AstraZeneca has the best product pipeline in the pharmaceutical industry, according to R&D Directions, a leading pharmaceutical trade publication.

The editors of R&D Directions have identified 10 pharmaceutical and biotech product pipelines that are differentiated based on certain values, including the company's ability to maintain a continuous flow of superior new prescription medicines with significant commercial potential in early-stage and late-stage development, willingness to pursue high-risk projects, high productivity, innovation, and ability to market the medicines after launch in an effective way.

Each year, the editors choose one from these 10, and this year, recognized AstraZeneca as having "the best and most innovative pipeline." The recognition marks the second time in three years in which AstraZeneca has received the magazine's top honour.

"AstraZeneca has engineered a remarkable transformation of its project and product pipeline, said Dr Martin Nicklasson, AstraZeneca's executive vice president, Global Drug Development. "We have gone from being heavily dependent on a handful of products to successfully reloading and refilling the pipeline with highly innovative, medically important new medicines."

Adds Professor Jan Lundberg, AstraZeneca's executive vice president, Global Discovery Research, "We have a wealth of projects that are moving forward in a strong and dynamic way, and we are pleased that R&D Directions has recognized the vibrancy of AstraZeneca's early and late stage project portfolio. Our pipeline holds great promise and will lead to better treatment options for patients in the near future, and for many years to come."

AstraZeneca has healthcare sales of over $17.8 billion and leading positions in sales of gastrointestinal, oncology, cardiovascular, neuroscience and respiratory products.