AstraZeneca has reported a jump in annual profits boosted by strong sales of its cancer, lung and immunology treatments, a week after it decided not to go ahead with a planned £450m investment in Merseyside, prompting a series of recriminations with the government.
The results statement did not mention last week’s decision to pull the plug on the expansion of its childhood flu vaccine factory at Speke, Liverpool, into a large vaccine hub, after it failed to agree the amount of state support despite months of wrangling with government.
Firm reports leap in profits amid strong sales of cancer, lung and immunology treatments a week after pulling plug on Merseyside investment.
On Thursday, AstraZeneca said cancer and respiratory and immunology treatments were the fastest-growing areas last year, with 24% and 25% annual rises in revenues, respectively.
Chris Bryant, the science minister, told MPs this week the difference between the two offers was “remarkably small”, adding that AstraZeneca’s U-turn was “deeply disappointing”.
