AstraZeneca's board is in the early stages of planning for an eventual replacement for Johansson, who has chaired the company for seven years, according to the report.

There was no scheduled timetable in place yet for Johansson's departure, Sky News reported, citing sources.

The company declined to comment on the report.

(Reporting by Sabahatjahan Contractor, additional reporting by Ankur Banerjee; editing by Deepa Babington)