AstraZeneca to Establish Strategic R&D Center in Gaithersburg, Md; Wilmington Remains North America Commercial Headquarters
AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) announced today that Gaithersburg, Md., will be
one of three global research and development centers to improve pipeline
productivity and to establish the company as a global leader in
biopharmaceutical innovation. Additionally, US-based global marketing
and specialty care commercial functions will be centered in
Gaithersburg, currently the site of MedImmune’s headquarters and the
primary location for AstraZeneca’s biologics activities.
The relocation of research and development, global marketing and
specialty care positions from Wilmington will be carried out through
2015. The North America commercial headquarters, along with several
corporate-based support functions, will remain in Wilmington.
The changes are part of AstraZeneca’s announcement to invest in
strategic research and development centers in Cambridge, UK;
Gaithersburg, Md.; and Mölndal, Sweden. The proposals are designed to
co-locate teams to improve collaboration and put science and the patient
at the heart of everything the company does. The changes will also
simplify the company’s global site footprint.
Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer, AstraZeneca said: “The changes
we are proposing represent an exciting and important opportunity to put
science at the heart of everything we do because our long-term success
depends on improving R&D productivity and achieving scientific
leadership. This is a major investment in the future of this company
that will accelerate innovation by improving collaboration, reducing
complexity and speeding up decision-making. The strategic centers will
also allow us to tap into important bioscience hotspots, providing more
of our people with easy access to leading-edge academic and industry
networks, scientific talent and valuable partnering opportunities.”
The consolidation of AstraZeneca’s global R&D footprint will have an
impact on sites in the United States. About 1,200 positions will leave
Wilmington, while there will be an increase of about 300 positions in
Gaithersburg. The changes announced today will lead to an estimated
overall reduction of about 650 positions in the US, while around 170
will relocate to other AstraZeneca sites in the US or overseas.
“I recognize that our plans will have a significant impact on many of
our people and our stakeholders at the affected sites. We are fully
committed to treating all our employees with respect and fairness as we
navigate this important period of change,” Pascal Soriot said.
AstraZeneca will provide an update on its business strategy and
implementation plans at its Investor Day presentation on Thursday, March
21.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business
with a primary focus on the discovery, development and commercialization
of prescription medicines for gastrointestinal, cardiovascular,
neuroscience, respiratory and inflammation, oncology and infectious
disease. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative
medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.
For more information about AstraZeneca in the U.S. or our AZ&Me™
Prescription Savings programs, please visit: www.astrazeneca-us.com
or call 1-800-AZandMe (292-6363).