Astra AB is a former international pharmaceutical company headquartered in Södertälje, Sweden. Astra was formed in 1913 and merged with the British Zeneca Group in 1999 to form AstraZeneca.[1] Product development was focused on therapeutics for gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and respiratory disorders and pain control. At the time of the fusion, Astra was the largest Swedish pharmaceutical company. Astra also operated Astra Tech, a medical devices company, and marketed pharmaceuticals outside their primary development area, including anti-infective agents. AstraZeneca PLC engages in the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines for cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neuroscience, infection, oncology, and respiratory and inflammation diseases worldwide. Its principal products include Atacand for hypertension and heart failure; Crestor for managing cholesterol levels; Seloken/Toprol-XL for hypertension, heart failure, and angina; Nexium for acid reflux; Synagis for RSV, a respiratory infection in infants; Seroquel IR for schizophrenia and bipolar disorders; and Seroquel XR for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorders. The company principal products also comprise Zoladex for prostate and breast cancer; Pulmicort for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases; and Symbicort for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. In addition, it has 84 pipeline projects, which include 71 projects in various clinical phases of development. The company markets its products to primary care and specialist doctors through distributors or local representative offices. AstraZeneca PLC has collaboration agreements with Amgen, Inc. to develop and commercialize monoclonal antibodies; Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc to co-develop and co-commercialize linaclotide in China; BIND Therapeutics, Inc. to develop and commercialize cancer nanomedicine; and WuXi AppTec to develop and commercialize MEDI5117, a biologic for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. It also has a strategic alliance with Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the discovery and development of novel generation antisense therapeutics; and a strategic collaboration with FibroGen, Inc. to develop and commercialize FG-4592, a compound for the treatment of anemia associated with chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. The company was formerly known as Zeneca Group PLC and changed its name to AstraZeneca PLC in April 1999. AstraZeneca PLC was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.