AstraZeneca is an international healthcare business engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare services. It has sales of around $31.6bn and around 67,000 employees (2008). AstraZeneca is active in over 100 countries and is headquartered in London, UK. 
Company movements
In November 2008, AstraZeneca said that it would divest its Nordic over-the-counter (OTC) products that are predominantly sold in Sweden to GlaxoSmithKline.
Under the agreement, AstraZeneca will receive $253m for the OTC brands. The transaction is conditional upon the Swedish Competition Authority's approval, which is not anticipated to be received until the first quarter of 2009.
Pharmaceuticals
Cardiovascular
Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of sickness and death in the industrialised world, and is becoming increasingly common in developing countries. AstraZeneca is committed to improving cardiovascular care and has a broad range of products targeted at this substantial area of medical need.
Gastrointestional
Acid-related diseases, such as peptic ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and dyspepsia, represent a major healthcare problem. AstraZeneca claims to be a leader in the treatment of acid-related diseases, with its proton-pump inhibitor, Losec (omeprazole).
Additionally, it offers Entocort (budesonide) for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which represent significant healthcare burdens. It currently has four new products in its development pipeline.
Infection
AstraZeneca develops and markets a range of products designed to treat and prevent serious infection - a major healthcare problem worldwide.
Neuroscience
Psychiatric and neurological disorders represent a significant area of medical need. These disorders not only affect the sufferers, but also pose an immense financial and emotional burden to society in general and to healthcare systems specifically. In this area, AstraZeneca markets products for schizophrenia and migraine and carries out research in most central nervous system disorders.
Oncology
Cancer causes millions of deaths globally every year. AstraZeneca is one of the leading suppliers of anti-cancer medicines, with a broad range of products targeted at this devastating disease. Some of our anti-cancer medicines are also used to treat non-malignant illnesses, such as gynaecological conditions.
Respiratory
The management of respiratory diseases remains a major healthcare challenge. The incidence of diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and allergic rhinitis is growing, and significant problems with under-diagnosis and inadequate treatment remain in many parts of the world. AstraZeneca provides a wide range of products and inhalation devices, designed to aid physicians with optimal patient management.
Non-pharma businesses
Astra Tech
Astra Tech develops and markets advanced medical devices and implants, focusing primarily on urology, surgery, dental implants and diagnostic imaging.
Aptium Oncology (formerly Salick Health Care)
Aptium Oncology (formerly Salick Health Care) provides a broad range of services to health insurers, oncologists, other specialists and their patients in the US, principally in the diagnosis.
AstraZeneca
Strategy & Financial Highlights
AstraZeneca will focus on strengthening its pipeline, driving top-line sales growth and making productivity improvements. It says that to manage the challenges of its business environment and to maximise the opportunities to deliver sustainable, profitable growth it will focus its efforts on the following strategic plan. (Edited from “Chairman's statement”, “Chief executive officer’s review”, and “Strategy”, AstraZeneca, annual report). ICIS also provides you with key financial data listed in table form.
More about AstraZeneca Strategy & Financial Highlights
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