AstraZeneca unveils emerging markets plans

AstraZeneca plc (LSE: AZN; NYSE:AZN) intends to grow its pharmaceuticals business in emerging markets to more than $8 billion by 2014, up from $4.4 billion last year. In 2014, the pharma wants emerging markets to account for 25% of revenues, up from 13% in 2009. In 2004, emerging market sales were $1.9 billion and accounted for 9% of revenues.

In addition to tapping into the growth associated with the largest six emerging markets of Brazil, Russia, India, China, Mexico and Turkey (BRIC-MT), the U.K. pharma plans to increase its presence in high growth small and mid-size markets that account for the other 50% of the $180 billion in 2009 pharmaceutical sales by all companies in emerging markets. ...