AstraZeneca posted a net income of $2.77bn for the first quarter of 2010, compared to $2.14bn for the prior year period. Operating income was $3.64bn, compared to $3.16bn for the year ago period.
David Brennan, CEO of AstraZeneca, said: “The first quarter results reflect continued strong market performance for key brands like Crestor, Seroquel and Symbicort. We saw revenue growth in all major regions, including another strong quarter in Emerging Markets.
“Looking forward, revenue comparisons will become more challenging in the second half of the year as a result of the uplift from Toprol-XL and H1N1 vaccine sales in 2009 and the expiration of the Arimidex patent later this year.”