Cancer drugs lift AstraZeneca, aiding turnaround

Years after defending AstraZeneca from a Pfizer takeover bid, CEO Pascal Soriot has finally delivered the return to growth he promised in staving off what would have been a $120 billion buyout. Sales last year rose by 4% — the first annual increase since 2014 — and the pharma expects that figure to rise even higher this year. Results from the first three months of the year so far support that hope, and showcase the success AstraZeneca has had in rebuilding a business in oncology. Together, the company's cancer drugs Tagrisso (osimertinib), Imfinzi (durvalumab) and Lynparza (olaparib) earned $700 million in additional sales over last year's first quarter numbers.