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 May 2008

Commission File Number:  001-11960

AstraZeneca PLC

15 Stanhope Gate, London W1K 1LN, England


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.
Press release entitled, “EPO Announces SymbicortÒ European COPD Use Patent Decision”, dated 6 May 2008.
   
2.
Press release entitled, “Repurchase of shares in AstraZeneca PLC”, dated 9 May 2008.
   
3.
Press release entitled, “Repurchase of shares in AstraZeneca PLC”, dated 12 May 2008.
   
4.
Press release entitled, “FDA Approves AstraZeneca’s Seroquel Maintenance Treatment in Bipolar Disorder”, dated 14 May 2008.
   
5.
Press release entitled, “AstraZeneca PLC – Annual Information Update”, dated 22 May 2008.
   
6.
Press release entitled, “Publication of Supplementary Prospectus”, dated 22 May 2008.
   
7.
“Supplementary Prospectus”, dated 21 May 2008.
   
8.
Press release entitled, “Transaction by Persons Discharging Managerial Responsibilities Disclosure Rules DR 3.1.4R”, dated 23 May 2008.
   
9.
Press release entitled, “Transparency Directive Voting Rights and Capital”, dated 30 May 2008.



SIGNATURES



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
      AstraZeneca PLC
             
             
             
Date:
 03 June 2008
 
By:  /s/ Justin Hoskins  
         Name:  Justin Hoskins  
         Title:  Deputy Company Secretary  
 


Item 1

EPO Announces SymbicortÒ European COPD Use
Patent Decision
 
AstraZeneca today announced that the European Patent Office (EPO) Technical Board of Appeal has made a final ruling that the European Combination patent covering the use of SymbicortÒ (formoterol and budesonide) for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (EPB1014993) has been revoked, following an appeal from generic manufacturers Norton Healthcare and Generics UK.

The EPB1014993 is one of two patents covering the SymbicortÒ combination (formoterol and budesonide) in the use of treatment for COPD in the United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Finland, Portugal, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Monaco, Cyprus, Latvia, Romania and Slovenia.  The original patent expiration for this patent was 2018.  The second of the two patents (EPB1210943) is currently under separate opposition.

“Symbicort is a strong brand and constitutes an important part of our growth potential for the coming years in Europe, where we have data exclusivity protection until August 2010,” said David Brennan, Chief Executive Officer of AstraZeneca.

AstraZeneca will continue to defend and enforce its remaining intellectual property rights protecting SymbicortÒ.  This portfolio includes patents and applications for processes, formulations, delivery devices (M3 Turbuhaler) and use ‘as needed’ (Symbicort SMARTÒ), with expiration dates up to 2019.  In addition to these patents, SymbicortÒ retains data exclusivity until August 2010 in some European markets. On October 18, 2007 the EPO Technical Board of Appeal made a final ruling that the European Combination patent for Symbicort (EPB 0613371) was revoked.

Worldwide sales of SymbicortÒ reached $1.58 billion in 2007, with Europe accounting for $1.34 billion.  SYMBICORT® is a trade mark of the AstraZeneca group of companies.

6 May 2008
 
 Media Enquiries:    
 Steve Brown
 Chris Sampson
 Neil McCrae
+44 207 304 5033  (24 hours)
+44 20 7304 5130  (24 hours)
+44 207 304 5045  (24 hours)
 
     
 Investor Enquiries UK:    
 Jonathan Hunt
 Mina Blair
 Karl Hard
+44 207 304 5087
+44 20 7304 5084 
+44 207 304 5322
mob: +44 7775 704032
mob: +44 7718 581021
mob: +44 7789 654364
     
 Investor Enquiries US:    
 Ed Seage
 Jorgen Winroth
 Peter Vozzo (MedImmune)
+1 302 886 4065 
+1 212 579 0506
+1 301 398 4358
mob: +1 302 373 1361
mob: +1 917 612 4043
mob: +1 301 252 7518
     
 - Ends -    
 


Item 2
 
REPURCHASE OF SHARES IN ASTRAZENECA PLC


AstraZeneca PLC announced that on 8 May 2008, it purchased for cancellation 250,000 ordinary shares of AstraZeneca PLC at a price of 2105 pence per share. Upon the cancellation of these shares, the number of shares in issue will be 1,456,819,895.


G H R Musker
Company Secretary
9 May 2008
 

 
Item 3




REPURCHASE OF SHARES IN ASTRAZENECA PLC


AstraZeneca PLC announced that on 9 May 2008, it purchased for cancellation 750,000 ordinary shares of AstraZeneca PLC at a price of 2092 pence per share. Upon the cancellation of these shares, the number of shares in issue will be 1,456,069,895.
 
 
G H R Musker
Company Secretary
12 May 2008
 
 

 
Item 4

FDA Approves AstraZeneca’s Seroquel Maintenance Treatment in Bipolar Disorder

AstraZeneca today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved SEROQUEL® (quetiapine fumarate) for the maintenance treatment of patients with bipolar I disorder, as adjunct to lithium or divalproex. SEROQUEL is approved by the FDA for the treatment of schizophrenia, and is also the only single agent approved by the FDA for the treatment of both depressive episodes in bipolar disorder and acute manic episodes associated with bipolar I disorder.
 
Considered one of the most severe forms of mental illness, bipolar disorder currently affects about 8 million adults in the US.  Bipolar I disorder is a lifelong psychiatric condition characterised by manic or mixed mood episodes, interspersed with episodes of major depression. During their lifetime, between 0.4 per cent to 1.6 per cent of people will suffer from bipolar I disorder.
 
The FDA approval was based on two multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials that evaluated SEROQUEL when used as an adjunct therapy to lithium or divalproex in the maintenance treatment of adult patients with bipolar I disorder (n=703, n=623 respectively). The rigourous study design included a 12 to 36 week stabilisation phase which was followed by up to two years of randomised double-blind treatment (mean duration of randomized quetiapine treatment was 189 days and 240 days respectively).
 
In both studies, patients with bipolar I disorder whose most recent episode was manic, depressed or mixed, were treated with either SEROQUEL (flexible dosing between 400mg and 800mg per day in divided doses) plus lithium-or-divalproex, or placebo plus lithium-or-divalproex. The primary endpoint, which was time to recurrence of a depressive, manic, or mixed mood event, compared with placebo, was significant for SEROQUEL compared with placebo in both studies. Pooled study results indicated that patients treated with SEROQUEL-plus-lithium-or-divalproex had a risk reduction of 70 per cent relative to those treated with placebo-plus-lithium-or-divalproex for time to recurrence of a mood event (HR: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.24, 0.37; p<0.001).  This reduction in risk was significant for both recurrence of manic episodes (HR: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.22, 0.41; p<0.001), and recurrence of depressive episodes (HR: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.23, 0.40; p<0.001). The proportion of patients who relapsed when treated with SEROQUEL was 19.3% [125/646] versus 50.4% [343/680] of patients on placebo.
 
14 May 2008
 
Seroquel Media Enquiries:
   
James Read
+1 302 885 9944 (Wilmington, US)
 
     
Media Enquiries:
   
Steve Brown
+44 207 304 5033  (24 hours)
 
Chris Sampson
+44 20 7304 5130  (24 hours)
 
Neil McCrae
+44 207 304 5045  (24 hours)
 
 

 
Investor Enquiries UK:
   
Jonathan Hunt
+44 207 304 5087
mob: +44 7775 704032
Mina Blair
+44 20 7304 5084
mob: +44 7718 581021
Karl Hard
+44 207 304 5322
mob: +44 7789 654364
     
Investor Enquiries US:
   
Ed Seage
+1 302 886 4065
mob: +1 302 373 1361
Jorgen Winroth
+1 212 579 0506
mob: +1 917 612 4043
Peter Vozzo (MedImmune)
+1 301 398 4358
mob: +1 301 252 7518


About Bipolar Disorder
Approximately eight million American adults are affected by bipolar disorder, a serious psychiatric condition also known as manicdepressive illness. Bipolar disorder consists of recurring episodes of mania and depression. Bipolar I disorder is characterised by one or more manic or mixed episodes, often with episodes of major depression, whereas bipolar II disorder is distinguished by one or more major depressive episodes accompanied by at least one hypomanic episode. In the long term, patients with bipolar I disorder experience depressive symptoms, including prolonged periods of sadness, loss of energy, persistent lethargy, and recurring thoughts of death or suicide – three times longer than manic symptoms. Similarly, patients with bipolar II disorder spend almost 40-times longer in the depressed state than in hypomania. Bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed as unipolar depression. This misdiagnosis can lead to unfocused treatment that may exacerbate the disease. In fact, many patients face up to ten years without appropriate treatment before a correct diagnosis is made. Up to 50 per cent of patients with bipolar disorder attempt suicide, and approximately 10 to 15 per cent complete suicide.  Bipolar Disorder is typically managed through a treatment strategy with several phases – including acute and maintenance phases.  In the acute phase, the aim is to improve the acute symptoms of the patient.  The maintenance treatment phase aims to prevent the recurrence of the future episodes.

Adverse events in these trials, which were monitored during both the open-label stabilization phase and the randomized controlled-phase, were generally consistent with those reported in short term, placebo-controlled trials for SEROQUEL.  In the pooled data of the two clinical studies, a greater incidence of blood glucose increases to hyperglycemic levels (> 126mg/dL) was observed in patients randomized to SEROQUEL plus lithium-or-divalproex than in patients randomized to placebo plus lithium-or-divalproex. The SEROQUEL prescribing information was updated in July 2007 to reflect the increases in blood glucose levels observed in these trials.

About SEROQUEL and SEROQUEL XR
Launched in 1997, it is estimated that SEROQUEL has been prescribed to more than 22 million patients worldwide.  It is approved in 88 countries for the treatment of schizophrenia, in 79 countries for the treatment of bipolar mania, and in 11 countries including the US for the treatment of bipolar depression.  Global sales of Seroquel in 2007 were $4,027 million – an increase of 15 per cent.

Beside today’s announcement of the approval of SEROQUEL by the FDA in the US for the maintenance treatment of patients with bipolar I disorder, as adjunct to lithium or divalproex, a further submission was recently made seeking a similar approval in Europe, in line with previously announced clinical development plans. The European bipolar maintenance submission includes data from a study of SEROQUEL as monotherapy in the maintenance treatment of patients with bipolar I disorder.
 

 
SEROQUEL XR™ is approved in the US and 25 further countries for the treatment of schizophrenia in adult patients and for maintenance treatment of schizophrenia in adult patients. It was launched in the US in 2007 and earlier this year AstraZeneca announced the submission of regulatory applications in both the US and European Union for SEROQUEL XR in the treatment of manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder, and the treatment of depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder.  An sNDA for SEROQUEL XR seeking approval for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder in the US was also announced in February.  SEROQUEL XR is not approved for these indications at this time and the applications remain under review by the regulatory authorities.

About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in research, development, manufacturing and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals and supplier for healthcare services. AstraZeneca is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies with healthcare sales of US $29.55 billion and is a leader in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory, oncology and infection product sales. AstraZeneca is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (Global) as well as the FTSE4Good Index.  For more Information visit www.astrazeneca.com


- Ends -
 

 

Item 5

ASTRAZENECA PLC
ANNUAL INFORMATION UPDATE

As required under the Prospectus (Directive 2003/71/EC) Regulations 2005 and paragraph 5.2 of the Prospectus Rules, and following publication of the Annual Report and Form 20-F Information on 6 March 2008, AstraZeneca PLC is presenting its Annual Information Update in relation to information that has been published or made available to the public between 28 March 2007 and 21 May 2008.

This Annual Information Update is also being made available on the Investors section of our website, www.astrazeneca.com.

The information referred to in this Annual Information Update was correct at the time it was published but may now be out of date.

1. Announcements made via a RIS

The documents listed below were published via a Regulatory Information Service on or around the dates indicated.

Date
Description of Contents of Announcement
   
28/03/07
Transaction in Own Shares
28/03/07
Filing of Form 20-F
28/03/07
Director/PDMR Shareholding
29/03/07
Transaction in Own Shares
29/03/07
Annual Information Update
30/03/07
Transaction in Own Shares
02/04/07
Transaction in Own Shares
02/04/07
Director/PDMR Shareholding
02/04/07
Director/PDMR Shareholding
02/04/07
Director/PDMR Shareholding
02/04/07
Director/PDMR Shareholding
03/04/07
Transaction in Own Shares
04/04/07
Transaction in Own Shares
05/04/07
Transaction in Own Shares
10/04/07
Transaction in Own Shares
10/04/07
Holding(s) in Company
11/04/07
Transaction in Own Shares
12/04/07
Transaction in Own Shares
12/04/07
Directorate Change
13/04/07
Transaction in Own Shares
16/04/07
Transaction in Own Shares
17/04/07
Transaction in Own Shares
18/04/07
Transaction in Own Shares
19/04/07
Transaction in Own Shares
 

 
20/04/07
Transaction in Own Shares
23/04/07
Transaction in Own Shares
23/04/07
Acquisition – MedImmune, Inc
23/04/07
First Quarter Results
23/04/07
Research UpDate – AGI 1067
24/04/07
Transaction in Own Shares
25/04/07
Transaction in Own Shares
25/04/07
Director/PDMR Shareholding
26/04/07
Transaction in Own Shares
26/04/07
AGM Poll Results
27/04/07
Transaction in Own Shares
30/04/07
Transaction in Own Shares
01/05/07
Transaction in Own Shares
02/05/07
Transaction in Own Shares
03/05/07
Transaction in Own Shares
03/05/07
MedImmune Offer Document Posted
04/05/07
Transaction in Own Shares
05/05/07
AGM Resolutions
18/05/07
Seroquel XR
24/05/07
Transaction in Own Shares
25/05/07
Transaction in Own Shares
30/05/07
Transaction in Own Shares
30/05/07
Holding(s) in Company
31/05/07
Total Voting Rights
01/06/07
MedImmune Offer UpDate
04/06/07
Transaction in Own Shares
06/06/07
Transaction in Own Shares
06/06/07
Directorate Change
06/06/07
MedImmune Offer UpDate
08/06/07
Transaction in Own Shares
11/06/07
Transaction in Own Shares
18/06/07
Holding(s) in Company
19/06/07
MedImmune Offer UpDate
21/06/07
Transaction in Own Shares
25/06/07
Transaction in Own Shares
25/06/07
Holding(s) in Company
29/06/07
Share RePurchase Programme
29/06/07
Total Voting Rights
03/07/07
Transaction in Own Shares
04/07/07
Transaction in Own Shares
05/07/07
Transaction in Own Shares
06/07/07
Transaction in Own Shares
09/07/07
Transaction in Own Shares
10/07/07
Transaction in Own Shares
11/07/07
Transaction in Own Shares
12/07/07
Transaction in Own Shares
13/07/07
Transaction in Own Shares
16/07/07
Transaction in Own Shares
17/07/07
Transaction in Own Shares
18/07/07
Transaction in Own Shares
 

 
19/07/07
Transaction in Own Shares
20/07/07
Transaction in Own Shares
23/07/07
Transaction in Own Shares
24/07/07
Transaction in Own Shares
25/07/07
Transaction in Own Shares
25/07/07
Directorate Change
25/07/07
Notice of Results
26/07/07
Transaction in Own Shares
26/07/07
Half Year Results
27/07/07
Transaction in Own Shares
30/07/07
Transaction in Own Shares
30/07/07
Director/PDMR Shareholding
31/07/07
Transaction in Own Shares
01/08/07
Transaction in Own Shares
01.08/07
Total Voting Rights
02/08/07
Transaction in Own Shares
03/08/07
Transaction in Own Shares
06/08/07
Transaction in Own Shares
07/08/07
Transaction in Own Shares
08/08/07
Transaction in Own Shares
09/08/07
Transaction in Own Shares
10/08/07
Transaction in Own Shares
13/08/07
Transaction in Own Shares
14/08/07
Transaction in Own Shares
15/08/07
Transaction in Own Shares
16/08/07
Transaction in Own Shares
17/08/07
Transaction in Own Shares
20/08/07
Transaction in Own Shares
21/08/07
Transaction in Own Shares
22/08/07
Transaction in Own Shares
23/08/07
Transaction in Own Shares
24/08/07
Transaction in Own Shares
28/08/07
Transaction in Own Shares
29/08/07
Transaction in Own Shares
30/08/07
Transaction in Own Shares
31/08/07
Transaction in Own Shares
31/08/07
Total Voting Rights
03/08/07
Transaction in Own Shares
04/09/07
Transaction in Own Shares
05/09/07
Transaction in Own Shares
06/09/07
Transaction in Own Shares
06/09/07
Bond Issue
07/09/07
Transaction in Own Shares
10/09/07
Transaction in Own Shares
11/09/07
Transaction in Own Shares
11/09/07
EMTN Base Prospectus
12/09/07
Transaction in Own Shares
13/09/07
Transaction in Own Shares
13/09/07
EuroBond Issue
14/09/07
Transaction in Own Shares
 

 
17/09/07
Transaction in Own Shares
18/09/07
Transaction in Own Shares
19/09/07
Transaction in Own Shares
19/09/07
Transaction in Own Shares [Amended]
20/09/07
Transaction in Own Shares
20/09/07
Transaction in Own Shares [Amended]
21/09/07
Transaction in Own Shares
24/09/07
Transaction in Own Shares
25/09/07
Transaction in Own Shares
26/09/07
Transaction in Own Shares
27/09/07
Transaction in Own Shares
28/09/07
Transaction in Own Shares
28/09/07
Directorate Change
28/09/07
Total Voting Rights
01/10/07
Transaction in Own Shares
02/10/07
Transaction in Own Shares
03/10/07
Transaction in Own Shares
04/10/07
Transaction in Own Shares
05/10/07
Transaction in Own Shares
08/10/07
Transaction in Own Shares
09/10/07
Transaction in Own Shares
09/10/07
European Patent Office Ruling on Nexium
10/10/07
Transaction in Own Shares
11/10/07
Transaction in Own Shares
12/10/07
Transaction in Own Shares
15/10/07
Transaction in Own Shares
16/10/07
Transaction in Own Shares
17/10/07
Transaction in Own Shares
18/10/07
Transaction in Own Shares
18/10/07
European Patent Office Ruling on Symbicort
19/10/07
Transaction in Own Shares
22/10/07
Transaction in Own Shares
23/10/07
Transaction in Own Shares
24/10/07
Transaction in Own Shares
25/10/07
Transaction in Own Shares
26/10/07
Transaction in Own Shares
29/10/07
Transaction in Own Shares
30/10/07
Transaction in Own Shares
31/10/07
Transaction in Own Shares
31/10/07
Notice of Results
31/10/07
Total Voting Rights
01/11/07
Transaction in Own Shares
01/11/07
Crestor ANDA
01/11/07
Third Quarter and Nine Months Results
02/11/07
Transaction in Own Shares
05/11/07
Transaction in Own Shares
06/11/07
Transaction in Own Shares
06/11/07
EMTN Supplementary Prospectus
07/11/07
Pricing of Bond Issue
08/11/07
Transaction in Own Shares
 

 
09/11/07
Transaction in Own Shares
09/11/07
Crestor Atherosclerosis
13/11/07
Transaction in Own Shares
19/11/07
Transaction in Own Shares
19/11/07
Director/PDMR Shareholding
20/11/07
Transaction in Own Shares
21/11/07
Transaction in Own Shares
27/11/07
Transaction in Own Shares
29/11/07
Transaction in Own Shares
30/11/07
Total Voting Rights
05/12/07
Director/PDMR Shareholding
06/12/07
Holding(s) in Company
07/12/07
Research Update
11/12/07
Transaction in Own Shares
12/12/07
Transaction in Own Shares
12/12/07
Crestor ANDAs
13/12/07
Transaction in Own Shares
14/12/07
Transaction in Own Shares
20/12/07
Holding(s) in Company
02/01/08
Total Voting Rights
08/01/08
Director/PDMR Shareholding
30/01/08
Notice of Results
31/01/08
Full Year Results 2007
31/01/08
Total Voting Rights
04/02/08
Regulatory Submission
18/02/08
Directorate Change
22/02/08
Alabama Pricing Case Result
27/02/08
Research UpDate : Recentin
27/02/08
Director/PDMR Shareholding
27/02/08
Director/PDMR Shareholding
27/02/08
Director/PDMR Shareholding
28/02/08
Arrangement with Merck
29/02/08
Seroquel XR sNDA
29/02/08
Total Voting Rights
06/03/08
Annual Report and Accounts
12/03/08
Seroquel Patent Litigation
12/03/08
Filing of Form 20F
26/03/08
Director/PDMR Shareholding
26/03/08
Director/PDMR Shareholding
26/03/08
Director/PDMR Shareholding
31/03/08
Crestor Jupiter Study
31/03/08
Total Voting Right
31/03/08
Director/PDMR Shareholding
31/03/08
Director/PDMR Shareholding
31/03/08
Director/PDMR Shareholding
31/03/08
Director/PDMR Shareholding
15/04/08
Nexium and Ranbaxy
23/04/08
Notice of Results
24/04/08
Results of AGM
24/04/08
First Quarter Results
 

 
30/04/08
Symbicort
30/04/08
Total Voting Rights
06/05/08
Symbicort
09/05/08
Transaction in Own Shares
12/05/08
Transaction in Own Shares
14/05/08
Seroquel
22/05/08
Supplementary Prospectus

All of the above documents are available for download on the Prices and News section of the London Stock Exchange website, www.londonstockexchange.com.

3.  
Documents filed at Companies House

All of the documents below were filed with the Registrar of Companies in England and Wales on or around the dates indicated.

Date
Document type
   
28/03/07
Interim Accounts made up to 31/12/06
18/05/07
288b – Director Resigned
18/05/07
288b – Director Resigned
18/05/07
288b – Director Resigned
29/05/07
Resolution
15/06/07
363s – Annual Return
26/06/07
Interim Accounts made up to 31/03/07
11/07/07
88(2) R
11/07/07
88(2) R
11/07/07
88(2) R
11/07/07
88(2) R
11/07/07
88(2) R
11/07/07
88(2) R
11/07/07
88(2) R
08/08/07
Interim Accounts made up to 30/06/07
10/08/07
Amended Group of Companies’ Accounts made up to 31/12/06
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
05/11/07
288a – New Director Appointed
08/11/07
Interim Accounts made up to 30/09/07
21/11/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
 

 
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
25/10/07
169
03/12/07
288b – Director Resigned
17/12/07
288a – New Director Appointed
17/12/07
288a – New Director Appointed
19/12/07
288a – New Director Appointed
27/12/07
288a – New Director Appointed
17/03/08
ML28 Transferred Doc from AstraZeneca UK PLC
18/03/08
169 – capitals not rolled up
18/03/08
169 – capitals not rolled up
18/03/08
169 – capitals not rolled up
18/03/08
169 – capitals not rolled up
18/03/08
169 – capitals not rolled up
18/03/08
169 – capitals not rolled up
18/03/08
169 – capitals not rolled up
18/03/08
169 – capitals not rolled up
18/03/08
169 – capitals not rolled up
18/03/08
169 – capitals not rolled up
18/03/08
169 – capitals not rolled up
18/03/08
169 – capitals not rolled up
18/03/08
169 – capitals not rolled up
18/03/08
169 – capitals not rolled up
18/03/08
169 – capitals not rolled up
18/03/08
169 – capitals not rolled up
18/03/08
169 – capitals not rolled up
18/03/08
169 – capitals not rolled up
18/03/08
169 – capitals not rolled up
18/03/08
169 – capitals not rolled up
18/03/08
169 – capitals not rolled up
 

 
01/05/08
Resolutions after AGM 2008
01/05/08
Articles of Association
13/05/08
288a – New Director Appointed

All of the documents above are available for download from the Companies House website at www.companieshouse.gov.uk, or can be obtained from Companies House, Crown Way, Maindy, Cardiff, CF14 3UZ.

3.   Documents submitted to the FSA

All the documents below were submitted to the FSA on or around the dates indicated.

Date
Document
21/08/07
Form 20-F 2005
21/08/07
Form 20-F 2006
05/09/07
Form 6-K
10/09/07
Prospectus
05/11/07
Third Quarter and Nine Month Results 2007
06/11/07
Supplementary Prospectus
06/03/08
Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2007
06/03/08
Notice of AGM 2008 and Shareholders’ Circular
06/03/08
Shareholder Letter 2008
01/05/08
Resolutions after AGM 2008
01/05/08
Articles of Association
21/05/08
Supplementary Prospectus

Documents submitted to the FSA can be viewed at the Document Viewing Facility situated at The Financial Services Authority, 25 The North Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HS.

The Notices of AGM, Annual Reports and Form 20-F Information, Annual Reviews and Summary CR Reports are also available via the Investors section of our website, www.astrazeneca.com.

4.   Documents lodged with the Securities and Exchange Commission

The documents listed below were filed with the SEC on or around the dates indicated.

Date
Document
   
03/04/07
Quarterly Reports
26/04/07
Quarterly Reports
04/05/07
Quarterly Reports
05/06/07
Quarterly Reports
13/06/07
Form SC 13D
27/06/07
Annual Report of Employee Stock Purchase Savings Plans
06/07/07
Quarterly Reports
30/07/07
Quarterly Reports
 

 
31/08/07
Quarterly Reports
31/08/07
Form F-3ASR
04/09/07
Form 424B3 : Form of Prospectus
04/09/07
Quarterly Reports
06/09/07
Form FWP : Free Writing Prospectus
07/09/07
Form 424B2 : Form of Prospectus
11/09/07
Form 8-A12B : Registration
12/09/07
Form CERTNYS
20/09/07
Form 8-A12B/A : Registration : Amendment No 1
04/10/07
Quarterly Reports
02/11/07
Quarterly Reports
10/12/07
Quarterly Reports
04/01/08
Quarterly Reports
12/02/08
Form SC 13G/A : Insider Trading
12/02/08
Quarterly Reports
13/02/08
Form SC 13G/A : Insider Trading
04/03/08
Quarterly Reports
07/02/08
Quarterly Reports
12/03/08
Form 20-F
03/04/08
Quarterly Reports
07/05/08
Quarterly Reports

All of the documents above are available for viewing on the Investor section of our website, www.astrazeneca.com.

5.  Further Information

Further information about AstraZeneca PLC can be found at our website, www.astrazeneca.com.
 

 
Item 6
 
 
Publication of Supplementary Prospectus
 
The following supplementary prospectus has been approved by the UK Listing Authority and is available for viewing:

Supplementary Prospectus for the AstraZeneca PLC U.S.$5,000,000,000 Euro Medium Term Note Programme (the Supplementary Prospectus).

To view the full Supplementary Prospectus, please paste the following URL into the address bar of your browser.

[●]

The Supplementary Prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference therein are available to the public for inspection at the following addresses:

Document Viewing Facility
UK Listing Authority
25 The North Colonnade
Canary Wharf
London E14 5HS

AstraZeneca PLC
15 Stanhope Gate
London W1K 1LN


G H R Musker
Company Secretary
22 May 2008
 
 

 
Item 7
 
SUPPLEMENTARY PROSPECTUS DATED 21 MAY 2008
 
AstraZeneca PLC
(incorporated with limited liability in England)
 
U.S.$5,000,000,000
Euro Medium Term Note Programme

 
This supplementary prospectus (the Supplementary Prospectus) is supplemental to the base prospectus dated 10 September 2007 (the Base Prospectus) (as supplemented by supplementary prospectuses dated 6 November 2007 and 14 March 2008) which was prepared in connection with the U.S.$5,000,000,000 Euro Medium Term Note Programme (the Programme) established by AstraZeneca PLC (the Issuer), and constitutes a supplementary prospectus for the purposes of Section 87G of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA). This document should be read in conjunction with the Base Prospectus and any other supplementary prospectuses to the Base Prospectus issued by the Issuer. Terms defined in the Base Prospectus have the same meaning when used in this Supplementary Prospectus.
 
The information set out in the appendix to this Supplementary Prospectus, which are the Issuer's first quarter results and which, in respect of the Issuer's unaudited consolidated accounts, were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union and which have previously been published and filed with the United Kingdom Financial Services Authority (the FSA), shall be deemed to be incorporated into, and to form part of, this Supplementary Prospectus. Copies of the Issuer's first quarter results are available for inspection at the registered office of the Issuer.
 
The Issuer accepts responsibility for the information contained in this Supplementary Prospectus and declares that, having taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case, the information contained in this Supplementary Prospectus is, to the best of its knowledge, in accordance with the facts and contains no omission likely to affect its import.
 
This Supplementary Prospectus has been approved by the FSA, which is the competent authority for the purposes of Directive 2003/71/EC (the Prospectus Directive), as a Supplementary Prospectus issued in compliance with the Prospectus Directive and the FSMA.
 
Any person who, prior to the publication of this Supplementary Prospectus, has agreed to buy or subscribe for Notes issued under the Programme to which this Supplementary Prospectus relates may withdraw his acceptance before the end of the period of two working days beginning with the working day after the date on which this Supplementary Prospectus was published in accordance with Section 87Q(4) of the FSMA.
 
Save as disclosed in this Supplementary Prospectus, no significant new factor, material mistake or inaccuracy relating to the information included in the Base



 
Prospectus has arisen or been noted, as the case may be, since the publication of the Base Prospectus.



Page 2


 

 
APPENDIX



 
Page 3


 
AstraZeneca PLC
 
First Quarter Results 2008
 
 
Core EPS increased by 9 percent at CER to $1.28.
 
First quarter sales increased by 4 percent at CER to $7,677 million.
 
- Inclusion of Medlmmune sales more than offset the decline in Toprol-XL° sales in the US. - Strong growth in Emerging Markets, with sales up 11 percent at CER.
 
Underlying business performance on track. Core EPS target increased to reflect year to date currency impact.
 
- Revised target range for Core EPS is $4.45 to $4.75.
 
First of 3 planned regulatory filings for the year achieved.
 
- US Biologics Licence Application for motavizumab submitted in January.
 
Settlement agreement with Ranbaxy in Nexium'M patent infringement announced 15 April.
 
- Agreement gives increased clarity and stability to allow continued investment in our growing pipeline. - Company will vigorously defend its intellectual property.
 
 
Financial Summary
 
Group
 
1St QuarterVt
   
QuarterActual
         
CER
 
   
2008
   
2007
             
      $M       $M              
Sales
    7,677       6,966       +10       +4  
Reported
                               
Operating Profit
    2,257       2,170       +4       -5  
Profit before Tax
    2,143       2,267       -5       -15  
Earnings per Share
    $1.03 **     $1.02       +1       -9  
Core
                               
Operating Profit
    2,765       2,274       +21       +12  
Profit before Tax
    2,651       2,371       +12       +2  
Earnings per Share*
    $1.28       $1.07       +19       +9  
 
"Core financial measures are supplemental non-IFRS measures which management believe useful to understanding the Company's performance; it is upon these measures that financial guidance for 2008 is based. See page 8 for a reconciliation of Core to Reported financial measures.
 
'"included in Reported EPS for Q1 2008 is a ($0.12) charge for impairment of intangible assets related to Ethyol'"`, a product acquired with Medlmmune, arising from an "at risk" launch of a generic product by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., prior to the conclusion of ongoing patent litigation.
 
David Brennan, Chief Executive Officer, said: "The first quarter performance puts us on track to achieve our full year financial targets. We have also announced the motavizumab BLA submission in January - the first of three regulatory filings planned for 2008 - and the agreement to settle the Nexiumpatent infringement litigation against Ranbaxy, which has provided increased clarity and stability to allow us to continue the substantial investment in our growing pipeline of new medicines."
 
London, 24 April 2008
Media Enquiries:
Steve Brown/Chris Sampson (London)
(020) 7304 5033/5130
 
Earl Whipple (Wilmington)
(302) 885 8197
 
Per Lorentz (Sodertalje)
(8) 553 26020
     
Analyst/Investor Enquiries:
Mina Blair/Karl Hard (London)
(020) 7304 5084/5322
 
Jonathan Hunt (London)
(020) 7304 5087
 
Staffan Ternby (Sbdertalje)
(8) 553 26107
 
Ed SeagelJOrgen Winroth (US)
(302) 886 4065/(212) 579 0506
 
Peter Vozzo (Medlmmune)
(301) 39B 4358
     
 

 
AstraZeneca PLC
 
 
Business Highlights All narrative in this section refers to growth rates at constant exchange rates (CER) unless otherwise indicated.
 
Sales in the first quarter increased by 4 percent at CER, or 10 percent on an as reported basis. Sales in the US were up 5 percent; the inclusion of Medlmmune sales in the quarter more than offset the decline in Toprol-XL" sales in the US market. Sales in the Rest of World were up 4 percent. Sales in Established Markets were up 1 percent despite a 1 percent decline in Western Europe. Sales in Emerging Markets were up 11 percent, driven by strong growth in China and other Asian markets.
 
Core operating profit in the first quarter was up 12 percent to $2,765 million, as a result of improvement in Core gross margin and continued efficiencies in SG&A and R&D. Reported operating profit, which included restructuring and synergy costs ($117 million), Merck and Medlmmune related amortisation ($134 million) and an intangible asset impairment charge as a result of the at risk" launch of a generic competitor to Medlmmune's oncology product EthyolTM ($257 million) was $2,257 million, 5 percent lower than last year.
 
Core earnings per share in the first quarter were $1.28 compared with $1.07 in the first quarter 2007, a 9 percent increase at CER. The increase is the result of the growth in Core operating profit and the benefit of a lower number of shares outstanding, partially offset by increased net interest expense.
 
Research and Development Update
 
In the first quarter, the first of three planned regulatory submissions for 2008 was achieved, with the submission of the Biologics Licence Application in the US for motavizumab in January. The filing for saxagliptin is on track for mid-year, with Phase III clinical data to be presented at the upcoming American Diabetes Association meeting. The regulatory submission for Zactima' is planned for the fourth quarter.
 
The large lifecycle management programme in support of Seroquel XR" is nearing completion, culminating in a large number of regulatory submissions in 2008. Regulatory filings in the US and Europe for Seroquel XR for the treatment of Bipolar Mania and Bipolar Depression were announced early in the first quarter. The US submission for Seroquel XR"" for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) was made on 29 February. Submissions for MDD in Europe and filings for generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) in the US and Europe will follow later this year. Much of the clinical data supporting the MDD and GAD filings will be presented at the American Psychiatric Association meeting early next month.
 
On 31 March, AstraZeneca announced its decision to stop the Crestor'M JUPITER clinical study early based on a recommendation from an Independent Data Monitoring Board and the JUPITER Steering Committee, which met on 29 March. The study will be stopped early because there is unequivocal evidence of a reduction in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality amongst patients who received Crestor'M when compared to placebo.
 
The JUPITER study team has initiated activities to close this large multi-centre study. Over 15,000 trial participants will be scheduled by their investigator for final assessments at over 1,200 sites in 26 countries. Data from these visits will generate 80,000 pages of case report forms. We plan to complete the analysis in the fourth quarter of this year.
 
Enhancing Productivity
 
The Company remains on track to deliver two-thirds of the total programme benefits of $1.4 billion per annum by the end of this year, with the full amount to be delivered by 2010.
 
As part of this programme, AstraZeneca undertook major restructuring in many of its European sales and marketing organisations in 2007. As a result, the Company is now delivering about the same level of sales with smaller sales forces in its largest marketing companies in Western Europe.
 
The R&D organisation is now actively involved in the implementation of our agreement with Cognizant to provide centralised Data Management services for the whole of AstraZeneca Clinical Development. This agreement is the largest such contract within the pharmaceutical industry and will deliver economies of scale and cost savings that will help R&D deliver its commitment to improving productivity and efficiency.
 
A further $117 million in costs associated with the Company-wide restructuring and synergy programmes were charged to the first quarter accounts, bringing cumulative charges since the inception of the programmes to $1,083 million.
2

 
AstraZeneca PLC




 
Future Prospects
 
Based on an assessment of the underlying business performance in the first quarter and the outlook for the remainder of the year, the Company believes it is on track to achieve the full year targets. The target range for Core earnings per share has been increased to $4.45 to $4.75 to reflect the currency benefits realised in the first quarter relative to the currency assumptions upon which the targets were based.

 
 
 







 
Disclosure Notice: The preceding forward-looking statements relating to expectations for earnings and business prospects for AstraZeneca PLC are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. These include, but are not limited to: the rate of growth in sales of generic competitors to Toprol-XLTM in the US market, the rate of growth in sales of generic products in the PP1 market in the US, continued growth in currently marketed products (in particular CrestorTM, NexiumTM, Seroquel'M, SymbicortTM and Arimidex1M), the growth in costs and expenses, interest rate movements, exchange rate fluctuations, and the tax rate. For further details on these and other risks and uncertainties, see AstraZeneca PLC's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the 2007 Annual Report on Form 20-F.

3

 
AstraZeneca PLC



 
Sales
 
All narrative in this section refers to growth rates at constant exchange rates (CER) unless otherwise indicated

 
Gastrointestinal

 

   
First Quarter
   
CER %
 
   
2008
   
2007
       
Nexium'M
    1,238       1,308       -9  
Losec'M/ Prilosec°
    252       279       -16  
Total
    1,510       1,607       -10  
 
In the US, Nexium� sales in the first quarter were $736 million, a 15 percent decline compared with last year. Volume was broadly unchanged compared with the first quarter last year; dispensed retail unit demand was essentially flat, whilst an increase in non-retail volume was offset by trade destocking during the quarter. Net prices during the first quarter are slightly lower than those realised in the fourth quarter 2007; the price variance versus the first quarter 2007 reflects the back-loaded phasing of the lower prices realised over the course of last year.
 
Nexium'M sales in other markets were up 1 percent, as sales growth in Canada and in Emerging Markets exceeded the declines in Nexium sales in Western Europe.
 
      The Company expects a mid-single digit sales decline for worldwide sales of Nexium' for the full year.
 
Prilosec'M sales in the US were down 13 percent in the first quarter. Losec" sales in other markets were down 17 percent despite modest increases in Japan and China.
 
 
Cardiovascular
                   
                   
   
First Quarter
   
CER %
 
   
2008
   
2007
       
CrestorW
    772       628       +16  
Seloken"' / Toprol-XL""
    190       444       -60  
Ata ca nd'N
    346       296       +7  
Plendil""
    66       65       -6  
Zestri[t'
    59       80       -33  
Total
    1,571       1,653       -11  
 
 
In the US, Crestor'M sales in the first quarter were $353 million, a 3 percent increase over last year. Crestor'M share of total prescriptions in the US statin market increased to 8.75percent in March; Crestor'M is the only branded statin to gain market share during the first quarter. Since the launch of the atherosclerosis indication in November 2007, Crestor'M share of new patient starts, as well as net switches to Crestor- from other statin products, has increased.
 
Crestor'" sales in Rest of World now exceed those in the US. Crestor" sales in other markets were up 32 percent to $419 million. Sales in Western Europe were up 11 percent. Crestorm sales increased by 180 percent in Japan, where Crestor`M volume share of the statin market has reached 13.2 percent.
 
US sales of the Toprol-XL" product range, which includes sales of the authorised generic to Par, were $64 million in the first quarter, down 81 percent. Generic products accounted for 87 percent of dispensed prescriptions in the first quarter.
 
Sales of Seloken"' in other markets were unchanged, as the growth in Emerging Markets offset the decline in Established Markets.
 
Atacand"A sales in the first quarter were down 5 percent in the US. Sales in other markets increased 10 percent, chiefly in Western Europe.

4

 
AstraZeneca PLC
 

 
Respiratory and Inflammation

   
First Quarter
   
CER %
 
   
2008
   
2007
       
SymbicorttM
    471       354       +21  
Pulmicort
    411       401       -1  
Rhinocort'M
    80       92       -16  
Oxis""
    17       23       -35  
Accolate""
    18       19       -5  
Total
    1,040       931       +5  
 
Symbicort"" sales in the US were $44 million in the first quarter. Specialist adoption of Symbicort'M is steadily increasing; since launch more than 80 percent of allergists and 70 percent of pulmonary specialists in our target audience have prescribed Symbicort"". The,product trial rate among primary care physicians has increased to more than 29 percent. Overall, Symbicort share of new prescriptions for fixed combinations reached 7.8 percent in the week ending 11 April; market share among patients newly starting combination treatments has increased to over 15 percent.
 
US regulatory filings for Symbicort"" for the treatment of COPD and for paediatric use are planned for the second quarter 2008.
 
Symbicort"" sales in other markets were up 9 percent in the first quarter, to $427 million, with more than half of theincrease coming from Western Europe.
 
US sales for Pulmicort"" were up 2 percent in the first 2uarter. Initial stocking of the Pulmicort' Flexhaler'M dry powder inhaler (which replaces Pulmicort'm Turbuhaler in the market) took place in the first quarter 2007, and has adversely affected the reported sales growth rate for the quarter. Sales of Pulmicort Respules"" increased 11 percent against the backdrop of a relatively mild season for respiratory illness.
 
Pulmicort"" sales in other markets were down 6 percent in the first quarter.

 
Oncology

   
First Quarter
   
CER %
 
   
2008
   
2007
       
Arimidex""
    430       401       +2  
Casodex'M
    316       310       -5  
Zoladex""
    255       249       -6  
lressa""
    58       52       +4  
Faslodex""
    56       49       +8  
Nolvadex""
    18       19       -16  
Ethyol
    14       -       n/m  
Total
    1,165       1,096       -1  
 
* Sales of this Medimmune product are consolidated in AstraZeneca accounts from I June 2007. As a result, there are no prior period sales included.

 
In the US, sales of Arimidex"" were up 13 percent in the first quarter, to $183 million. Total prescriptions for Arimidex" increased by 2 percent in the quarter.
 
Arimidex" sales in other markets were down 6 percent to $247 million as sales inWestern Europe reflect a slowing in the aromatase inhibitor market and a small decline in market share.
 
Casodex"' sales in the first quarter were down 10 percent in the US and declined 4 percent in other markets.
 
lressa'" sales increased by 4 percent in the first quarter, chiefly as a result of growth in Asian Emerging Markets, including China. Sales in Japan were down 4 percent.
 
Faslodex" sales in the US were $25 million in the first quarter, unchanged from the first quarter 2007. Sales in other markets were $31 million, an increase of 17 percent.
 
5

 
AstraZeneca PLC




 
In the US, sales of Ethyol'M were $14 million in the first quarter. On  March, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. commenced an "at risk" launch of its generic amifostine product prior to the conclusion of ongoing patent litigation.  Medlmmune has subsequently entered into a supply and distribution agreement with Bedford Pharmaceuticals to distribute an authorised generic version of amifostine. The generic launch gave rise to an intangible asset impairment charge in the first quarter accounts.

 
Neuroscience

   
First Quarter
   
CER %
 
   
2008
   
2007
       
Seroquelry"
    1,050       923       +10  
Zomig
    107       107       -7  
Total
    1,378       1,227       +7  
 
In the US, Seroquel"" sales were up 7 percent to $702 million. Total prescriptions for Seroquel'M increased 8 percent in the first quarter, with 25 percent of the growth attributable to Seroquel XR'. The increase in Seroquel'TM prescriptions accounted for more than half the prescription growth for the antipsychotic market in the US in the first quarter.
 
Seroquel- sales in other markets increased 17 percent in the first quarter to $348 million. Sales were up 17 percent in Western Europe, fuelled by a 43 percent increase in Germany, which included launch stocking for Seroquel XRT"'
 
Zomig'. sales in the first quarter were down 6 percent in the US and were down 7 percent in other markets.
 
Infection and Other

   
First Quarter
   
CER %
 
   
2008
   
2007
       
SynagisTM*
    519       -       n/m  
MerremTM
    213       178       +12  
FluMistTM*
    -       -       n/m  
Total
    787       252       +206  
 
* Sales of these Medlmmune products are consolidated in AstraZeneca accounts from 1 June 2007. As a result, there are no prior period sales included.
 
Sales of Synagis'" totalled $519 million in the first quarter. US sales were $456 million; sales outside the US were $63 million. There are no corresponding sales recorded in the AstraZeneca accounts in the prior year; on a pro-forma basis Synagis" sales are 2 percent above the first quarter last year.

 
Geographic Sales

   
First Quarter
   
CER %
 
   
2008
   
2007
       
North America
    3,723       3,488       +5  
US
    3,401       3,234       +5  
Established ROW*
    2,973       2,664       +1  
Emerging ROW
    981       814       +11  
 
* Established ROW comprises Western Europe (including France, UK, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and others), Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
 
In the US, sales were up 5 percent in the first quarter. The addition of Medlmmune sales more than offset the decline in Toprol-XL_. Underlying demand growth was ahead of reported sales growth as a result of some destocking in the quarter. Among the key brands, the growth in Symbicort-, Crestor, Arimidex- and Seroquel- was offset by the decline in Nexium

6

 
AstraZeneca PLC




 
Sales in the Established Rest of World segment were up 1 percent. Sales in Western Europe were down 1 percent, with sales growth for Seroquel-, SymbicorC and Crestortm offset by the declines in Losec'F" and Nexium". Sales in Japan were up 4 percent, as wholesalers constrained purchases ahead of the biennial price decreases taking effect in April. Sales in Australia increased 29 percent, fuelled by the launch performance of Crestor.
 
Sales in Emerging Markets increased 11 percent, accounting for two-thirds of total Company sales growth outside the US. Sales in Emerging Asia markets (including China) were up 22 percent. Sales in Latin America were up 11 percent.

7

 
AstraZeneca PLC

 
Operating and Financial Review
 
All narrative in this section refers to growth rates at constant exchange rates (CER) unless otherwise indicated
 
   
Reported 2008
   
Restructuring
and synergy costs
   
Medimmune
Amortisation
   
Ethyol"
[m airment
   
Merck
Amortisation
   
Core
2008
   
Core
2007
   
Actual %
   
CER %
 
Sales
    7,677       -       -       -       -       7,677       6,966       10       4  
Cost of Sales
    (1,502 )     32       -       -       -       (1,470 )     (1,404 )                
Gross Margin
    6,175       32       -       -       -       6,207       5,562       12       5  
% sales
    80.4 %                                     80.9 %     79.8 %     +1.1       +0.6  
Distribution
    (66 )     -       -       -       -       (66 )     (61 )     8       2  
% sales
    0.9 %                                     0.9 %     0.9 %     -       -  
R&D
    (1,236 )     54       -       -       -       (1,182 )     (1,170 )     1       -2  
% sales
    16.1 %                                     15.4 %     16.8 %     +1.4       +1.1  
SG&A
    (2,737 )     31       79       257       25       (2,345 )     (2,195 )     7       2  
% sales
    35.7 %                                     30.6 %     31.5 %     +0,9       +0,7  
Other income
    121       -       30       -       -       151       138       9       8  
% sales
    1.6 %                                     2.0 %     2.0 %     -       +0.1  
Operating Profit
    2,257       117       109       257       25       2,765       2,274       21       12  
% sales
    29.4 %                                     36.0 %     32.6 %     +3.4       +2.5  
Net finance (expense)/income
    (114 )     -       -       -       -       (114 )     97                  
Profit before Tax
    2,143       117       109       257       25       2,651       2,371       12       2  
Taxation
    (638 )     (35 )     (32 )     (77 )     -       (782 )     (728 )                
Profit after Tax
    1,505       82       77       180       25       1,869       1,643       14       4  
Minority Interests
    (2 )     -       -       -       -       (2 )     (4 )                
Net Profit
    1,503       82       77       180       25       1,867       1,639       14       4  
Weighted Average Shares
    1,457       1,457       1,457       1,457       1,457       1,457       1,527                  
Earnings per Share
    1.03       0.06       0.05       0.12       0.02       1.28       1.07       19       9  
A reconciliation by quarter of Reported to Core financial measures for 2007 is given in note 3.
 
Sales increased by 10 percent on a reported basis and by 4 percent on a constant currency basis.Currency movements increased sales by 6 percent.
 
Core gross margin of 80.9 percent in the first quarter is 0.6 percentage points higher than last year. Principal contributors were lower payments to Merck  (1.2 percentage points), and continued efficiency gains and favourable product mix (0.8 percentage points), partially offset by higher royalty payments (1.4 percentage points), chiefly due to the inclusion of SynagisTM sales in the first quarter of 2008.
 
Core R&D expenditure was $1,182 million in the first quarter, down 2 percent over last year. In the first quarter 2007, there were intangible asset impairment charges relating to the collaborations with AtheroGenics and Avanir; excluding these impairments, Core R&D expenditure was up 4 percent in the quarter, due to the inclusion of Medlmmune R&D expense offset by ongoing efficiencies. The Company continues to make good progress on the delivery of R&D projects and productivity initiatives.
 
Core SG&A costs of $2,345 million were 2 percent higher than the first quarter of 2007, where the inclusion of Medlmmune has more than offset operational efficiencies and benefits from the Company's productivity initiatives. Excluding Medlmmune, Core SG&A expense was 2 percent lower than last year.
 
Core other income of $151 million was $13 million higher than the first quarter in 2007 with the inclusion of Medlmmune being partially counterbalanced by lower one-time gains and royalty income. The amortisation expense relating to the intangible assets arising from Medlmmune's licensing and royalty income streams has been reclassified from SG&A to other income. As a result of this change, the Company still expects Core other income to be similar to last year, but with this amortisation expense, other income on a reported basis will be lower than 2007.

8

 
AstraZeneca PLC
 
Core operating profit was $2,765 million, an increase of 12 percent at CER or up 21 percent on an as reported basis. Currency movements increased operating profit by 9 percent. In comparison to last year, the dollar was 13 percent weaker against the euro, increasing sales, and also against the Swedish krona (11 percent) and sterling (1 percent), increasing costs. On a constant currency basis, Core operating margin increased by 2.5 percentage points to 36.0 percent of sales, as a result of improvements in gross margin and efficiencies in SG&A and R&D.
 
Core earnings per share in the first quarter were $1.28, a CER increase of 9 percent, as the increase in Core operating profit and the benefit of a lower number of shares in issue was partially offset by increased net interest expense. Core earnings per share on an as reported basis increased 19 percent.
 
Reported operating profit was down 5 percent to $2,257 million, reflecting the impact of restructuring and synergy costs ($117 million), Medlmmune related amortisation ($109 million) and the impairment of intangible assets arising from the "at risk" launch of a generic competitor to Ethyol ($257 million) compared with the first quarter last year. Reported earnings per share were $1.03.
 
Finance Income and Expense
 
Net finance expense was $114 million for the first quarter, versus income of $97 million in the first quarter of 2007. This decrease is primarily attributable to the interest payable on the borrowings to acquire Medlmmune, Inc.
 
Taxation
 
The effective tax rate for the quarter was 29.8 percent compared with 31.0 percent for the same period last year. For the full year the tax rate is anticipated to be around 29.5 percent, the same as for 2007.
 
Cash Flow
 
Cash generated from operating activities was $2,391 million in the first quarter, in comparison with $2,187 million in2007. The increase of $204 million was mainly driven by an increase in operating profit before depreciation, amortisation and impairment of $419 million, partially offset by an increase in interest payments of $256 million.
 
Net cash outflows from investing activities were $2,937 million in the first quarter, versus $616 million in 2007. This was due primarily to the payment of $2,630 million to Merck (see note 6), which was partially offset by reductions in expenditure on new externalisation deals and in the purchase of short term investments and fixed deposits.
 
Cash distributions to shareholders were $2,007 million, through the payment of the second interim dividend from 2007.
 
Investments
 
As described in note 6, on 17 March, the Company made payments under the provisions of the Merck agreements of approximately $2.6 billion. These have been recorded as intangible assets to reflect the benefits accruing in respect of relief from future contingent payments and the ability to fully exploit our resources and products within certain therapy areas. There were no other significant investments in the quarter.
 
Debt and Capital Structure
 
As at 31 March 2008, outstanding gross debt (including loans, short-term borrowings and overdrafts) was $15,002 million (31 December: $15,156 million), of which $11,116 million is due after one year (31 December: $10,876 million). Outstanding net debt of $11,752 million increased by $2,640 million from 31 December, principally as a result of the significant cash outflows as described above.

9

 
AstraZeneca PLC

 
Share Repurchases
 
During the first quarter, there were no share repurchases.
 
The total number of shares in issue at 31 March 2008 was 1,457 million.
 
The Board's distribution policy and its overall financial strategy is to strike a balance between the interests of the business, our shareholders and our financial creditors, whilst maintaining a strong investment grade credit rating. The Board expects to undertake share repurchases in the region of $1 billion in 2008 subject to business needs.

 
Calendar

31 July 2008
Announcement of second quarter and half year 2008 results
30 October 2008
Announcement of third quarter and nine months 2008 results
 
 
David Brennan
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
10

 
Consolidated Income Statement
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
For the quarter ended 31 March
    $m       $m  
Sales
    7,677       6,966  
Cost of sales
    (1,502 )     (1,486 )
Distribution costs
    (66 )     (61 )
Research and development
    (1,236 )     (1,170 )
Selling, general and administrative costs
    (2,737 )     (2,217 )
Other operating income and expense
    121       138  
Operating profit
    2,257       2,170  
Finance income
    258       247  
Finance expense
    (372 )     (150 )
Profit before tax
    2,143       2,267  
Taxation
    (638 )     (703 )
Profit for the period
    1,505       1,564  
                 
                 
                 
                 
Attributable to:
               
Equity holders of the Company
    1,503       1,560  
Minority interests
    2       4  
      1,505       1,564  
                 
                 
                 
                 
Basic earnings per $0.25 Ordinary Share
    $1.03       $1.02  
Diluted earnings per $0.25 Ordinary Share
    $1.03       $1.02  
Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue (millions)
    1,457       1,527  
Diluted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue (millions)
    1,457       1,531  

11


 
Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
   
As at 31 Mar
   
As at 31 Dec
   
As at 31 Mar
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2007
 
      $m       $m       $m  
ASSETS
                       
Non-current assets
                       
Property, plant and equipment
    8,486       8,298       7,420  
Goodwill
    9,906       9,884       1,102  
Intangible assets
    13,778       11,467       3,345  
Other investments
    197       182       116  
Deferred tax assets
    1,400       1,044       1,296  
      33,767       30,875       13,279  
Current assets
                       
Inventories
    2,169       2,119       2,294  
Trade and other receivables
    7,054       6,668       6,238  
Other investments
    330       177       849  
Income tax receivable
    2,218       2,251       1,338  
Cash and cash equivalents
    2,920       5,867       5,567  
      14,691       17,082       16,286  
Total assets
    48,458       47,957       29,565  
LIABILITIES
                       
Current liabilities
                       
Interest bearing loans and borrowings
    (3,886 )     (4,280 )     (59 )
Trade and other payables
    (7,194 )     (6,968 )     (6,913 )
Provisions
    (531 )     (387 )     (99 )
Income tax payable
    (4,071 )     (3,552 )     (3,278 )
      (15,682 )     (15,187 )     (10,349 )
Non-current liabilities
                       
Interest bearing loans and borrowings
    (11,116 )     (10,876 )     (1,087 )
Deferred tax liabilities
    (4,322 )     (4,119 )     (1,695 )
Retirement benefit obligations
    (1,755 )     (1,998 )     (1,772 )
Provisions
    (490 )     (633 )     (384 )
Other payables
    (226 )     (229 )     (256 )
      (17,909 )     (17,855 )     (5,194 )
Total liabilities
    (33,591 )     (33,042 )     (15,543 )
Net assets
    14,867       14,915       14,022  
                         
                         
EQUITY
                       
Capital and reserves attributable to equity
                       
holders of the Company
    364       364       378  
Share capital
    1,889       1,888       1,704  
Share premium account
    1,882       1,902       1,884  
Other reserves
    10,585       10,624       9,941  
Retained earnings
    14,720       14,778       13,907  
Minority equity interests
    147       137       115  
Total equity
    14,867       14,915       14,022  
 
12

 
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
For the quarter ended 31 March
    $m       $m  
Cash flows from operating activities
               
Profit before taxation
    2,143       2,267  
Finance income and expense
    114       (97 )
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment
    702       370  
Increase in working capital
    (59 )     (61 )
Other non-cash movements
    100       88  
Cash generated from operations
    3,000       2,567  
Interest paid
    (258 )     (2 )
Tax paid
    (351 )     (378 )
Net cash inflow from operating activities
    2,391       2,187  
Cash flows from investing activities
               
Acquisition of business operations
    -       (143 )
Movement in short term investments and fixed deposits
    (31 )     (193 )
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
    (249 )     (222 )
Disposal of property, plant and equipment
    14       13  
Purchase of intangible assets
    (2,689 )     (183 )
Purchase of non-current asset investments
    (29 )     -  
Interest received
    61       113  
Dividends paid by subsidiaries to minority interest
    (14 )     (1 )
Net cash outflow from investing activities
    (2,937 )     (616 )
Net cash (outflow)/inflow before financing activities
    (546 )     1,571  
Cash flows from financing activities
               
Proceeds from issue of share capital
    1       33  
Repurchase of shares
    -       (1,184 )
Dividends paid
    (2,007 )     (1,878 )
Movement in short term borrowings
    (375 )     (10 )
Net cash outflow from financing activities
    (2,381 )     (3,039 )
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents in the period
    (2,927 )     (1,468 )
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
    5,727       6,989  
Exchange rate effects
    1       (1 )
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
    2,801       5,520  
Cash and cash equivalents consists of:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
    2,920       5,567  
Overdrafts
    (119 )     (47 )
      2,801       5,520  

13


 
Consolidated Statement of Recognised Income and Expense

   
2008
   
2007
 
For the quarter ended 31 March
    $m       $m  
Profit for the period
    1,505       1,564  
Foreign exchange and other adjustments on consolidation
    120       (22 )
Available for sale losses taken to equity
    (14 )     (2 )
Actuarial gain for the period
    290       84  
Tax on items taken directly to reserves
    (26 )     (16 )
      370       44  
Total recognised income and expense for the period
    1,875       1,608  
Attributable to:
    1,865       1,605  
Equity holders of the Company
    10       3  
Minority interests
    1,875       1,608  

 
14

 
1      BASIS OF PREPARATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
These unaudited financial statements for the quarter ended 31 March 2008 have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standards and International Financial Reporting Standards (collectively "IFRS") as adopted by the European Union (EU) and as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Details of the accounting policies applied are those set out in AstraZeneca PLC's Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2007.
 
The information contained in Note 5 updates the disclosures concerning legal proceedings and contingent liabilities in the Company's Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2007.
 
These interim financial statements do not constitute statutory accounts of the Group within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2007 will be filed with the Registrar of Companies following the Company's Annual General Meeting. The auditors' report on those accounts was unqualified and did not contain any statement under Section 237 of the Companies Act 1985.
 
2      NET DEBT
 
The table below provides an analysis of net debt and a reconciliation of net cash flow to the movement in net debt.
 
   
At 1 Jan
   
Cash
   
Non-cash
   
Exchange
   
At 31Mar
 
   
2008
   
flow
   
movements
   
movements
   
2008
 
      $m       $m       $m       $m       $m  
Loans due after 1 year
    (10,876 )     -       (81 )     (159 )     (11,116 )
                                         
Current instalments of loans
                                       
                                         
Total loans
    (10,876 )     -       (81 )     (159 )     (11,116 )
                                         
Other investments - current
    177       31       122       -       330  
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents
    5,867       (2,950 )     -       3       2,920  
                                         
Overdrafts
    (140 )     23       -       (2 )     (119 )
                                         
Short term borrowings
    (4,140 )     375       -       (2 )     (3,767 )
                                         
 
   
1,764
      (2,521     122       (1 )     (636
                                         
Net debt
    (9,112 )     (2,521 )     41       (160 )     (11,752 )
 
Non-cash movements in the period include fair value adjustments under IAS 39.
 
15

 
3      RECONCILIATION OF REPORTED TO CORE FINANCIAL MEASURES
 
For the quarter ended 31 March 2007
 
         
Restructuring
   
 
             
         
and synergy
   
Medlmmune
 
 
Merck
       
   
Reported
   
costs
   
Amortisation'
 
   
Amortisation
   
Core
 
Sales
    6,966       -       -       -       6,966  
Cost of sales
    (1,486 )     82       -       -       (1,404 )
Gross Margin
    5,480       82       -       -       5,562  
Distribution
    (61 )     -       -       -       (61 )
R&D
    (1,170 )     -       -       -       (1,170 )
SG&A
    (2,217 )     -       -       22       (2,195 )
Other income
    138       -       -       -       138  
Operating Profit
    2,170       82       -       22       2,274  
Net finance income
    97       -       -       -       97  
Profit before Tax
    2,267       82       -       22       2,371  
Taxation
    (703 )     (25 )     -       -       (728 )
Profit after Tax
    1,564       57       -       22       1,643  
Minority Interests
    (4 )     -       -       -       (4 )
Net Profit
    1,560       57       -       22       1,639  
Weighted Average Shares
    1,527       1,527       -       1,527       1,527  
Earnings per Share
    1.02       0.04       -       0.01       1.07  
* Medlmmune amortisation commenced in Q2 2007
 
For the quarter ended 30 June 2007
 
         
Restructuring
                   
         
and synergy
 
 
Medlmmune
   
Merck
       
   
Reported
   
costs
   
Amortisation
   
Amortisation
   
Core
 
Sales
    7,273       -       -       -       7,273  
Cost of sales
    (1,668 )     199       -       -       (1,469 )
Gross Margin
    5,605       199       -       -       5,804  
Distribution
    (61 )     -       -       -       (61 )
R&D
    (1,225 )     29       -       -       (1,196 )
SG&A
    (2,605 )     148       35       25       (2,397 )
Other income
    259       -       -       -       259  
Operating Profit
    1,973       376       35       25       2,409  
Net finance income
    18       -       -       -       18  
Profit before Tax
    1,991       376       35       25       2,427  
Taxation
    (554 )     (105 )     (10 )     -       (668 )
Profit after Tax
    1,437       271       25       25       1,759  
Minority Interests
    (11 )     -       -       -       (11 )
Net Profit
    1,426       271       25       25       1,748  
Weighted Average Shares
    1,503       1,503       1,503       1,503       1,503  
Earnings per Share
    0.95       0.18       0.02       0.02       1.17  
 
16

 
For the quarter ended 30 September 2007
 
         
Restructuring
                   
         
and synergy
   
Medimmune
   
Merck
       
   
Reported
   
costs
   
Amortisation
   
Amortisation
   
Core
 
Sales
    7,150       -       -       -       7,150  
Cost of sales
    (1,444 )     39       -       -       (1,405 )
Gross Margin
    5,706       39       -       -       5,745  
Distribution
    (59 )     -       -       -       (59 )
R&D
    (1,335 )     8       -       -       (1,327 )
SG&A
    (2,487 )     99       105       25       (2,258 )
Other income
    197       -       -       -       197  
Operating Profit
    2,022       146       105       25       2,298  
Net finance expense
    (134 )     -       -       -       (134 )
Profit before Tax
    1,888       146       105       25       2,164  
Taxation
    (537 )     (42 )     (30 )     -       (608 )
Profit after Tax
    1,351       104       75       25       1,556  
Minority Interests
    (8 )     -       -       -       (8 )
Net Profit
    1,343       104       75       25       1,548  
Weighted Average Shares
    1,486       1,486       1,486       1,486       1,486  
Earnings per Share
    0.91       0.06       0.05       0.02       1.04  
 
 
For the quarter ended 31 December 2007
 
         
Restructuring
                   
         
and synergy
   
Medimmune
   
Merck
       
   
Reported
   
costs
   
Amortisation
 
 
Amortisation
 
 
Core
 
Sales
    8,170       -       -       -       8,170  
Cost of sales
    (1,821 )     95       -       -       (1,726 )
Gross Margin
    6,349       95       -       -       6,444  
Distribution
    (67 )     -       -       -       (67 )
R&D
    (1,432 )     36       -       -       (1,396 )
SG&A
    (3,055 )     231       115       24       (2,685 )
Other income
    134       -       -       -       134  
Operating Profit
    1,929       362       115       24       2,430  
Net finance expense
    (92 )     -       -       -       (92 )
Profit before Tax
    1,837       362       115       24       2,338  
Taxation
    (562 )     (111 )     (35 )     -       (708 )
Profit after Tax
    1,275       251       80       24       1,630  
Minority interests
    (9 )     -       -       -       (9 )
Net Profit
    1,266       251       80       24       1,621  
Weighted Average Shares
    1,464       1,464       1,464       1,464       1,464  
Earnings per Share
    0.86       0.18       0.05       0.01       1.10  
 
17

 
4      RESTRUCTURING AND SYNERGY COSTS
 
Profit before tax for the quarter ended 31 March 2008 is stated after charging restructuring and synergy costs of $117 million ($82 million in the first quarter 2007). These have been charged to the income statement as follows:
 
   
1st Quarter
   
1st Quarter
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
      $m       $m  
                 
Cost of Sales
    32       82  
R&D
    54          
SG&A
    31          
Total
    117       82  
 
5      LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
 
AstraZeneca is involved in various legal proceedings considered typical to its business, including litigation relating to employment matters, product liability, commercial disputes, infringement of intellectual property rights, the validity of certain patents, anti-trust, securities law and governmental investigations. The matters discussed below constitute the more significant developments since publication of the disclosures concerning legal proceedings in the Company's Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2007.
 
Matters disclosed in respect of the First Quarter of 2008 and April 2008.
 
Abraxane® (paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension) (albumin bound) As previously disclosed, in July 2006, Elan Pharma International Limited (Elan) filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of Delaware against Abraxis BioScience, Inc. (Abraxis). Elan essentially alleges that Abraxis infringes two US patents in connection with the marketing, use and sale of Abraxane®. The US District Court for the District of Delaware has scheduled a trial, which is to commence on 2 June 2008. AstraZeneca is party to an agreement with Abraxis to co-promote Abraxane® in the US, but is not a party to the litigation.
 
AtacandTM (candesartan cilexetil)
As previously disclosed, in April 2007 AstraZeneca received notice from Sandoz Inc. (Sandoz) that Sandoz had filed an ANDA with the FDA, seeking approval to market a generic version of AtacandTM (candesartan cilexetil) in the 4, 8, 16 and 32mg doses, prior to the expiration of US Patent No. 5534534 (the '534 patent), which expires in July 2013.
 
In March and April  2008, AstraZeneca (new drug application (NDA) holder) and Takeda (patent holder) received notices from Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. (Teva) that Teva had filed an ANDA with the FDA, seeking approval to market a generic version of AtacandTM in the 4, 8, 16 and 32mg doses, prior to the expiration of the '534 patent. The notifications claim that the Teva products do not infringe the '534 patent. Teva did not challenge the compound patents listed in the FDA Orange Book with reference to AtacandTM, the later of which expires in June 2012. As a result, Teva cannot market candesartan cilexetil until the end of the exclusivity period afforded by these patents. AstraZeneca and Takeda have decided not to bring an action for patent infringement at this time.
 
CrestorTM (rosuvastatin)
As previously reported, in December 2007, in response to notice-letters from seven manufacturers that they had submitted ANDAs to the FDA for approval to market CrestorTM 5, 10, 20 and 40mg rosuvastatin calcium tablets prior to the expiration of one or more of AstraZeneca's three FDA Orange Book-listed patents, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, AstraZeneca UK Limited, IPR Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and AstraZeneca's licensor, Shionogi Seiyaku Kabushiki Kaisha (Shionogi), filed separate lawsuits in the US District Court for the District of Delaware, against Apotex, Aurobindo, Cobalt, Mylan, Par, Sandoz and Sun for infringement of Patent No. RE37,314 (the '314 patent) covering rosuvastatin calcium, the active ingredient in Crestor tablets.
 
The seven Delaware cases proceed. Each of the seven ANDA-filers sued by AstraZeneca in the District of Delaware for infringement of the '314 patent has answered, counterclaimed, or otherwise responded to AstraZeneca's pleadings. AstraZeneca has replied or responded as allowed. Among other responses, Apotex and Aurobindo have challenged the jurisdiction of the District of Delaware. In the event that Apotex or Aurobindo succeed in challenging jurisdiction in Delaware, and as an alternative to having concurrent Crestor M litigations in multiple District Courts, AstraZeneca has contingently moved before the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation pursuant to 28 U.S.C. section 1407 for coordination and consolidation of all CrestorTM pre-trial matters by the Delaware court.
 
Although AstraZeneca did not sue Apotex for infringement of patent no 6,316,460 covering formulations (the '460 patent), in addition to responding to AstraZeneca's patent infringement action in Delaware, Apotex filed a declaratory judgment lawsuit against AstraZeneca based on AstraZeneca's '460 patent in US District Court, Middle District of Florida. The Florida case has been stayed pending resolution of AstraZeneca's pending motion before the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation.
 
18

 
In February 2008, AstraZeneca voluntarily dismissed the duplicate cases against Mylan and Cobalt, respectively, in West Virginia and Florida. The duplicate suit against Aurobindo in the District of New Jersey remains filed, but it has been stayed by the Court pending resolution of AstraZeneca's pending motion before the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation.
 
AstraZeneca continues to have full confidence in and will vigorously defend and enforce its intellectual property protecting CrestorTM.
 
ExantaTM (ximelagatran)
As previously disclosed, four putative and essentially similar securities class actions were filed in the US against AstraZeneca PLC, Hakan Mogren (who currently serves as a Director of AstraZeneca PLC), Sir Tom McKillop, Jonathan Symonds and Percy Barnevik (who are former Directors of AstraZeneca PLC) between January and March 2005. The defendants deny the allegations made in the lawsuit and will vigorously defend the action. The defendants filed a motion in 2006 to dismiss the action, and the Court heard oral argument on defendants' motion on 15 April 2008.
 
NexiumTM (esomeprazole)
Anti trust
As previously disclosed, in December 2006 and January 2007, several lawsuits against AstraZeneca entities, including putative class actions, were filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia alleging anti-trust claims of unlawful monopolisation relating to PrilosecTM and NexiumTM.
 
 
In March 2008, the motions to dismiss these cases were granted and the US District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the Plaintiffs had failed to show that AstraZeneca violated antitrust law. The Plaintiffs have not appealed.
 
Patent Litigation
As previously disclosed, in October 2005, AstraZeneca received a notice from Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals, Inc. that Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited (together Ranbaxy) had submitted an ANDA to the FDA for esomeprazole magnesium delayed-release capsules, 20 and 40mg.
 
On 15 April 2008, it was announced that AstraZeneca had settled this litigation. Under the settlement agreement, Ranbaxy conceded that all six patents asserted by AstraZeneca in the patent litigation are valid and enforceable. Ranbaxy also accepted that four of the patents would be infringed by the unlicensed sale of Ranbaxy's proposed generic product. The settlement agreement will allow Ranbaxy to sell its generic version of NexiumTM under a licence from AstraZeneca starting 27 May 2014. The settlement also includes a separate out-sourcing agreement where a portion of NexiumTM US manufacturing will move to Ranbaxy. This agreement is in line with AstraZeneca's stated supply chain strategy. The remaining cases are ongoing.
 
In March 2008, AstraZeneca received notice from Teva Parenteral Medicines (Teva) that Teva had submitted an NDA to the FDA regarding esomeprazole for injection, 20mg/vial and 40mg/vial. The notice contains certifications of invalidity, unenforceability, and/or non-infringement in respect of US Patent No. 5,877,192, which is listed in the FDA Orange Book with reference to NexiumTM in intravenous form. AstraZeneca is evaluating Teva's notice.
 
As previously disclosed, AstraZeneca initiated proceedings in the Federal Court of Canada against Novopharm Limited in connection with certain patents related to omeprazole magnesium tablets, on the basis that Novopharm was seeking a Notice of Compliance in Canada based on a comparison with AstraZeneca's LosecTM tablets. Two of these proceedings remained pending until April 2008 at which time Novopharm withdrew the allegations which were the subject of these proceedings and the proceedings were discontinued.
 
AstraZeneca Canada Inc. received several notices of allegation from Apotex Inc. (Apotex) in late 2007 in respect of patents listed on the Patent Register in Canada for Nexium M. Apotex asserted in its notices that it filed an Abbreviated New Drug Submission in March 2007, for 20 and 40mg esomeprazole magnesium trihydrate tablets and alleged non-infringement and/or invalidity of numerous patents. AstraZeneca responded by commencing seven court applications in January 2008 under the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations (NOC Regulations). On 17 January 2008, Apotex advised that its product was erroneously described as being a trihydrate in its allegations, which allegations Apotex asserted it was withdrawing. Apotex mailed replacement allegations on 17 January 2008.
 
On 7 March 2008, AstraZeneca commenced court applications under the NOC Regulations in response to Apotex's replacement notices of allegation seeking declarations that the second set of allegations are not valid for the purposes of the NOC Regulations and, in the alternative, orders prohibiting the Canadian Minister of Health from issuing a Notice of Compliance (marketing approval) to Apotex for 20 and 40mg esomeprazole magnesium tablets until after the expiration of AstraZeneca's listed patents.
 
Apotex cannot obtain a Notice of Compliance for its esomeprazole tablets until the earlier of the disposition of all of the court applications in Apotex's favour or 24 months from the date on which the latest court application has been commenced.
 
AstraZeneca has full confidence in and will vigorously defend and enforce its intellectual property protecting NexiumTM.
 
19

 

 
PulmicortTM RespulesTM (budesonide inhalation suspension)
In March 2008, AstraZeneca filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of New Jersey against Breath Limited for patent infringement. The lawsuit is the result of an abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) filed by Breath with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concerning Breath's intent to market a generic version of AstraZeneca's PulmicortlM Respules (budesonide inhalation suspension) in the US prior to the expiration of AstraZeneca's patents.
 
The basis for AstraZeneca's complaint is that the action by Breath of filing an ANDA infringes certain of AstraZeneca's patents directed to PulmicortlM RespulesTM and their use. In October 2005, AstraZeneca filed a similar lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of New Jersey against IVAX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (now known as Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.) for infringement of AstraZeneca's patents covering PulmicortlM RespulesTM.
 
AstraZeneca continues to have full confidence in and will vigorously defend and enforce its intellectual property protecting PulmicortTM RespulesTM.
 
SeroquelTM (quetiapine fumarate)
Product Liability
As previously disclosed, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, either alone or in conjunction with one or more affiliates, has been sued in numerous individual personal injury actions involving SeroquelT In most of these cases, the nature of the plaintiffs' alleged injuries is not clear from the complaint and in most cases, little or no factual information regarding the alleged injury has been provided in the complaint. However, the plaintiffs generally contend that they developed diabetes and/or other related injuries as a result of taking SeroquelT and/or other atypical antipsychotic medications.
 
As of 25 March 2008, AstraZeneca was defending 8,277 served or answered lawsuits involving approximately 12,580 plaintiff groups. To date, approximately 1,949 additional cases have been dismissed by order or agreement, about 1,500 of those with prejudice. No trial is expected until the first half of 2009.
 
Patent Litigation
As previously disclosed AstraZeneca is involved in four pending patent infringement cases against Teva and Sandoz in relation to Seroquel1Mi.
 
Fact-discovery has ended for the four consolidated ANDA lawsuits. Expert discovery proceeds. Sandoz and Teva have each conceded that their respective ANDA products infringe AstraZeneca's patent covering SeroquelTM. Sandoz and Teva have each conceded the patent's validity and allege only unenforceability for inequitable conduct.
 
In March 2008, the Court consolidated the three Teva actions with the Sandoz action for all purposes, including a joint trial, which the Court scheduled to begin on 11 August 2008.
 
The Court also granted leave to AstraZeneca to file a second motion for summary judgment. AstraZeneca filed its Motion for Summary Judgment of No Inequitable Conduct in March 2008. A hearing on AstraZeneca's motion is scheduled on 4 June 2008.
 
AstraZeneca continues to have full confidence in its intellectual property protecting SeroquelTM and will vigorously defend and enforce it.
 
Sales and marketing practices
As previously disclosed, in February 2007, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania filed suit against AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly & Co. (Lilly), and Janssen Pharmaceutica Inc. (Janssen) claiming damages incurred by the Commonwealth as a result of alleged off-label promotion of atypical antipsychotics by the three manufacturers. The suits against AstraZeneca and Janssen were severed from the suit against Lilly in December 2007.
 
In February 2008, a similar lawsuit was filed by the Montana Attorney General. As is the case with the Pennsylvania suit, the Montana action seeks to recover costs associated with alleged off-label promotion as well as costs associated with the treatment of state residents who developed diabetes as a result of taking SeroquelTM. As of the date of this announcement, the Montana action has not been served.
 
Average wholesale price class action litigation
As previously disclosed, in January 2002, AstraZeneca was named as a defendant along with 24 other pharmaceutical manufacturers in a class action suit in Massachusetts, brought on behalf of a putative class of plaintiffs alleged to have overpaid for prescription drugs as a result of inflated wholesale list prices. AstraZeneca and other manufacturers have since been sued in similar lawsuits filed by the state Attorneys General of Pennsylvania, Nevada, Montana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Alabama, Kentucky, Arizona, Mississippi, Hawaii, Alaska, Idaho and Utah as well as by multiple individual counties in the state of New York.


20


The average wholesale price (AWP) case filed by the Alabama Attorney General was tried in Circuit Court in Montgomery, Alabama from 11 February to 21 February 2008. The trial resulted in a jury verdict against AstraZeneca on the State's claims of fraudulent concealment and misrepresentation, and an award of compensatory damages of $40 million and punitive damages of $175 million. Because the trial court committed multiple, reversible errors over the course of the trial, the Company believes that the verdict will likely be overturned upon appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court. In addition to filing the appeal, AstraZeneca will request that the trial court reduce the award of punitive damages. By law, punitive damages are capped at three times compensatory damages. No provision has been taken in respect of this for the first quarter of 2008.
 
The allegations made in respect of the average wholesale price lawsuits described in this section are denied and will be vigorously defended.
 
ACCOUNTING IMPACT FROM MERCK ARRANGEMENTS
 
Introduction
In 1982, Astra AB set up a joint venture with Merck & Co., Inc. for the purposes of selling, marketing and distributing certain Astra products in the US. In 1998, this joint venture was restructured (the "Restructuring"). Under the agreements relating to the Restructuring (the "Agreements"), a US limited partnership was formed, in which Merck is the limited partner and AstraZeneca is the general partner, and AstraZeneca obtained control of the joint venture's business subject to certain limited partner and other rights held by Merck and its affiliates. These rights provide Merck with safeguards over the activities of the partnership and place limitations on AstraZeneca's commercial freedom to operate. The Agreements provide for:
 
• 
Annual contingent payments.
 
• 
A payment to Merck in the event of a business combination between Astra and a third party in order for Merck to relinquish certain claims to that third party's products.
 
• 
Termination arrangements which, if and when triggered, cause Merck to relinquish its interests in AstraZeneca's products and activities.
 
Further details are set out in the 2007 Annual Report and Form 20-F Information.
 
Payment made on 17 March 2008
On 17 March, under the termination arrangements included in the Agreements, AstraZeneca made a net cash payment to Merck of approximately $2.63 billion. This payment resulted in AstraZeneca acquiring Merck's interests in certain AstraZeneca products including Pulmicort", Rhinocort'", Symbicort- and Toprol-XL M. Consequently AstraZeneca no longer has to pay contingent payments on these products to Merck and has obtained the ability to fully exploit these products and to fully exploit other opportunities in the Respiratory therapy area that AstraZeneca was previously prevented from doing by Merck's interests in these products. Intangible assets aggregating to $994 million have been recognised in respect of these acquired product rights and these are being amortised over various periods giving rise to an annual expense of approximately $60 million per annum. Approximately $50 million of this amortisation relates to relief from contingent payments, and will be charged to Cost of Goods Sold, with the balance related to the Respiratory therapy area, which will be charged to SG&A. For the purposes of calculating Core financial measures, the Company will exclude only the amortisation expense related to therapy area intangibles (ie that charged to SG&A) from the Core financial measures calculations.
 
The balance of the net payment made on 17 March represents payments on account for the product rights that will be acquired in the event that the First Option and the Second Option (see below) are exercised by AstraZeneca. Intangible assets aggregating to $1,656 million have been recognised. These balances are not subject to amortisation until each of the options is exercised and the related products rights are acquired. Should it become probable that the First Option will not be exercised, all the payments on account will be expensed immediately. If after the First Option has been exercised it becomes probable that the Second Option will not be exercised, the payments on account for the product rights to be acquired under the Second Option will be expensed immediately.
 
Further optional payments
AstraZeneca has the right in 2010 to acquire Merck's interests in all the products still covered by the Agreements other than Prilosec' and Nexium for $647 million ("the First Option"). These products comprise marketed products  (Entocort', Atacand"', PlendilT", Lexxel'"') and products still in development (including AZD6140, AZD3355, AZD0328 and AZD2327). If the First Option is exercised, AstraZeneca will no longer have to pay contingent payments on these products to Merck and will obtain the ability to fully exploit these products and to fully exploit other opportunities in the Cardiovascular and Neuroscience therapy areas that AstraZeneca was previously prevented from doing by Merck's interests in these products. If the First Option is exercised, this will give rise to an additional amortisation expense in the range of $15 to $50 million per annum charged to COGS, the precise amount dependent upon the launch status of the covered pipeline compounds, and an additional charge to SG&A of around $60 million.
 
Provided that the First Option is exercised, AstraZeneca may exercise a further option ("the Second Option") two years later (or in 2017, or if combined annual sales of the two products fall below a minimum amount) which will end the contingent payments in respect of Nexium' and Prilosec and effectively end AstraZeneca's relationship with and obligations to Merck (other than some residual manufacturing arrangements). The exercise price for the Second Option is the net present value of the future annual contingent payments on Prilosec and Nexium as determined at the time of exercise. If the Second Option is exercised then amortisation related to the ability to exploit opportunities in the Gastrointestinal therapy area will commence, in the amount of $15 million per annum (charged to SG&A), as well as an as yet indeterminable amount of amortisation related to relief from contingent payments.
 
The intangible assets relating to purchased product rights and the intangible assets relating to payments on account will be subject to impairment testing and would be partially or wholly impaired if a product is withdrawn or if activity in any of the affected therapy areas is significantly curtailed.
 
 
21

 
7
FIRST QUARTER TERRITORIAL SALES ANALYSIS
 
                % Growth  
   
1"Quarter
   
1" Quarter
             
   
2008
$m
   
2007
$m
   
Constant
Actual
   
Currency
 
US
    3,401       3,234       5       5  
                                 
Canada
    322       254       27       9  
                                 
North America
    3,723       3,488       7       5  
                                 
Western Europe*"
    2,405       2,200       9       (1 )
                                 
Japan
    378       331       14       4  
                                 
Other Established ROW
    190       133       43       26  
                                 
Established ROW*
    2,973       2,664       12       1  
                                 
Emerging Europe
    287       246       17       2  
                                 
China
    133       92       45       35  
                                 
Emerging Asia Pacific
    204       169       21       15  
                                 
Other Emerging ROW
    357       307       16       9  
                                 
Emerging ROW
    981       814       21       11  
                                 
Total Sales
    7,677       6,966       10       4  
 
* Established ROW comprises Western Europe (including France, UK, Germany, Italy, Sweden and others), Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
** For the first quarter, Western Europe sales growth excluding Synagis TM would be 7 percent on an actual basis and -4 percent on a constant currency basis.


22


FIRST QUARTER PRODUCT SALES ANALYSIS
 
    World  
 
US
 
   
1st
   
1st
   
 
   
Constant
   
1st
       
   
Quarter
   
Quarter
   
Actual
   
Currency
   
Quarter
   
Actual
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
Growth
   
Growth
   
2008
   
Growth
 
      $m       $m    
%
   
%
      $m    
%
 
Gastrointestinal:
                                         
Nexium
    1,238       1,308       (5 )     (9 )     736       (15 )
Losec/Prilosec
    252       279       (10 )     (16 )     47       (13 )
Others
    20       20       -       (5 )     6       (14 )
Total Gastrointestinal
    1,510       1,607       (6 )     (10 )     789       (15 )
Cardiovascular:
                                               
Crestor
    772       628       23       16       353       3  
Setoken/Toprol-XL
    190       444       (57 )     (60 )     64       (81 )
Atacand
    346       296       17       7       62       (5 )
Tenormin
    70       71       (1 )     (10 )     5       -  
Zestril
    59       80       (26 )     (33 )     4       (50 )
Plendil
    66       65       2       (6 )     6       (14 )
Others
    68       69       (1 )     (10 )     1       -  
Total Cardiovascular
    1,571       1,653       (5 )     (11 )     495       (35 )
Respiratory:
                                               
Symbicort
    471       354       33       21       44       n/m  
Pulmicort
    411       401       2       (1 )     275       2  
Rhinocort
    80       92       (13 )     (16 )     49       (22 )
Oxis
    17       23       (26 )     (35 )     -       -  
Accolate
    18       19       (5 )     (5 )     12       (14 )
Others
    43       42       2       (7 )     -       -  
Total Respiratory
    1,040       931       12       5       380       10  
Oncology:
                                               
Arimidex
    430       401       7       2       183       13  
Casodex
    316       310       2       (5 )     66       (10 )
Zoladex
    255       249       2       (6 )     16       (27 )
Iressa
    58       52       12       4       2       (33 )
Ethyol
    14       -       n/m       n/m       14       n/m  
Others
    92       84       10       4       40       3  
Total Oncology
    1,165       1,096       6       (1 )     321       7  
Neuroscience:
                                               
Seroquel
    1,050       923       14       10       702       7  
Local anaesthetics
    138       126       10       (1 )     8       -  
Zomig
    107       107       -       (7 )     44       (6 )
Diprivan
    68       59       15       7       11       22  
Others
    15       12       25       17       3       50  
Total Neuroscience
    1,378       1,227       12       7       768       7  
Infection and Other:
                                               
Synagis
    519       -       n/m       n/m       456       n/m  
Merrem
    213       178       20       12       46       31  
FluMist
    -       -       n/m       n/m       -       n/m  
Other Products
    55       74       (26 )     (28 )     29       (24 )
Total Infection and Other
    787       252       212       206       531       627  
Aptium Oncology
    98       98       -       -       98       -  
Astra Tech
    128       102       25       16       19       46  
Total
    7,677       6,966       10       4       3,401       5  

23

 
Shareholder Information

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND MEETINGS

Annual General Meeting
24 April 2008
Announcement of second quarter and half year 2008 results
31 July 2008
Announcement of third quarter and nine months 2008 results
30 October 2008
 
DIVIDENDS
 
Future dividends will normally be paid as follows:
First interim
Announced in July and paid in September
Second interim
Announced in January and paid in March
 
TRADEMARKS
 
The following brand names used in these interim financial statements are trademarks of the AstraZeneca Group of companies:
 
Accolate Arimidex Astra Tech Atacand Casodex Crestor Diprivan Ethyol Faslodex FluMist Iressa Lexxel Losec Merrem Nexium Nolvadex Oxis Plendil Prilosec Pulmicort Pulmicort Flexhaler Pulmicort Respules Pulmicort Turbuhaler Recentin Rhinocort Seloken Seroquel Seroquel XR Symbicort Symbicort SMART Synagis Tenormin Toprol-XL Zactima Zestril Zoladex Zomig
 
ADDRESSES FOR CORRESPONDENCE

Registrar and
Depositary
 
Swedish Securities
Transfer Office
for ADRs
Registered Office
Registration Centre
The AstraZeneca Registrar
JPMorgan Chase Bank
15 Stanhope Gate
VPC AB
Equiniti Limited
JPMorgan Service Center
London
PO Box 7822
Aspect House
PO Box 3408
W 1 K 1 LN
SE-103 97 Stockholm
Spencer Road
South Hackensack
UK
Sweden
Lancing
NJ 07606-3408
   
West Sussex
US
   
BN99 6DA
     
UK
Tel (toll free in US):
Tel: +44 (0)20 73045000
Tel: +46 (0)8 402 9000
Tel (freephone in UK):
888 697 8018
   
0800 389 1580
Tel: +1
(201) 680 6630
 
Tel (outside UK):
     
+44 (0)121 415 7033
     
       
 
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 
In order to utilise the 'safe harbour' provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995, we are providing the following cautionary statement: These interim financial statements contain certain forward-looking statements about AstraZeneca. Although we believe our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, any forward-looking statements may be influenced by factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those predicted. We identify the forward-looking statements by using the words 'anticipates', 'believes', 'expects', 'intends' and similar expressions in such statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, certain of which are beyond our control, include, among other things: the loss or expiration of patents, marketing exclusivity or trade marks; the risk of substantial adverse litigation/government investigation claims and insufficient insurance coverage; exchange rate fluctuations; the risk that R&D will not yield new products that achieve commercial success; the risk that strategic alliances will be unsuccessful; the impact of competition, price controls and price reductions; taxation risks; the risk of substantial product liability claims; the impact of any failure by third parties to supply materials or services; the risk of failure to manage a crisis; the risk of delay to new product launches; the difficulties of obtaining and maintaining regulatory approvals for products; the risk of failure to observe ongoing regulatory oversight; the risk that new products do not perform as we expect; the risk of environmental liabilities; the risks associated with conducting business in emerging markets; the risk of reputational damage; and the risk of product counterfeiting.
 
24
 

 
Item 8

 
Transaction by Persons Discharging Managerial Responsibilities
Disclosure Rules DR 3.1.4R
 
We hereby inform you that on 23 May 2008, Tony Zook, President and Chief Executive, North America and Executive Vice-President, Global Marketing, a person discharging managerial responsibilities, was awarded 34,841 AstraZeneca American Depositary Shares (ADSs) under the terms of the AstraZeneca Restricted Share Plan at an award price of USD44.20 per ADS.  One ADS equals one Ordinary Share.


G H R Musker
Company Secretary
23 May 2008
 
 

 
Item 9

 
Transparency Directive
Voting Rights and Capital

The following notification is made in accordance with the UK Financial Services Authority Disclosure and Transparency Rule 5.6.1.   On 30 May 2008 the issued share capital of AstraZeneca PLC with voting rights is 1,456,206,450 ordinary shares of US$0.25.   No shares are held in Treasury. Therefore, the total number of voting rights in AstraZeneca PLC is 1,456,206,450.

The above figure for the total number of voting rights may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, AstraZeneca PLC under the FSA's Disclosure and Transparency Rules.


G H R Musker
Company Secretary
30 May 2008