2021 was a remarkable year for AstraZeneca as we accelerated growth with
exceptional R&D and commercial productivity across all therapy areas,
we completed the acquisition of Alexion, and we played a significant role in
changing the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our Total Revenue increased thirty eight percent, with Alexion contributing eight
percent of Total Revenue. And in Q4 2021 alone, Total Revenue
increased sixty three percent.
This strong growth trajectory was driven by seventeen percent growth
in Oncology, nine percent growth in both Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism
as well as Respiratory and Immunology, and nine percent growth for
Rare Disease on a pro forma pro rata basis.
From a regional perspective, we achieved double-digit growth in all major regions,
including Emerging Markets despite some headwinds in China.
Total Revenue increased in the US by thirty eight percent. Europe grew by fourty
percent and in the Emerging Markets we grew by thirty six percent.
Our performance in Oncology was driven by further gains in tackling lung cancer,
with Tagrisso revenue up thirteen percent and Imfinzi up sixteen percent,
as well as continued progress in breast and ovarian cancer,
with Lynparza up twenty one percent.
Our BioPharmaceuticals portfolio also continued to deliver. Farxiga grew by
almost fifty percent, with new indications in heart failure and chronic kidney disease.
Saphnelo was approved in the US and Japan and received a positive
CHMP opinion in the EU for SLE, and the US approval of Tezspire
for severe asthma brought further good news.
Beyond this, we delivered on our promise of broad and equitable access to
our vaccine, Vaxzevria, with more than two point five billion doses released for supply
in over one hundred and seventy countries, and with approximately two-thirds
going to low and middle-income countries. And in recent months, we have begun
to receive approvals for Evusheld, the first long-acting antibody combination
against COVID-19 to demonstrate benefit in both prevention and treatment.
Turning to Rare Disease. Ultomiris Total Revenue grew twenty nine percent,
and in Q4 we completed key regulatory submissions in the EU, US, and Japan
for the treatment of myasthenia gravis. We also strengthened our commitment
in amyloidosis, expanding the rare disease pipeline and our presence in heart failure.
Overall, we now have thirteen blockbusters, with Tagrisso, Farxiga, Lynparza,
Calquence, and Fasenra crossing new thresholds in the year.
And as we continue to push the boundaries of science, we delivered fourteen
positive Phase III readouts, and regulatory approvals in major markets,
including five new molecular entities.
Importantly, we also made good progress on our sustainability goals, with our
targets now independently verified by the Science Based Targets initiative.
All employees across AstraZeneca showed an amazing dedication
during the past year. I’m confident that together we will reach even
greater heights in 2022 and make an even bigger difference to the
lives of patients around the world.
Thank you to all who contributed to these outstanding results.