AstraZeneca pledges to overcome setbacks

Drugs giant AstraZeneca attempted to win back investor confidence today as it posted higher profits and promised further growth in years to come.

The group – under pressure following a string of setbacks involving its leading products – posted a 14% rise in 2004 sales to $21.4bn (€16.4bn). Profits lifted 16% to $4.87bn (€3.7bn) while the figure for the fourth quarter was up 55% at $1.34bn (€1bn).