AstraZeneca on Friday topped analyst expectations for second-quarter profit and revenue, helped by higher demand for its cancer medicines.

Core earnings came in at $1.72 cents per share for the three months ended June 30, on revenue of about $10.8 billion.

Analysts on average were expecting profit of $1.56 cents per share on revenue of around $10.5 billion, Refinitiv data showed.

The London-listed company also raised its full-year revenue guidance, saying it expects it to rise by a percentage in the low twenties rather than the high teens forecast previously.

On Friday, the company also revealed the replacement for non-executive Chairman Leif Johansson - Michel Demaré will take over once Johansson retires next year.

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Demaré currently serves as the chair of AstraZeneca’s remuneration committee.

Johansson became chairman in 2012, around the same time Frenchman Pascal Soriot took charge as chief executive.