AstraZeneca (LON:AZN) upgraded annual profit and revenue targets but warned that 2016 would be tough due to loss of US exclusivity on anti-cholesterol treatment Crestor.
The group said total annual revenue would match last year's rather than previous expectations for a low single-digit percentage decline against the previous year.
It expects core earnings per share to rise in mid-high single digit percentage terms, instead of earlier guidance pointing to a low single-digit percentage increase versus the prior year.
Growth products increased sales by 10% in the year so far, representing 57% of total revenue.
Respiratory drugs were up 8% including 38% third quarter sales growth in emerging markets. Sales of heart attack treatment Brilinta rose 44% overall and by 73% in the third quarter in the US.
Sales of diabetes medication increased 26% including a 73% rise in emerging markets.
But total revenue in the year to date fell 8% in actual terms to US$18.3bn and by a tenth in the third quarter to US$5.9bn. Core operating profit fell 7% to US$5.3bn in the year to date and by 2% to US$1.7bn in the third quarter. At constant exchange rates the latter was up 7%.
Chief executive Pascal Soriot said: "Our financial performance in the year to date, including an 8% increase in Core EPS in the third quarter, underpinned today's upgrade to full-year guidance.
"2016 will be a pivotal year in our strategic journey as we face the impact of loss of exclusivity to Crestor in the US.
"Looking ahead however, the continued performance of our growth platforms and upcoming launches will combine with our increasing focus on costs and cash generation to help offset short-term headwinds and return AstraZeneca to sustainable growth."
Shares in the group rose 124p to 4251.5p in early London trading.