Industry news: AstraZeneca accelerates Biologics strategy

MedImmune has world-class biologics manufacturing facilities and a diversified pipeline of promising candidates all designed to treat or prevent a number of debilitating or life-threatening diseases. This is a landmark acquisition for AstraZeneca and will have a transformational impact on the company's science base.

AstraZeneca's International Chief Executive Officer, David Brennan, commenting on the completion of the acquisition said: “MedImmune will accelerate the delivery of our biologics strategy. It brings us critical new capabilities in discovery, development, regulatory, manufacturing and sales. It also brings into the AstraZeneca group a team of talented and committed people to complement our existing biologics capability.”

Local AstraZeneca CEO, Dr Guni Goolab, says: “The acquisition of MedImmune, one of the world's leading biologics players, now enables us to move quickly to realise this value, not simply in commercial terms, but as a means of developing medicines that can change people's lives.”

AstraZeneca finalised its 100% ownership of Cambridge Antibody Technology (CAT) in 2006, by combining CAT and MedImmune, it is AstraZeneca's intention to create a fully integrated biologics and vaccines business capable of delivering a greater number of new products to patients in the company's priority areas over many years.

AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare services. It is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies with a broad range of products in seven therapeutic areas, including gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory, oncology, pain and anaesthesia and infection.

For further information visit www.astrazeneca.co.za

5 Leeuwkop Road, Sunninghill, 2157 / Co. Reg. No. 1992/005854/07