By Maggie Fick and Yadarisa Shabong (Reuters) -Drugmaker AstraZeneca lifted its annual sales and profit forecast for the second time this year on Tuesday, helped by strong demand for its cancer and rare diseases medicines,

The U.K. drugmaker also announced plans to drop another $2 billion on expanding its R&D and manufacturing footprint in the “important” U.S. market.

AstraZeneca raised its full-year guidance after third-quarter results topped analysts’ expectations, boosted by its cancer and diabetes medicines, and laid out plans for a multibillion-dollar investment in the U.

Drugmaker AstraZeneca lifted its annual sales and profit forecast for the second time in less than four months on Tuesday, helped by resilient demand for its cancer and rare diseases medicines, after third-quarter results beat estimates.

AstraZeneca said it is doubling down on its investment in its U.S. business. Meanwhile, General Catalyst has agreed to purchase Summa Health for $485 million.

KEY TAKEAWAYS British drugmaker AstraZeneca increased its full-year sales outlook on booming demand for its cancer and rare-disease drugs, and said it plans to invest $3.5 billion in its U.S. business by the end of 2026.