Astra raises guidance after higher vaccine sales

A swine flu vaccine windfall worth $152m (€102m) contributed to a leap in third quarter profits at UK drug giant AstraZeneca, the group revealed today.

AstraZeneca said it saw a 23% hike in profits and 10% rise in sales, helped in part by sales of its H1N1 vaccine as it began shipping doses earlier this month under the US immunisation programme.