AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca was founded in 1913 with a mission to transform the future of healthcare by leveraging the power of science for the benefit of people, society, and the planet.

In 1926, Astra Hässle established its research and development site in Gothenburg, Sweden.

In 1954, Astra Draco set up its research and development site in Lund, Sweden, indicating a significant step in the pharmaceutical research field.

In 1975, Astra established a manufacturing center in Gärtuna, Sweden, enhancing its production capabilities and presence in the pharmaceutical sector.

AstraZeneca started its operations in Switzerland in 1976 and has been active in the country since then. In 1999, AstraZeneca AG was established in Baar, Zug.

In 1982, Astra entered into a cooperation agreement with MSD in the United States, marking a significant partnership in the pharmaceutical industry.

Sir James W. Black, the discoverer of the beta-blocker and an employee of ICI Pharmaceuticals, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine.

In 1993, ICI demerged its pharmaceuticals business, leading to the formation of Zeneca Group PLC.

On February 4, 1998, Astra USA filed a lawsuit against its former president and CEO, Lars Bildman, seeking $15 million for defrauding the company. The lawsuit alleged sexual harassment, misuse of company funds, and other misconduct by Bildman.

Astra AB and Zeneca Group plc, two companies with similar science-based cultures and a shared vision of the pharmaceutical industry, merged on 6th April 1999 to form AstraZeneca, now considered one of the top ten pharma companies in the world.

In 2006, AstraZeneca acquired Cambridge Antibody Technology for £702 million, following a collaborative relationship that began in 2004.

In February 2007, AstraZeneca purchased Arrow Therapeutics, a company specializing in anti-viral therapies, for $150 million.

In April 2007, AstraZeneca bought US company MedImmune for approximately $15.2 billion to expand its flu vaccines and anti-viral treatment portfolio.

AstraZeneca acquired vaccine maker MedImmune in June 2007 for $15.2 billion, expanding its drug-development pipeline despite facing pressure from generics.

In 2009, the court case Astra USA v. Bildman resulted in a ruling applying New York's faithless servant doctrine. The court held that an employee who engaged in financial misdeeds and sexual harassment must forfeit all salary and bonuses for the period of disloyalty.

In April 2010, AstraZeneca settled a qui tam lawsuit for US$520 million, resolving allegations of defrauding Medicare, Medicaid, and other government-funded health care programs related to the marketing of the antipsychotic drug Seroquel. The company targeted inappropriate prescribers for the drug.

In June 2012, AstraZeneca and Bristol Myers Squibb jointly acquired biotechnology company Amylin Pharmaceuticals for a total deal value of $5.3 billion.

On August 28, 2012, Pascal Soriot was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of AstraZeneca.

Pascal Soriot has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of AstraZeneca and will join the company's Board as an Executive Director on 1 October 2012.

In March 2013, AstraZeneca revealed plans for a significant corporate restructuring, including the closure of certain research and development facilities and a focus on three therapeutic areas.

In October 2013, AstraZeneca announced the acquisition of biotech oncology company Spirogen for approximately US$440 million.

On May 19, 2014, AstraZeneca rejected Pfizer's final offer of £55 per share, valuing the company at £69.4 billion. The potential takeover would have made Pfizer the world's largest drug maker and marked the largest foreign takeover of a British company.

On November 6, 2015, AstraZeneca acquired ZS Pharma for $2.7 billion.

In 2016, AstraZeneca further strengthened its position in the respiratory sector by acquiring the respiratory division of Takeda Pharmaceutical, enhancing its presence in the market.

In July 2017, AstraZeneca's CEO Pascal Soriot reassured that Brexit would not impact the company's current plans in the United Kingdom, although decision making for new investment projects was delayed to wait for post-Brexit regulations.

In March 2019, AstraZeneca announced a collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo worth up to US$6.9 billion for an experimental breast cancer treatment.

AstraZeneca announced a collaboration with the University of Oxford to develop a COVID-19 vaccine on April 30, 2020.

On August 28, 2020, AstraZeneca signed a contract with the U.K., which contained the phrase 'best reasonable efforts' and was similar to the contract with the EU.

AstraZeneca's sales are on the rise again after a decade of decline, mainly due to the success of its new lung cancer drug Tagrisso. The company's investment in MedImmune is also paying off, with drugs like Imfinzi contributing to revenues. CEO Soriot is optimistic about the company's future growth.

On 23 November 2020, Oxford-AstraZeneca announced the successful trial of their vaccine, preventing 70% of people from developing symptoms.

AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine received its first approval in the UK on December 30, 2020, after reaching phase 3 trials at unprecedented speed. The vaccine faced competition from Pfizer and BioNTech's shot, which showed greater efficacy but had more distribution challenges due to storage requirements.

Soriot's pay at AstraZeneca has faced criticism multiple times in the past. Shareholders have previously shown support for AstraZeneca's remuneration policies.

On April 6, 2021, EMA head of vaccines Marco Cavaleri announced a potential link between the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and rare blood clots with low platelet counts. The EMA later confirmed the link but continued to recommend the vaccine due to its benefits outweighing the risks.

Barclays organized an event focusing on AstraZeneca's operations in China in Shanghai.

During the annual meeting, AstraZeneca shareholders voted in favor of an updated pay policy that could potentially result in CEO Soriot earning over 18.7 million pounds sterling for his performance in the current year.

AstraZeneca announces the acquisition of Canadian cancer specialist Fusion for $2.4 billion, aiming to strengthen its position in the field of cancer treatment.

AstraZeneca makes a strategic move by investing $2 billion in acquiring Fusion, a Canadian cancer specialist, to advance next-generation cancer therapy.

AstraZeneca announced an increase in dividends shortly before a vote on the CEO's £19 million pay package.

AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot successfully avoids an executive pay revolt at the company's annual meeting in April 2024, reminiscent of a previous incident in 2021.

ASCO meeting where AstraZeneca management will be present in Chicago.

Continuing the implementation of the Operations 2025 programme aimed at improving operational efficiency and effectiveness within the organization.