AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN): Q1 net profit fell 44% to $1.64B, well short of consensus of $2B....

AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN): Q1 net profit fell 44% to $1.64B, well short of consensus of $2B. Revenue of $7.35B (-11%) vs. consensus of $7.98B. The loss of patent exclusivity and challenging market conditions have "made for a difficult start to the year," CEO David Brennan said. Brennan, CEO since 2006, quit, to be replaced temporarily by CFO Simon Lowth. Shares -3.6% in London. (PR I, II)