AstraZeneca in the UK

The Cambridge site will become our largest centre for oncology research worldwide. Beyond cancer research, our R&D will focus on cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, respiratory, inflammation and autoimmune diseases and conditions of the central nervous system. The site will bring together our small molecule and biologics R&D, opening up opportunities to exploit the promise of small and large molecule combinations. Additionally, we will have medicinal chemistry, high-throughput screening and cellular and molecular biology, as well as clinical development and pre-clinical research capabilities located on the site.

Employing approximately 2,900 people, including some of the world’s most skilled and experienced science professionals, Alderley Park is renowned for the discovery and development of innovative new medicines. As the lead centre for cancer research, Alderley Park currently houses the global Advanced Lead Discovery Centre, which includes innovative facilities to assist with the drug discovery process, in addition to oncology discovery and early development capabilities (Oncology Innovative Medicines). Alderley Park is also home to employees within our global medicines development function, who are responsible for the late stage development of our pipeline (products in phase III development). 

AstraZeneca’s UK Marketing Company (UKMC) is a part of our global commercial organisation, and is responsible for the marketing of our medicines in the UK. The UKMC’s base at Horizon Place is also home to colleagues from AstraZeneca’s corporate functions and our European and international regions’ sales and marketing teams (the latter includes markets in Latin America, the Middle East & Africa, Asia, and Australasia).

Macclesfield, in the north-west of England, is our second largest manufacturing site and our European centre for packing. Some 1,800 people are employed at our Macclesfield site, where we manufacture, pack and distribute our medicines to 130 global markets. Effective manufacturing processes are vitally important to our work, so we’ve introduced new techniques at Macclesfield which have increased efficiency significantly.

Avlon is the manufacturing home of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) for two of our key medicines. Efficient production processes at Avlon are vitally important to our work, but we’ve also been focusing on minimising the environmental impact of our manufacturing. In 2009, we implemented a new, industry-leading API recovery process at the site and in 2012 we installed a large solvent recovery unit. These improvements reduce aqueous incineration waste and solvent waste which has environmental benefits, as well as being a more cost effective form of production.