AstraZeneca: Second Quarter and Half Year Results 2009

Second quarter sales increased by 9 percent at constant exchange rates (CER) to
$7,958 million
STOCKHOLM, Sweden--(Business Wire)--
Regulatory News:

AstraZeneca (STO:AZN)(LSE:AZN):

* Crestor sales increased by 33 percent at CER. Quarterly sales exceed $1
billion for the first time.
* US sales of Toprol-XL, benefiting from withdrawal of generic products,
accounted for 3 percent of global sales growth at CER.
* Emerging Markets sales increased by 8 percent at CER; on track for
double-digit growth for the full year.

Core operating profit in the second quarter increased by 37 percent at CER to
$3,606 million on sales growth, higher other income and operational
efficiencies.

Core EPS in the second quarter increased by 37 percent at CER to $1.64.

Reported EPS in the second quarter increased by 10 percent at CER to $1.18.
-Provisions totalling $430 million have been taken in the second quarter with
respect to various federal and state investigations and civil litigation matters
relating to drug marketing and pricing practices (see Note 4).

Strong cash flows have reduced net debt by $3 billion since 31 December 2008.

The Board has recommended a first interim dividend of $0.59, an increase of 7
percent.

Continued progress on the pipeline, including three regulatory submissions since
the first quarter.

* Applications for regulatory approval submitted in the US for Certriad (lipid
abnormalities) and Vimovo (pain relief for arthritis); Zactima (lung cancer)
submitted in the US and the European Union.
* Iressa approved in Europe for lung cancer treatment.
* New diabetes treatment ONGLYZATM recommended for approval by European CHMP.

Core EPS target for the full year increased to range of $5.70 to $6.00.

Financial Summary

* Core financial measures are supplemental non-GAAP measures which management
believe enhances understanding of the Company`s performance; it is upon these
measures that financial guidance for 2009 is based. See page 10 for a definition
of Core financial measures and pages 10 and 11 for a reconciliation of Core to
Reported financial measures.

David Brennan, Chief Executive Officer, said: "Our business performance, in the
context of tough global economic conditions, has been better than we
anticipated. Good operating execution as well as the Toprol-XL benefit has led
to a strong first half performance, which is reflected in our increased Core EPS
target for the full year. Continued progress on the pipeline is evidenced by
significant regulatory submissions and approvals since our first quarter
report."

This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com

AstraZeneca
Neil McCrae (London)
(020) 7304 5045
or
Chris Sampson/Sarah Lindgreen (London)
(020) 7304 5130/5033
or
Tony Jewell (Wilmington)
(302) 885 4594
or
Ann-Leena Mikiver (Södertälje)
(8) 553 260 20
or
Analyst/Investor Enquiries
Karl Hård (London)
(020) 7304 5322
or
Jonathan Hunt (London)
(020) 7304 5087
or
Ed Seage/Jörgen Winroth (US)
(302) 886 4065/(212) 579 0506

Copyright Business Wire 2009