AstraZeneca is a global pharmaceutical company formed in 1999 from the merger of Sweden's Astra AB and the UK's Zeneca Group PLC. The company researches, develops and commercialises therapies across oncology, biopharmaceuticals, respiratory and rare diseases, with a particular focus on precision medicines and next-generation therapeutics.
The company maintains a substantial R&D operation, with 197 projects currently in its pipeline and an ambition to deliver 20 new medicines by 2030. AstraZeneca's commercial portfolio includes 16 blockbuster medicines. It invests billions annually in research and development, supported by six strategic R&D centres located in Cambridge, Gothenburg, Gaithersburg, Boston, Shanghai and Beijing.
AstraZeneca's technical priorities include data science, artificial intelligence and cell therapies alongside traditional drug development capabilities. The company's approach is grounded in scientific rigour, with stated commitments to following the science and prioritising patient outcomes in its therapeutic development work.
