AstraZeneca reports ‘strong’ Q1 results, forecasts accelerated growth in 2021 Company is ‘well-positioned for a high growth year’, according to analyst AstraZeneca has reported ‘solid’ first quarter results, as sales of its COVID-19 vaccine take off and the company’s oncology drugs deliver strong growth. Overall, the British drugmaker saw an increase in product sales of 15% to $7.25bn, with core earnings per share jumping by 55% to $1.63. Out of those sales, new medicines represented 53% of total revenue globally, compared to 47% in the same period last year. Growth for its oncology drugs also increased by 20% to $3bn, while its new cardiovascular, renal and metabolism (CVRM) products grew by 19% to just over $1bn.