years with severe bilateral nasal polyps; symptomatic, despite SoC
Placebo or Fasenra 30mg Q8W[74] SC[75]
Nasal-polyps burden and reported nasal blockage
FPCD
Q1 2018
 
LPCD
Q2 2019
Co-primary endpoints met
RESOLUTE
Patients with moderate to very severe COPD with a history of frequent COPD exacerbations and elevated peripheral blood eosinophils
Placebo or Fasenra 100mg Q8W SC
Annualised rate of moderate or severe COPD exacerbations
FPCD
Q4 2019
 
Data anticipated 2022+
Recruitment ongoing
MANDARA
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis[76]
Mepolizumab 3x100mg Q4W or Fasenra 30mg
Proportion of patients who achieve remission, defined as a score[77] =0 and an OCS dose ≤4 mg/day at weeks 36 and 48
FPCD
Q4 2019
 
Data anticipated
2022+
Recruitment ongoing
 
Orphan Drug Designation (US)
NATRON
HES[78]
Placebo or Fasenra 30mg Q4W SC
Time to HES worsening flare or any cytotoxic and/or immuno-suppressive therapy increase or hospitalisation
FPCD
Q3 2020
 
Data anticipated 2022
Recruitment ongoing
 
Orphan Drug Designation (US)
MESSINA
Eosinophilic oesophagitis[79]
Placebo or Fasenra 30mg Q4W SC
Proportion of patients with a histologic response[80]
 
Changes from baseline in dysphagia[81] PRO[82]
FPCD
Q4 2020
 
Data anticipated 2022
Recruitment ongoing
 
Orphan Drug Designation (US)
FJORD
BP[83]
Placebo or Fasenra 30mg Q4W SC
Proportion of patients with partial or
complete remission of BP whilst off OCS for ≥2 months
at Week 36
 
Data anticipated 2022+
Recruitment ongoing
 
d)   Anifrolumab (lupus: SLE)
During the period, a new analysis of the TULIP Phase III clinical-trial programme showed that treatment with anifrolumab resulted in a greater reduction in disease flares while having a sustained reduction in doses of OCS compared to placebo, with both groups of patients receiving SoC. The data were presented in November 2020 at ACR Convergence 2020, the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology.