Second-quarter profits before tax at British biopharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca were at $2.40 billion, the company reported on Thursday, 15% higher than last year’s $2.09 billion. Earnings per share were $1.24, up 6% from last year’s $1.17. Core earnings per share were $1.98, down 8% from the prior year. Total revenues for the second quarter grew 13% to $12.94 billion from last year’s $11.42 billion. The growth was 17% at constant exchange rates. Further, the company has declared that interim dividend increased 7 cents to $1.00. The record date for the first interim dividend for 2024, payable …