AstraZeneca Faces 'Key Pressures' But $45bn Sales Target 'Still Achievable'

AstraZeneca's business is under two key pressures as it enters 2016, CEO Pascal Soriot explained during the company's fourth quarter and full year 2015 presentation: the "enormous headwinds" created by the US patent expiry of Crestor this year and the dilutive effect of the ZS Pharma and Acerta Pharma acquisitions. AstraZeneca reported fourth quarter and full-year numbers broadly in-line with expectations, meeting guidance for 2015.