1324 GMT - AstraZeneca's higher spending on research and development is a positive and crucial for it to build out its pipeline, UBS analysts say in a note. The British pharma giant generated higher-than-expected collaboration income, which it reinvested in R&D spending that grew 23% in the fourth quarter, the analysts say. "This is in line with UBS thesis that Astra Zeneca needs to increase R&D spend to prosecute the rich pipeline," UBS says. This year is key for the drugmaker, with seven expected late-stage trial results due, they say. Shares are up 5.8% at 117.70 pounds. (helena.smolak@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 06, 2025 08:24 ET (13:24 GMT)

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