<p>British pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca said Thursday that its Covid vaccine generated $1.2 billion (1.0 billion euros) in sales in the first half of the year.</p>.<p>The group shipped about 319 million doses worldwide during the period, which included $572 million of sales in Europe and $455 million in emerging markets.</p>.<p>The jab is one of the world's leading vaccines and has been vital in Britain's speedy vaccination drive -- which enabled the economy to fully reopen this month.</p>.<p>"We have made dramatic progress with our Covid-19 vaccine Vaxzevria," said chief executive Pascal Soriot in comments accompanying the results.</p>.<p>"As of today, AstraZeneca and our partners have released one billion doses to more than 170 countries."</p>.<p>AstraZeneca developed the jab alongside the University of Oxford and sells it at cost without making a profit.</p>.<p>However, the jab has faced safety doubts and suspensions in some European nations over reports of rare blood clots.</p>.<p>The group added Thursday that net profit jumped 40 per cent to $2.1 billion in the first half.</p>.<p>Total revenues increased by almost a quarter to $15.5 billion.</p>.<p>Stripping out the Covid vaccine, total revenues increased by 14 per cent to about $14.4 billion.</p>.<p>"AstraZeneca has delivered another period of strong growth thanks to robust performances across all regions and disease areas," said Soriot.</p>.<p>Longer term growth would be supported by the purchase of US biotech company Alexion.</p>.<p>"Just last week, we completed the acquisition of Alexion, an enormous milestone that will enable us to enhance our pipeline in rare diseases and immunology," the CEO added.</p>.<p>As a result, the company lifted its full-year 2021 guidance.</p>.<p>Revenues excluding vaccine sales are now forecast to grow by a low-twenties percentage this year.</p>
<p>British pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca said Thursday that its Covid vaccine generated $1.2 billion (1.0 billion euros) in sales in the first half of the year.</p>.<p>The group shipped about 319 million doses worldwide during the period, which included $572 million of sales in Europe and $455 million in emerging markets.</p>.<p>The jab is one of the world's leading vaccines and has been vital in Britain's speedy vaccination drive -- which enabled the economy to fully reopen this month.</p>.<p>"We have made dramatic progress with our Covid-19 vaccine Vaxzevria," said chief executive Pascal Soriot in comments accompanying the results.</p>.<p>"As of today, AstraZeneca and our partners have released one billion doses to more than 170 countries."</p>.<p>AstraZeneca developed the jab alongside the University of Oxford and sells it at cost without making a profit.</p>.<p>However, the jab has faced safety doubts and suspensions in some European nations over reports of rare blood clots.</p>.<p>The group added Thursday that net profit jumped 40 per cent to $2.1 billion in the first half.</p>.<p>Total revenues increased by almost a quarter to $15.5 billion.</p>.<p>Stripping out the Covid vaccine, total revenues increased by 14 per cent to about $14.4 billion.</p>.<p>"AstraZeneca has delivered another period of strong growth thanks to robust performances across all regions and disease areas," said Soriot.</p>.<p>Longer term growth would be supported by the purchase of US biotech company Alexion.</p>.<p>"Just last week, we completed the acquisition of Alexion, an enormous milestone that will enable us to enhance our pipeline in rare diseases and immunology," the CEO added.</p>.<p>As a result, the company lifted its full-year 2021 guidance.</p>.<p>Revenues excluding vaccine sales are now forecast to grow by a low-twenties percentage this year.</p>