Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and AstraZeneca PLC announced the results from a 12-month sub-group analysis of a National Institutes of Health (NIH), open-label, long-term research study of metreleptin, an investigational agent for the treatment of metabolic disorders associated with inherited or acquired lipodystrophy (LD), a rare disease estimated to affect a few thousand people around the world, often with an early age of onset. In this analysis, which involved 39 pediatric LD patients less than 18 years of age at the time of study enrollment, investigational metreleptin treatment led to mean reductions in HbA1c (average blood sugar levels over three months) and triglyceride levels, as well as mean reductions in liver function tests (including alanine aminotransferase, or ALT, and aspartate aminotransferase, or AST). The full study was initiated in 2000 by investigators at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the NIH, and is currently ongoing. Results from the pediatric analysis were presented at the 2013 Pediatric Endocrine Society (PES) Annual Meeting, being held in conjunction with the 2013 Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. The analysis was conducted to examine the effects of investigational metreleptin on select metabolic parameters associated with LD, including HbA1c, triglyceride levels and liver function tests, in pediatric patients enrolled in the NIH study. The four major subtypes of LD -- congenital generalized LD, acquired generalized LD, familial partial LD and acquired partial LD were represented. Patients were stratified to one of two groups: children (<=12 years) or adolescents (>12 to <18), and data were analyzed at month 12 of metreleptin treatment, where available (n=27). In adolescents with LD, metreleptin treatment resulted in statistically significant reductions in elevated HbA1c (mean HbA1c decreased from 9.8+/-1.8% at baseline to 7.7+/-1.7% at month 12, for a mean decrease of 2.3+/-0.4%) and elevated triglycerides (mean triglyceride concentrations decreased from 1378+/-2024 mg/dL at baseline to 385+/-446 mg/dL at month 12, for a mean decrease of 44+/-14%). Elevated liver function tests also decreased (mean ALT decreased from 105+/-97 U/L at baseline to 59+/-108 U/L at month 12, for a mean decrease of 46+/-40%, and mean AST decreased from 87+/-89 U/L at baseline to 57+/-118 U/L at month 12, for a mean decrease of 31+/-38%). In younger children with LD, confirmed diabetes and hypertriglyceridemia were uncommon; however, mean liver function tests were markedly elevated at baseline and decreased with investigational metreleptin treatment (mean ALT decreased from 193+/-202 U/L at baseline to 155+/-274 U/L at month 12, for a mean decrease of 38+/-47%, and AST decreased from 119+/-112 U/L at baseline to 90+/-144 U/L at month 12, for a mean decrease of 30+/-29%). Reductions in ALT and AST did not reach statistical significance due to the small sample size and limited statistical power, but were clinically meaningful.

Unite will meet senior bosses at AstraZeneca on 29 April to urge the company to reconsider its plans to transfer 1,600 jobs from Cheshire to Cambridge by 2016. Alderley Park in Cheshire is the company's largest research and development site. The company is also moving its head office, currently based in London, to Cambridge. Alderley Park has a 40 year history and has been responsible for the discovery and development of hugely important medical treatments, as well as being a leading centre for cancer research in Europe. Unite will be demanding that the company rethinks its decision and looks at alternatives to relocation. The union will be making it a priority to closely scrutinise the business case and suggest counter-proposals to the one currently on the table.

AstraZeneca PLC announced unaudited consolidated financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. For the quarter, the company reported revenue of $6,385 million against $7,349 million a year ago. Operating profit was $1,397 million against $2,160 million a year ago. Profit before tax was $1,304 million against $2,035 million a year ago. Earnings per share basic and diluted were $0.81 against $1.27 a year ago. Profit attributable to owners of the parent was $1,011 million against $1,625 million a year ago. Cash generated from operating activities was $2.2 billion in the quarter compared with $1.5 billion in the first quarter of 2012. Lower tax and interest payments partially offset the lower operating profit in 2013 after one-off pension fund contribution drove higher outflows in the first quarter last year. Purchase of property, plant and equipment was $114 million against $122 million a year ago. Purchase of intangible assets was $300 million against $80 million a year ago. Net debt as at March 31, 2013 was $1,769 million has increased by $400 million during the quarter as a result of the net cash outflow. Core operating profit was $2,324 million against $3,106 million a year ago. Core profit before tax was $2,231 million against $2,981 million a year ago. Core net profit was $1,754 million against $2,395 million a year ago. Core earnings per share in the quarter were $1.41 compared with $1.87 last year. The 21% decrease in constant currency terms is in line with the decline in core operating profit as the benefit from a lower number of shares broadly offset a higher tax rate in the quarter. The company continue to expect a slight increase in core operating costs for the full year of 2013 in constant currency terms. With a revenue and cost profile in line with guidance, it continue to expect core earnings per share to decline at the rate significantly higher than the decline in revenue this year.