Racing to rebuild AZ

AstraZeneca plc's new CEO Pascal Soriot has not yet detailed his vision for the company, but comments last month on his first call with investors coupled with an early move to halt the company's planned share repurchases suggest the pipeline makeovers begun in 2010 are not over.

Over the last two years, late-stage clinical setbacks have forced the pharma to ramp up its business development to shore up its Phase II/III pipeline and aging portfolio. During the same period the company also has revamped its R&D process to drive longer-term growth...