AstraZeneca cuts another 2,300 jobs in sales, administration

AstraZeneca's new chief executive announced another 2,300 job cuts in sales and administration on Thursday as he set out his stall for returning the drugmaker to growth.

Pascal Soriot also sought to reassure investors on the company's financial strength by pledging to maintain a progressive dividend policy while he seeks smart deals to bring in new products and makes the company's research more targeted.

The former Roche executive gave an overview of his strategic thinking in statement issued ahead of a briefing for analysts and investors starting later in the day in New York.

He already presented a blueprint for overhauling research and development (R&D) operations on Monday, involving the loss of 1,600 jobs and the consolidation of work in three big centers in Britain, the United States and Sweden.

(Reporting by Ben Hirschler)