AstraZeneca stresses confidence in independence, highlighting strong R&D pipeline

Anglo-Swedish pharma major AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN), the subject of the controversial takeover attempt by Pfizer (NYSE: PFE), says it demonstrated further evidence of continued progress of its science-led strategy, and has confidence in its strategy as an independent company.

Following its twice rejection of Pfizer’s indicative bid of around £63 billion ($106 billion) and after the end of a Parliamentary committee investigation, grilling the chief executives of both companies and dozens of other people including politicians (The Pharma Letters passim), AstraZeneca today updated on new data in advance of key medical and scientific congresses across all of its core therapeutic areas – oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic disease and respiratory, inflammation and autoimmunity.

Pascal Soriot, chief executive of AstraZeneca, said: “We continue to build our pipeline and we are encouraged by the progress in the development of key assets. We have complete confidence in our strategy as an independent company and remain focused on delivering new medicines for patients, which will continue to create significant value for our shareholders.”