iFANN
    Last updated
    AstraZeneca
    pharmaceutical industry

    AstraZeneca

    Sweden flagSweden

    "What Science Can Do"

    Founded April 6, 1999 Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus CEO: Pascal Soriot
    Community

    About

    AstraZeneca is a Swedish-British multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company headquartered at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus in England. The company develops and markets treatments across oncology, cardiovascular disease, respiratory conditions, and rare diseases. With operations in over 100 countries, it ranks among the world's largest pharmaceutical companies by market capitalization.

    The company was formed on April 6, 1999, through the merger of Swedish Astra AB and British Zeneca Group, which had been spun off from Imperial Chemical Industries in 1993. Astra AB's roots go back to 1913, when it was founded by doctors and apothecaries in Södertälje, Sweden, eventually becoming Sweden's largest pharmaceutical company. The merger created a global powerhouse, and its R&D is concentrated in three strategic centers: Cambridge, England; Gothenburg, Sweden; and Gaithersburg, Maryland, US.

    Under the leadership of CEO Pascal Soriot since 2012, AstraZeneca revitalized its pipeline and gained worldwide recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic for developing a widely distributed vaccine. The company has also expanded through acquisitions including Cambridge Antibody Technology (2006), MedImmune (2007), Spirogen (2013), and Definiens (2014). In August 2026, reports emerged that AstraZeneca and Bristol Myers Squibb held talks about a potential $400 billion merger, which would be one of the largest pharmaceutical deals in history.

    Products & Sub-brands

    Tagrisso (oncology)Imfinzi (oncology)Lynparza (oncology)Symbicort (respiratory)Farxiga (cardiovascular/renal)COVID-19 vaccine (Vaxzevria)

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Who owns AstraZeneca?
    AstraZeneca is a publicly traded company, not privately owned. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange (FTSE 100), Nasdaq Stockholm, and the New York Stock Exchange, meaning it is owned by its shareholders. Institutional investors and mutual funds hold the majority of shares.
    Who is the CEO of AstraZeneca?
    Pascal Soriot has served as Chief Executive Officer of AstraZeneca since 2012. Under his leadership, the company transformed its R&D pipeline and became one of the world's most valuable pharmaceutical companies, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic when it developed a widely distributed vaccine.
    How much is AstraZeneca worth?
    AstraZeneca's market capitalization has consistently ranked it among the world's largest pharmaceutical companies. The company's scale was highlighted in August 2026 when it reportedly explored a $400 billion merger with Bristol Myers Squibb, indicating the combined entity's enormous valuation potential.
    AstraZeneca vs Pfizer: Which is better?
    Both are pharmaceutical giants, but they have different strengths. AstraZeneca is particularly strong in oncology and respiratory diseases, while Pfizer has a broader portfolio including vaccines, hospital medicines, and consumer health products. AstraZeneca gained significant recognition for its COVID-19 vaccine, while Pfizer's mRNA vaccine with BioNTech was commercially more successful.
    Is AstraZeneca still in business?
    Yes, AstraZeneca is very much in business and thriving. As of August 2026, the company continues to operate globally, recently beat profit forecasts driven by strong cancer drug sales, and is reportedly exploring a potential $400 billion merger with Bristol Myers Squibb, which would be one of the largest pharmaceutical deals in history.

    Keywords

    AstraZenecapharmaceuticalbiotechnologyoncologyCOVID-19 vaccinePascal SoriotmergerBristol Myers Squibb

    Sources

    WikipediaOfficial WebsiteCNBCFinancial TimesThe Guardian

    Company Info

    Founded
    April 6, 1999
    CEO
    Pascal Soriot
    Headquarters
    Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus
    Industry
    pharmaceutical industry
    Stock Listings
    London Stock Exchange, Nasdaq Stockholm, New York Stock Exchange
    R&D Centers
    Cambridge, England; Gothenburg, Sweden; Gaithersburg, Maryland, US

    Official Website

    www.astrazeneca.com/

    Links

    Join the community

    fans discussing