AstraZeneca PLC has reported a 22 percent rise in second quarter net profit and has also revealed that a key new drug — its blood thinner Brilinta — has been given a thumbs up by an advisory committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The Anglo-Swedish drugmaker on Thursday posted net profit of $2.1 billion for the three months to June 30, compared with $1.72 billion in the same period a year ago.
Revenue rose 2.8 percent to $8.18 billion, from $7.96 billion.
FDA advisory committee members have voted 7 to 1 to recommend the approval of Brilinta in patients with acute coronary syndrome, or blocked arteries. The FDA usually follows the advice of its advisory committee.