(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.
Pursuant to Rule 12b-23(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the information for the 20132014 Form 20-F of AstraZeneca PLC (“AstraZeneca” or the “Company”) set out below is being incorporated by reference from the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated and submitted on March 20, 2014.10, 2015.
References below to major headings include all information under such major headings, including subheadings, unless such reference is a reference to a subheading, in which case such reference includes only the information contained under such subheading. Graphs and tabular data are not included unless specifically identified below. Photographs are also not included.
In addition to the information set out below, the information (including tabular data) set forth under the headings “Important information for readers of this Annual Report”, “Definitions”, and “Use of terms” on the inside front cover, “Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements”, “Inclusion of Reported performance, Core financial measures and constant exchange rate growth rates”, “Statements of competitive position, growth rates and sales”, “AstraZeneca websites”, “External/third party websites” and “Figures” on page 236,243, “Glossary” on pages 232239 to 234, and241, “Trade Marks” on page 231,238, “Measuring performance” on page 72, and the tables on page 73, in each case of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not applicable.
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION
A. Selected Financial Data
The information (including graphs and tabular data) set forth under the headings “Financial Statements—Group Financial Record” on page 193196 and the first table that appears under “Additional Information—Shareholder Information—AstraZeneca PLC share listings and prices” on page 225,232, in each case of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference. The selected financial data incorporated by reference herein is derived from audited financial statements of the Company and its consolidated entities, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted by the European Union and as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, included in the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 2014.10, 2015.
B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not applicable.
C. Reason for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
D. Risk Factors
The information (including tabular data) set forth or referenced under the heading “Additional Information—Risk—Principal risks and uncertainties” on pages 200204 to 213219 of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
Item 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
A. History and Development of the Company
The information (including tabular data) set forth under the headings “Additional Information—Corporate Information—History and development of the Company” on page 230,237, “Strategic Report—Financial Review—Financial position – 2013—2014—Investments, divestments and capital expenditure” on pages 8179 to 82 and80, “Financial Statements—Notes to the Group Financial Statements—Note 22—24—Acquisitions and disposals”of business operations” on pages 166170 to 168,174, “Corporate Governance—Corporate Governance Report—Relations with shareholders” on page 90, “—Pfizer’s approaches” on pages 90 to 91, and “Strategic Report—Chairman’s Statement—Clear decisions, responsibly made” on page 4, in each case of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
B. Business Overview
The information (including graphs and tabular data) set forth under the headings “Strategic Report—AstraZeneca at a glance” on pages 2 to 5,3, “—Chairman’s Statement” on pages 64 to 7,5, “—Chief Executive Officer’s Review” on pages 86 to 9, “—Strategy” on pages 10 to 23,31, “—Business Review” on pages 3452 to 45,61, “—Therapy Area Review” on pages 4832 to 63,51, “—Resources ReviewReview” on pages 6662 to 73,69, “Additional Information—Geographical Review” on pages 214220 to 219,226, “Additional Information—Risk—Managing Risk”, “—Risk management embedded in business processes” and “—Key responsibilities” on pages 199203 to 200,204, “Additional Information—Development Pipeline” on pages 194197 to 197,200, “—Patent Expiries” on page 198pages 201 to 202 and “—Responsible Business” on pages 220227 and 221,228, “Financial Statements—Notes to the Group Financial Statements—Note 1—Product revenue information” on page 141,143, “—Note 6—Segment information” on pages 146148 to 148,150, and “Statements of competitive position, growth rates and sales” on page 236,243, in each case of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
Participation in US FDA Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee
AstraZeneca announced on March 4, 2015 that it will participate in the US FDA’s Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee meeting on April 14, 2015 to discuss the results of the Saxagliptin Assessment of Vascular Outcomes Recorded in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus (SAVOR) trial for Onglyza (saxagliptin) and Kombiglyze XR (saxagliptin and metformin HCI extended-release). The primary objective of this trial was to determine that the addition of saxagliptin to standard of care in this patient population did not significantly increase the incidence of major cardiovascular events as replacement therapy forcompared to placebo. The topic of the treatmentAdvisory Committee is based on an ongoing review of complications of leptin deficiency in patients with congenital or acquired generalized lipodystrophy. Myalept, a recombinant analogue (laboratory-created form) of human leptin, is the first and only treatment approved bypreviously submitted supplemental NDA to the FDA for these patients.Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR.
FDA approves Bydureon Pen (exenatide extended-release for injectable suspension) for once-weekly treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes
On March 3, 2014, AstraZeneca announced that the FDA had approved the Bydureon Pen (exenatide extended-release for injectable suspension) 2 mg as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Sale of Alderley Park site
On March 12, 2014, AstraZeneca announced the sale of its Alderley Park site in Cheshire, UK, to Manchester Science Parks, resulting in a pre-tax impairment charge of $275 million to non-core R&D expense in the first quarter of 2014. This charge forms part of the costs associated with the footprint changes announced by AstraZeneca in March 2013. AstraZeneca expects to complete the sale by the end of March 2014 and will remain a key tenant on the site with around 700 staff in non-R&D roles. The handover of the site will be phased over a three year period, with the full exit of AstraZeneca R&D staff to take place in line with the completion of AstraZeneca’s new facility in Cambridge, UK.
Disclosures Under the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012
The Company is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business with operations in over 100 countries and our innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. AstraZeneca does not have a legal entity based in Iran, or any employees or an office located in Iran. The Company, through one of its non-US Group companies that is neither a U.S. person nor a foreign subsidiary of a U.S. person, currently generateshas sales of prescription pharmaceuticals in Iran solely through a single third-party distributor, which uses three known entities in the Iranian distribution chain. None of AstraZeneca’s US entities are involved in any business activities in Iran, or with the Iranian government.
To the best knowledge of the management of AstraZeneca, the third-party distributor used by AstraZeneca is not owned or controlled by the Iranian government and the Company does not have any agreements, commercial arrangements, or other contracts with the Iranian government. However, the Company understands that one of the independent sub-distributors is likely controlled indirectly by the Iranian government. Further, AstraZeneca’s third-party distributor may initiate payments using banks associated with the government of Iran for the purchase of AstraZeneca products. Finally, in view of the types of products created and distributed by AstraZeneca, it is anticipated that the ultimate end-payers for our medicines may also include the Iranian government.
For the year ended December 31, 2013,2014, the Company’s gross revenues and net profits attributable to the above-mentioned Iranian activities were $12$16 million and $3$6 million respectively. For the same period, the AstraZeneca Group’s gross revenues and net profits were $25.7$26.1 billion and $2.6$1.2 billion respectively. Accordingly, the gross revenues and net profits attributable to the above-mentioned Iranian activities amounted to approximately 0.0005%0.061% of the AstraZeneca Group gross revenues and approximately 0.001%0.486% of its net profits.
At the time of publication, the management of AstraZeneca does not anticipate any change in its activities in Iran that would result in a material impact on the AstraZeneca Group.
C. Organizational Structure
The information (including tabular data) set forth under the headings “Corporate Governance—Corporate Governance Report—Business organisation—Other matters—Subsidiaries and principal activities” on page 9594 and “Financial Statements—Notes to the Group Financial Statements—Principal Subsidiaries” on page 186,189, in each case of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
D. Property, Plant and Equipment
The information (including tabular data) set forth under the headings “Strategic Report—Resources Review—Our infrastructure”Infrastructure” on page 73,69, “Strategic Report—Financial Review—Financial position – 2013—2014—Property, plant and equipment” and “Additional Information—Financials (Prior year)—Financial position – 2012—2013—Property, plant and equipment” on pages 8078 and 223,230, respectively, “Additional Information—Risk—Principal risks and uncertainties—Legal, regulatory and compliance risks—Environmental and occupational health and safety liabilities” on page 211,216, “Financial Statements—Notes to the Group Financial Statements—Note 7—Property, plant and equipment” on pages 148 and 149,page 151, “—Note 25—27—Commitments and contingent liabilities—Environmental costs and liabilities” on pages 182 to
183, “—Note 28—Operating leases” on page 176188 and “Additional Information—Corporate Information—Property” on page 230,237, in each case of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
Please see the information under the heading “Sale of Alderley Park site” under Item 4.B above, which is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
The information (including graphs and tabular data) set forth under the headings “Strategic Report—Financial Review” on pages 7470 to 87,85, “Additional Information—Financials (Prior Year)” on pages 222229 to 224,231, “Additional Information—Geographical Review” on pages 214220 to 219,226, “Strategic Report—Therapy Area Review—SalesTherapy Area Overview—Global sales by Therapy Area”therapy area” on page 49, “Strategy”33, “Strategic Report—Strategy” on pages 10 to 23,31, “Strategic Report—Business Review—Research and Development” on pages 3652 to 39,55, “Corporate Governance—Corporate Governance Report—Business organisation—Early Stage Product Committees (ESPCs) and Late Stage Product Committee (LSPC)” on page 94,93, “Additional Information—Risk—Principal risks and uncertainties—Commercialisation and business execution risks—Developing our business in Emerging Markets”, “—Pressures resulting from generic competition”, “—Price controls and reductions” and “—Economic, regulatory and political pressures” on pages 203208 to 206,211, “Financial Statements—Notes to the Group Financial Statements—Note 14—17—Interest-bearing loans and borrowings” on pages 156160 to 157,161, “—Note 15—12—Derivative financial instruments” on page 157,158, “—Note 19—21—Reserves” on page 165,169, “—Note 23—25—Financial risk management objectives and policies” on pages 169174 to 173178 and “—Note 25—27—Commitments
and contingent liabilities” on pages 176182 to 183,187, in each case of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
We consider the Group’s working capital to be sufficient for its present requirements.
Developments in Legal Proceedings
For further information in respect of material legal proceedings in which the Company is currently involved, including those discussed below, please see the information (including tabular data) set forth under the heading “Financial Statements—Notes to the Group Financial Statements—Note 25—27—Commitments and contingent liabilities” on pages 176182 to 183187 of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 2014.10, 2015. Unless noted below or in the Company’s “Annual Report on Form 20-F Information 2013”2014”, no provisions have been established in respect of the proceedings discussed below.
Patent litigation
Epanova
Patent proceedings in the US
In March 2014, AstraZeneca received a complaint from Amarin Pharmaceuticals Ireland Ltd. alleging that AstraZeneca’s proposed Epanova product (for the treatment of patients with severe hypertriglyceridaemia) infringes US Patent No. 8,663,662. AstraZeneca is reviewing the complaint. On September 18, 2013, AstraZeneca announced that the FDA had accepted for review a New Drug Application for Epanova and the Prescription Drug User Fee Act goal date for the FDA is May 5, 2014.
Faslodex (fulvestrant)(fulvestrant)
Patent proceedings outside the US
In March 2015, AstraZeneca was served with a writ of summons by which Actavis Group PTC ehf. and Actavis Italy S.p.A (collectively “Actavis”) commenced invalidity and non-infringement proceedings before a court in Turin, Italy relating to two Faslodex formulation patents, European patent EP 1 250 138 and the Italian patent IT 1 333 490.
In Europe, in 2008, the Opposition Division of the European Patent Office (EPO) maintained a FaslodexPulmicort Respules formulation patent, EP 1250138, following an opposition against the grant of this patent by Gedeon Richter Plc, which appealed this decision. The Board of Appeal of the EPO called the parties to oral proceedings in March 2014 and decided to remit the case back to the Opposition Division for further consideration.
Seroquel XR (quetiapine fumarate)
Patent proceedings outside the US(budesonide inhalation suspension)
In Germany, Ratiopharm GmbH, CT Arzneimittel GmbH and AbZ Pharma GmbH are seeking damages relating to the preliminary injunction issued in April 2012 that prevented generic Seroquel XR sales by those entities. The injunction was subsequently lifted following the November 2012 Federal Patent Court decision that held that the Seroquel XR patent was invalid. AstraZeneca has appealed the Federal Patent Court decision.
In Romania, in March 2014, AstraZeneca settledUS patent litigation with Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Teva Pharmaceuticals S.R.L.Product liability litigation
Byetta/Bydureon (exenatide)
Amylin Pharmaceuticals, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of AstraZeneca, and/or AstraZeneca are among multiple defendants in 303 filed lawsuits in various federal and state courts in the US involving a total of 418 plaintiffs claiming physical injury from treatment with Byetta and/or Bydureon. The lawsuits allege multiple types of injuries including pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer and thyroid cancer. A Multi-District Litigation has been established inIn October 2014, the US District Court for the Southern District of CaliforniaNew Jersey (the “District Court”) held a trial on the merits in regardrespect of US Patent No. 7,524,834 (the ‘834 Patent) and to determine whether AstraZeneca’s request for permanent injunctive relief against Breath Limited, Apotex, Inc. and Apotex Corp., Sandoz, Inc. and Watson Laboratories, Inc. (together, the alleged pancreatic cancer cases in federal courts. Further,“Generic Challengers”) should be granted. On February 13, 2015, the District Court determined that the ‘834 Patent is invalid and denied the injunction request. Also on February 13, 2015, AstraZeneca filed a coordinated proceeding has been established in Los Angeles, California in regardmotion for an injunction pending an appeal of the District Court’s decision, which was denied
on the same day. On February 16, 2015, AstraZeneca appealed the District Court’s decision to the various lawsuits in California state courts. AstraZenecaUS Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (“Court of Appeals”) and certain defendants recently reachedfiled an agreement to settle 84 casesEmergency Motion for an Injunction Pending Appeal (“Emergency Motion”). On February 17, 2015, the Court of Appeals issued an injunction against the Generic Challengers pending insubmissions by the California state court proceeding, including a matter that was scheduled for trial in February 2014.
Commercial litigation
Average Wholesale Price Litigation
Ofparties. A decision on the various previously disclosed lawsuits against AstraZeneca and other pharmaceutical manufacturers involving allegations that, by causing the publication of allegedly inflated wholesale list prices, defendants caused entities to overpay for prescription drugs, AstraZeneca remains in litigation with the Attorney General of the State of Wisconsin. In March 2014, AstraZeneca reached a settlement in principle with the State of Utah.Emergency Motion is awaited.
CrestorSeroquel XR qui tam litigation(quetiapine fumarate)
The US Attorney’s Offices and all US states, except for the State of Texas, have declined to intervenePatent proceedings in the civil component of a previously disclosed investigation regarding US
Crestor. Partly as a result thereof,In October and November 2014, AstraZeneca was served with two additionalfiled patent infringement lawsuits filedagainst Pharmadax, Inc. and Pharmadax USA, Inc. (together, “Pharmadax”) in the US District Court for the District of Delaware underNew Jersey. In February 2015, AstraZeneca settled the patent infringement litigation by granting Pharmadax a license to the qui tamSeroquel XR (whistleblower) provisions of the federal False Claims Act and related state statutes, alleging that AstraZeneca directedproduct patent effective November 1, 2016, or earlier, in certain employees to promote Crestor off-label and provided unlawful remuneration to physicians in connection with the promotion of Crestor. AstraZeneca intends to vigorously defend these matters.
Nexium settlement anti-trust litigationcircumstances.
In February 2015, AstraZeneca is onereceived a Paragraph IV Notice from AB Pharmaceuticals, LLC, the US agent of several defendants in a Multi-District Litigation proposed class action and individual lawsuitsMacleods Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., (together, “Macleods”) alleging that AstraZeneca’s settlements of certainthe patent litigationlisted in the US relatingFDA Orange Book with reference to Nexium violated US anti-trust lawSeroquel XR is invalid, unenforceable and/or is not infringed by Macleods’ proposed generic product. Macleods submitted an Abbreviated New Drug Application seeking to market quetiapine fumarate tablets. In February 2015, AstraZeneca filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Macleods and various state laws. On February 12, 2014,Macleods Pharma USA, Inc. in the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts (the Court) issued an order granting three motions for summary judgment in full, granting two in part, denying one as premature, and denying five.New Jersey.
In particular, the Court held that AstraZeneca’s settlement agreements with Teva and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories did not include “large, unjustified reverse payments” that would raise antitrust concerns. The Court granted the motion as to the Ranbaxy agreement because plaintiffs could not establish that the agreement delayed generic entry beyond any delay caused by Ranbaxy’s manufacturing and approval issues. The Court denied the motion seeking judgment on the allegation of a conspiracy among all defendants.
The Court initially indefinitely postponed the trial and administratively closed the case pending the issuance of written decisions. On March 7, 2014, the Court requested further briefing on plaintiffs’ motions for reconsideration and stated that, if such motions were granted, a trial would be scheduled in May 2014 on any remaining issues. The Court’s decisions are subject to motions for reconsideration and appeal.
Separately, AstraZeneca was notified that indirect purchaser plaintiffs who opted out of the Massachusetts class action intend to file complaints in the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas.
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
A. Directors and Senior Management
The information (including tabular data) set forth under the headings “Strategic Report—Strategy —Governance and Remuneration—BoardRemuneration” —Board of Directors” and “—Senior Executive Team” on pages 2826 to 31 and “Corporate Governance—Directors’ Remuneration Report—Annual Report on Remuneration (the Implementation Report)—Governance—Service contracts” on page 109,110, in each case of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
No Director has a family relationship with any other Director.
Changes to the Company’s Board of Directors
On February 17, 2015, AstraZeneca announced that Dr Cornelia (Cori) Bargmann will be proposed to shareholders for election as a Non-Executive Director at the Company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on April 24, 2015. On election, the Board also proposes appointing Dr Bargmann to AstraZeneca’s Science Committee.
Cori is the Torsten N. Wiesel Professor and head of the Lulu and Anthony Wang Laboratory of Neural Circuits and Behavior at The Rockefeller University, New York. She has been a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator since 1995. She is a neurobiologist who studies the relationships between genes, neural circuits and behaviour using C. elegans, a tiny roundworm, as the model for her work. Cori holds a degree in biochemistry from the University of Georgia and a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she studied oncogenes with Robert Weinberg. She pursued a postdoctoral fellowship with H. Robert Horvitz at MIT until 1991, when she accepted a faculty position in the Department of Anatomy at the University of California, San Francisco, spending 13 years there, latterly as Vice-Chair of the department. She took up her current position at The Rockefeller University in 2004. Cori is the recipient of the 2015 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science, one of nine individuals who will be presented with awards by The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia this year. The award is for her contributions to neurobiology that have led to major discoveries elucidating the relationship between genes, neurons, neural circuits and behaviour.
Also on February 17, 2015, AstraZeneca announced that John Varley, senior independent Non-Executive Director, and Dame Nancy Rothwell, Non-Executive Director, both intend to retire from the Board at the close of the AGM on April 24, 2015, each having served as a Board member for nine years. John is currently Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and a member of the Nomination and Governance Committee. Dame Nancy Rothwell
Policy on external appointments and retention of fees
Subject to specific Board approval in each case, Executive Directors and other SET members may accept external appointments as non-executive directors of other companies, and retain any related fees paid to them, provided that such appointments are not considered by the Board to prevent, or reduce, the abilityis currently Chairman of the executive to perform their role within the Group to the required standard.
Luke Miels appointed as Executive Vice President, Global Portfolio & Product Strategy
On March 19, 2014, AstraZeneca announced that Luke Miels is to join the Company in the role of Executive Vice President, Global Portfolio & Product Strategy (GPPS). Mr. Miels, who will commence his new role on May 7, 2014, will report to the CEOScience Committee, and will be a member of the SET. His primary focus will be business development, portfolioRemuneration Committee and product strategy, providing strategic direction from the product development stage through to commercialization.Nomination and Governance Committee.
Mr. Miels, who holds an MBA fromAs a result of the Macquarie University, Sydneyretirement of John Varley and a Bachelor of Science degree from Flinders University in Adelaide, started his career in 1995 with Zeneca in Australia where he was a Sales Representative and Product Manager for Plendil and Diprivan. He joined Aventis in 2000 as Marketing and Strategic Planning Manager in Australia before being appointed Country Manager for New Zealand in 2002 and subsequently ThailandDame Nancy Rothwell, the following year. He then transferredBoard Committee changes are proposed to the USA to lead the Analytics and Commercial Effectiveness function of Aventis US. Following the Sanofi-Aventis merger he led the integration office in the US and was appointed Vice President of Sales for Diabetes at the conclusion of the merger. In 2006 he moved to Basel to join Roche as Head of Metabolism for Global Marketing. He was appointed to his current role of Regional VP Asia Pacific for the Roche Pharmaceuticals Division in 2009, initially based in Shanghai and more recently in Singapore.
Proposed Non-Executive Director appointment
On March 20, 2014, the Company announced that Ann Cairns will be nominated for election by the Company’s shareholders as a Non-Executive Director at the AGM in April 2014. Subject to shareholder approval, she will join the Boardtake place with effect from April 24, 2014. It is plannedthe close of the AstraZeneca 2015 AGM:
| · | Rudy Markham will become senior independent Non-Executive Director. |
| · | Graham Chipchase will become Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and a member of the Nomination and Governance Committee. |
| · | Bruce Burlington will become Chairman of the Science Committee and a member of the Nomination and Governance Committee. |
| · | Geneviève Berger will oversee sustainability matters on behalf of the Board. |
On February 17, 2015, AstraZeneca also announced that Ann CairnsShriti Vadera will become a member of the Audit Committee.Remuneration Committee with immediate effect.
Ann Cairns (57) is President, International Markets for MasterCard, responsible for the management of all markets and customer-related activities outside North America. Prior to joining MasterCard in August 2011, she was head of the Financial Industry Group with Alvarez & Marsal in London, where she led the European team managing Lehman Brothers Holdings International through the Chapter 11 process. Prior to that, she was CEO, Transaction Banking at ABN AMRO, and spent 15 years in senior operational positions at Citigroup. At the start of her career, she spent time as a research engineer, culminating as the head of Offshore Engineer – Planning for British Gas. She received a first class BSc in Pure Mathematics at Sheffield University and a MSc with research into medical statistics from Newcastle University.
B. Compensation
The information (including graphs and tabular data) set forth under the headings “Corporate Governance—Directors’ Remuneration Report” on pages 102100 to 126,128, “Financial Statements—Notes to the Group Financial Statements—Note 18—20—Post-retirement benefits” on pages 159162 to 164,168, “—Note 24—26—Employee costs and share plans for employees” on pages 173179 to 175181 and “—Note 27—29—Statutory and other information—Key management personnel compensation”, on page 184,188, in each case of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
C. Board Practices
The information (including graphs and tabular data) set forth under the headings “Strategic Report—Strategy—Governance and Remuneration” on pages 26 to 31,27, “Corporate Governance—Corporate Governance Report—Leadership and responsibilities” on pages 8886 to 89,87, “—Board effectiveness” on pages 8987 to 91,89, “—Audit Committee”, “—Remuneration Committee”, “—Nomination and Governance Committee” and “—Science Committee”, on pages 9291 to 93,92, “—Business organisation—Senior Executive Team” and “—Compliance and Internal Audit Services (IA)” on pages 9492 to 95,93, “Corporate Governance—Directors’ Remuneration Report—
Annual Report on Remuneration (the Implementation Report)—Governance—Service contracts” on page 109 and110, “—Future Remuneration Policy for Non-Executive Directors” on page 126 and128, “Corporate Governance—Audit Committee Report” on pages 9896 to 101,99, and “Corporate Governance—Corporate Governance Report—Remuneration—Policy on external appointments and retention of fees” on page 90, in each case of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 2014 and “Policy on external appointments and retention of fees” and “Proposed Non-Executive Director appointment” under Item 7.A above is incorporated by reference.10, 2015.
D. Employees
The information set forth under the headings “Strategic Report—Resources Review—Employees” (comprising the graphical data on page 62, and the “Acquisitions to support our growth platforms”, “Managing change” and “Employee relations” sections only) on page 69,pages 62 and 64, “—Our infrastructure”Infrastructure” (other than “R&D spend analysis”) on page 73, “—Strategy—Our strategic priorities—Restructuring” on pages 16 to 17,69, and “Financial Statements—Notes to the Group Financial Statements—Note 24—26—Employee costs and share plans for employees—Employee costs” (including the tabular data) on page 173,179, in each case of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
E. Share Ownership
The information (including graphs and tabular data) set forth under the headings “Financial Statements—Notes to the Group Financial Statements—Note 24—26—Employee costs and share option plans for employees” on pages 173179 to 175,181, “Corporate Governance—Corporate Governance Report—Other matters—Directors’ shareholdings” on page 96,
95, “Corporate Governance—Directors’ Remuneration Report—Annual Report on Remuneration (the Implementation Report)—Directors’ interests in shares (Audited)” on pages 110 to 111,page 112, and “Additional Information—Shareholder Information—Options to purchase securities from registrant or subsidiaries” on page 226,234, in each case of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A. Major Shareholders
The information set forth under the heading “Additional Information—Shareholder Information—Major shareholdings” (including tabular data) on page 226pages 233 to 234 of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
B. Related Party Transactions
The information set forth under the headings “Financial Statements—Notes to the Group Financial Statements—Note 27—29—Statutory and other information—Related party transactions” on page 184188 and “Additional Information—Shareholder Information—Related party transactions” on page 226,234, in each case of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
C. Interests of Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
Please see the information below under the heading Item 18 – “Financial Statements.” The information (including graphs and tabular data) set forth under the headings “Additional Information—Shareholder Information” on pages 225232 to 229,236, “Strategic Report—Financial Review—Capitalisation and shareholder return—Dividend and share repurchases” on page 8281 and “Corporate Governance—Corporate Governance Report—Business Organisation—Other matters—Distributions to shareholders – dividends for 2013”2014” on page 95,94, in each case of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
B. Significant Changes
Please see the information above under the heading Item 5 – “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Developments in Legal Proceedings” for information as to recent developments in certain legal proceedings disclosed under the heading “Financial Statements—Notes to the Group Financial Statements—Note 25—27—Commitments and contingent liabilities” on pages 176182 to 183,187, of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 2014.10, 2015.
Other than as disclosed herein, since the date of the annual consolidated financial statements included in this Form 20-F dated March 20, 2014,10, 2015, no significant change has occurred.
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING
A. Offer and Listing Details
The information (including tabular data) set forth under the heading “Additional Information—Shareholder Information—AstraZeneca PLC share listings and prices” on page 225232 of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
In addition, the table below sets forth, for the periods indicated, the reported high and low share prices of AstraZeneca PLC, on the following bases:
| | · | for shares listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) the reported high and low middle market closing quotations are derived from the Daily Official List; |
| | · | for shares listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange (SSE) the high and low closing sales prices are as stated in the Official List; and |
| | · | for American Depositary Shares (ADS) listed on the New York Stock Exchange the reported high and low sales prices are as reported by Dow Jones (ADR quotations). |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2014 – February | | | 4103.0 | | | | 3815.5 | | | | 68.38 | | | | 62.60 | | | | 446.3 | | | | 404.4 | |
2014 – January | | | 3960.0 | | | | 3549.5 | | | | 65.82 | | | | 58.51 | | | | 423.1 | | | | 380.5 | |
2013 – December | | | 3612.0 | | | | 3447.0 | | | | 59.50 | | | | 56.22 | | | | 387.8 | | | | 367.9 | |
2013 – November | | | 3513.5 | | | | 3267.0 | | | | 57.19 | | | | 52.39 | | | | 376.1 | | | | 341.7 | |
2013 – October | | | 3330.0 | | | | 3113.0 | | | | 53.57 | | | | 49.72 | | | | 343.4 | | | | 321.5 | |
2013 – September | | | 3257.0 | | | | 3116.5 | | | | 52.08 | | | | 48.88 | | | | 334.1 | | | | 322.0 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2015 – February | | | 4688.0 | | | | 4413.5 | | | | 71.11 | | | | 67.56 | | | | 589.0 | | | | 567.5 | |
2015 – January | | | 4761.5 | | | | 4479.5 | | | | 72.05 | | | | 68.09 | | | | 592.0 | | | | 538.0 | |
2014 – December | | | 4710.0 | | | | 4449.0 | | | | 73.94 | | | | 69.56 | | | | 558.5 | | | | 530.5 | |
2014 – November | | | 4780.0 | | | | 4520.5 | | | | 75.38 | | | | 72.50 | | | | 557.5 | | | | 534.0 | |
2014 – October | | | 4543.5 | | | | 4169.5 | | | | 72.94 | | | | 67.15 | | | | 536.5 | | | | 484.5 | |
2014 – September | | | 4597.0 | | | | 4374.0 | | | | 75.51 | | | | 70.99 | | | | 536.0 | | | | 514.5 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2014 | | | 4823.5 | | | | 3549.5 | | | | 81.09 | | | | 58.51 | | | | 558.5 | | | | 380.5 | |
2014 – Quarter 4 | | | 4780.0 | | | | 4169.5 | | | | 75.38 | | | | 67.15 | | | | 558.5 | | | | 484.5 | |
2014 – Quarter 3 | | | 4597.0 | | | | 4092.5 | | | | 76.31 | | | | 68.49 | | | | 536.0 | | | | 467.3 | |
2014 – Quarter 2 | | | 4823.5 | | | | 3723.0 | | | | 81.09 | | | | 62.45 | | | | 532.5 | | | | 409.7 | |
2014 – Quarter 1 | | | 4103.0 | | | | 3549.5 | | | | 68.38 | | | | 58.51 | | | | 446.3 | | | | 380.5 | |
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2013 | | | 3612.0 | | | | 2909.5 | | | | 59.50 | | | | 44.67 | | | | 387.8 | | | | 284.5 | |
2013 – Quarter 4 | | | 3612.0 | | | | 3113.0 | | | | 59.50 | | | | 49.72 | | | | 387.8 | | | | 321.5 | |
2013 – Quarter 3 | | | 3335.0 | | | | 3116.5 | | | | 52.08 | | | | 47.87 | | | | 336.2 | | | | 319.6 | |
2013 – Quarter 2 | | | 3521.5 | | | | 3052.5 | | | | 53.01 | | | | 47.22 | | | | 354.9 | | | | 317.4 | |
2013 – Quarter 1 | | | 3299.5 | | | | 2909.5 | | | | 50.06 | | | | 44.67 | | | | 323.9 | | | | 284.5 | |
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2012 | | | 3111.5 | | | | 2591.0 | | | | 48.90 | | | | 40.03 | | | | 329.5 | | | | 286.2 | |
2012 – Quarter 4 | | | 3042.5 | | | | 2792.5 | | | | 48.90 | | | | 44.34 | | | | 326.3 | | | | 300.8 | |
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2012 – Quarter 3 | | | 3096.0 | | | | 2882.0 | | | | 48.36 | | | | 45.01 | | | | 326.4 | | | | 307.3 | |
2012 – Quarter 2 | | | 2867.0 | | | | 2591.0 | | | | 46.22 | | | | 40.03 | | | | 309.3 | | | | 286.2 | |
2012 – Quarter 1 | | | 3111.5 | | | | 2778.5 | | | | 48.58 | | | | 44.18 | | | | 329.5 | | | | 294.5 | |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2012 | | | | 3111.5 | | | | 2591.0 | | | | 48.90 | | | | 40.03 | | | | 329.5 | | | | 286.2 | |
2011 | | | 3194.0 | | | 2543.5 | | | 52.40 | | | 40.95 | | | 328.5 | | | 269.3 | | | | 3194.0 | | | | 2543.5 | | | | 52.40 | | | | 40.95 | | | | 328.5 | | | | 269.3 | |
2010 | | 3,385 | | | 2,732 | | | 53.50 | | | 40.91 | | | 382.2 | | | 309.3 | | | | 3,385 | | | | 2,732 | | | | 53.50 | | | | 40.91 | | | | 382.2 | | | | 309.3 | |
2009 | | 2,947 | | | 2,147 | | | 47.54 | | | 30.24 | | | 365.0 | | | 261.5 | | | | 2,947 | | | | 2,147 | | | | 47.54 | | | | 30.24 | | | | 365.0 | | | | 261.5 | |
2008 | | 2,888 | | | 1,748 | | | 49.85 | | | 34.10 | | | 340.5 | | | 211.5 | | |
B. Plan of Distribution
Not applicable.
C. Markets
The information (including tabular data) set forth under the heading “Additional Information—Shareholder Information—AstraZeneca PLC share listings and prices” on page 225232 of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form
20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
D. Selling Shareholders
Not applicable.
E. Dilution
Not applicable.
F. Expenses of the Issue
Not applicable.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A. Share Capital
Not applicable.
B. Memorandum and Articles of Association
The information set forth under the heading “Additional Information—Corporate Information—Articles” on page 230237 of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
C. Material Contracts
Not applicable.
D. Exchange Controls
The information set forth under the headings “Additional Information—Shareholder Information—Exchange controls and other limitations affecting security holders” on page 229236 of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form
20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
E. Taxation
The information set forth under the headings “Additional Information—Shareholder Information—Taxation for US residents”persons”, “—UK and US income taxation of dividends”, “—Taxation on capital gains”, “—Passive Foreign Investment Company (PFIC) rules”, “—Information reporting and backup withholding”, “—UK inheritance tax” and “—UK stamp duty reserve tax and stamp duty” on pages 227234 to 229236 of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
F. Dividends and Paying Agents
Not applicable.
G. Statement by Experts
Not applicable.
H. Documents on Display
The information set forth under the heading “Additional Information—Shareholder Information—Documents on display” on page 227234 of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information”Information 2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
In addition, we file reports and other information with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You can read and copy these reports and other information at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov which contains in electronic form each of the reports and other information that we have filed electronically with the SEC.
I. Subsidiary Information
Not applicable.
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The information (including graphs and tabular data) set forth under the headings “Strategic Report—Financial Review—Financial risk management” on pages 81 to 82 and 83 and “Financial Statements—Notes to the Group Financial Statements—Note 23—25—Financial risk management objectives and policies” on pages 169174 to 173,178, in each case of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
A. Debt Securities
Not applicable.
B. Warrants and Rights
Not applicable.
C. Other Securities
Not applicable.
D. American Depositary Shares
Fees and Charges Payable by ADR Holders
The Company’s American Depositary Receipt (“ADR”) program is administered by Citibank, N.A. (“Citibank”), as the depositary. Citibank succeeded JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“J.P. Morgan”), as the depositary.predecessor ADR depositary, on February 6, 2015. The holder of an ADR may have to pay the following fees and charges to J.P. MorganCitibank in connection with ownership of the ADR:
| Category | | Depositary actions | | Associated fee or charge |
| (a) Depositing or substituting the underlying shares | | Issuances againstupon deposits of shares including deposits and(excluding issuances pursuant toas a result of stock dividend or stock split declared by the Company or issuances pursuant to a merger, exchange of securities or any other transaction or event affecting the ADSsdistributions or the deposited securitiesexercise of rights) | | Up to $5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or portionfraction thereof) issued or delivered (as the case may be)The depositary may sell (by public or private sale) sufficient securities and property received in respect of share distributions, rights and other distributions prior to such deposit to pay such charge
|
| | | | |
(b) Receiving or distributing dividends(1) | Cash | Distributions of stock dividends or other free stock distributions, made pursuant to the deposit agreement | $0.05cash dividends or less per ADS |
(c) Selling or exercising rights | Distribution orother cash distributions (i.e., sale of rights and other entitlements), distributions of securities the fee being in an amount equalother than ADSs or rights to the fee for the execution and delivery ofpurchase additional ADSs which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities | | Up to $5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or portionfraction thereof) |
| | | | |
| (c) Selling or exercising rights | | The exercise of rights to purchase additional ADSs | | Up to $5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) |
| | | | |
| (d) Withdrawing, cancelling or reducing an underlying security | Acceptance of | Surrendering ADSs surrendered for withdrawal, cancellation or reductionand withdrawal of deposited securitiesproperty | | Up to $5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) surrendered cancelled or reducedcancelled (as the case may be) |
The depositary may sell (by public| Category | | Depositary actions | | Associated fee or private sale) sufficient securities and property received in respect of share distributions, rights and other distributions prior to such deposit to pay such charge |
| (e) Transferring, combination or split-up of receipts | Transfer, combination and split-up of ADRs | $1.50 per ADR | | Not applicable. |
| | | | |
(f) General depositary services, particularly those charged on an annual basis(1) | Services performed | Depositary services fee | | A fee not in excess of U.S. $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) held on the applicable record date(s) established by the depositary in administering the ADRsDepositary. |
| $0.05 or less per ADS per calendar year (or portion thereof), payable at the sole discretion of the depositary by billing ADR holders or by deducting such charge from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions | | | |
| (g) Fees and expenses of the depositary | | Fees and expenses incurred by the depositaryDepositary or the depositary’sDepositary’s agents on behalf of holders, including in connection with: | Expenses payable at | As incurred by the sole discretion of the depositary by billing ADR holders or by deducting such charges from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributionsDepositary. |
Category | Depositary actions | Associated fee or charge | | |
| | · compliance with foreign exchange control regulations or any law or regulation relating to foreign investmenttaxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges · stock transferregistration of shares or other taxesdeposited securities on the share register and governmental chargesapplicable to transfers of shares or other deposited securities to or from the name of the custodian, the Depositary or any nominees upon the making of deposits and withdrawals, respectively; · cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery charges · fees for the transfer or registration of deposited securities in connection with the deposit or withdrawal of deposited securitiesexpenses
· expenses ofand charges incurred by the depositaryDepositary in connection with the conversion of foreign currency into US dollars · anycompliance with exchange control regulations and other charge payableregulatory requirements applicable to the shares, deposited securities, ADSs and ADRs · the fees and expenses incurred by the depositaryDepositary, the custodian, or the depositary’s agentsany nominee in connection with the delivery or servicing of deposited property (as defined in the shares or other deposited securities (which charge shall be assessed against holders as of the record date or dates set by the depositary)Deposit Agreement) | | |
| (1) | J.P. Morgan has agreedOn February 5, 2015, the Company announced that it shall not chargewill implement a dividend fee of $0.03 per ADR holders anyannually to cover ADR program costs, commencing with a fee of these fees without$0.02 per ADR on the Company’s prior written consent. No such fees have been chargedsecond interim dividend for the year ended December 31, 2013 or from January 1, 2014, to the date hereof.which dividend is payable on March 23, 2015. |
Fees and Payments Made by the Depositary to us
J.P. Morgan, asthe predecessor ADR depositary, has agreed to reimburse certain expenses related to the Company’s ADR program and incurred by the Company in connection with the program. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the ADR depositary reimbursed to the Company, or paid on its behalf to third parties, a total sum of $1,655,684 (comprised of reimbursements of $1,500,000 and payments to third parties of $155,684, in each case as detailed in the tables below). The ADR depositary also waived certain of its fees for standard costs associated with the administration of the ADR program in a total amount of $215,000.
The table below sets forth the types of expenses that the ADR depositary has agreed to reimburse and the amounts reimbursed within each such category for the year ended December 31, 2013:
Category of Expenses – Direct Payments | | Reimbursement for the year ended December 31, 2013 | |
ADR program expenses, including investor relations costs and legal fees | | $ | 1,500,000 | |
Total | | $ | 1,500,000 | |
The ADR depositary has paid certain expenses directly to third parties on behalf of the Company and has agreed to waive certain of its fees for standard costs associated with the administration of the ADR program. The table below sets forth those expenses that the ADR depositaryJ.P. Morgan paid directly to third parties, and those fees waived, in each case for the year ended December 31, 2013.2014.
Category of Expenses – Indirect Payment | | Amount paid for the year ended December 31, 2013 | | | Amount paid for the year ended December 31, 2014 | |
| Expenses paid by depositary to third parties on behalf of the Company – NYSE listing fees | | $ | 155,684 | | | $ | 147,528 | |
Fees waived by depositary for standard ADR program costs | | $ | 215,000 | | | $ | 220,374 | |
Total | | $ | 370,684 | | | $ | 367,902 | |
UnderDuring 2014, under certain circumstances, including removal of theJ.P. Morgan as ADR depositary or termination of the ADR program by the Company, the Company ismay have been required to repay the ADR depositaryJ.P. Morgan certain amounts reimbursed and/or expenses paid to or on behalf of the Company. No such repayments werehave been made during the year ended December 31, 2013.2014 and no payments have been or will be made to J.P. Morgan in respect of the fiscal year 2015, in connection with the removal of J.P. Morgan as ADR depositary or otherwise.
PART II
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
Not applicable.
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Not applicable.
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The information set forth under the heading “Corporate Governance—Corporate Governance Report—Accountability” on pages 9189 and 92,90,“—US corporate governance requirements” on page 9392 (the first and second paragraphs only), “—Business organisation—Disclosure Committee” on page 94,93, “Corporate Governance—Audit Committee Report—Internal Controls” on page 101,99, and “Financial Statements—Directors’ Responsibilities for, and Report on, Internal Control over Financial Reporting” on page 127,129, in each case of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
As required by US regulations, management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company, and is required to identify the framework used to evaluate the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and to assess the effectiveness of such internal control. In this regard, management has made the same assessment and reached the same conclusion as that set forth in the section entitled “Financial Statements—Director’s Responsibilities for, and Report on, Internal Control over Financial Reporting” on page 127129 of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 2014,10, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
AstraZeneca PLC:
We have audited AstraZeneca PLC's ("PLC’s (‘the Company"Company’ or ‘AstraZeneca’) internal control over financial reporting as of 31 December 2013,2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control - – Integrated Framework (1992) (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO")(COSO). AstraZeneca'sAstraZeneca’s management is
responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company'sCompany’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB"). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based
on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company'scompany’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company'scompany’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company'scompany’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, AstraZeneca PLC maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of 31 December 2013,2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control-IntegratedControl – Integrated Framework (1992) (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.Commission (COSO).
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB,Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Consolidated Financial Positionconsolidated statement of financial position of AstraZeneca PLC and subsidiaries as of 31 December 2013, 2012 and 2011,2014, and the related Consolidated Statementsconsolidated statements of Comprehensive Income, Changescomprehensive income, changes in Equity,equity, and Cash Flowscash flows for the yearsyear then ended, and our report dated 65 February 20142015 expressed an unqualified opinion on those Consolidated Financial Statements.consolidated financial statements.
KPMG Audit PlcLLP
15 Canada Square
London,
United Kingdom
E14 5GL
5 February 2015
6 February 2014
ITEM 16. RESERVED
ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
The information set forth under the heading “Corporate Governance—Audit Committee Report—Audit Committee membership and attendance” on page 99,97, of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS
The information set forth under the headings “Corporate Governance—Corporate Governance Report—CodeBusiness organisation —Code of Conduct” on page 95pages 93 to 94 and “—Audit Committee Report—Compliance with
the Code of Conduct” on page 98,96, in each case of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
The Company’s Code of Conduct is available at www.astrazeneca.com.
ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | ($ million) | | | ($ million) | |
Audit Fees | | | 9.3 | | | 9.2 | | | | 9.3 | | | | 9.3 | |
Audit-Related Fees | | 0.9 | | | 1.0 | | | | 1.2 | | | | 0.9 | |
Tax Fees | | 0.6 | | | 0.9 | | | | 0.3 | | | | 0.6 | |
All Other Fees | | 1.1 | | | 0.8 | | | | 0.5 | | | | 1.1 | |
Total | | 11.9 | | | 11.9 | | | | 11.3 | | | | 11.9 | |
The information (including tabular data) set forth under the heading “Corporate Governance—Audit Committee Report” (excluding the “Compliance with the Code of Conduct” section) on pages 9896 to 10199 of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
Not applicable.
ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
On October 1, 2012, the Company announced the suspension of the then-existing share repurchase program with immediate effect. There have been no share repurchases since October 1, 2012. At the 20132014 Annual General Meeting, the Company’s Shareholders authorized the Company to repurchase 124,813,124126,096,700 of its own shares, but the Company’s Board of Directors did not lift the suspension on share repurchases and, accordingly, the Company did not repurchase any of its shares in 2013.2014.
ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
During the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, (1) KPMG Audit Plc has not issued any reports on the financial statements of the Company or on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting that contained an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, nor were the auditors’ reports of KPMG Audit Plc qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles, (2) there has not been any disagreement over any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements if not resolved to KPMG Audit Plc’s satisfaction would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its auditors’ reports, or any “reportable event” as described in Item 16F(a)(1)(v) of Form 20-F.
ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
AstraZeneca PLC is a public limited company incorporated in England and Wales, admitted to the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) and to trading on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. As a result, it follows the UK Corporate Governance Code (the “UK Code”), the 2012 edition of which came into effect for the Company as of January 1, 2013 (formerly, the UK Combined Code on Corporate Governance), in respect of its corporate governance practices. The 2014 edition of the UK Code came into effect for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 October 2014. The Companies Act 2006 (the “UK Act”) imposes certain statutory requirements that also influence the Company’s corporate governance practices. The Company has ADRs listed on the NYSE and, under the NYSE Corporate Governance Standards (the “NYSE Standards”) applicable to listed companies, as a foreign private issuer, the Company is permitted to follow the corporate governance practice of its home country in lieu of certain provisions of the NYSE Standards.
A summary of the significant ways in which the Company’s corporate governance practices differ from those followed by US domestic companies under the NYSE Standards is set forth below.
The information set forth under the heading “Corporate Governance—Corporate Governance Report—US corporate governance requirements” (final paragraph only) on page 9392 of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
ITEM 16H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Company has responded to Item 18 in lieu of this item.
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The information set forth in Exhibit 15.2 hereto (“Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm to the Board of Directors and Stockholders of AstraZeneca PLC by KPMG Audit Plc”LLP”) is incorporated in this section by reference. The information (including tabular data) set forth under the headings “Financial Statements” on pages 127129 to 185189 (including the information set forth under the subheading “Notes to the Group Financial Statements” on pages 141143 to 185,188, but excluding the information set forth under the subheading “Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of AstraZeneca PLC only” on pages 128130 to 131)133), “Financial Statements—Group Financial Record” on page 193196 and “—Principal Subsidiaries” on page 186,189, in each case of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 201410, 2015 is incorporated by reference.
Please see the information above under the heading Item 5 – “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Developments in Legal Proceedings” for information as to recent developments in certain legal proceedings disclosed under the heading “Financial Statements—Notes to the Group Financial Statements—Note 25—27—Commitments and contingent liabilities” on pages 176182 to 183,187, of the Company’s “Annual Report and Form 20-F Information 2013”2014” included as exhibit 15.1 to this Form 20-F dated March 20, 2014.10, 2015.
The information set out in the above-referenced financial statements does not constitute the Company’s statutory accounts under the UK Companies Act for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 2012 or 2011.2012. Those accounts have been reported on by the Company’s auditors; their reports were unqualified and did not contain a statement under section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006. The accounts for 20122013 and 20112012 have been delivered to the UK registrar of companies and those for 20132014 will be delivered in due course.
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.