AstraZeneca plc discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets prescription pharmaceuticals and biological products in the areas of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neuroscience, oncology, respiratory and inflammation, and infection worldwide. Its primary products include Arimidex for hormonal breast cancer; Crestor that provides treatment for managing cholesterol levels; Nexium for acid-related diseases; Seroquel, an atypical anti-psychotic therapy for treating schizophrenia and bipolar mania; and Symbicort for the treatment of asthma in patients. The company also engages in the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of medical devices and implants for use in urology, surgery, and odontology. In addition, it develops and manages hospital-based outpatient cancer centers in the United States; and produces individually adapted abutments for dental implants using a patented CAD/CAM method. The company markets its products to primary care and specialist physicians, as well as to other healthcare professionals, governments, and healthcare buying groups through sales and marketing network, local marketing companies, distributors, and local representative offices. It has collaboration agreements with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; POZEN Inc.; Abbott laboratories; Palatin Technologies, Inc; BioDuro Inc.; Jubilant Organosys Ltd.; Merck & Co. Inc.; Cancer Research Technology Limited; Institute of Cancer Research; Alcon Inc.; Mental Health Research Institute; Targacept, Inc.; and Dako Denmark A/S. AstraZeneca also has a drug discovery and development agreement with PsychoGenics Inc. to identify compounds that are useful for the treatment of certain central nervous system disorders. It was formerly known as Zeneca Group PLC and changed its name to AstraZeneca plc in April 1999. AstraZeneca was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. AstraZeneca plc (LSE: AZN) operates independently of Imperial Chemical Industries plc as of June 1, 1993. Medimmune - a former SBIR awardee - was acquired by AstraZeneca and functions as the biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca. Inthat capacity Medimmune has acquired two SBIR involved firms meaningthat AstraZeneca's SBIR acquisition record is larger than that indicated here.
